Help me out...what is it that Selles is asking them to do, that is so difficult?

[Stretch]

To be completely honest, I am not the most tactically astute when it come to football, and understanding patterns of play etc.

I know when a team is playing well and when they are not, even if I can't always articulate why. I can also generally spot where there are weak points in the team, but not always.

There is a lot of talk about the players not being able to adapt to what he wants from them. But what exactly is this and how does it differ that much from what they should be able to do as professional footballers?

Based on what I saw pre season and in that great 20 minute spell against Brizzle, when I compare to last season it just seemed much quicker and more attack minded. But aside from losing a couple of key players, what else is making the players struggle?

 

[Ginger Gnome]

He wants them to get forward when we have the ball, then get back when we don't. Not sure why some are struggling with the concept

 

[bruce]

To be completely honest, I am not the most tactically astute when it come to football, and understanding patterns of play etc.

I know when a team is playing well and when they are not, even if I can't always articulate why. I can also generally spot where there are weak points in the team, but not always.

There is a lot of talk about the players not being able to adapt to what he wants from them. But what exactly is this and how does it differ that much from what they should be able to do as professional footballers?

Based on what I saw pre season, and in that great 20 minute spell against Brizzle, when I compare to last season, it just seemed much quicker and more attack minded. But aside from losing a couple of key players, what else is making the players struggle?

Fair points. But since that first half against Bristol City Selles chose to give the players a public on pitch dressing down. Given how fragile egos seem to be these days and how brittle and unable to cope with anything many people seem to be nowadays, I think that was not a good move. It didn't work for Phil Brown at Hull years ago in a less sensitive age, so it was never going to work now.

 

[Houston_Blade]

They’ve all got the arse on because this manager expects them on the pitch for more than 60 minutes at a time.

 

[Pedro Verde]

We suddenly seem to have weaknesses all over the pitch

The defence is threadbare weve lost Choudhury and Anel and brought in Bindon who obviously isnt as good and Seriki is starting and isnt as good defensively as Hamza and weve needed an extra CB since last Christmas

The midfield should be better now Soumare is here and is a good replacement for Souza but doesnt seem to be functioning as well as it should be

The forwards again we are light especially if Campbell gets injured. Barry has signed and should be an improvement on BBD / JRS last season

Looks like a long hard season ahead

 

[Houston_Blade]

The midfield should be better now Soumare is here and is a good replacement for Souza but doesnt seem to be functioning as well as it should be

He’s played a game and a bit in total minutes, but early to say. Given Souza was shite for a season (albeit in a higher league).

 

[bruce]

He’s played a game and a bit in total minutes, but early to say. Given Souza was shite for a season (albeit in a higher league).

And very good at the level at which we are at now.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

433 we played vs Bristol and we saw a style of play (kind of) but got punished for it then today we played 4231 and looking like he was trying to halt his style until he has reinforcements or something . Problem we have is we have certain players struggle to play for 90 minutes

 

[Houston_Blade]

And very good at the level at which we are at now.

After a season of playing poorly at a higher level in which to bed himself in. Soumare might turn out amazing after more than a few minutes of football for us.

 

[bruce]

After a season of playing poorly at a higher level in which to bed himself in. Soumare might turn out amazing after more than a few minutes of football for us.

That's the point. A higher level. At our current level we know for sure he is a formidable performer.

 

[knowsnowt]

We don't have a functioning defence.
It's really that simple.

 

[loyalblade95]

Seen a few criticisms that the players don't know the system/style of play, which is baffling as they've played his system/tactics all preseason.

The only current player who didn't play the system in preseason is Soumare (who arrived post-Fulham) but all the others should be well versed in the tactics.

Most of our preseason opposition might have been too easy a test, but that really shouldn't matter, as the players would have gotten more than enough practice with the new tactics to know how to play it the way he wants.

Plus we used those tactics against both Nice and Fulham, which are 2 (especially Fulham) stronger sides than any other team we're likely to face this season.

 

[Stretch]

He wants them to get forward when we have the ball, then get back when we don't. Not sure why some are struggling with the concept

But why are the players, our professional footballers, struggling with it?

 

[Stretch]

Fair points. But since that first half against Bristol City Selles chose to give the players a public on pitch dressing down. Given how fragile egos seem to be these days and how brittle and unable to cope with anything many people seem to be nowadays, I think that was not a good move. It didn't work for Phil Brown at Hull years ago in a less sensitive age, so it was never going to work now.

I am not sure it was a dressing down mate. More of a "ok this is not what we expected or wanted, but lets stick together and show the fans who are left here our appreciation". But I could be wrong.

 

[bruce]

I am not sure it was a dressing down mate. More of a "ok this is not what we expected or wanted, but lets stick together and show the fans who are left here our appreciation". But I could be wrong.

Maybe. But it wasn't a good look and should not have been done in public view.

 

[Houston_Blade]

That's the point. A higher level. At our current level we know for sure he is a formidable performer.

Hopefully our fans give Soumare more than a handful of minutes to prove if he’s any good in this division.

 

[bruce]

Hopefully our fans give Soumare more than a handful of minutes to prove if he’s any good in this division.

And the early signs in the circumstances are encouraging with regard to how he has performed.

 

[loyalblade95]

Why is it every time a manager is seen gathering his players on the pitch post match, everyone immediately mentions Phil Brown at Hull.

Managers will sometimes gather the players on the pitch post match for other reasons than that, a quick chat, some words of encouragement etc.

Wilder did it sometimes where he used to get the players together before telling them to go and thank the fans as a group.

When Selles made those comments about owners not moving swiftly in the transfer market, did any of us think, oh it's Scott Parker at Bournemouth and Conte at Spurs all over again?

 

[Houston_Blade]

And the early signs in the circumstances are encouraging.

Looks athletic and aggressive, just needs to impose himself more. Worth mentioning that Vini was a bubbly character as well so probably found it easier to just crack on. Even when he was getting rinsed week in, week out in the PL he smiled for socials and looked a joker. Soumare appears to have a more reserved persona.

 

[bruce]

Looks athletic and aggressive, just needs to impose himself more. Worth mentioning that Vini was a bubbly character as well so probably found it easier to just crack on. Even when he was getting rinsed week in, week out in the PL he smiled for socials and looked a joker. Soumare appears to have a more reserved persona.

I was sad to see Vini go.
As you have said, performances weren't great in the premier league, but he was very good last season. I got the impression he was a character. His presence may have been more important than just his on field performances. Something that AI won't pick up.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

The fun guys (from training video's at Shirecliffe) were Souza and Brewster loling/ joking around with other players on the grass..they have gone.

I did see Peck and Burrows larking about in the gym like a couple of 13 year olds wagging a school lesson...but it was just them two.

All too serious now from the look on the players faces......doubt Selles will be stopping the coach at an off license on the way home from Swansea.

Has anyone got any footage of Selles having a laugh,with/at anyone ?

 

[Stretch]

The fun guys (from training video's at Shirecliffe) were Souza and Brewster loling/ joking around with other players on the grass..they have gone.

I did see Peck and Burrows larking about in the gym like a couple of 13 year olds wagging a school lesson...but it was just them two.

All too serious now from the look on the players faces......doubt Selles will be stopping the coach at an off license on the way home from Swansea.

Has anyone got any footage of Selles having a laugh,with/at anyone ?

To be fair he did look to be having a laugh on one of the recent training vids, but I would need to dig it out. I take the point though. He does seem like an intense chap.

 

[BladeInIreland]

433 we played vs Bristol and we saw a style of play (kind of) but got punished for it then today we played 4231 and looking like he was trying to halt his style until he has reinforcements or something . Problem we have is we have certain players struggle to play for 90 minutes

I was disappointed it was changed that much. Notable that Barry and Hamer had a lot less of the ball and we looked to be no threat. I actually thought I must have missed Hamer being subbed off at one point.

Game 1- Team that looks excellent in attack, created alot of chances with decent possession. Very shaky at the back although unfortunate to concede too many.

Game 2- Plan abandoned, as limp as ever in attack with key players barely involved. Still shaky at the back although fortunate we played a fairly poor side not as clinical as Bristol.

I was oddly positive after the Bristol game. Nothing to be positive about after Swansea.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

It's a valid question because professional footballers should be able to adapt to a change of strategy. There may be other factors but it's too early to call it a crisis yet. Pressure will build with each game until it changes though.

 

[Valleyblade]

We don't have a functioning defence.
It's really that simple.

I think it is this simple, In keeping with the essence of the post.

Going from anel and souttar at the start of last season, to rnd and bindon.

It is going to be a long hard season,

So we better suck it up, because at best, a new functioning defense, behind an attack that isn't bereft of confidence will take a while to gel

 

[PrestwichBlade]

Why is it every time a manager is seen gathering his players on the pitch post match, everyone immediately mentions Phil Brown at Hull.

Managers will sometimes gather the players on the pitch post match for other reasons than that, a quick chat, some words of encouragement etc.

Wilder did it sometimes where he used to get the players together before telling them to go and thank the fans as a group.

When Selles made those comments about owners not moving swiftly in the transfer market, did any of us think, oh it's Scott Parker at Bournemouth and Conte at Spurs all over again?

Absolutely. People really seem to be going overboard on this on-pitch thing

 

[PrestwichBlade]

It's a valid question because professional footballers should be able to adapt to a change of strategy. There may be other factors but it's too early to call it a crisis yet. Pressure will build with each game until it changes though.

I've seen some people saying certain players look knackered after 60 minutes; I do wonder if this might be as a result of being worked harder in training, in an attempt to improve fitness levels - is it a short term negative whilst players get used to it?

 

[Melbourne Blade]

They're all professional footballers, probably watch premier league, play Fifa and are 'athletes' (supposedly) so should be educated and adaptable.

Maybe Selles has asked for lifestyle changes and no pints & shots midweek so they're all sulking. Who knows. Pathetic either way, especially with the wages they earn.

 

[Jan Age]

To play how Selles wants to play the players need to be peak fitness.

From what I know he likes to work a high press trying to win the ball back as close to the final third as possible and then killing teams in transition a bit like the first 45 mins v Bristol.

He also likes to play more direct from the back to get the ball in the final third quickly when in possession.

This is stark contrast to wilderball.. slow , measured build up , side ways, backwards passing trying to create the perfect chance and the players still couldn’t manage 90 minutes playing that style,

Selles style of pressing high up the pitch leaves loads of space in behind should the opposite team break the press. This is fine if you have players with the willingness and capacity to get back and retrieve the ball.

Then assuming they do there’s no respite they are then expected to quickly turn defence in to attack.

If we have the energy levels to hunt the ball down constantly and the brains to play quick one touch football it will be glorious to watch.

Unfortunately we have very few players with both .., Hamer will struggle from a purely fitness point of view, JR is a 90s defender, Campbell will struggle.

The one player I expect of suit is COH.

He needs backing with 5 players he chooses and then see where we are at.

 

[Wards]

To my eye it looks like they are struggling to know when to press and how to press with sufficient numbers, thus leaving gaps with players stuck in no-mans land. It's why there appears to be big gaps when we are chasing back because they've either committed too many men in one press or not committed to pressing in the right areas as a collective unit. It's very disjointed. For a counter-press to be effective it needs buy-in from every player and to commit to it when triggered. There are also some players who just aren't performing - willingly or otherwise and that's a big red flag.

Bergen Blade can probably expand on this much more eloquently than I am able but I think that's the crux of it.