Did Adkins stumble across the winning formula tonight?

[grafikhaus]

Last night provided a new piece of the jigsaw for Adkins and hopefully a bit more insight. He was able to see in flashes how we had managed to beat championship/ premiership teams in cup matches. As individuals this group if players might impress with their technical skills in training too. But.....they just aren't strong enough physically and teams that set up intent on kicking, obstruction, general gamesmanship and fighting their way through a game will beat us. ( no complaints about that by the way) Notts County played like under 16s and were made to pay.

I don't think you can toughen up players. We need a Trevor Hockey.

The defence did not have much to do last night, no commanding performance.

All this sounds negative and it's not meant to be. We are not far short of a team good enough to do well, that's the frustration isn't it? It was an enjoyable game last night which will give some of the players confidence. UTB

Again not a direct criticism but, based on League performances, I expect the next 2 games (Rochdale at Home and Oldham away) could bring us back down to earth with a bump. They're both bog-standard Third Division teams who will know how to perform against us. I expect one point from those 2 games. And Vicenti to score on Saturday. Sorry.

 

[blade too long]

we have been short of Dones dogged style of play , the more we attack the less the opposition will attack us
a simple but effective way of us improving

 

[Cyprus Blade]

he needs time and not to be distracted by frantically jerking knees!

so glad you said "knees"

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Was it 4-3-3? Lots of pace and directness in the forward positions, ball players in midfield, Scougs back in his favoured role, Baxter pushed further forward?

The Port Vale starting line up certainly looked very slow in comparison.

The title may be a bit over the top, but there may be things to take from this "meaningless" game. Looking forward to comments from those who were there.

Yep, I tend to agree with you. There's always room in football for pace and directness.

Can they keep it up and be as effective as this against better opposition is the question for me. Having watched them home and away this season, so far it's been 'a curates egg' at best.

As for the defence..............................................?

 

[Pinchy]

Again not a direct criticism but, based on League performances, I expect the next 2 games (Rochdale at Home and Oldham away) could bring us back down to earth with a bump. They're both bog-standard Third Division teams who will know how to perform against us. I expect one point from those 2 games. And Vicenti to score on Saturday. Sorry.

Perhaps you should keep the apology until after the games?....

 

[Pinchy]

Was it

A:

- - - - Baxter (Holding)
Reed - - - - - - Scougall​

B:

- - - - Reed (Holding)
Baxter - - - - - - Scougall​

C:

Reed - - - - - Baxter
- - - - - - Scougall (advanced)​

D:

Reed - - - - - Scougall
- - - - - Baxter (advanced)

​

?

If either Reed or Baxter were holding anything they ought to be sacked. They need to put it down, whatever it was. It's bound to affect mobility, balance and concentration. Perhaps you've stumbled on the reason for their lethargic performances in many games?

I suggest they forget silly labels, diagrams and videos and concentrate on doing the job 'midfielder' properly. The clue is in the appellation.

 

[Dkc]

Baxter at No.10 will guarantee Sharp 20 goals plus this season - unless he takes penalty job from him!

Can't recall Baxter ever missing a penalty for us. If that's the case how come Billy got the job?

 

[Barney]

You'd put both Edgar and Kennedy at centre half in front of Basham?

If everyone's fit I'd go with Basham and Collins at centre half and the same three as you in midfield but with Reed in place of Coutts for certain games. It would lack mobility and defensive ability but the possession keeping capabilities should outweigh that in most games.

One problem is that neither Adams or Done are great on the right wing. What will often happen if we play three up front like that (Done Sharp Adams) is two rather than one will usually be up front centrally and one in more of a wide midfield position. Like last night in that asymmetrical shape, but with one of them taking up the left wing just as JCR took up the right.

Basham in place for Kennedy perhaps in the more physical games. But Basham's gone down in my estimations recently, starting to think he's just a weak beanpole that contributes very little. Kennedy's impressed me every time he's stepped foot on the field of play pretty much, and i've no doubt in a straight battle for CB spot, both being fit, I'd pick Kennedy all day long. It's just whether he can keep fit.

 

[Grappler]

We played well, probably because none of the players felt under pressure? Matt Done was great, back to his old self, my only concern being that after he went down heavily last night, a build up of fouls of a similar nature will see him out with injury again. Baxter played some lovely passes, often though, his quick thinking was "too quick" and some of our players could not anticipate the move, which needs to improve. JCR seemed to enjoy himself, tormenting his former club, and as everyone says, that last piece for trickery just before he was subbed, was fantastic to watch.

Coutts played better in that central role when he came on, not out wide like on Saturday at Port Vale (Nigel Adkins please take notice!) and Che showed flashes of brilliance while also showing he still has a heavy touch at times and trips over his own feet (teenage clumsiness). Scougall played (for me) his best game in ages, great goal, well taken. I thought Woolford played well, despite what others have said, and he brings a bit more physicality to the field that some others.

McGahey looked nervous at times, and his weak, back passing header, to Long, which nearly resulted in a Notts County goal, should be a warning to him that better teams will take better advantage of those silly mistakes. On saying that, he made a couple of "Maguire like" surging runs, and if he could just build his confidence more, and charge forward, he could make an impact, as he is a big lad and County looked worried at the sight of a unit like him charging at them.

Freeman was pretty solid as usual, people forget he is still a young lad, one of our more consistent players in my book.

Anyway, it was a pleasant way to spend an evening, not like the heart-in-mouth usual feelings when lesser teams come and beat us!

Lots for Nigel Adkins to ponder; Done has to start, there must be a place for JCR, etc.

UTB!

 

[Grappler]

Basham in place for Kennedy perhaps in the more physical games. But Basham's gone down in my estimations recently, starting to think he's just a weak beanpole that contributes very little. Kennedy's impressed me every time he's stepped foot on the field of play pretty much, and i've no doubt in a straight battle for CB spot, both being fit, I'd pick Kennedy all day long. It's just whether he can keep fit.

If it comes to a rough house, physical game, like Saturday at Port Vale, then Kennedy gets the nod from me every time, a much tougher player than Basham.

 

[Ricky]

Tougher than Edgar too. And in that sort of game you'd want Basham in midfield.

 

[Silent Blade]

Can't recall Baxter ever missing a penalty for us.

Crewe away in the league last season

 

[Sothall_Blade]

What was the brilliant piece of skill / trickery that JCR did? Can someone describe it? Is it on the highlights anywhere?

 

[Bergen Blade]

If either Reed or Baxter were holding anything they ought to be sacked. They need to put it down, whatever it was. It's bound to affect mobility, balance and concentration. Perhaps you've stumbled on the reason for their lethargic performances in many games?

I suggest they forget silly labels, diagrams and videos and concentrate on doing the job 'midfielder' properly. The clue is in the appellation.

I notice that you've still not managed to figure out what a holding midfielder is.

 

[jt64]

Sharp obviously has to play

Why does he obviously have to play?

To answer your question: WHF Jr Sr thought it was all about the 4-3-3, but is concerned about where Sharp would fit in.

Why would he be concerned? If Sharp's that limited that he doesn't work in a formation which works a lot better than the crap we've been putting out recently, then you don't try to put square pegs in round holes (I thought we learned that last season re: the centre back debacle) and use another option. It's a team game, nobody has a divine right to a starting berth.

I also really enjoyed last night. Not sure Billy can play in 433 unless Adams and Done are wide of him. If so give it a go.

I think this could work quite well, but it's pretty reliant on having our full backs playing very high up the park, so it's something I'd rather see this when Brayford/Harris are properly back - maybe using Flynn as an alternative? That said I'd much rather use Sammon, higher workrate and a more obvious focal point if we can't pass it through the opposition and need someone to hold it up.

Can't recall Baxter ever missing a penalty for us. If that's the case how come Billy got the job?

Stat padding to give us that 20 goal striker that various idiots have demanded. Sharp getting 15 + 5 pens rather than getting 15 with Baxter scoring the same 5 pens instead is clearly a critical improvement to our promotion chances.

 

[Grappler]

What was the brilliant piece of skill / trickery that JCR did? Can someone describe it? Is it on the highlights anywhere?

He basically took the ball down the wing, towards the Kop, skinned about three of their men, got into to box, skinned another and then tapped the ball around to the left of a player, while running around the same players right, off the pitch and back on, to collect the ball and cross in.

It doesn't sound great, you had to see it, and it capped off a great performance from him.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

He basically took the ball down the wing, towards the Kop, skinned about three of their men, got into to box, skinned another and then tapped the ball around to the left of a player, while running around the same players right, off the pitch and back on, to collect the ball and cross in.

It doesn't sound great, you had to see it, and it capped off a great performance from him.

Correction. It does sound great!

 

[Woodwardfan]

Can't recall Baxter ever missing a penalty for us. If that's the case how come Billy got the job?

Some say always have your best striker taking penalties, it helps his momentum. Having said that, only allow him to miss two if there's a Baxter in the team.

 

[Dkc]

He basically took the ball down the wing, towards the Kop, skinned about three of their men, got into to box, skinned another and then tapped the ball around to the left of a player, while running around the same players right, off the pitch and back on, to collect the ball and cross in.

After which we skied it into row Z of the kop?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Again not a direct criticism but, based on League performances, I expect the next 2 games (Rochdale at Home and Oldham away) could bring us back down to earth with a bump. They're both bog-standard Third Division teams who will know how to perform against us. I expect one point from those 2 games. And Vicenti to score on Saturday. Sorry.

Glass half empty perhaps?

I expect us to win both games, but would not be surprised if we didn't, that's football, but it would not be the end of the season either. BTW Rochdale are a lot better than you give them credit for, "bog standard top 6 team" maybe.

In my opinion it is only a matter of time before we go on a really strong run of results and the sun starts shining again on S2.

 

[Grappler]

After which we skied it into row Z of the kop?

To be honest I can't remember! I think the keeper saved it or they cleared it

 

[Grappler]

Correction. It does sound great!

Cheers mate! It was nice to sit and watch him do it, no doubt it could appear on Look North or Calendar tonight?

 

[PokerBlade]

After which we skied it into row Z of the kop?

Surprisingly not. Slid it to Adams who couldn't get it out from under his feet, backheeled it to Coutts (I think?) and it took a few deflections and landed back with JCR who was then offside.

It's on the highlights on the OS. Ndlovu in his prime would've been proud.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Surprisingly not. Slid it to Adams who couldn't get it out from under his feet, backheeled it to Coutts (I think?) and it took a few deflections and landed back with JCR who was then offside.

It's on the highlights on the OS. Ndlovu in his prime would've been proud.

Just Blades Player highlights or reduced YouTube highlights as well?
I can't access either from work but I'll have a look at YouTube when I get home.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Correction. It does sound great!

Does Soccer AM still have the showboat segment? I remember Ndlovue having 3 contributions from one game (against Burnely I think- same game that Jags dominated midfield against Gazza)

 

[Hodgyman]

we have been short of Dones dogged style of play , the more we attack the less the opposition will attack us
a simple but effective way of us improving

My thoughts too. If we play the likes of Mat Done and Che Adams from the start, the opposition's defenders will perhaps note dare to go forward to help attack. If Mat and Che can cause the damage early in the game, the opposition my be already beaten if they tire and have to be replaced with subs with "fresh legs".

 

[Pinchy]

I notice that you've still not managed to figure out what a holding midfielder is.

No I haven't. Over 50 years of playing, watching, listening and reading have failed to educate me. I need a video and some arrows.

 

[Woodwardfan]

No I haven't. Over 50 years of playing, watching, listening and reading have failed to educate me. I need a video and some arrows.

Don't worry Pinchy, we ain't got one on our books anyway, unfortunately.

When we played Adams and Ryce out wide in 4-4-2, Basham and Baxter weren't allowed to push upfield too far, but neither of them has the "holding midfielder's" discipline or positional sense, or indeed the "presence" required.

 

[Bergen Blade]

No I haven't. Over 50 years of playing, watching, listening and reading have failed to educate me. I need a video and some arrows.

Obviously. Good luck with that.

 

[blade too long]

all this inverted diamond , springboard wing back play is fine
but its not as good as bassetts zone system
my favourite tactic is scoring one more than the opposition