Did Adkins stumble across the winning formula tonight?

[Bergen Blade]

As always interesting and insightful Bergen. I just have a couple of observations though.

In your last picture, Adams is holding the ball up and JCR, Baxter, Scougall and Done are all making forward runs. That is pleasing to see and that sort of movement is an absolute must if you’re playing 451/433. I just have a few of concerns about this.

1. Adams is a long way ahead of the runners. Against better and more aggressive centre backs, will he/Sharp/Sammon be able to hold it up long enough for the runners to arrive and pick them out?

2. Against better opposition with midfield threats like Rochdale, Will Reed sitting deep offer enough protection to the back 4 if these players bomb forward.

3. If we don’t Have Basham in midfield or Sammon up front, will we be too small to deal with set pieces etc much like last season?

The reason I raise these points is that when we’ve played a system and lost (442 at Vale on Saturday) people (not aimed at you Bergen) are very quick to remember the advantages that an alternative system (433) can provide whilst almost immediately forgetting the vulnerabilities it also brings. Same goes for the style (tippy tappy to hoof and everything in between). Suppose it’s human nature and the grass is always greener mentality.

Before the Nott’s game, I thought it was best to play Coutts on one wing and one of Done/Adams down the other with Baxter and Basham in the midfield and Sharp and Sammon up front as that would allow us to shift between 442 and 433 with Coutts having the ability to tuck in and Done being able to joint the front line. Good performances from Reed, JCR & Scougall will have given the manager some selection headaches though. He will research the opposition and hopefully decide upon the system and personnel that will give us the best possible chance for the next game.

Relevant concerns, we'll just have to assess the above if Adkins continues with 4-3-3/4-5-1. He went back to 4-4-2 after (successfully) switching to 4-3-3 at half time vs Bradford, and may not be ready to scrap it yet.

 

[BushBlade]

No. I'm simply stating the obvious truth that talent is more important than systems. Football's memorable moments come from the sublime genius of brilliant players, not some amateur manager playing games with videos, arrows and hyphens.

No, but, behind the scenes, some moments have their basis in a professional manager playing with videos, arrows, whiteboards, dossiers and systems.

Otherwise, we'd still be playing 235.

You're not going to tell me that SAR dropped Greavesy because he thought Hurst was a better player, when the received wisdom (based on what Alf said) is that Hurst fitted the system better.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

No. I'm simply stating the obvious truth that talent is more important than systems. Football's memorable moments come from the sublime genius of brilliant players, not some amateur manager playing games with videos, arrows and hyphens.

I take it your not a fan of Bergen’s analyses then?

I agree that players’ ability is more important that systems etc but I don’t think the tactical side of the game should be ignored. A team needs balance and different players bring different things to the side.

Lionel Messi is probably the best player in the world but you wouldn’t have 11 of him to make the best team. Some players need to do the ugly side of the game and earn the right for the flair players to do their thing. We seem to chop and change a lot over the last year or so and nobody seems to know our best side. Different combinations are still being worked on as are different tactical approaches to different games.

I don’t get why the criticism of an amateur looking to analyse team tactics and shape. It’s a football forum and we’re here to discuss football that’s part of it. I’m sure we have all talked about the ability of individual players yet none of us are professional scouts so surely the same criticism could stand?

Some posters take more notice than others of the tactical analysis that Bergen puts up. I personally find that part of the game very interesting. Others might not.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

No. I'm simply stating the obvious truth that talent is more important than systems. Football's memorable moments come from the sublime genius of brilliant players, not some amateur manager playing games with videos, arrows and hyphens.

In the same way that the best literature is all about quotable lines.

The horror. The horror.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I take it your not a fan of Bergen’s analyses then?

I agree that players’ ability is more important that systems etc but I don’t think the tactical side of the game should be ignored. A team needs balance and different players bring different things to the side.

Lionel Messi is probably the best player in the world but you wouldn’t have 11 of him to make the best team. Some players need to do the ugly side of the game and earn the right for the flair players to do their thing. We seem to chop and change a lot over the last year or so and nobody seems to know our best side. Different combinations are still being worked on as are different tactical approaches to different games.

I don’t get why the criticism of an amateur looking to analyse team tactics and shape. It’s a football forum and we’re here to discuss football that’s part of it. I’m sure we have all talked about the ability of individual players yet none of us are professional scouts so surely the same criticism could stand?

Some posters take more notice than others of the tactical analysis that Bergen puts up. I personally find that part of the game very interesting. Others might not.

A well organised team of journeymen will beat a poorly organised collection of individuals.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Oi, Pele, Gerson, Jairzinho and Rivelino, stop fucking about all over the pitch, it's 4-5-1 today....one of you silly cunts is supposed to be holding!....

That's what I was trying to say about the U21's against Sunderland at SPS. Post #54

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I watched the first half again last night and the speed of passing was noticeable again. Not necessarily the pace of the ball across the ground as I thought on the night, but the movement of the ball between players. We were constantly available.

One significant player in this regard was Long(!) who kept the ball moving when Howard (in different circumstances, ie a League game) might have dwelt on it much longer.

McEveley also plays a part in this regard ;-)

(Though he did seem to get involved in a tangle along with McGahey that nearly led to a chance, which was more ammunition for the haters.)

 

[Woodwardfan]

I take it your not a fan of Bergen’s analyses then?

I agree that players’ ability is more important that systems etc but I don’t think the tactical side of the game should be ignored. A team needs balance and different players bring different things to the side.

Lionel Messi is probably the best player in the world but you wouldn’t have 11 of him to make the best team. Some players need to do the ugly side of the game and earn the right for the flair players to do their thing. We seem to chop and change a lot over the last year or so and nobody seems to know our best side. Different combinations are still being worked on as are different tactical approaches to different games.

I don’t get why the criticism of an amateur looking to analyse team tactics and shape. It’s a football forum and we’re here to discuss football that’s part of it. I’m sure we have all talked about the ability of individual players yet none of us are professional scouts so surely the same criticism could stand?

Some posters take more notice than others of the tactical analysis that Bergen puts up. I personally find that part of the game very interesting. Others might not.

That part of the game is vitally important and Bergen performs a role on this site, no doubt about it and I'm sure Pinchy knows that full well.

However, sometimes Bergen gets carried away with his freeze-frames and polished presentation to make very simple points which could take a single sentence to convey. The remarkable fact is that the power of "window dressing" a simple point can impress so many other posters who are so easily convinced and quickly reach for the "like" button; sometimes that can be a little annoying, especially when the point is questionable or a re-packaging of things covered by others.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I watched the first half again last night and the speed of passing was noticeable again. Not necessarily the pace of the ball across the ground as I thought on the night, but the movement of the ball between players. We were constantly available.

One significant player in this regard was Long(!) who kept the ball moving when Howard (in different circumstances, ie a League game) might have dwelt on it much longer.

McEveley also plays a part in this regard ;-)

(Though he did seem to get involved in a tangle along with McGahey that nearly led to a chance, which was more ammunition for the haters.)

Quality post, but to praise Long and McEveley is very brave, good on'yer.

 

[Pinchy]

A well organised team of journeymen will beat a poorly organised collection of individuals.

Depends how good the individuals are....it's football, not tug-o-war. I've nothing against organisation, indeed it's essential but the game is played on grass not on a computer screen. The great memorable moments in football history are made by individuals of sublime skill. Pele, Beckenbauer, Platini, Cruyff et al would be winners in any or no formation. Eight Peles would have eleven Montgomerys begging for mercy by half-time.

 

[Pinchy]

In the same way that the best literature is all about quotable lines.

The horror. The horror.

Yes, I like the works of Edgar Allan Poe as well.

"As for hoofing....Nevermore."

 

[Silent Blade]

You're not going to tell me that SAR dropped Greavesy because he thought Hurst was a better player, when the received wisdom (based on what Alf said) is that Hurst fitted the system better.

Ramsey didnt drop Greaves for the quarter final match against Argentina. Greaves received an injury in the last group game against France. A tackle by Joseph Bonnel caused a wound that required 14 stitches on Greaves shin. Greaves declared himself fit for the final (my dad and most of the newspaper reporters wanted him back in) but Ramsey decided to stick with the team that won the last two matches

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Quality post, but to praise Long and McEveley is very brave, good on'yer.

I was going to advocate Long over Howard on the strength of his passing

It's a real shame about Long bc he did his best frightened rabbit impersonation again, turning a meaningless punt forward into a dangerous scramble.

As for McEveley at the moment, for me he's a useful squad player in a club of finite finances.

Longer term the best course of action might be to sell him on and invest the cash wisely, rather than dismember him on the prongs of pitchforks.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I was going to advocate Long over Howard on the strength of his passing

It's a real shame about Long bc he did his best frightened rabbit impersonation again, turning a meaningless punt forward into a dangerous scramble.

As for McEveley at the moment, for me he's a useful squad player in a club of finite finances.

Longer term the best course of action might be to sell him on and invest the cash wisely, rather than dismember him on the prongs of pitchforks.

As regards Long, Adkins was a keeper and he is the one to judge. He dropped him after the first away game at Gillingham but I watched all four goals and could only partially blame him for one of them. Clearly Howard has contributed to a number of goals conceded since.

Sometimes with young players the manager has to judge the mood of the fans and I'm sure he will not put undue pressure on Adams, Reed or Long if he thinks the fans are likely to turn on them, that's prudent. Think about it though Blades fans!!

As regards McEveley, he's what he is. What he doesn't do is hide and he plays his game come what may, an honest "pro". i sincerely hope he does not figure in our medium term plans but he is not our worst player, it's just that our fans have decided he is and they need a scapegoat, "we are Blades, we are Blades, oh we are we are Blades ( and we always need a scapegoat".

 

[Pinchy]

I was going to advocate Long over Howard on the strength of his passing

It's a real shame about Long bc he did his best frightened rabbit impersonation again, turning a meaningless punt forward into a dangerous scramble.

As for McEveley at the moment, for me he's a useful squad player in a club of finite finances.

Longer term the best course of action might be to sell him on and invest the cash wisely, rather than dismember him on the prongs of pitchforks.

Oh yes, far too harsh. Such savagery should be reserved for an irreducible number of miscreants. Blackwell? yes....though he may be a grade up even from pitchforks. I've got it:

Pitchforks - Montgomery, Adams.
Hung, drawn and quartered following a good tar and feathering - SemiPro.

 

[Dnblade]

I watched the County game back last night,enjoyable game...What made a big difference for me was we had a front 3 in Che,Done and JCR who were all capable of running past their marker,add to that Scougs who can also beat his man and get behind defenders...we never really had that threat against Vale...I know it helped going one up and County had to come out,but we exploited the space in behind their back line with some good passing from the 3 lads in midfield...good ball by Che for Done's goal aswell.
Rochdale will provide be a tougher challenge though,but wouldn't mind seeing 3 up top again Saturday for me.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

As regards McEveley, he's what he is. What he doesn't do is hide and he plays his game come what may, an honest "pro". i sincerely hope he does not figure in our medium term plans but he is not our worst player, it's just that our fans have decided he is and they need a scapegoat, "we are Blades, we are Blades, oh we are we are Blades ( and we always need a scapegoat".

Well put, and pretty much how I see it.

 

[JohnDenver]

he is not our worst player

I'm curious - who do you think is our weakest player?

I'm not blaming McEv for the world's ills, but he's lacked solidity for months now. I'm struggling to think of a worse performer in 2015.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Ramsey didnt drop Greaves for the quarter final match against Argentina. Greaves received an injury in the last group game against France. A tackle by Joseph Bonnel caused a wound that required 14 stitches on Greaves shin. Greaves declared himself fit for the final (my dad and most of the newspaper reporters wanted him back in) but Ramsey decided to stick with the team that won the last two matches

Blimey. Is this true? Ramsey dropped Greaves is one of those bits of footie folklore I just accepted.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I'm curious - who do you think is our weakest player?

I'm not blaming McEv for the world's ills, but he's lacked solidity for months now. I'm struggling to think of a worse performer in 2015.

Of the first team squad he may be the weakest player, but someone has to be. That said his distribution is often very good - and sometimes very bad. I remember when he scored last season: he strode forward and it was no surprise at all that the ball ended up in the back of the net. I can't bring myself to say he looked commanding though.

In the club overall. McFadzean at Gillingham, for me, is probably the worst performance of the season.

I think Long spreads nervousness throughout the team when we defend.

McGahey was very vocal against Notts County but nowhere near strong enough really.

I'm trying to look on the bright side with Woolford, but even in the Notts County game, and after having seen it twice, he looked poor. Sometimes it's like he's almost got the footballer's equivalent of dartitis. There was one point where he had good space to run into and me and WHF Jr Sr both said this is where he gets it stuck under his feet and loses possession - and that's exactly what happened. He brings some sort of positional solidity but anything involving the actual ball is very hit and miss.

 

[Woodwardfan]

I'm curious - who do you think is our weakest player?

I'm not blaming McEv for the world's ills, but he's lacked solidity for months now. I'm struggling to think of a worse performer in 2015.

Fair question and you did say 2015:

Howard, Freeman (defensively), Alcock, McGahey, McCarthy, McFadzean, Turner, Coutts, Davies, Holt, Higdon, Long, J.Wallace, Woolford, Diego, Porter (left Jan 2015), McGinn (Feb2015), Ironside(Jan2015), Butler(Jan 2015).

In total 19 players certainly no better than McEveley. 19 other potential scapegoats.

So often it is the player who is to blame rather than the man who selects him to play.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I'm curious - who do you think is our weakest player?

Wallace, can't even crawl off the treatment couch.

 

[JohnDenver]

Wallace, can't even crawl off the treatment couch.

We have a winner.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

McGahey, McCarthy, McFadzean

On that list he doesn't even make the medal positions for our worst McSomething of 2015.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I take it your not a fan of Bergen’s analyses then?

I agree that players’ ability is more important that systems etc but I don’t think the tactical side of the game should be ignored. A team needs balance and different players bring different things to the side.

Lionel Messi is probably the best player in the world but you wouldn’t have 11 of him to make the best team. Some players need to do the ugly side of the game and earn the right for the flair players to do their thing. We seem to chop and change a lot over the last year or so and nobody seems to know our best side. Different combinations are still being worked on as are different tactical approaches to different games.

I don’t get why the criticism of an amateur looking to analyse team tactics and shape. It’s a football forum and we’re here to discuss football that’s part of it. I’m sure we have all talked about the ability of individual players yet none of us are professional scouts so surely the same criticism could stand?

Some posters take more notice than others of the tactical analysis that Bergen puts up. I personally find that part of the game very interesting. Others might not.

I'm fully aware that my posts won't be everybody's cup of tea. Watching videos of games the day after it's been played is a bit different. The nerves, the excitement, the hope, the concerns, etc is gone, but I'm always keen to learn new things about the players, the chosen tactics, the balance of the team and I try to look for things that we should be doing better. From this I've tried to come up with some analyses, and this has been my main contribution to this forum. I really appreciate being able to discuss things with people who have the same interest in the game and the Blades as I do.

Pinchy prefers pathetic digs to actual football debate and is therefore a waste of time as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BushBlade]

On that list he doesn't even make the medal positions for our worst McSomething of 2015.

And Scotland concede an equaliser in the last seconds of the game. Must be contagious.

 

[Rodley]

I'm fully aware that my posts won't be everybody's cup of tea. Watching videos of games the day after it's been played is a bit different. The nerves, the excitement, the hope, the concerns, etc is gone, but I'm always keen to learn new things about the players, the chosen tactics, the balance of the team and I try to look for things that we should be doing better. From this I've tried to come up with some analyses, and this has been my main contribution to this forum. I really appreciate being able to discuss things with people who have the same interest in the game and the Blades as I do.

Pinchy prefers pathetic digs to actual football debate and is therefore a waste of time as far as I'm concerned.

Keep posting, the analysis is fantastic and adds loads of value for philistines like me.

 

[Silent Blade]

Blimey. Is this true? Ramsey dropped Greaves is one of those bits of footie folklore I just accepted.

Yes it is true. Here is the photo that were in the papers before the Argentina match

 

[Bartleby]

I've come to realise, over the years, that the best system involves talented players who know their own game and that of the other talented players in the team. They even manage to get round those white lines, dots and arrows that people put in their way. Remarkable.

Oi, Pele, Gerson, Jairzinho and Rivelino, stop fucking about all over the pitch, it's 4-5-1 today....one of you silly cunts is supposed to be holding!....

you can't call Pele a cunt, it just doesn't seem right somehow

 

[Slim Man]

Fair question and you did say 2015:

Howard, Freeman (defensively), Alcock, McGahey, McCarthy, McFadzean, Turner, Coutts, Davies, Holt, Higdon, Long, J.Wallace, Woolford, Diego, Porter (left Jan 2015), McGinn (Feb2015), Ironside(Jan2015), Butler(Jan 2015).

In total 19 players certainly no better than McEveley. 19 other potential scapegoats.

So often it is the player who is to blame rather than the man who selects him to play.

Would disagree with several of them.

Freeman, absolutely no way. Coutts, no. Davies was a pretty good player I thought. J Wallace, when he plays, is a step above anyone we have. Holt scored some important goals.
McCarthy, Porter, McGinn, Ironside and Butler all didn't play for us in 2015. Diego, McGahey and Diego have only played cup games.

So that leaves 7 players on a par with McEveley for shitness in 2015.
He must be so proud.