Season summed up in one quote

[Bergen Blade]

It’s a crude tactic, but I like the idea of Norwood looking long for Burke at Anfield. Having watched Liverpool a few times recently, the gaps they’ve left behind their fullbacks have been ridiculous.

Yes, but I think the current version of Norwood would mean Liverpool would get too much space to do damage for our defenders.

 

[Brownieblade]

Don’t want to be critical of Chris, he knows more than I will ever know, but this nothing wrong with the system the players just need to play better etc, it’s simply not that simple

Teams will always figure out how to either stop a system or at least damage limit it and combat it

 

[A Storm of Blades]

“Right then team, time for our weekly stand-up, and as always, shut the fuck up unless you have at least 10 years experience doing exactly what we do now, ok? Cool”

 

[1987]

I disagree. I think we are missing one person who stopped a lot of goals last season and gave us at least ten points. We are missing a massive presence in the back three and our midfield is simply not connecting either with each other, or crucially with the front two. And a couple of our purchases up front are now proving to have been duds.

Without all of that, we can't move forward, and can't play to any inherent 'strengths'. And the more teams play us and capitalise, the less formidable we become.

pommpey

I strongly disagree mate.

There would appear to be an underlying assumption that this system is a luxury, and there is this other magic system where all those players underperforming start playing better.

It still sees us as one of the leagues best defences (statistically), has seen us miss penalties, sitters and goals disallowed. We should have more points, statistically. At the weekend The same system dominated Fulham for a half, before our midfield visibly dropped away.

I didnt see them and think fuck me take the shackles off em. I often think get the ball down, pass it quicker at times and show more composure at times. But these are individual player choices and in general not dictated by how we are set out to play.

And would exist and be exacerbated in another, less comfortable/ familiar system IMO.

 

[true99blade]

People were saying the same at the end of our first season back in the championship, and 2 games into the following season. We know how that played out. Teams have had years to ‘figure us out’. Wilder is bang right in what he says.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

People were saying the same at the end of our first season back in the championship, and 2 games into the following season. We know how that played out. Teams have had years to ‘figure us out’. Wilder is bang right in what he says.

In our promotion year we changed formation, particularly starting formations, waaay more than we are currently.

 

[S40BLADE]

.

 

[S40BLADE]

People were saying the same at the end of our first season back in the championship, and 2 games into the following season. We know how that played out. Teams have had years to ‘figure us out’. Wilder is bang right in what he says.

TBF in that bad couple of games we were playing an altered shape, not using Duffy and using Sharp occasionally. Me and many others complained about Didsy and Sharp not playing together and that we were not the same side without Duffy as the playmaker. Wilder also noticed this after a few games and the rest is history. The stubborness and lack of dynamism in our play right now is a growing concern IMO and is definitely worth talking about.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

TBF in that bad couple of games we were playing an altered shape, not using Duffy and using Sharp occasionally. Me and many others complained about Didsy and Sharp not playing together and that we were not the same side without Duffy as the playmaker. Wilder also noticed this after a few games and the rest is history. The stubborness and lack of dynamism in our play right now is a growing concern IMO and is definitely worth talking about.

Spot on

 

[true99blade]

TBF in that bad couple of games we were playing an altered shape, not using Duffy and using Sharp occasionally. Me and many others complained about Didsy and Sharp not playing together and that we were not the same side without Duffy as the playmaker. Wilder also noticed this after a few games and the rest is history. The stubborness and lack of dynamism in our play right now is a growing concern IMO and is definitely worth talking about.

How come we managed to finish 9th last season with such a negative formation? Players do just need to perform better. We should’ve beaten Fulham comfortably with the chances we had. Just didn’t take them. That’s on the players at the top of the pitch, not the formation.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

How come we managed to finish 9th last season with such a negative formation? Players do just need to perform better. We should’ve beaten Fulham comfortably with the chances we had. Just didn’t take them. That’s on the players at the top of the pitch, not the formation.

By having a defence that managed to paper over the cracks in our attacking deficiencies. A defence now missing 2 of its strongest components. Continuing with a negative formation, but with a defence leaking goals, puts us in our current position.

 

[S40BLADE]

How come we managed to finish 9th last season with such a negative formation? Players do just need to perform better. We should’ve beaten Fulham comfortably with the chances we had. Just didn’t take them. That’s on the players at the top of the pitch, not the formation.

well having Didsy and Moose fit and playing fantastically with a team full of confidence helped. From new years onwards only against Chelsea and Spurs have we seen such confidence in ball progression and risk taking. I cant get them off the top of my head but for 2020 as a whole are stats are very poor and only getting worse. Injuries are also compiling our misery.

 

[raimond]

T'owd OP may have got a bit excited in his post, but not sure he's deserved the free speech lectures... I think he was more talking about some of the negativity being a bit over the top, and suggesting in the grand scheme, we haven't got too much to moan about, not that nobody's got a right to say owt.

Anyway I was expecting some inspirational quotes here...what about

"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take".

Or

"Fuckinell Ollie"

 

[The Bear]

First paragraph is covered by the not playing well enough part and fuck knows what the second one is on about

 

[The Bear]

New member ? I've been posting on here for a year and a half

Are you genuinely a new member or just another new account from someone banned several times already?

ex-Blades Behavioural Challenges. Would you expect anything remotely sensible.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Wasn't it Brian Clough that said 'Formations and tactics don't win you games, players do'.

I believe that a high percentage of what separates players and teams is mental strength, belief and confidence. At the moment we are, as a team, struggling with confidence, the difference between playing a good pass and giving it away, the difference between good and poor decision making in the key moments of a game.

I've noticed people are saying 'Enda's playing really poorly' or 'Didzy's not the player he was' - the point of our style is that it's a team effort. Once we start playing better as a team, all those players will naturally play better as the team does.

We've lost our mojo for the moment, playing with anxiety as Wilder said about the 2nd half against Fulham. No amount of tactical or formation changes is going to change that. Changing the formation and way we play now is more likely to have the opposite effect.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Wasn't it Brian Clough that said 'Formations and tactics don't win you games, players do'.

I believe that a high percentage of what separates players and teams is mental strength, belief and confidence. At the moment we are, as a team, struggling with confidence, the difference between playing a good pass and giving it away, the difference between good and poor decision making in the key moments of a game.

I've noticed people are saying 'Enda's playing really poorly' or 'Didzy's not the player he was' - the point of our style is that it's a team effort. Once we start playing better as a team, all those players will naturally play better as the team does.

We've lost our mojo for the moment, playing with anxiety as Wilder said about the 2nd half against Fulham. No amount of tactical or formation changes is going to change that. Changing the formation and way we play now is more likely to have the opposite effect.

Best post I've read on here since the season started.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

At the age of 16, Andre Villas-Boas found himself living in the same apartment block as Sir Bobby Robson, who was then manager of Porto. Following a debate between the two, Robson appointed Villas-Boas to Porto's observation department.[10]

Robson arranged for Villas-Boas to obtain the FA coaching qualification, the UEFA C coaching licence in Scotland and for him to study the training methods of Ipswich Town.[9][11] He obtained his C licence at the age of 17, and his B licence at 18. He received his A licence at the age of 19, and later acquired UEFA Pro Licence under the tutelage of Jim Fleeting.[11][12]

What Robson should have done is called him nothing but a PlayStation genius and told him to do one.

Honestly, I’ve no idea why highlighting Wilder being stubborn and hinting he knows better than everyone as a good thing. Name me any other industry where a manager acting like that is even remotely classed as a desirable attribute? Let alone if a football forum isn’t fertile ground for debating tactics, formations and team selections then I’ve clearly lost the fucking plot.

Its because he's right

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Its because he's right

Prey tell oh wise one.

 

[SteveBlade]

I agree that some people are just twats with it, but if constructive criticism isn't allowed because we're not all experienced football managers then you may as well shut this place down.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Wasn't it Brian Clough that said 'Formations and tactics don't win you games, players do'.

I believe that a high percentage of what separates players and teams is mental strength, belief and confidence. At the moment we are, as a team, struggling with confidence, the difference between playing a good pass and giving it away, the difference between good and poor decision making in the key moments of a game.

I've noticed people are saying 'Enda's playing really poorly' or 'Didzy's not the player he was' - the point of our style is that it's a team effort. Once we start playing better as a team, all those players will naturally play better as the team does.

We've lost our mojo for the moment, playing with anxiety as Wilder said about the 2nd half against Fulham. No amount of tactical or formation changes is going to change that. Changing the formation and way we play now is more likely to have the opposite effect.

I understand the sentiment, but it’s a bit overly simplistic, don’t you think? For example, what happens on Saturday if we play 0-0-10? To say formations and tactics don’t win you games is demonstrably bollocks (with respect). If that’s the case, why did we need to create a system of overlapping centre halves? We had the same players, it should have been enough, they just needed to run a bit faster, play better? Honestly, it’s this attitude that keeps England years behind the Spanish, German, French models. Go there and tell them systems and tactics don’t matter. They’d laugh in your face. Again, said with respect.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Palace did that first home game of last season
Its what we do not what they do

Not the system at fault we just have to get better players playing within it.
We are doing that but it takes time and money and the rug may have been pulled from below us having a poor start to the season.
We over achieved last season and a few of these players are not good enough.They played out of there skins last season ,a level which is hard to sustain when out of your comfort zone.
Every team that moves up a division has this problem it's more acute with us jumping 2 divisions very quickly.
Wilder has repeated this in many interviews.
Cant get blood out of a stone though Wilder has done his best though with what he has got.

 

[mattbianco1]

CW on systems

"It does bring a smile to my face when pundits and other people talk about systems quite blandly without talking about why. My opinion is that the system is OK, and players just have to play better in the system."

Applies to the PlayStation tactical geniuses on here as well ,every time we lost a couple we have to.change the system ,all the players and the manager

You know less than fuck all lads

In one word?

disappointingsofarastobehonestwe'vebeeninallgamesifitwasn'tfortwoearlygoalsvwolvesasendingoffatvillaandasuckerpunchvleedswecouldeasilybesittinginthetophalf

 

[Bladesman]

Full pre-match press conference:

 

[finlaytheblade]

In our promotion year we changed formation, particularly starting formations, waaay more than we are currently.

Nothing wrong with the system it is tweaked as it developes teams do find ways to stop us .All systems can be counteracted that's why tweaking and even a plan B is important..
We lack quality ! Wilder gradually acting on this but as I've said before it takes time and money to improve the team.
I do think this system helps teams who are coming up against quality players .
The extra quality added to the system will develop the team,
Will we be able to buy the time needed to inact the plan ?.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I understand the sentiment, but it’s a bit overly simplistic, don’t you think? For example, what happens on Saturday if we play 0-0-10? To say formations and tactics don’t win you games is demonstrably bollocks (with respect). If that’s the case, why did we need to create a system of overlapping centre halves? We had the same players, it should have been enough, they just needed to run a bit faster, play better? Honestly, it’s this attitude that keeps England years behind the Spanish, German, French models. Go there and tell them systems and tactics don’t matter. They’d laugh in your face. Again, said with respect.

With respect you still need the players to carry out the necessary instructions in order to make those tactics and formations work. For that you're relying on them to play well within the confines of whatever system you employ. To take your extreme example 0-0-10 to another extreme, you can play whatever system you like but if you're keeper makes a load of mistakes, you're not going to win many games.

 

[coaxingstar71]

Best post I've read on here since the season started.

Apparently not everyone agrees, still that's the nature of things.

Do I win a prize?

 

[A Storm of Blades]

With respect you still need the players to carry out the necessary instructions in order to make those tactics and formations work. For that you're relying on them to play well within the confines of whatever system you employ. To take your extreme example 0-0-10 to another extreme, you can play whatever system you like but if you're keeper makes a load of mistakes, you're not going to win many games.

True - but to say systems and formations don’t win games is the point I’m disagreeing with. A system and formation deployed correctly can elevate a team to levels well beyond the sum of its parts e.g. us or Leicester in their title year. Or if not - nullify whatever talent a team has e.g. Man Utd and Arsenal for basically a decade. You can’t just fill a team with expensive players then dust your hands and say job done.

 

[coaxingstar71]

True - but to say systems and formations don’t win games is the point I’m disagreeing with. A system and formation deployed correctly can elevate a team to levels well beyond the sum of its parts e.g. us or Leicester in their title year. Or if not - nullify whatever talent a team has e.g. Man Utd and Arsenal for basically a decade. You can’t just fill a team with expensive players then dust your hands and say job done.

Obviously not and I didn't say that, I was saying that it's MORE to do with players. I read the quote as saying you can play whatever system you like (for the sake of not being ridiculous about it though, a recognised one) but if players don't play well in it, then you're not going to win.

I hear what you're saying. A good example is the Greek team than won the Euros, individually they had no right to win it, but they played a well organised system and crucially each player knew his role and performed well within it - so you still need your players to play well and not make elementary mistakes. I would agree that you can have the best players in the world, but if you don't play them in roles they are comfortable with, it's going to be more difficult for them to play well.

Interestingly, Chris talks about this very subject in his pre match press conference and I think he basically backs up my point.

 

[The Crab]

CW on systems

"It does bring a smile to my face when pundits and other people talk about systems quite blandly without talking about why. My opinion is that the system is OK, and players just have to play better in the system."

Applies to the PlayStation tactical geniuses on here as well ,every time we lost a couple we have to.change the system ,all the players and the manager

You know less than fuck all lads

Well, I know less than fuck all about most things to be honest.

But it seems to me that something isnt quite firing since lockdown.

I dont have the answers, but a knee jerk reaction such as a change of manager I dont think is the answer.

Defensively we arent as good, and hopefully Brewster will bed in and we will do better with our chances.