I know McClaren can only work with the players that are at his disposal and that resources are tight.
Accepting this, he is probably, after some experimentation, deploying the optimal system available to him albeit with sporadic results and inconsistent form table performances. I suppose lower mid table, however, constitutes a reasonable outcome from a squad some had down as relegation candidates at the start of the campaign.
All that aside, I remain concerned about the skills shortage within the squad which is evident in the continually poor possession statistics. There is hardly a game goes by where the Rs are recorded with little more that one-third of the possession.
There is nothing wrong with a counter-attacking capability, or to play a pressing game without the ball, preferably as high up the pitch as possible. But I can’t see how any team can ultimately be sustainably successful if it doesn’t have the ball.
Of course, what matters most is what you do with the ball when you’ve got it. But every time I’ve watched the Rs this season (albeit on the telly) I’ve remained struck by how few consecutive passes this team can string together.
Yes, there was a recent example of a good passage of play, plus McClaren is trying to do the right thing by playing the ball on largely on the deck and out from the back, but I rarely see more than 3-5 consecutive passes completed before a clumsy piece of footwork results in the loss of possession.
Other teams in this league seem to have this much better than the Rs. Bristol City has c. 66% last night, but it seemed more. As the second half progressed it seemed obvious that the equaliser would come, such was their possession and the pressure they put on the Rs as a consequence.
I find myself wondering what they’re teaching youngsters these days. Pass and move, high fitness, head up and little mobile triangles surely seem obvious drills on the training pitch?
Yes, you need the players, but it feels more than that to me. This bunch just don’t seem to want to work like that.
A bit unfair? Possibly, but just my perception.
Accepting this, he is probably, after some experimentation, deploying the optimal system available to him albeit with sporadic results and inconsistent form table performances. I suppose lower mid table, however, constitutes a reasonable outcome from a squad some had down as relegation candidates at the start of the campaign.
All that aside, I remain concerned about the skills shortage within the squad which is evident in the continually poor possession statistics. There is hardly a game goes by where the Rs are recorded with little more that one-third of the possession.
There is nothing wrong with a counter-attacking capability, or to play a pressing game without the ball, preferably as high up the pitch as possible. But I can’t see how any team can ultimately be sustainably successful if it doesn’t have the ball.
Of course, what matters most is what you do with the ball when you’ve got it. But every time I’ve watched the Rs this season (albeit on the telly) I’ve remained struck by how few consecutive passes this team can string together.
Yes, there was a recent example of a good passage of play, plus McClaren is trying to do the right thing by playing the ball on largely on the deck and out from the back, but I rarely see more than 3-5 consecutive passes completed before a clumsy piece of footwork results in the loss of possession.
Other teams in this league seem to have this much better than the Rs. Bristol City has c. 66% last night, but it seemed more. As the second half progressed it seemed obvious that the equaliser would come, such was their possession and the pressure they put on the Rs as a consequence.
I find myself wondering what they’re teaching youngsters these days. Pass and move, high fitness, head up and little mobile triangles surely seem obvious drills on the training pitch?
Yes, you need the players, but it feels more than that to me. This bunch just don’t seem to want to work like that.
A bit unfair? Possibly, but just my perception.
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