False sense of security.....

[BigBed]

Is it just me, or do we seem to be lulling teams into a false sense of security lately???
We come out and start pretty well, but seem to be holding back, although were mostly defensively tight, we don't seem to be as full bore as we usually are, which the opposition seem to play to, get used to, and start to mould themselves into, and then, second half, we charge out, 100mph from the off, the opposition teams look confused and in disarray, and we inevitably score.
Has anyonelse noticed this, is it tactics, am I reading to much into it??
Eather way, keep it up Bladesmen, it's working!

 

[ScottishBlade93]

I don’t know but the first and second half were night and day

 

[BushBlade]

We’ve been doing it a lot. I haven’t seen all our games but I’ve noticed that we seem to set out to keep a clean sheet in the first 20, even if that means going longer and not committing men in attack.

 

[blademark]

I don’t know but the first and second half were night and day

Chalk and cheese.

 

[BigBed]

It's not just me then, Wilder and Knill are very very clever chaps.

 

[Harry's Game]

Against Man U and Spurs we came flying out of the traps first half, both games should have been done and dusted by half time.

I think people sometimes forget there are two teams playing out there and it sometimes depends on what the opposition set out to do as well.

 

[jono_t2000]

Oh to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room at halftime

 

[Bladebri]

Oh to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room at halftime

Talk to Leeds

 

[Mumbo]

I don’t believe it’s tactics but more like the management team being very specific about how we can improve second half.
It’s not always possible prior to a game to know exactly what your dealing with until you have to deal with it.
The management are right on the ball with adjustments and the players listen..........boom! 3 points.

 

[BushBlade]

Against Man U and Spurs we came flying out of the traps first half, both games should have been done and dusted by half time.

I think people sometimes forget there are two teams playing out there and it sometimes depends on what the opposition set out to do as well.

I didn’t see the Spurs game but I don’t think we got our passing game going from the first minute against Man U. Didn’t Moose’s goal come from a bit of a punt upfield? After the goal we started to knock it around and cause them all sorts of problems.
I’m of the opinion that we set out not to concede early so we don’t have to chase the game.

 

[@thelane]

Is it just me, or do we seem to be lulling teams into a false sense of security lately???
We come out and start pretty well, but seem to be holding back, although were mostly defensively tight, we don't seem to be as full bore as we usually are, which the opposition seem to play to, get used to, and start to mould themselves into, and then, second half, we charge out, 100mph from the off, the opposition teams look confused and in disarray, and we inevitably score.
Has anyonelse noticed this, is it tactics, am I reading to much into it??
Eather way, keep it up Bladesmen, it's working!

I’ve noticed it.......my interpretation, was that this was to ensure that we don’t have the same issue as we did against Man U, when we absolutely hammered them at 100mph and then tired badly conceding 3 sloppy and tired goals.
We look much better for 90 minutes, starting steady and building momentum to the second half intensity.....having said that, teams will already be alive to this after the last two games, so expect another approach....keeps it interesting for the fans

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I didn’t see the Spurs game but I don’t think we got our passing game going from the first minute against Man U. Didn’t Moose’s goal come from a bit of a punt upfield? After the goal we started to knock it around and cause them all sorts of problems.
I’m of the opinion that we set out not to concede early so we don’t have to chase the game.

Hell of a punt from Fleck !!

 

[BushBlade]

Hell of a punt from Fleck !!

Every fucking time I do this. I don’t know but I’ve got a wire loose or something. I keep thinking Moose scored twice and I meant his ‘first’ which of course he didn’t score, just created by flattening Jones.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

If you listen to some of the player interviews they all tend to say the same thing, the first job is to keep a clean sheet and then go after the 3 points, so it is understandable that they try to figure out the oppo before going full tilt. Having said that there will be games where going at it from the off will be a tactical decision. This also has the benefit of opposing teams not knowing what we will be doing and so stopping them making concrete plans in advance. UTB

 

[drinksmat]

Fatigue is a consideration. When we start fast out the blocks there is a fall off after an hour or so. We saw the same last year. Either we go flying from kick off and try and and get an early lead and then manage the game, or have a less intensive first half and then can up it all through the second half. Better to be good at both styles rather be predicable every game.

 

[wadblade]

Anyone else notice the similarity to our first season in the championship when we frequently ran out of steam and dropped points.
I think Lord Chris [he is too important to be a mere Sir] has recognised this and has adjusted accordingly

 

[PokerBlade]

We're still trying to find that balance between the need to be more controlled and not losing the tempo of our game that causes teams so much trouble.

Everything you do tactically comes with a risk. If you come out of flying against Villa and let a cheap goal in (like Newcastle) then the whole game changes now that the opposition will sit even deeper and try to frustrate you. On the other hand, be too patient and you can run out of time; don't commit bodies forward and you're less likely to score.

Bear in mind that it isn't just the first season here for most of our players, it is for the management too. My worry at the start of the season was that we'd gone far too defensive and we were clinging on to leads with last ditch defending. I wanted to see us progress back to the style of last season where we get on top and control games. And I'm happy to say that we're only moving forward in that regard.

Yes, it was a slow start, but in terms of game management it was always in our control. When we decided to step it up at half-time, we did, and Villa couldn't stop it. We can't always play at max speed and it's good to see us learning the balance. It'll really matter when we play some of the top sides and we can't just blow them out of the water in a single half.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Against Man U and Spurs we came flying out of the traps first half, both games should have been done and dusted by half time.

I think people sometimes forget there are two teams playing out there and it sometimes depends on what the opposition set out to do as well.

Plus respect for the opposition and a good look at what they have to offer on the day. Villa changed their approach for us and it needed analysis and some caution, a boxing match type appraisal I think Wilder said.

 

[Red Wing Blade]

I think it shows what a threat we really are when teams come to the Lane and park the bus. It sends a loud and clear message that they fear us and don't think they can beat us.

We need to be smarter in finding a way to get through the two banks of four, as we're often slow and predictable. Crossing the ball in to two strikers who are double man marked won't work. Credit to the players that when this didn't work, they held the ball out wide patiently, but at times we looked lost for ideas as they took turns to pass it to each other and not cross it in.

In these scenarios we need to run at players with the ball to draw out fouls or win corners, as set pieces are the likely way to score against teams who set up this way. We had very few free kicks and corners yesterday showing our naivety in trying to break down the wall in front of us. Thankfully we had two pieces of absolute magic do the trick. When the first went in we were always going to win as Villa had to come out and go for it.

I feared another Newcastle sucker punch after the first half, but we looked more patient and controlled than the Newcastle game and the win was inevitable in the end. Wilder needs to work on this a bit more as Watford will come and park the bus. Brighton away will be a tough game but they will attack from the start. Watford will come with no intention of attacking and once again we will have to find a way to get through a deep sea of Watford players and create chances without getting it wide and crossing it in.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Is it just me, or do we seem to be lulling teams into a false sense of security lately???
We come out and start pretty well, but seem to be holding back, although were mostly defensively tight, we don't seem to be as full bore as we usually are, which the opposition seem to play to, get used to, and start to mould themselves into, and then, second half, we charge out, 100mph from the off, the opposition teams look confused and in disarray, and we inevitably score.
Has anyonelse noticed this, is it tactics, am I reading to much into it??
Eather way, keep it up Bladesmen, it's working!

The other thing I think I've noticed is how slow we are at getting the cross in.

So much so that it seems deliberate.
Is this to stop the opposing defenders from stepping up.
This seems to keep the defenders on the back foot and we don't seem to get caught off side much?

 

[Woodwardfan]

The other thing I think I've noticed is how slow we are at getting the cross in.

So much so that it seems deliberate.
Is this to stop the opposing defenders from stepping up.
This seems to keep the defenders on the back foot and we don't seem to get caught off side much?

I think yesterday that was more about wanting to cross a rolling ball coming towards the crosser. Such crosses were a feature from the right for Lundstran, Basham, Baldock and Norwood.

 

[BladesOnToast]

Have a look at this table- points won from losing positions:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/punktenachrueckstand/wettbewerb/GB1

We're fourth. So if that is the plan, it seems to be working.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

I don’t think it’s a deliberate tactic but for some unknown reason last two games we.ve been unusually slow starters compared to previous 5 .
Chalk and cheese first to second , I think a few half time words from CW and we upped the tempo & moved the ball a lot faster & looked a hell of lot more dangerous.

 

[penthouseblade]

I didn’t see the Spurs game but I don’t think we got our passing game going from the first minute against Man U. Didn’t Moose’s goal come from a bit of a punt upfield? After the goal we started to knock it around and cause them all sorts of problems.
I’m of the opinion that we set out not to concede early so we don’t have to chase the game.

You really really need to find a replay of the Spurs game.....we were utterly magnificent. Totally dominated them from minute one! A travesty we only drew that match, one touch passing, triangles, pressing, we had everything, absolutely fucking superb!
Not sure what you were watching against Man Utd but we took the piss out of them for 70 minutes. Went to sleep for ten minutes and then normal service was resumed! It almost became boring such was our dominance, it was like a bloody training game, against Manchester Utd for Christ sake!? Barcalona Blades pal.....

 

[1066blade]

Is it just me, or do we seem to be lulling teams into a false sense of security lately???
We come out and start pretty well, but seem to be holding back, although were mostly defensively tight, we don't seem to be as full bore as we usually are, which the opposition seem to play to, get used to, and start to mould themselves into, and then, second half, we charge out, 100mph from the off, the opposition teams look confused and in disarray, and we inevitably score.
Has anyonelse noticed this, is it tactics, am I reading to much into it??
Eather way, keep it up Bladesmen, it's working!

Er,..... We scored in the third minute against Wolves?

 

[blade too long]

we have to accept we are playing teams with some very talented players, who can cause real damage

we have to be both gungho and cautious in equal measure
we had the upper hand in possession , touches in the box and shots on target
thats all you can ask for in the prem

if we can get 4 points from our next 2 we will be on 29 points at halfway
so just 3 wins away in the second 19 games from our last prem total of 38

our aim was always to survive first, its not far off the horizon if we can maintain our belief and heart