The Bamford Experiment

[Proper Blade]

Did anyone else notice the role that Bamford was playing last night?

Rather than being an out and out striker he seemed to have been given a bit of a free role behind Campbell. He popped up all over the pitch to receive the ball and we were miles better for it - our performance got noticeably worse after he reverted to being a more conventional striker in the second half.

I would guess that this is Wilder's short term solution to replacing O'Hare in the number 10 role.

 

[de g.]

Yes, exactly this. I commented that at points in the first half he was playing like prime Didzy, dropping really deep to link the attack and midfield.

My 12yo and I argued about whether he's been doing this a lot. I don't remember seeing Bamford do it before.

 

[Hallamboy87]

He's got the quality to do it! Rooney started doing it as he got older (although not comparing them). He's very good on the half turn and has a great first touch!

 

[OnmiEdson]

Yes, you are right, and my memory is that he played the number 10 at dutty Leeds at times and was well liked that position

 

[Derek1889]

Some good link up play from him in 1st half while he was dropping off short. Think it helped Campbell aswel. Although Campbell not where he can be. But certainly looked better tonight and that he wanted to play

 

[Argentinemanager]

We said he was playing a Kane type roll, dropping deep to recieve the ball to set things in motion, and we looked better for it. Only need him to get more Kane like with the finishing

 

[de g.]

I think that 44 minutes after the first goal were a good model. The ball got forward quickly, Bamford in the deeper 10 provided the link from Peck, and their defence struggled with the chaotic movement of BBD and Donovan. In the second half we seemed to revert to a more orthodox 4-4-2 and this seemed to kill our creativity.

Perversely, I suspect that first half was the closest we've seen to the style promised by Selles, just one season and one manager too late!

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

he will always score goals and once he is up to full speed expect him to be rattling them in week in week out

 

[KMC-1889]

Dragged defenders out, which was good, some nice footwork by Bamford and found some nice passes, which was also good.

Unfortunately on the other end was Campbell and Cannon. So many times there was a lovely pass on and Campbell was on his heels.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

A bit like mcgoldrick he will miss an "easy" chance then do something most strikers can't too

 

[joe casey]

Must keep him fit - even on his off days he's still got a knack for being right place right time. He does miss chances (He could be on 4/5 goals already) but he's vital to us imo, especially when the other options are Campbell and Cannon. We really could've done with an additional target man type striker to stop Bamford having to do this so much but signing players we actually needed was not on our owners list of things to do this summer

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

Don't know if you were going for a psychology-themed pun with the thread title, but if you were, kudos.

Interesting insight as well.

 

[de g.]

Dragged defenders out, which was good, some nice footwork by Bamford and found some nice passes, which was also good.

Unfortunately on the other end was Campbell and Cannon. So many times there was a lovely pass on and Campbell was on his heels.

I thought Campbell was a handful for them in the first half. He's got better positional awareness than Cannon, and there were a few through balls that were difficult for Notlob to deal with. We know from previous experience that he's an efficient scorer, so hopefully this approach gives him a bit of zip back.

 

[The Fox]

As I have a good record of suggesting silly nonsense tactics I was wondering if we did play a flat 5 in midfield or chong and BBD out else could we try Donovan in the COH role ?

I remain available for daft unqualified suggestions

 

[de g.]

As I have a good record of suggesting silly nonsense tactics I was wondering if we did play a flat 5 in midfield or chong and BBD out else could we try Donovan in the COH role ?

I remain available for daft unqualified suggestions

No more daft or ill informed than mine are (on football related topics).

I think Donovan centrally would be wasted, personally. I'm quite excited to see what he looks like with Seriki overlapping.

 

[Bladesman]

Did anyone else notice the role that Bamford was playing last night?

Rather than being an out and out striker he seemed to have been given a bit of a free role behind Campbell. He popped up all over the pitch to receive the ball and we were miles better for it - our performance got noticeably worse after he reverted to being a more conventional striker in the second half.

I would guess that this is Wilder's short term solution to replacing O'Hare in the number 10 role.

Yeah, it didn't work that well. He was wandering around all over the place at walking pace.

Prompting a guy near me to shout "Come sit next to me Patrick"

 

[SwissBlade]

Did anyone else notice the role that Bamford was playing last night?

Rather than being an out and out striker he seemed to have been given a bit of a free role behind Campbell. He popped up all over the pitch to receive the ball and we were miles better for it - our performance got noticeably worse after he reverted to being a more conventional striker in the second half.

I would guess that this is Wilder's short term solution to replacing O'Hare in the number 10 role.

It worked well as Campbell was running in behind and stretching them.

Not sure if Campbell was dropping as deep against Blackburn, but he was certainly dropping off and it allowed Cannon to run off the last man, again it worked well too

I think we perhaps have a little more flexibility now with how we will use the players up top as they all have different strengths

 

[PokerBlade]

I thought the balance of the side in the first half was the best it's been for a long time. Movement was good, link up was good, setting up to make runs in behind, multiple threats. Quality of the players is lacking but I liked the set up a lot.

 

[Bladesman]

I thought the balance of the side in the first half was the best it's been for a long time. Movement was good, link up was good, setting up to make runs in behind, multiple threats. Quality of the players is lacking but I liked the set up a lot.

For about 20 minutes.

Then we switched to shit the bed football.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I noticed the wanderlust also.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

We moved the ball about at a good pace first half. Was really enjoyable. Second half they came out firing and fair play to them, looked a totally different side.

 

[Beans]

Bamford's touch map last night:



v Cardiff (only played 45 mins)



v Swansea



v Birmingham


Last night looks a higher volume of touches in the middle third and a "number 10" type space 20+ yards out. Enjoyed it. Also noticeable that was by far the most involved he's been in a game this season (52 touches compared to a previous high of 29), which, given we've compromised ourselves offensively, looks a good outcome to me.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Sounds like a 70s film with a dashing Robert Redford.

 

[Swannyblade]

Was he a prisoner or a guard?

 

[The Fox]

Sounds like a 70s film with a dashing Robert Redford.

Or a jazz funk combo .

 

[MayorOJC]

Think Wilder might be eyeballing Chong for it when he's back

 

[AdamSufc1997]

We’re played on the wing that’s how desperate we are

 

[bakeblade]

Did anyone else notice the role that Bamford was playing last night?

Rather than being an out and out striker he seemed to have been given a bit of a free role behind Campbell. He popped up all over the pitch to receive the ball and we were miles better for it - our performance got noticeably worse after he reverted to being a more conventional striker in the second half.

I would guess that this is Wilder's short term solution to replacing O'Hare in the number 10 role.

Yes and it seemed to work. This 'short term' solution could be until January

 

[bakeblade]

Bamford's touch map last night:

View attachment 243410

v Cardiff (only played 45 mins)

View attachment 243409

v Swansea

View attachment 243411

v Birmingham
View attachment 243412

Last night looks a higher volume of touches in the middle third and a "number 10" type space 20+ yards out. Enjoyed it. Also noticeable that was by far the most involved he's been in a game this season (52 touches compared to a previous high of 29), which, given we've compromised ourselves offensively, looks a good outcome to me.

Interesting, thanks for that. A picture is worth a thousand words.