At our best

[bertieblade]

Regardless of whichever division We have looked at our best when playing with a 10 behind two strikers with the wingbacks pushing on

we have never replaced Duffy with the only guy coming close being Mcgoldrick

this season our wingbacks and centre backs have not pushed because we are limited to the right side as We do not have a suitable replacement for JOC and we subsequently get crowded out down the right.

we therefore either recruit the players to go back to this system or change the system, one or the other has to be done.

but either way we need someone to create as that person is not available in our current squad and our wife players WB and RWB/LWB are not getting forward

 

[Swinton Blade]

We finished 9th last season without a number 10.

 

[bertieblade]

We finished 9th last season without a number 10.

But then we had wingbacks pushing on.
At the moment we have no no. Ten and no overloads in wide areas!

 

[coaxingstar71]

One of our best performances in recent years was the 4-1 win v Villa, playing with a 10. 4-1 flattered Villa that day and if we hadn't took the foot off the gas, it could have been 6 or 7.

However our best period in recent years was last autumn, when we had Mousset up top, Didzy just behind as the No 10/link and a flatter mid of Ollie, Fleck and Lunny.
The key was that the whole team was playing probably at 8's and 9's.

 

[DeanLearner'sCat]

People forget that, even in the Championship, Wilder would drop the Duffy role in tough away games. We went with 3 CMs at Hillsborough twice. He did the same at Leeds (Bash got the winner from midfield) and Dowell played deeper away at West Brom. Basically, the better the opposition/bigger the game, the more likely he was to go 3-5-2. Now, when every opponent is better than we were used to facing in League One/Championship, 3-5-2 has become the default, and 3-4-1-2 is only used when we're chasing the game. It's understandable, because as much fun as the 3-4-1-2 was to watch, I think we'd be in trouble on the counter a lot at this level.

 

[bertieblade]

^^^^ agree but the point I am making ( all be it not very eloquently ) is that when we have played decent football and created chances we have had both a no ten and overload in wide areas.
We seemingly have neither at the moment and subsequently do not create.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

People forget that, even in the Championship, Wilder would drop the Duffy role in tough away games. We went with 3 CMs at Hillsborough twice. He did the same at Leeds (Bash got the winner from midfield) and Dowell played deeper away at West Brom. Basically, the better the opposition/bigger the game, the more likely he was to go 3-5-2. Now, when every opponent is better than we were used to facing in League One/Championship, 3-5-2 has become the default, and 3-4-1-2 is only used when we're chasing the game. It's understandable, because as much fun as the 3-4-1-2 was to watch, I think we'd be in trouble on the counter a lot at this level.

A genuine well done for understanding how/why/what/when we have played in the past few years.

The finer points of how we have done this is lost on a lot but it's these finer tweaks that the players practice in training and have in the past moved to in a seamless way.

CW has again mentioned numerous times (and some simply don't listen) to being picked off if we we return to a more attack minded way.

352 is how we'll stay - we just have to plug away this season and get better at it.

I don't think we're far away - a few lucky breaks wouldn't go amiss rather that chucking the 352 manual out of the window as some are suggesting.

UTB

 

[bertieblade]

The 352 works when we develop play down the flanks with overloads, we rarely have this down the right hand side and once in a blue moon down the left, that is why we need a no. Ten as an option.
Agree re the fact that we do not want to be picked off but do need options when we have the ball. We rarely have players ahead of the ball this season whereas in the past we had overloads out wide and / or a no. Ten to link it together. The number of times we stop and go backwards or at best sideways, that is where their goal came from on sunday when berge had to send it all the way back to Ramsdale as nothing was happening out wide or ahead.

 

[Deaneandagana]

The 352 works when we develop play down the flanks with overloads, we rarely have this down the right hand side and once in a blue moon down the left, that is why we need a no. Ten as an option.
Agree re the fact that we do not want to be picked off but do need options when we have the ball. We rarely have players ahead of the ball this season whereas in the past we had overloads out wide and / or a no. Ten to link it together. The number of times we stop and go backwards or at best sideways, that is where their goal came from on sunday when berge had to send it all the way back to Ramsdale as nothing was happening out wide or ahead.

Perhaps Berge should have made something happen rather than sending it back to Ramsdale, that’s why we bought him - wasn’t it?

 

[bertieblade]

I agree that is why we bought him but he has to find players to pass to, most of whom are behind him in space, which is where it usually goes or out wide in few numbers and subsequently marked or lump it up field to Mcburnie in the hope he can bring others in to play.
Last season we had nothing to fear and got forward in greater numbers, had a plan and the players to get the ball wide and develop down the flanks.
This season we are conservative which is caused by the lack of confidence of not wanting to concede as opposed to try and impose ourselves on the game. best display this season was possibly Liverpool where we went for it a bit more as had nothing to lose

 

[ancientblade]

we played with a lot less fear last season but its been far too cautious this time round imo the sideways backwards tippy tappy stuff wont get us out of this mess and our lack of movement and pace in front of the ball is obvious were far too predictable just now against teams in this league crammed with international players

 

[Bladesman]

Regardless of whichever division We have looked at our best when playing with a 10 behind two strikers with the wingbacks pushing on

we have never replaced Duffy with the only guy coming close being Mcgoldrick

this season our wingbacks and centre backs have not pushed because we are limited to the right side as We do not have a suitable replacement for JOC and we subsequently get crowded out down the right.

we therefore either recruit the players to go back to this system or change the system, one or the other has to be done.

but either way we need someone to create as that person is not available in our current squad and our wife players WB and RWB/LWB are not getting forward

 

[MalvernBlade]

Regardless of whichever division We have looked at our best when playing with a 10 behind two strikers with the wingbacks pushing on

we have never replaced Duffy with the only guy coming close being Mcgoldrick

this season our wingbacks and centre backs have not pushed because we are limited to the right side as We do not have a suitable replacement for JOC and we subsequently get crowded out down the right.

we therefore either recruit the players to go back to this system or change the system, one or the other has to be done.

but either way we need someone to create as that person is not available in our current squad and our wife players WB and RWB/LWB are not getting forward

Fleck, when he's allowed to go forward he's as good as Duff

 

[Bruce Wayne]

We should at least have the option to play a no.10 but we have haven't even considered this. We have become too rigid with the system and lack any creativity to try something different.

 

[Swannyblade]

The 352 works when we develop play down the flanks with overloads, we rarely have this down the right hand side and once in a blue moon down the left, that is why we need a no. Ten as an option.
Agree re the fact that we do not want to be picked off but do need options when we have the ball. We rarely have players ahead of the ball this season whereas in the past we had overloads out wide and / or a no. Ten to link it together. The number of times we stop and go backwards or at best sideways, that is where their goal came from on sunday when berge had to send it all the way back to Ramsdale as nothing was happening out wide or ahead.

This is bang on. Without the overloads we are left with very few options and the midfielders end up playing it sideways/backwards. Without Didzy dropping into the number 10 position, the forwards have looked isolated and starved of possession. If the RCB/LCB don’t step out of defence, our system is very easy to defend against.

 

[hidesbehindapseudonym]

Perhaps Berge should have made something happen rather than sending it back to Ramsdale, that’s why we bought him - wasn’t it?

To be completely honest, it's not obvious why we bought him other than to appease the supporters.

 

[robbiez666]

Regardless of whichever division We have looked at our best when playing with a 10 behind two strikers with the wingbacks pushing on

we have never replaced Duffy with the only guy coming close being Mcgoldrick

this season our wingbacks and centre backs have not pushed because we are limited to the right side as We do not have a suitable replacement for JOC and we subsequently get crowded out down the right.

we therefore either recruit the players to go back to this system or change the system, one or the other has to be done.

but either way we need someone to create as that person is not available in our current squad and our wife players WB and RWB/LWB are not getting forward

You're right about the left/right balance but the main reason our wingbacks haven't been getting forward is that teams have nullified them by pushing their wide players on. This has not been helped by injuries or poor form in midfield.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Playing with no outright creativity in midfield and relying on defensive minded midfielders was fine and worked last year obviously. But we could rely on keeping a few clean sheets and winning games to nil last year.

This team doesn’t have it in them to score 2 goals in a game without that 10 imo. And since we can’t keep a clean sheet we aren’t going to win matches.

It’s worked last year but persisting with it is madness to the point of foolishness when it’s yielded 1 point from 13 games. Unfortunately we can only rely on mcgoldrick playing out of position to fill that role as we’ve no alternatives in the squad.

This needs addressing next summer for sure.

 

[JKBlade]

Playing with no outright creativity in midfield and relying on defensive minded midfielders was fine and worked last year obviously. But we could rely on keeping a few clean sheets and winning games to nil last year.

This team doesn’t have it in them to score 2 goals in a game without that 10 imo. And since we can’t keep a clean sheet we aren’t going to win matches.

It’s worked last year but persisting with it is madness to the point of foolishness when it’s yielded 1 point from 13 games. Unfortunately we can only rely on mcgoldrick playing out of position to fill that role as we’ve no alternatives in the squad.

This needs addressing next summer for sure.

Exactly right.

Persisting this long based on the success of last season is complete madness. Losing Henderson and JOC has killed our ability to win games to nil.

I find it amazing that Chris would rather keep the system and bring Bryan in, instead of getting a creative attacking player on.

Go 4 at the back, giving us an extra man of quality to use. A front 3 of Burke, Mousset, Brewster would in my view be genuinely exciting to watch and stick with it. Also allows Chris to keep his flat 3 midfield giving protection out of possession. We ended the game looking a real threat.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Exactly right.

Persisting this long based on the success of last season is complete madness. Losing Henderson and JOC has killed our ability to win games to nil.

I find it amazing that Chris would rather keep the system and bring Bryan in, instead of getting a creative attacking player on.

Go 4 at the back, giving us an extra man of quality to use. A front 3 of Burke, Mousset, Brewster would in my view be genuinely exciting to watch and stick with it. Also allows Chris to keep his flat 3 midfield giving protection out of possession. We ended the game looking a real threat.

I know - we have literally nothing to lose by trying something new now. How can the season get any worse?

We can’t keep getting beat one nil - every match. I’d rather go down losing 3-2 or 4-3 every game than keep taking 1-0 defeats. I’m all for keeping it tight but we need to actually threaten.