Kudos to Steve Bruce

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Give credit where credit is due. Bruce has played us three times now and rolled out the same gameplay to nullify us and it's worked pretty darn well.

Tufty hasn't been able to adjust to what/how Bruce has set them up and/or we've not had the rub of the green every time we've come up against him. Lucky generals and all that...

Still looks like a cabbage though!!

 

[Davalon]

Some of our fans have quickly become like the Pigs they mock

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Some of our fans have quickly become like the Pigs they mock

Absobloodylutely!

For me it was a case study of 'second season syndrome' where coaches know our kryptonite and come to play with a gameplay as opposed to setting up to let us play...

Totally trust Tufty to make the necessary adjustments, but those bed wetters who are crying into their cornflakes this morning need to realise there will be games when we get outplayed and Tufty gets out coached...

However, I'm loving his Alex Ferguson-esque skills in pushing VAR out front and centre to deflect away from a sub-par performance...

 

[Geordie Blade]

Three times? I can think of two, but the time before that he got hammered 4-1. The point stands though; he obviously learnt from his mistakes.

That said, it’s not like Bruce’s tactics completely nullified us. We had a series of clear chances and if their keeper had been anything less than exceptional we could have scored four goals. Hardly a masterplan from Mr Loyalty.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

First team that have come with a genuine game plan of hitting us on the break and not showing any attempt to attack. It worked, might not be pretty but it worked.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

First team that have come with a genuine game plan of hitting us on the break and not showing any attempt to attack. It worked, might not be pretty but it worked.

It is a sign of the growing respect for us as a football team that teams are now considering coming here and parking the bus. We haven't had much of that since League 1. We have to learn how to play against that though - and I think there are some harsh critics on here saying we were poor. We weren't. We were very good for most of the game, but, we just didn't get the breaks in front of goal, due in no small way to some fabulous saves by their keeper. If any one of them had gone in (a deflected shot from Stevens, 3 headers from McBurnie, a diving header from Sharp, a free kick from Norwood - to name just 6 really good, goalbound efforts), then it's a different game. What we may have learned is that it's not easy to unlock a 10 man defence behind which there is a goalkeeper in top form. And there is a limit as to how effective trying to pass around it is. You need players to get around the back of the 10 man wall, and that means players who can individually carry the ball, take men on individually to create gaps and go beyond them. That's the next type of player on our Christmas list, I hope.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Three times? I can think of two, but the time before that he got hammered 4-1. The point stands though; he obviously learnt from his mistakes.

That said, it’s not like Bruce’s tactics completely nullified us. We had a series of clear chances and if their keeper had been anything less than exceptional we could have scored four goals. Hardly a masterplan from Mr Loyalty.

I realised after I posted that it was only the twice, but the point still stands. He came for a 0-0 and anything else was a bonus. There's a blueprint there which I'm certain others will copy.

First team that have come with a genuine game plan of hitting us on the break and not showing any attempt to attack. It worked, might not be pretty but it worked.

Yep. First of many methinks...

 

[blackydog]

First team that have come with a genuine game plan of hitting us on the break and not showing any attempt to attack. It worked, might not be pretty but it worked.

It only worked because their goalie had a blinder / we couldn't finish. Could have been over by half time.

 

[Trafford]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

You got it in one pal, well said!

This isn't a crisis - that's the other thing to point out to the bedwetters and catkickers on here. We're playing bloody well and doing just great! We can compete with ANYONE at this level and there's lots more fun and great results to come our way.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

Thought we were naive too. In these sorts of games we should sit in too and say we're happy with a 0-0 as well...

 

[Rob86]

Correct Cerberus Blade it had a League 1 feel to it in terms of how the game panned out. Obviously the opposition have Premier League players so breaking the back 10 down will be very difficult against any team in this league.

We’ve gained 3 points doing it and have now lost 3 points against it. The key thing is we still created chances and on another day, get the first goal, and the game totally changes.

We don’t have players who can go through a team like that so perhaps in future, particularly against relegation candidates, we should sit in too. It’d make for an absolute bore draw, but crucially we wouldn’t lose points to them.

The kudos to Bruce - yes maybe, but I can’t see the Geordies settling for that set up for long.

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

everytime we went wide they had 3 players on us straight away , they nulified allot of our threat , i felt when we cut in a bit and went a little more down the middle was when we got a bit more freedom ,

must admit Brighton worry me also as Graham Potter nulified us twice last year

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Big if I know, but if we'd have buried a couple of the many chances and/or their keeper didnt make some glorious saves, we wouldn't be having this debate.
The cabbage got lucky.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

everytime we went wide they had 3 players on us straight away , they nulified allot of our threat , i felt when we cut in a bit and went a little more down the middle was when we got a bit more freedom ,

must admit Brighton worry me also as Graham Potter nulified us twice last year

Great point re: Potter.

I'm guessing if armchair tacticians like us can see that we struggle to break down teams who stick 10men behind the ball, we tire after 60mins and start leaving gaps, and our RWB/RCB channel is our defensive Achilles heel - then those that are paid literally £millions will also have noticed these things...

Tufty will see us reyt though!!

 

[BushBlade]

Great point re: Potter.

I'm guessing if armchair tacticians like us can see that we struggle to break down teams who stick 10men behind the ball, we tire after 60mins and start leaving gaps, and our RWB/RCB channel is our defensive Achilles heel - then those that are paid literally £millions will also have noticed these things...

Tufty will see us reyt though!!

Bear in mind that Benitez used to set them up defensively too. They’re used to it, they know how to do it. Teams that don’t normally play like that aren’t usually as well drilled so a team like Bournemouth or Arsenal even just aren’t capable of parking the bus.
Anyway, we needed a reality check, I’m sick of reading how our players are all good enough for the champions league and Wilder will be choosing between the Arsenal and Man U jobs if we don’t give him a new contract every month.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Give credit where credit is due. Bruce has played us three times now and rolled out the same gameplay to nullify us and it's worked pretty darn well.

Tufty hasn't been able to adjust to what/how Bruce has set them up and/or we've not had the rub of the green every time we've come up against him. Lucky generals and all that...

Still looks like a cabbage though!!

My only counter point is that's how Newcastle play every game. But his players obviously like him because they do as they are told and put a huge shift in

 

[BushBlade]

My only counter point is that's how Newcastle play every game. But his players obviously like him because they do as they are told and put a huge shift in

You can’t really knock Bruce’s CV. You can question his loyalty, in fact you don’t even need to question it; he hasn’t got any but he’s a PL manager. I was pleased when he left the pigs.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

My only counter point is that's how Newcastle play every game. But his players obviously like him because they do as they are told and put a huge shift in

Fair one. I'd also just mention that was Carroll's first Newcastle start and indicates that old cabbage heed knew his game plan was going to be specific to us. Granted not every team will come to BDTBL and park the bus and have a 6ft 5in Number 9, but it shows a blueprint that we need to adapt to overcome.

No doubt Tufty will be strategizing on how to overcome...

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

You can’t really knock Bruce’s CV. You can question his loyalty, in fact you don’t even need to question it; he hasn’t got any but he’s a PL manager. I was pleased when he left the pigs.

Totally. The moron on the other thread saying Bruce is useless obviously hasn't seen his career. He's a decent midlevel PL manager who can get a tune out of a side when needed...

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

It only worked because their goalie had a blinder / we couldn't finish. Could have been over by half time.

Correct, they also rode that first half avalanche and defended really well second half.

 

[XM657]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

Following on from what you've said, I have thought, on similar occasions as this, does CWAK allow players enough freedom/initiative outside of the main game plan. I would have thought Fleck and Norwood, as examples, have the ability to dribble into or around packed defences, even if you don't make it at some point, if repeated, along comes a free kick.

 

[BushBlade]

Following on from what you've said, I have thought, on similar occasions as this, does CWAK allow players enough freedom/initiative outside of the main game plan. I would have thought Fleck and Norwood, as examples, have the ability to dribble into or around packed defences, even if you don't make it at some point, if repeated, along comes a free kick.

No, we have to keep our positional discipline. It’s vital to the way we play. Fleck does have some licence to dribble and make runs into the box but if Norwood did it, it could leave us very open to a counterattack.

 

[AWetFlannel]

The shit they served up is a disservice to football.

I can accept the direct football Stoke played under Pulis. I can respect teams that sit deep to defend away from home and hit teams on the counter.

Newcastle didn't pose a threat on the counter, they never looking like creating anything and surrendered possession all game. That, together with the pathetic first half time wasting and feigning of injury every 5mins, is not worthy of respect at all.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Go on then, Brucie, have a couple of boxes, you deserve it.

 

[BushBlade]

Go on then, Brucie, have a couple of boxes, you deserve it.
View attachment 66055

He’s got a peanut allergy that makes his stomach and face swell up. He probably ought to stop eating them.

 

[B.Lade]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

Agreed. This reminded me of championship games when we went with a flat 3 in midfield and no Duffy. We lacked that creativity and link into the strikers. The flat 3 has been brilliant this season where we've had less possession and McGoldrick has dropped in to provide that link but without him doing that we were a bit bereft of ideas. I think Freeman in for Lunny in those games where the opposition are going to sit in would be my preference.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

If anybody could stifle us, it had to be Mrs Doubtfire.

 

[Speedracer]

No, I am sorry (well I'm not actually), but no kudos to him at all. Yes their game plan worked but it is anti football & shows he hasn't a clue how to set up & say "come on, we will take you on in a football match". If a game pans out that way, as it did for us at Everton, then yes as a one off it is acceptable, but if the Blades set up like that week after week & not think about winning a game because we were too scared to lose one, I would soon lose interest in football. Pathetic, yay they got one over us, but so what, as far as I am concerned it is a hollow victory.

 

[stringer]

The main thing that I thought we lacked last night was a player who was willing and able to beat the defender. We looked great playing it around and put some decent balls into the box but it normally went backwards or sidewards whenever there was a man to beat.

Anyone know where there’s one of those floating about?