The value of Done

[Pinchy]

Sorry but Done was dogshit last night

They have their myth and they ain't letting go. Happily Tufty knows what he's doing. He'll do what has to be Done.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

We saw it again last night, against Cov. He's make a difference to the side, it isn't any coincidence that when he went off, our dominance dropped. Wilder likes sides who press from the front and dictate the tempo, Done does just that - much, much more than any of the others do. Clarke isn't made for it and Lavery has the pace but doesn't do it as well. Done also makes those on the shoulder runs, that others don't and it will come off for him soon.

Disagree. After a really poor start to the 2nd half we improved significantly when Lavery came on. He got on the ball, ran at them and had 2 good efforts that both hit the post.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Our overal dominance might have dropped when Done went off but I thought we looked more dangerous up front with Lavery alongside Sharp.

We saw it again last night, against Cov. He's make a difference to the side, it isn't any coincidence that when he went off, our dominance dropped. Wilder likes sides who press from the front and dictate the tempo, Done does just that - much, much more than any of the others do. Clarke isn't made for it and Lavery has the pace but doesn't do it as well. Done also makes those on the shoulder runs, that others don't and it will come off for him soon.

Said the same on the other thread. While Done's finishing is woeful he makes such a difference to this team. The quick pressing Wilder wants the team to play comes straight from Done at the top; while one player doesn't make a team, we are a lot easier to play against when he goes off.

Done went off after 63 minutes. Although I thought we looked vulnerable and uncomfortable all game, the following period was especially poor for us. Our attacks broke down quite a few times, as we struggled to find players in space and Coventry broke dangerously.



In this 12 minute period Coventry regularly found space between our mdifield and defence, and on occasions outnumbered our defence. A better, more confident and driven side would have punished us. End to end stuff is exciting, but managers won't enjoy it.

It's difficult to say of course how much this relates to Done's substitution. The way he was running, he was probably running out of steam anyway. Although Coutts has improved immensely, chasing and covering ground will never be his strength. Wanting to dominate and push forward, maybe we overdid it, and left ourself exposed.

Wilder saw what was happening, and tried to tweak things, first by changing to a back four, pushing Bash into midfield. After 75 minutes he also took off Coutts, and we finished the game playing 4-5-1. It was vital that we got more work rate and solidity into midfield.

There will be match scenarios and opposition tactics that will try to make things less comfortable for us. Although we've seen how good we can be, let's not kid ourselves and think promotion will be easy. We have to keep monitoring our general balance, what makes us work well offensively and defensively, not just look at individual performances.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Oh, don't get me wrong - Lavery looked positive last night, but is just a very different option to Done. He doesn't press or make the runs that Done provides - he has pace, but is more inclined to stand off and less likely to defend from the front I think. He's a great option to have though. Clarke is the odd one out as things stand, in my book.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Perhaps we always have to have a scapegoat? Mebbes that's just our way, despite being joint top and despite being dominant in the first half last night?

I mean, we were wobbly and toss when Done went off, but perhaps he's the scapegoat anyways, eh?

 

[anglian blade]

I doubt if the ball would have fallen to Sharp for the first goal if Done had not been harassing the defender

 

[LJBlade]

They have their myth and they ain't letting go. Happily Tufty knows what he's doing. He'll do what has to be Done.

Tufty is the one currently picking Done to start.....

 

[BushBlade]

Perhaps we always have to have a scapegoat? Mebbes that's just our way, despite being joint top and despite being dominant in the first half last night?

I mean, we were wobbly and toss when Done went off, but perhaps he's the scapegoat anyways, eh?

Done wasn't that good last night but he wasn't alone. Our centre midfield was shocking for large parts of the second half. I've seen us play better under Adkins.
Done, like all players who are in the side to 'do a job', will always divide opinion.

 

[JohnDenver]

Done went off after 63 minutes. Although I thought we looked vulnerable and uncomfortable all game, the following period was especially poor for us. Our attacks broke down quite a few times, as we struggled to find players in space and Coventry broke dangerously.

View attachment 21223 View attachment 21224 View attachment 21225 View attachment 21226 View attachment 21227 View attachment 21228 View attachment 21229

In this 12 minute period Coventry regularly found space between our mdifield and defence, and on occasions outnumbered our defence. A better, more confident and driven side would have punished us. End to end stuff is exciting, but managers won't enjoy it.

It's difficult to say of course how much this relates to Done's substitution. The way he was running, he was probably running out of steam anyway. Although Coutts has improved immensely, chasing and covering ground will never be his strength. Wanting to dominate and push forward, maybe we overdid it, and left ourself exposed.

Wilder saw what was happening, and tried to tweak things, first by changing to a back four, pushing Bash into midfield. After 75 minutes he also took off Coutts, and we finished the game playing 4-5-1. It was vital that we got more work rate and solidity into midfield.

There will be match scenarios and opposition tactics that will try to make things less comfortable for us. Although we've seen how good we can be, let's not kid ourselves and think promotion will be easy. We have to keep monitoring our general balance, what makes us work well offensively and defensively, not just look at individual performances.

That's just as I saw it. I think Coutts was hobbled slightly by that early knock and his anonymity left the back three exposed. The switch in formation saw traffic reversed and we finished well after an ugly 25 minutes.

I think we'll see the same switch in tactics whenever we cannot dominate the ball. Much of our defensive method is to simply own the ball, and we are vulnerable when this doesn't function.

UTB

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Happily Tufty knows what he's doing. He'll do what has to be Done.

I agree – just as he did when naming an unchanged side, against the wishes of others. Luckily Wilder can see the big picture, rather than stick to an extremely rigid viewpoint.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Just wonder whether Lavery will get the nod at home on BD - he looked a tad better last night. He was a bit all over the place v Bolton - but he did play with Clarke which as Billy has found, is not easy at times.

Billy and Lavery is looking a possibility soon (ish).

UTB

 

[Tyler Durden]

They have their myth and they ain't letting go. Happily Tufty knows what he's doing. He'll do what has to be Done.

Then again I doubt that Christopher Wilder will be swayed by a sycophantic tosspot with an agenda. Not to name names like.

 

[larkymasher]

I don't think last night was really a good game to question any of the players and their abilities.

The game was a bit of a farce from start to finish. You could say every player bar Sharp was below par.

It is all going well. Maybe a couple of more bodies in over January, keep EEL, or EEL goes and we replace.

One thing for sure, CW will have every angle covered.

 

[spongebobblade]

Sorry but Done was dogshit last night

As were the vast majority wouldnt you agree? Or is it Matty batter time again??

 

[Pinchy]

As were the vast majority wouldnt you agree? Or is it Matty batter time again??

No. The vast majority were not at the top of their game. It happens. It's a very different proposition to "dogshit". Done was, and is, a poor footballer.

 

[Pinchy]

I agree – just as he did when naming an unchanged side, against the wishes of others. Luckily Wilder can see the big picture, rather than stick to an extremely rigid viewpoint.

Indeed. He's a very impressive manager. I'm sure you'll take the same view when Done is Runninaround the bench in the New Year.

 

[super_pig]

Perhaps we always have to have a scapegoat? Mebbes that's just our way, despite being joint top and despite being dominant in the first half last night?

I mean, we were wobbly and toss when Done went off, but perhaps he's the scapegoat anyways, eh?

i agree. and i'm as bad as anyone.. can't we have lafferty instead?? at least Done does 'something'

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Indeed. He's a very impressive manager. I'm sure you'll take the same view when Done is Runninaround the bench in the New Year.

Yes, I'm hoping we'll get a more effective player in. A few games between then and now though. Shall we give Clarke another go alongside Sharp till then?

 

[Tyler Durden]

Yes, I'm hoping we'll get a more effective player in. A few games between then and now though. Shall we give Clarke another go alongside Sharp till then?

Why on earth would anyone do that?

 

[andy m]

As were the vast majority wouldnt you agree? Or is it Matty batter time again??

No most were poor. The point I was trying to make is that people were using the statistic that Done was in the side as the reason we won the game.
We won because purely and simply because we have the best finisher in league 1.

 

[GrayBlade]

Done went off after 63 minutes. Although I thought we looked vulnerable and uncomfortable all game, the following period was especially poor for us. Our attacks broke down quite a few times, as we struggled to find players in space and Coventry broke dangerously.

View attachment 21223 View attachment 21224 View attachment 21225 View attachment 21226 View attachment 21227 View attachment 21228 View attachment 21229

In this 12 minute period Coventry regularly found space between our mdifield and defence, and on occasions outnumbered our defence. A better, more confident and driven side would have punished us. End to end stuff is exciting, but managers won't enjoy it.

It's difficult to say of course how much this relates to Done's substitution. The way he was running, he was probably running out of steam anyway. Although Coutts has improved immensely, chasing and covering ground will never be his strength. Wanting to dominate and push forward, maybe we overdid it, and left ourself exposed.

Wilder saw what was happening, and tried to tweak things, first by changing to a back four, pushing Bash into midfield. After 75 minutes he also took off Coutts, and we finished the game playing 4-5-1. It was vital that we got more work rate and solidity into midfield.

There will be match scenarios and opposition tactics that will try to make things less comfortable for us. Although we've seen how good we can be, let's not kid ourselves and think promotion will be easy. We have to keep monitoring our general balance, what makes us work well offensively and defensively, not just look at individual performances.

Good points as always Bergen, and I admire Done for his work rate, but we shouldn't really be relying on a striker chasing players down to keep things tight should we?

To put it another way, if Clarke or Lavery were scoring goals regularly, would Done really get a look in if he continued to fire blanks? We'd have to find another solution to the 'problem' of basically playing 3 ball players in CM. Personally, I could see Done being used as a late sub if we needed to protect a lead, but strikers need to contribute goals and (IMO), it's only because our others' aren't contributing as well that he's getting start up front, and both issues need to be addressed.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Perhaps we always have to have a scapegoat? Mebbes that's just our way, despite being joint top and despite being dominant in the first half last night?

I mean, we were wobbly and toss when Done went off, but perhaps he's the scapegoat anyways, eh?

Stop this, there is only room for one scapegoat in this team and everyone knows it's Chris ( He's our weak link you know) Basham.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I doubt if the ball would have fallen to Sharp for the first goal if Done had not been harassing the defender

If Done hadn't made that little run to the first post (notice he starts before the ball was struck by Lafferty) it would probably have been a routine clearance for the centre half, rather than a tackle.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Why on earth would anyone do that?

It's just one more game away from actually clicking as a partnership.

Or two games.

Or it never will – only one way to find out...

 

[andy m]

Done went off after 63 minutes. Although I thought we looked vulnerable and uncomfortable all game, the following period was especially poor for us. Our attacks broke down quite a few times, as we struggled to find players in space and Coventry broke dangerously.

View attachment 21223 View attachment 21224 View attachment 21225 View attachment 21226 View attachment 21227 View attachment 21228 View attachment 21229

In this 12 minute period Coventry regularly found space between our mdifield and defence, and on occasions outnumbered our defence. A better, more confident and driven side would have punished us. End to end stuff is exciting, but managers won't enjoy it.

It's difficult to say of course how much this relates to Done's substitution. The way he was running, he was probably running out of steam anyway. Although Coutts has improved immensely, chasing and covering ground will never be his strength. Wanting to dominate and push forward, maybe we overdid it, and left ourself exposed.

Wilder saw what was happening, and tried to tweak things, first by changing to a back four, pushing Bash into midfield. After 75 minutes he also took off Coutts, and we finished the game playing 4-5-1. It was vital that we got more work rate and solidity into midfield.

There will be match scenarios and opposition tactics that will try to make things less comfortable for us. Although we've seen how good we can be, let's not kid ourselves and think promotion will be easy. We have to keep monitoring our general balance, what makes us work well offensively and defensively, not just look at individual performances.

Great points Bergen. I do think that both Coutts and Fleck having their poorest games for a while also contributed, as did the wing backs being too far up the pitch whilst we were not in control of the game.
The problem is that whilst we look more solid when Done was on the pitch, we looked more likely to score after he went off.

 

[Tyler Durden]

It's just one more game away from actually clicking as a partnership.

Or two games.

Or it never will – only one way to find out...

But we're at a crucial point in the season. Experimenting with a failed hypothesis at this stage and abandoning a winning formula just invites trouble.

 

[Mouth of the South]

I suspect we may see Sharp and Lavery start up front v Oldham as Lavery can provide pace and mobility as well as pose a greater goal threat.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Cressy at this stage in 2011/12 - 5 goals

Matt Done this season - 2 goals

 

[LoughboroBlade]

But we're at a crucial point in the season. Experimenting with a failed hypothesis at this stage and abandoning a winning formula just invites trouble.

What's the worst that can happen? Chemistry between strikers is naturally going to happen regardless of what type of players they are – it's just a case of persevering for as long as it takes while ignoring all other signs to the contrary.

Consider it similar to the chemistry involved in being able to work out sarcasm on a forum post. It's only a matter of time...

 

[Bergen Blade]

Good points as always Bergen, and I admire Done for his work rate, but we shouldn't really be relying on a striker chasing players down to keep things tight should we?

To put it another way, if Clarke or Lavery were scoring goals regularly, would Done really get a look in if he continued to fire blanks? We'd have to find another solution to the 'problem' of basically playing 3 ball players in CM. Personally, I could see Done being used as a late sub if we needed to protect a lead, but strikers need to contribute goals and (IMO), it's only because our others' aren't contributing as well that he's getting start up front, and both issues need to be addressed.

If it means we continue to score enough goals as a team and win our matches it can be done that way. But there are other options to look at, the main thing is that we're getting the balance right and have good attacking rhythm.

When I managed the hospital's team we often used our poorest players up front. They were instructed to press and chase, then the rest of the team would challenge/pick up what was often a poor forward pass. It was 7 a side, no restrictions on substitutions in and out, so sometimes we used three players in this forward role, each running riot (Done style) until he was exhausted, subbed with the next guy who did the same.

It often gave us a first half goal or two, very rarely scored by said strikers, but enough for us to win games against teams who found out too late that they were individually better than us.