Basham's timing when attacking crosses from either wing

[Silent Blade]

The idea to have Basham in CM is to arrive late into the penalty box and use his height to head in crosses is is an useful tactic but in the games he has played in midfield this season is that he attacks too early or too late when there is a decent cross into the box from either wing. I remember reading in Alan Birchenall's autobiography that Dave Sexton at Chelsea taught him a lot in how to set off his run as late as possible when it comes to attacking crosses (Tim Cahill is a master in this department also Gil Reece was good at that for us- and was Ian Bryson ). Does he need coaching or some players are born with that sort of good timing?

 

[sitwell]

Or are our crosses not going in quick enough ?

 

[JohnDenver]

And when he does arrive on time he doesn't look remotely adept as a finisher. Shame, because it all looks good until the white sticks loom.

 

[Silent Blade]

Or are our crosses not going in quick enough ?

Maybe with Campbell-Ryce's style in beating defenders more than once makes it more unpredictable to decide when when he eventually crosses, I was talking about Harris two or three decent crosses today when he had plenty of time and space and our attackers should have timed their runs better

 

[Lane Ender]

Just give him a central defenders role he'll do the rest.

Yer can't have a dig at for not finishing that's not his game.

 

[Russ]

Morgs nearly always used to get on the end of corners, you'd have thought he could have a word.

 

[Kempy]

The idea to have Basham in CM is to arrive late into the penalty box and use his height to head in crosses is is an useful tactic but in the games he has played in midfield this season is that he attacks too early or too late when there is a decent cross into the box from either wing. I remember reading in Alan Birchenall's autobiography that Dave Sexton at Chelsea taught him a lot in how to set off his run as late as possible when it comes to attacking crosses (Tim Cahill is a master in this department also Gil Reece was good at that for us- and was Ian Bryson ). Does he need coaching or some players are born with that sort of good timing?

Agree with this, I can remember 2 crosses today in which he was in the right area but completely miss-timed his leap (too early) leaving it to harmlessly drift over for a throw in.

On the whole though our best player today IMO. Glad to see him doing well as I'd been giving him a bit of stick. I want to see him stick at CB if I'm honest but he had to play in midfield today due to the stature of Oldham's team. When Wallace is fit he does that role but Clough had no other choice today. If he had that timing of runs/leap in his game I reckon he could of grabbed a few goals this season.

 

[Bladesway]

When Wallace is fit .

Stop it, I'm laughing so hard I might wee myself.

 

[Revolution]

He is not a midfielder, but what choice do we have when Wallace is proving to be the crock we all feared he'd be?

We play 3 in central midfield every week and they've scored the grand total of 1 goal between them in 17 games. Pathetic.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

I thought we missed Reed's range of passing and ball retention today. Thought Basham played well today but with him and Doyle in centre mid we never looked like unlocking the door or keeping the ball that long. If they're playing 3 in centre mid with 1 being Doyle, then they can afford to have 2 creative midfield players in there. Ideally I'd go Doyle, Wallace, Baxter, or Reed when Wallace is not fit (ie alot of the time).

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I thought we missed Reed's range of passing and ball retention today. Thought Basham played well today but with him and Doyle in centre mid we never looked like unlocking the door or keeping the ball that long. If they're playing 3 in centre mid with 1 being Doyle, then they can afford to have 2 creative midfield players in there. Ideally I'd go Doyle, Wallace, Baxter, or Reed when Wallace is not fit (ie alot of the time).

I'd play three up front and get the ball forward quicker giving their back four something to deal with all the time.

That said the first 2/3rds looks to be in control most of the time when we have the ball.

 

[cooperblade]

I thought we missed Reed's range of passing and ball retention today. Thought Basham played well today but with him and Doyle in centre mid we never looked like unlocking the door or keeping the ball that long. If they're playing 3 in centre mid with 1 being Doyle, then they can afford to have 2 creative midfield players in there. Ideally I'd go Doyle, Wallace, Baxter, or Reed when Wallace is not fit (ie alot of the time).

Scougall made some fantastic runs but we didn't have anyone capable of finding him.

 

[sheffielder]

Scougs was making good runs and usually to where Basham was. Surely it's better if Scougall plays where Basham does and then bring in Reed to find pick the passes. The balance of the midfield yesterday was terrible.

 

[Foxy]

Scougall made some fantastic runs but we didn't have anyone capable of finding him.

He did indeed, time and time again.

What also happened, is every time Flynn came inside from the right with the ball, he created acres of space begging for someone to run into by taking the attentions of 3 or 4 men..... What normally happened, is his team-mates all stood and watched him, resulting in him being crowded out in the middle and having to come backwards to Doyle or a full back just over half way.

 

[Lane Ender]

Scougs was making good runs and usually to where Basham was. Surely it's better if Scougall plays where Basham does and then bring in Reed to find pick the passes. The balance of the midfield yesterday was terrible.

Abselutly right that would work well

Last bit of the equation Basham return to centre back.

 

[Blade58]

Made similar comments re Bashams arrival in the box. Everytime he rises for a cross when the ball comes in, he never actually wins it. Mis-times his jump all the time. Too early. Too late and overall, I think he's weighed in with a whopping zilch number of league goals this season

Gentlemen, we have another Monty on our hands

We used to get a contribution from Doyle at one time of day. Even those have dried up. Doyles shooting boots gone missing or Cloughs instructions?

 

[wizadry]

He did indeed, time and time again.

What also happened, is every time Flynn came inside from the right with the ball, he created acres of space begging for someone to run into by taking the attentions of 3 or 4 men..... What normally happened, is his team-mates all stood and watched him, resulting in him being crowded out in the middle and having to come backwards to Doyle or a full back just over half way.

Who would you blame for this Foxy ?

 

[Lane Ender]

Made similar comments re Bashams arrival in the box. Everytime he rises for a cross when the ball comes in, he never actually wins it. Mis-times his jump all the time. Too early. Too late and overall, I think he's weighed in with a whopping zilch number of league goals this seas , we have another Monty on our

We used to get a contribution from Doyle at one time of day. Even those have dried up. Doyles shooting boots gone missing or Cloughs instructions?

I reckon you're being a bit brutal on Basham.
So now he's got to get tackles in, put players in play with pinpoint passes, make runs into box and then rise like a salmon to head it in
He's a league one player not Champions League quality
Well I for one are happy with him.

 

[Bergen Blade]

The idea to have Basham in CM is to arrive late into the penalty box and use his height to head in crosses is is an useful tactic but in the games he has played in midfield this season is that he attacks too early or too late when there is a decent cross into the box from either wing. I remember reading in Alan Birchenall's autobiography that Dave Sexton at Chelsea taught him a lot in how to set off his run as late as possible when it comes to attacking crosses (Tim Cahill is a master in this department also Gil Reece was good at that for us- and was Ian Bryson ). Does he need coaching or some players are born with that sort of good timing?

1. I think our build up and general tempo was so slow that Oldham's defenders were always ready and waiting when the (few) crosses came in.
2. When we have one offensive player who is 6'3 and the rest is 5'7 it's easy to see who's the main target. Most Oldham players were 6 footers.
3. Attacking (box to box) midfield is a new position to Basham. I've also thought he's often just run into the box when we've started an attack, i.e. got there too early and been marked like a target man by a centre half. The point is arriving just in time, but it's something that may take some time to learn.
4. When he does get up above his opponent, his heading technique is not great.

Jagielka's ability to be "hanging" in the air was (is) excellent. And what a fantastic header by Ian Bryson (jumping backwards and still getting so much pace on the ball) 1 minute into this video:

 

[Lane Ender]

Basham heading technique is sound when it's basic ie when attacking the ball in a central defensive situation.
When you have to direct the ball in an attacking position it's another thing that's alien to Basham .
From set pieces you can develop these in training he might chip in then with a few goals like Collins did.

 

[Silent Blade]

1. I think our build up and general tempo was so slow that Oldham's defenders were always ready and waiting when the (few) crosses came in.
2. When we have one offensive player who is 6'3 and the rest is 5'7 it's easy to see who's the main target. Most Oldham players were 6 footers.
3. Attacking (box to box) midfield is a new position to Basham. I've also thought he's often just run into the box when we've started an attack, i.e. got there too early and been marked like a target man by a centre half. The point is arriving just in time, but it's something that may take some time to learn.
4. When he does get up above his opponent, his heading technique is not great.

Jagielka's ability to be "hanging" in the air was (is) excellent. And what a fantastic header by Ian Bryson (jumping backwards and still getting so much pace on the ball) 1 minute into this video:

Yes, Jagielka was good as was Marcelo. Lane Ender is right about Collins too

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Is that a certain Nigel Cough I see at no 9 for Forest?

 

[Kenilworth]

It's true that he ain't no Frank Lampard. That's the blueprint for timing runs from midfield.