Blades v Swindon - Match Highlights

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Swindon are playing a style of football, and badly. If you play a regular style of football badly and lump it forward when pressed at the back, you still lose matches.
Always respected teams that stick to a philosophy of playing through bad times.
How people can watch a style of football that has dominated world football for the past 10 years and say they don't get it is beyond me.

Reminded me of Utd under Weir. Defenders instructed to pass it around at the back, not good enough to do it, confidence went. Playing short passes under pressure if the players are not gifted is just as bad as hoofing it in the air to midgets up front against big defenders. Any system needs players capable of delivering it.

 

[AWetFlannel]

I wasn't saying they should play direct football. A good manager assesses the players he has in the squad and before deciding on the best style of play to get the most out of the players

I agree, and it may be the case with Swindon now but I find it unlikely that a club built from top to bottom to play possession football will have a squad more suited to playing a different style.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Reminded me of Utd under Weir. Defenders instructed to pass it around at the back, not good enough to do it, confidence went. Playing short passes under pressure if the players are not gifted is just as bad as hoofing it in the air to midgets up front against big defenders. Any system needs players capable of delivering it.

You have basically agreed with me then?
Utd under Weir was a team unfit to play the style he wanted us to adopt and awful as a result.
Swindon are a team built to play possession football, so do.

 

[Blend-it-like-Harris]

I'd argue that any team under Weir is unfit to play...............

 

[Silent Blade]

Swindon are a team built to play possession football, so do.

Wont work if they keep changing managers. It looks like Lee Power (ex Norwich player who is now Swindon's owner) has instructed each manager to play the way he wants. Why can he be a manager himself?

A Chesterfield at work fan told me that Gary Caldwell has instructed his players to play similar to Swindon. Gary has taken the club from 5th bottom and 2nd bottom. One or two goals Chesterfield conceded were due to trying to play at the back like Barca do and my workmate was mad with rage after the third goal

 

[Bergen Blade]

Hoping Bergen Blade might do a bit of analysis on the goals conceded, but for me they both come through players running unchallenged through space you would hope Coutts would pick up. I don't want to be too critical on that, as they are still great strikes, but that's what I felt at the time and still think now I've seen them back.

I thought the rest of the game Coutts did very well, and in particular should get a lot of praise for our opening goal – it's his pressing that results in the ball through to Lavery to finish. His work-rate overall last night was really good.

1st Swindon goal: We make a clearance down our left hand side, but Swindon picks it up. All our midfielders are pushed over to the left, and as we're unable to win the ball, we're vulnerable in the middle:



Swindon have two players centrally and in some space. So the question is - who's responsible for closing down Colkett?

Freeman - Has the overlapping left back to focus on

Basham - If he'd pushed up he'd left space behind him, which Gladwin (tall att mid centrally in the photo) could have ran into, meaning he'd be through on goal

EEL - Marks Ajose. O'Connell has not recovered positionally yet after making the clearance

Strikers - Too far upfield to track back here

So we are left with Coutts. He's probably showed limited positional awareness defensively by pushing over/up too much, giving himself too much to do as there are nobody else to cover the space centrally. Coutts tries to track back, but he rarely looks like getting up to max speed in such situations (no Kante is he).



We have conceded quite a few similar goals - our midfield moving over to the left, leaving space centrally.

Having said this - it is a fantastic strike, one that also probably takes Moore by surprise. He makes a little jump as the ball is struck and looks a bit slow in moving for the ball.


2nd Swindon goal: Swindon's right back is on the ball and we have give away too much space between our defence and midfield. Again Coutts is caught in noman's land, pushing up despite not marking or closing anyone, just a bit careless in his positioning:



The ball goes up to Obika, who unchallenged nods back to Gladwin. Gladwin runs at our defence, who are in trouble:



By instinct, all central defenders will hope a central midfielder will chase back and rescue them in the above situation. Man on the ball not closed down, the rule says drop deeper! But as Coutts (nor O'Shea) can't get there, someone has to push up to challenge the man on the ball. In the end both EEL and O'Connell throw themselves at Gladwin, but too late.

This is really difficult for central defenders though. It is easier to avoid giving up the space in front of them, than making them deal better with the situation.



Highlights again:

 

[cooperblade]

Having said this - it is a fantastic strike, one that also probably takes Moore by surprise. He makes a little jump as the ball is struck and looks a bit slow in moving for the ball.

Moore made a horrible flap at a cross in the 1st half which very nearly cost us a goal. I was surprised that he hasn't got a much lower score on the ratings on here.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Moore made a horrible flap at a cross in the 1st half which very nearly cost us a goal. I was surprised that he hasn't got a much lower score on the ratings on here.

I'd actually forgotten about that till seeing the highlights (after I'd given him a mark). Was a bad flap at the ball.

 

[robbiez666]

1st Swindon goal: We make a clearance down our left hand side, but Swindon picks it up. All our midfielders are pushed over to the left, and as we're unable to win the ball, we're vulnerable in the middle:

View attachment 24469

Swindon have two players centrally and in some space. So the question is - who's responsible for closing down Colkett?

Freeman - Has the overlapping left back to focus on

Basham - If he'd pushed up he'd left space behind him, which Gladwin (tall att mid centrally in the photo) could have ran into, meaning he'd be through on goal

EEL - Marks Ajose. O'Connell has not recovered positionally yet after making the clearance

Strikers - Too far upfield to track back here

So we are left with Coutts. He's probably showed limited positional awareness defensively by pushing over/up too much, giving himself too much to do as there are nobody else to cover the space centrally. Coutts tries to track back, but he rarely looks like getting up to max speed in such situations (no Kante is he).

View attachment 24471

We have conceded quite a few similar goals - our midfield moving over to the left, leaving space centrally.

Having said this - it is a fantastic strike, one that also probably takes Moore by surprise. He makes a little jump as the ball is struck and looks a bit slow in moving for the ball.


2nd Swindon goal: Swindon's right back is on the ball and we have give away too much space between our defence and midfield. Again Coutts is caught in noman's land, pushing up despite not marking or closing anyone, just a bit careless in his positioning:

View attachment 24473

The ball goes up to Obika, who unchallenged nods back to Gladwin. Gladwin runs at our defence, who are in trouble:

View attachment 24474

By instinct, all central defenders will hope a central midfielder will chase back and rescue them in the above situation. Man on the ball not closed down, the rule says drop deeper! But as Coutts (nor O'Shea) can't get there, someone has to push up to challenge the man on the ball. In the end both EEL and O'Connell throw themselves at Gladwin, but too late.

This is really difficult for central defenders though. It is easier to avoid giving up the space in front of them, than making them deal better with the situation.



Highlights again:

Nice analysis as per always.

Moore's worst attribute seems to be stopping long shots. Neither really should have gone in, especially the second.

Got me thinking, when was the last time we had a keeper who could stop long shots?

Simmo? (although we couldn't catch or hold a ball)

 

[cooperblade]

Nice analysis as per always.

Moore's worst attribute seems to be stopping long shots. Neither really should have gone in, especially the second.

Got me thinking, when was the last time we had a keeper who could stop long shots?

Simmo? (although we couldn't catch or hold a ball)

Mark Bunn was definitely the worst at long range shots followed by Mark Howard.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Moore made a horrible flap at a cross in the 1st half which very nearly cost us a goal. I was surprised that he hasn't got a much lower score on the ratings on here.

I'm not a great judge of goalkeeping, but according to this site Moore should be using his top hand on situations like the first goal:

Here we see the goalkeeper attempting a save with the 'Top Hand', or in this case, the left hand for a shot going into the top right hand corner (goalkeepers right side). By using the 'Top Hand' the goalkeeper is able to cover almost the entire top half of the goal as well as the side.

Here we see the goalkeeper attempting the same save, only this time, using the "Bottom Hand', or right hand for a shot into the top right hand corner. Here you will see that using the same range of motion at the hips, the goalkeeper will not be able to reach as high as when he uses the 'Top Hand'. In this instance he is not able to cover the area just under the crossbar.

Some will argue that the goalkeeper can still almost reach the top corner using the 'Bottom Hand', and that would be correct. The problem with this is that the goalkeeper must use his full range of motion through the hips to attain the same height and distance that he can using the 'Top Hand'. There is far less tension throughout the body while using the 'Top Hand'.

Also being at the limits of his flexibility, the goalkeeper using the 'Bottom Hand' will not be able to re-adjust his body position in the air if the ball hangs up or changes direction for any reason. Whereas the goalkeeper using the 'Top Hand' can re-adjust his body and move more freely in any direction.

By using the 'Top Hand' and keeping himself in a more natural position it is safe to assume that the goalkeeper will also be able to dive further and faster because all of his body is concentrated on moving in the same direction (Kinetic Chain).

It is also scientific fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. By having to arch his upper body, the goalkeeper using the 'Bottom Hand' is losing up to 1-2 inches of stretching distance.

The last thing to consider is the position of the goalkeepers body upon landing. The goalkeeper who uses the 'Top Hand' has a tendency to land parallel with the ground. He will touch down first with the arms and the upper body, then the hips, and then finally the legs. This will leave him in an excellent position to roll out of the dive and further cushion the impact. The goalkeeper who uses the 'Bottom Hand' will have a tendency to land perpendicular to the ground. He will more often land feet or knees first, followed by the hips, upper body and finallly the arms and head. This can result in a heavy landing with a whiplash affect.





Therefore, 'Top Hand' is better because:

• Reaches higher
• Reaches further
• Gets there faster
• Is more relaxed
• Less risk of injury
• Consumes less energy

http://www.seriousgoalkeeping.net/Techniques/GoalkeeperTechnique_WhyTheTopHand.aspx

 

[Joe Boltons Left Foot]

fantastic analysis.

Have only just managed to watch the highlights after being overseas on business and sky not allowing me to view the highlights in "that territory" the outcome was good even if I did have to spend an uncomfortable evening in DIjon with a coventry fan as we looked like grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory.

Probably the wrong thread to mention it on but the Coventry fans have decided on their protest for their trip to Wembley. Apparently 50K pieces of paper with the word "potential" printed on them. If anyone owns a printer cartridge business get on down to the west mids

 

[I should coco]

Apparently 50K pieces of paper with the word "potential" printed on them.

Are they taking 10 bits of paper each then?

Actually, hold that thought. The part time tossers are just about daft enough to drag nearly 50k to the Chuckaturd final, then get 5k for the next home game.

Wankers of the highest order and that really is no mean feat in the modern game.

 

[Joe Boltons Left Foot]

Are they taking 10 bits of paper each then?

Actually, hold that thought. The part time tossers are just about daft enough to drag nearly 50k to the Chuckaturd final, then get 5k for the next home game.

Wankers of the highest order and that really is no mean feat in the modern game.

The guy I was with actually was proud that they believe they are going to take more fans from a single club to a "final" than anyone else has ever done. Apparently due to Oxford not taking many. Needless to say I did ask if he wasn't just a bit embarrassed to have that many part timers but apparently they are all real fans just they have been protesting. hahahaha

 

[Bladesman]

The guy I was with actually was proud that they believe they are going to take more fans from a single club to a "final" than anyone else has ever done. Apparently due to Oxford not taking many. Needless to say I did ask if he wasn't just a bit embarrassed to have that many part timers but apparently they are all real fans just they have been protesting. hahahaha

They sound like the MASSIVE.

I guess Wednesday fans have spent the 30 or so years protesting til Chansiri took charge.

 

[robbiez666]

I'm not a great judge of goalkeeping, but according to this site Moore should be using his top hand on situations like the first goal:

Here we see the goalkeeper attempting a save with the 'Top Hand', or in this case, the left hand for a shot going into the top right hand corner (goalkeepers right side). By using the 'Top Hand' the goalkeeper is able to cover almost the entire top half of the goal as well as the side.

Here we see the goalkeeper attempting the same save, only this time, using the "Bottom Hand', or right hand for a shot into the top right hand corner. Here you will see that using the same range of motion at the hips, the goalkeeper will not be able to reach as high as when he uses the 'Top Hand'. In this instance he is not able to cover the area just under the crossbar.

Some will argue that the goalkeeper can still almost reach the top corner using the 'Bottom Hand', and that would be correct. The problem with this is that the goalkeeper must use his full range of motion through the hips to attain the same height and distance that he can using the 'Top Hand'. There is far less tension throughout the body while using the 'Top Hand'.

Also being at the limits of his flexibility, the goalkeeper using the 'Bottom Hand' will not be able to re-adjust his body position in the air if the ball hangs up or changes direction for any reason. Whereas the goalkeeper using the 'Top Hand' can re-adjust his body and move more freely in any direction.

By using the 'Top Hand' and keeping himself in a more natural position it is safe to assume that the goalkeeper will also be able to dive further and faster because all of his body is concentrated on moving in the same direction (Kinetic Chain).

It is also scientific fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. By having to arch his upper body, the goalkeeper using the 'Bottom Hand' is losing up to 1-2 inches of stretching distance.

The last thing to consider is the position of the goalkeepers body upon landing. The goalkeeper who uses the 'Top Hand' has a tendency to land parallel with the ground. He will touch down first with the arms and the upper body, then the hips, and then finally the legs. This will leave him in an excellent position to roll out of the dive and further cushion the impact. The goalkeeper who uses the 'Bottom Hand' will have a tendency to land perpendicular to the ground. He will more often land feet or knees first, followed by the hips, upper body and finallly the arms and head. This can result in a heavy landing with a whiplash affect.





Therefore, 'Top Hand' is better because:

• Reaches higher
• Reaches further
• Gets there faster
• Is more relaxed
• Less risk of injury
• Consumes less energy

http://www.seriousgoalkeeping.net/Techniques/GoalkeeperTechnique_WhyTheTopHand.aspx

It strikes me that he should be using both hands in that kind of situation.

When I watched the highlights, and especially on the completely fluffed cross, my first thought was that he needed contacts. I play sport without glasses and I do similar misjudgements.

 

[BushBlade]

Wont work if they keep changing managers. It looks like Lee Power (ex Norwich player who is now Swindon's owner) has instructed each manager to play the way he wants. Why can he be a manager himself?

A Chesterfield at work fan told me that Gary Caldwell has instructed his players to play similar to Swindon. Gary has taken the club from 5th bottom and 2nd bottom. One or two goals Chesterfield conceded were due to trying to play at the back like Barca do and my workmate was mad with rage after the third goal

I've got a theory on this. It's a generalisation so I'm sure there are exceptions.
There are two types of manager; those that play 'their' way of playing and those that adapt to the players they inherit. The ones with their own philosophy tend to be good in the long term and can build a club. The adaptable ones tend to be journeyman type who can change a club's fortunes in the short term but it rarely lasts for more than a season or so.

I think clubs don't always spend enough time working out what kind of manager they want. If you go for a manager with a set way of playing, you have to be prepared to spend money on new players who can play that style. If you can't, or you're in real danger of relegation, you go for an impact manager who can get your existing players going a bit and get you out of trouble.

Caldwell is an odd choice. He's never fought a relegation battle as a manager, apart from the one he was in when he was sacked. It baffles me why people running a football club would decide to chose someone to do a vital job when there's no evidence that they can do it. What other industry would do that?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Nice analysis as per always.

Moore's worst attribute seems to be stopping long shots. Neither really should have gone in, especially the second.

Got me thinking, when was the last time we had a keeper who could stop long shots?

Simmo? (although we couldn't catch or hold a ball)

Don't know the answer but Long and Moore seem to have the same problem.

Is it because the ball is so light it moves so much it creates issues .

These long range shots have a tendency to finish up in the back of the net , when usually they finish up at the back of the stand .

 

[Woodwardfan]

Don't know the answer but Long and Moore seem to have the same problem.

Is it because the ball is so light it moves so much it creates issues .

These long range shots have a tendency to finish up in the back of the net , when usually they finish up at the back of the stand .

We don't score that many long range effort s ourselves though.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

We don't score that many long range effort s ourselves though.

We do seem shot shy for some reason . . Could be percentages ie our long range shots in training are never on target or accurate enough . We do seem to get a lot of long range goals scored against us and we struggle defending them . Vast majority thought it was Longs fault initially .

Don't know the answer .

 

[Woodwardfan]

We do seem shot shy for some reason . . Could be percentages ie our long range shots in training are never on target or accurate enough . We do seem to get a lot of long range goals scored against us and we struggle defending them . Vast majority thought it was Longs fault initially .

Don't know the answer .

Coutts and Flecks as a duo play too deep IMO and yet we don't protect the back 3 that well either, so there's an issue there somewhere.

Fleck has loads of assists as has Freeman.

Duffy doesn't shoot much from distance but is excellent in other ways. Lafferty is limited but has discovered a goal touch including one from 30 yards recently.

Carruthers is dynamic and there's loads to come. O'Shea can shoot that's for sure.

In truth we don't have trouble scoring goals these days; it's not just down to Sharp any more.

 

[Greenwich Blade]

We do seem shot shy for some reason . . Could be percentages ie our long range shots in training are never on target or accurate enough . We do seem to get a lot of long range goals scored against us and we struggle defending them . Vast majority thought it was Longs fault initially .

Don't know the answer .

Shorten the pitch?