Hoof ball v2

[wizadry]

It was fucking atrocious to watch, Pinchy will fucking hate it. After watching Tuesdays game, I can't believe how shite we were today, CW has panicked already to change it from a few neat triangles then the odd ball to Clarke, to the full on long ball to Clarke all the way through. Absolutely shocking, and that first half was miles worse than any other manager we've ever had. Fucking fuming!

 

[Fulwood Blade]

However, the players and style weren't the problem under David Weir. The problem was David Weir.

Yes, it probably was the fact that he could never be a manager - although he's doing all right with Warburton as a no 2.

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

Swiss - the play last year was poor - but at least it had a style and a pattern that the players knew and understood.

The play today was clueless, with no discernible pattern anyone could work out.
We have no idea what CW is heading for - he says one tthing and the players do something else.
We once AGAIN have NO players who know how to play against an opposition that deny us space.

We are clueless and have a manager at present that has nailed his colours in pre-season and now to this 4-4-2 and these players.

This team, and style will be worse than David Weir.

UTB

Sorry to pick apart your post, but last year there was no style, no pattern and the players did not have a clue. That was the biggest issue - they were not organised at all.

Players were played out of position in formations that they didn't understand and with players that really shouldn'y have been anywhere near the pitch - Hammond, Coutts, JCR and Collins as examples

You may be right about Wilder, but its far, far too early

 

[Fulwood Blade]

. Fucking fuming!

Me too.

UTB

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Sorry to pick apart your post, but last year there was no style, no pattern and the players did not have a clue. That was the biggest issue - they were not organised at all.

Players were played out of position in formations that they didn't understand and with players that really shouldn'y have been anywhere near the pitch - Hammond, Coutts, JCR and Collins as examples

You may be right about Wilder, but its far, far too early

The style was poor, the football was poor - because the players, generally were poor - but they all knew their role in the team.

We beg to differ..........

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

The style was poor, the football was poor - because the players, generally were poor - but they all knew their role in the team.

We beg to differ..........

UTB

Players didnt know their role.
Scougal has said something along these lines following his move to Fleetwood.
Done was played as a left back
Basham was played as a right back
Adams was played all over.

Do you really believe they knew their role?

I'd argue that Man U in the cup was the one game where we truly saw an organised side under Adkins

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Players didnt know their role.
Scougal has said something along these lines following his move to Fleetwood.
Done was played as a left back
Basham was played as a right back
Adams was played all over.

Do you really believe they knew their role?

I'd argue that Man U in the cup was the one game where we truly saw an organised side under Adkins

This is all true Swiss. Have to say though, having just got back from my first match of tne season.. that was rubbish today. What pattern did CW employer today. It was guileless and one dimensional. We will need patience, but that today was not much better than the majority of the rubbish I watched last year.

Although... Some of the new arrivals show a bit of promise, so hope springs eternal.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Decent summary. Though till Billy scored (& what a finish it was), thought he was as useless as he was on Tuesday.

Just hope it's a stop-gap sort of thing until Wilder can get a couple more key players in (especially a replacement for Basham).

Ugly, really ugly football.

My concern from watching the first two games, has been that playing Sharp and Clarke seems to effectively turn 4-2-3-1 into a narrow 4-4-2 that makes it too tempting to look for one of our *star* strikers too early, rather than building attacks with quick passing and movement. Was this the case today as well? Has Wilder toned down his playing principles in order to make room for both of Sharp and Clarke?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Was this the case today as well?

Yes, absolutely. Too often today the defence would look to aim at Clarke – the easy option. I'm not sure whether that was according to or in opposition to Wilder's instructions.

 

[Caseh]

Yes, absolutely. Too often today the defence would look to aim at Clarke – the easy option. I'm not sure whether that was according to or in opposition to Wilder's instructions.

Well after Wilson got a bollocking from Wilder for dropping deep for a goal kick, which would have given us an option to go short.. I get the feeling it was by orders of Wilder to go long.

 

[PokerBlade]

I was horrible to watch, don't relish another 22 of those to suffer through.

I stopped watching you five minutes in. Even the football was better.

 

[PokerBlade]

I was saying the same thing also reminded me of Blackwell tactics. No matter what the oppositions strengths even if they have two giant cbs at the back just smash it long.
Hope it's not a sign of things to come because it really doesn't suit the players we have.

Time will tell as to how much of today was the plan and how much was players taking the easy way out. It's clear we want to move the ball quickly and directly but first half against Crewe I felt it was more than simple long ball stuff. We weren't getting any joy out wide today and neither full back was pushing up to support or overlap. Very often players were doing the easy thing of heading it aimlessly or punting it long instead of bringing it down and looking up.

 

[HillmortonBlade]

That WAS hoof ball today, and we can accept that if it gets us out of the doldrums.

As said by others, Clark played his role well and everyone sat around me thought he was MotM. Thing is... The balls he knocked on went nowhere, it don't suit Sharp (but hey, he's a Blade so he gets MotM for some). Ugly is acceptable if it delivers.

 

[Ricky]

Whenever I've seen Sharp playing with anyone who wins headers, he never, ever reacts to the knockdowns. He's always in the wrong position. Playing with a target man doesn't suit him. If he hasn't got decent service from wide he needs someone up front with him to give him the ball to feet in and around the box. Andy Keogh at Scunny has been the best example.

 

[YES Blade]

Whenever I've seen Sharp playing with anyone who wins headers, he never, ever reacts to the knockdowns. He's always in the wrong position. Playing with a target man doesn't suit him. If he hasn't got decent service from wide he needs someone up front with him to give him the ball to feet in and around the box. Andy Keogh at Scunny has been the best example.

He was shit playing with Beattie in 2007, why 9 years on would he all of a sudden be able to play off a target man?

Sharp's best seasons we're partnering Keogh and Beckford who I'm sure everyone knows are nothing like Clarke.

 

[YES Blade]

Well after Wilson got a bollocking from Wilder for dropping deep for a goal kick, which would have given us an option to go short.. I get the feeling it was by orders of Wilder to go long.

Shit, that is worrying!

 

[Caseh]

Shit, that is worrying!

That is the part that bothered me most I think, I can understand if the players lose their bottle and "get rid" but when it appears to be orders of the boss? That isn't good.

 

[Rodders]

Sorry to pick apart your post, but last year there was no style, no pattern and the players did not have a clue. That was the biggest issue - they were not organised at all.

Players were played out of position in formations that they didn't understand and with players that really shouldn'y have been anywhere near the pitch - Hammond, Coutts, JCR and Collins as examples

You may be right about Wilder, but its far, far too early

..although it is early days, neither were they organised today. I remain hopeful it clicks into gear, but this was very very poor today.

 

[SwissBlade]

..although it is early days, neither were they organised today. I remain hopeful it clicks into gear, but this was very very poor today.

I don't doubt it. But last season we played 46 games, so far we've played 2 league games

 

[Rodders]

That WAS hoof ball today, and we can accept that if it gets us out of the doldrums.

As said by others, Clark played his role well and everyone sat around me thought he was MotM. Thing is... The balls he knocked on went nowhere, it don't suit Sharp (but hey, he's a Blade so he gets MotM for some). Ugly is acceptable if it delivers.

Fine, they can play it long all they want but, as you say, there is no support for Clarke at all. With a midfield that don't like to get forward as much as ours it looks like it may be a long old season.

 

[DronnieBlade]

Just got back from the game...

• We are playing a poor mans version of Kevin Blackwell hoofball
• Duffy looks OK
• Sharp was our best player by a mile
• Scrappiest game I've seen for a while
• What's wrong with playing the ball on the f*cking floor
• George Long needs his P45 handing to him
• Lacking a playmaker to replace Basham
• We're still getting bullied physically
• Obvious we don't have the players to play the way Wilder wants
• Defence looked OK

Overall a very poor game of football from two unexciting teams I'm afraid. Based on that we will be lucky to make the playoffs and without a doubt do not deserve the favourites tag once again.

Lots to do...

Playmaker for Basham.

Paul Coutts ?

UTB

 

[him behind you]

He was shit playing with Beattie in 2007, why 9 years on would he all of a sudden be able to play off a target man?

Sharp's best seasons we're partnering Keogh and Beckford who I'm sure everyone knows are nothing like Clarke.

So the manager has signed a player who won't suit the style or ability of those he already has?

 

[him behind you]

Fine, they can play it long all they want but, as you say, there is no support for Clarke at all. With a midfield that don't like to get forward as much as ours it looks like it may be a long old season.

Hoofing like today was simply an aimless easyway out if taking any responsibility with the ball. If that's what the manager wants it'll be a long dull season.

 

[DronnieBlade]

So the manager has signed a player who won't suit the style or ability of those he already has?

Nail.

Head.

Gobsmacked.

3 fucking years !!!!!!

UTB

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Just got back from the game...

• We are playing a poor mans version of Kevin Blackwell hoofball
• Duffy looks OK
• Sharp was our best player by a mile
• Scrappiest game I've seen for a while
• What's wrong with playing the ball on the f*cking floor
• George Long needs his P45 handing to him
• Lacking a playmaker to replace Basham
• We're still getting bullied physically
• Obvious we don't have the players to play the way Wilder wants
• Defence looked OK

Overall a very poor game of football from two unexciting teams I'm afraid. Based on that we will be lucky to make the playoffs and without a doubt do not deserve the favourites tag once again.

Lots to do...

Was Billy our best player because he scored ?, 'cos other than that, he was pretty anonymous.

 

[Deadbat]

Well after Wilson got a bollocking from Wilder for dropping deep for a goal kick, which would have given us an option to go short.. I get the feeling it was by orders of Wilder to go long.

Yes the players have took Wilder's instructions and criticism of Tuesday and went long at every opportunity. I felt a bit sorry for two centre backs. They were clearly under orders to 'Gerrit forward.'

Not going to be pretty. Were Northampton this basic in way they played?

 

[northsomersetblade]

Early doors. Lets not start on them in August ffs. The changes since May are all good. Let's give them a fair crack of the whip

 

[HillmortonBlade]

Early doors. Lets not start on them in August ffs. The changes since May are all good. Let's give them a fair crack of the whip

I have ALWAYS been one for giving a bit of time. I posted last week about giving it ten games. But I have to reflect on how I responded to what I saw today, perhaps it's a mixture of disappointment that last season quality has continued into this one, or maybe it's because I'm tired and pist, but I really hope I'll be disappointed with my own pessimism in the months to come.

 

[Caseh]

Yes the players have took Wilder's instructions and criticism of Tuesday and went long at every opportunity. I felt a bit sorry for two centre backs. They were clearly under orders to 'Gerrit forward.'

Not going to be pretty. Were Northampton this basic in way they played?

I'm not going to pretend that I watched much of Northampton last season, but from the little I did see - No they weren't. They were more direct than our past seasons, but nothing like that today.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Hoofing like today was simply an aimless easyway out if taking any responsibility with the ball. If that's what the manager wants it'll be a long dull season.

Think it's not quite as simple as that.

We've played some great possession football under Clough and Adkins but all our best work was in and around the centre circle with lots of sideways passing and patient build up play. We looked a decent side last season but the big problem was we hardly created chances so was always going to struggle getting promoted.

We played hoof under Warnock and Blackwell. It can produce loads of chances which many perceive as entertaining but I remember the odd performance with those 2 managers when the performance was awful liike today. Played the right way a bit of hoof is fine.