Hull's defending

[Bergen Blade]

Although most Blades will feel we have a good chance, Hull will be huge favorites in Sunday's FA Cup Semi Final.


Our best weapon will be our counter attacking. I tried to have a look at how Hull dealt with counter attacks in the first half against Swansea this weekend.


When Hull lose the ball they have a three-step strategy of avoiding an opposition chance:


1 - Immediate tackle. Their midfielders are quite aggressive trying to win the ball back or to stop a counter attack. They press the opposition player who gets on the ball and make strong tackles.

2 - Challenge target man. When Swansea managed to surpass the aggressive Hull midfielders, Hull's defenders also showed that they were the aggressive type and tried to win the ball off Bony (Swansea's target man).

3 - Remaining defenders drop off. When Bony managed to shrug off the challenge, the remaining defenders backed off, to prevent someone running in behind them. Their back four are all quick and they seem well drilled in dropping deep as quickly as possible.



Swansea tried to thread the ball through, but failed. Hull's three-step strategy was successful, and they kept a clean sheet against a team that often counter attacks well.


Is there a way of beating their defence strategy for counter attacks? When it's difficult to run in behind teams, the second best space is between the opposition defence and midfield. I think that may be our best chance.


If Baxter can keep the ball after the first challenge I think it may be difficult for anyone to outpace their defenders. But if Baxter can find forward running Scougall, Coady, Murphy or Flynn in the space between their midfield and defence and they run at the remaining, off-backing defenders I think we can cause them problems, maybe also outnumbering them.


A couple of examples showing what Swansea tried to do (yellow line), and what they perhaps should have tried to do (red line):

First:

Bony tries to play Routledge through on goal (yellow line):




... but their defenders deal with it.




Second:

Bony tries to play the ball in behind their defence (yellow line):



But again their defenders drop off and picks up the ball:





In both situations, a simpler, shorter ball (red line) may have given them a better chance.

 

[Oreyt]

More importantly, have you grown a beard Bergen?















;p

 

[Worksopblade1]

Scoogs is the main man I imagine for this. Straight thro the middle and bingo.

 

[Bergen Blade]

More importantly, have you grown a beard Bergen?

;p

I think I could grow one in a week but would struggle with the comb-back!

 

[JohnDenver]

I think I could grow one in a week but would struggle with the comb-back!

Get it done. We will fear you all the more….

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-vikings-were-feared-for-a-reason-9241032.html

 

[UnitedBlade]

I would like to see us shooting more frequently that we normally do when we get sight of goal (ie 25 yards out).

There is no reason why Harry, Bray, Scoogs, Baxter, Murphy and even Bob can't ping one into the top corner. Certainly Ben Davies if he starts or comes on.

Contrary to common opinion, this side is stuffed full of players who have scored at Wembley for SUFC.

Collins, Porter, Maguire, Doyle, Hilly.

 

[Dkc]

A long shot usually wastes the attack. It rarely produces a goal, and when it does cause it's usually because it creates an uncertain situation - either the ball takes a deflection, or the opposition keeper fails to hold. I've nothing against long shots in principle as long as a) they are on target and b) they are hit with some power. If we can't manage that we should wait until we are closer. Our players must be ready for the follow-up if a long shot results in a loose ball.

I watched the Hull-Swansea game too, and am finding it difficult to see how we will be able to break down their defence. Once thing's for sure - we need everyone to run their hearts out. Scougall, Murphy and Baxter will be key. I can't see how either of our strikers could have a positive impact against Hull unless they're a man short.

Stranger results have happened, of course, and I hope that the occasion, the noise and the tension will get to Hull and they start making mistakes. We need to be solid and not give them an inch. I'd love it if we got the first goal, as I think we'd be a lot more adept at hanging on than we would chasing the game.

We really need to look out for Hull's gamesmanship too. They'll be diving in an attempt to get a free kick or a penalty, or get our players booked. Let's hope that the ref latches onto that and is aware of it early on.

 

[kozluk]

as much as I like how ben davies has performed lately. I would be very worried about starting him against a premiership team, he just isn't quick enough. not only in pace but thinking and distribution

 

[Silent Blade]

Although most Blades will feel we have a good chance, Hull will be huge favorites in Sunday's FA Cup Semi Final.


Our best weapon will be our counter attacking. I tried to have a look at how Hull dealt with counter attacks in the first half against Swansea this weekend.


When Hull lose the ball they have a three-step strategy of avoiding an opposition chance:


1 - Immediate tackle. Their midfielders are quite aggressive trying to win the ball back or to stop a counter attack. They press the opposition player who gets on the ball and make strong tackles.

2 - Challenge target man. When Swansea managed to surpass the aggressive Hull midfielders, Hull's defenders also showed that they were the aggressive type and tried to win the ball off Bony (Swansea's target man).

3 - Remaining defenders drop off. When Bony managed to shrug off the challenge, the remaining defenders backed off, to prevent someone running in behind them. Their back four are all quick and they seem well drilled in dropping deep as quickly as possible.



Swansea tried to thread the ball through, but failed. Hull's three-step strategy was successful, and they kept a clean sheet against a team that often counter attacks well.


Is there a way of beating their defence strategy for counter attacks? When it's difficult to run in behind teams, the second best space is between the opposition defence and midfield. I think that may be our best chance.


If Baxter can keep the ball after the first challenge I think it may be difficult for anyone to outpace their defenders. But if Baxter can find forward running Scougall, Coady, Murphy or Flynn in the space between their midfield and defence and they run at the remaining, off-backing defenders I think we can cause them problems, maybe also outnumbering them.


A couple of examples showing what Swansea tried to do (yellow line), and what they perhaps should have tried to do (red line):

First:

Bony tries to play Routledge through on goal (yellow line):

View attachment 7891


... but their defenders deal with it.

View attachment 7892


Second:

Bony tries to play the ball in behind their defence (yellow line):

View attachment 7893

But again their defenders drop off and picks up the ball:

View attachment 7894



In both situations, a simpler, shorter ball (red line) may have given them a better chance.

I think Hull's biggest strengths is their midfield as they are big and strong also good with the ball. We mustnt allow Huddlestone to dictate things

 

[Blade56]

as much as I like how ben davies has performed lately. I would be very worried about starting him against a premiership team, he just isn't quick enough. not only in pace but thinking and distribution

I think it was his killer pass that put Murphy in on Saturday.

 

[jezzablade]

Although most Blades will feel we have a good chance, Hull will be huge favorites in Sunday's FA Cup Semi Final.


Our best weapon will be our counter attacking. I tried to have a look at how Hull dealt with counter attacks in the first half against Swansea this weekend.


When Hull lose the ball they have a three-step strategy of avoiding an opposition chance:


1 - Immediate tackle. Their midfielders are quite aggressive trying to win the ball back or to stop a counter attack. They press the opposition player who gets on the ball and make strong tackles.

2 - Challenge target man. When Swansea managed to surpass the aggressive Hull midfielders, Hull's defenders also showed that they were the aggressive type and tried to win the ball off Bony (Swansea's target man).

3 - Remaining defenders drop off. When Bony managed to shrug off the challenge, the remaining defenders backed off, to prevent someone running in behind them. Their back four are all quick and they seem well drilled in dropping deep as quickly as possible.



Swansea tried to thread the ball through, but failed. Hull's three-step strategy was successful, and they kept a clean sheet against a team that often counter attacks well.


Is there a way of beating their defence strategy for counter attacks? When it's difficult to run in behind teams, the second best space is between the opposition defence and midfield. I think that may be our best chance.


If Baxter can keep the ball after the first challenge I think it may be difficult for anyone to outpace their defenders. But if Baxter can find forward running Scougall, Coady, Murphy or Flynn in the space between their midfield and defence and they run at the remaining, off-backing defenders I think we can cause them problems, maybe also outnumbering them.


A couple of examples showing what Swansea tried to do (yellow line), and what they perhaps should have tried to do (red line):

First:

Bony tries to play Routledge through on goal (yellow line):

View attachment 7891


... but their defenders deal with it.

View attachment 7892


Second:

Bony tries to play the ball in behind their defence (yellow line):

View attachment 7893

But again their defenders drop off and picks up the ball:

View attachment 7894



In both situations, a simpler, shorter ball (red line) may have given them a better chance.

Bergen just a question as I have to bow to your analysis, but both balls suggested use the centre. How much room was there on the wings both sides and what could be achieved with their set up by wing play once past the half way line. Would this stretch them or bring the midfield and defence over bearing in mind Wembley's wider pitch?

 

[Punk Blade]

Two things come to mind:

1. Are they quick enough in defence to cope with Murphy? He never looks like he needs top gear to beat the full back or drift past two or three challenges when he cuts inside.

2. If their main strategy at dealing with counter attacks is to dive in with hard tackles then they'll need to be very quick and precise not to give away a lot of free kicks on Murphy and Scoogs. Sounds like our best chance may come from a dead ball, so I'd have Baxter and Davies on over time practicing their deliveries and Harry practising being held and challenged by three or four in the box.

 

[Punk Blade]

I think it was his killer pass that put Murphy in on Saturday.

I think you're right.

'Loose ball' according to the ever-reliable BBC reporting! http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26796284

 

[Lund-Blade]

Utter garbage by the author, JD.

 

[Esablade]

Well yes, it's going to be very tough for our lads and Hull 'should have enough' to win comfortably.

However, they will be out of their comfort zone a little as those defenders will be asked to do a lot more than usual with the ball as we sit deep in the hope they resort to lumping it forwards. I expect Bruce will tell them to switch play on the half way line with the odd diagonal ball for Boyd etc..,

For us to win we need a great plan/selection from Nigel, the defence to be rock solid ( duh!) our passing to be at the top of its game and above all we need to be 'at it' from the start!...oh.. And maybe a little luck!

A lot of our lads have ambitions of playing higher so this will be a fantastic opportunity for them to show just how good they are.

UTB!

 

[Latters]

Stranger results have happened, of course, and I hope that the occasion, the noise and the tension will get to Hull and they start making mistakes. We need to be solid and not give them an inch. I'd love it if we got the first goal, as I think we'd be a lot more adept at hanging on than we would chasing the game.

Hull are a Premier League team. Their players have experienced away games at grounds like Old Trafford, The Stadium of Light, St. James' Park, The City of Manchester Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and The Emirates, plus a few more I either can't think of or can't be bothered to mention. Our players are more accustomed to away games at Gresty Road, Greenhous Meadow, New York Stadium and the like. Unfortunately, if the occasion gets to anybody, I fear it is likely to be our lot.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think Hull's biggest strengths is their midfield as they are big and strong also good with the ball. We mustnt allow Huddlestone to dictate things

But he's rather slow and will struggle to catch up with the likes of Scougall if he's got a head start.

Regarding his attacking qualities, yes, Huddlestone likes to dictate things from deep and his long passes can be a joy to watch. But there will have to be runs into space to make them effective. I imagine the pattern of play will be that Hull will dominate possession and we will try to hit them on the break. Remember that Huddlestone struggled at Spurs when that was the case:

Those points were proven last season when Huddlestone struggled for form under AVB. Partnered with Mousa Dembele or Sandro in more of a double pivot 4-2-3-1, Huddlestone lacked the quickness needed defensively, which often forced him into making bad fouls, as in the rescinded red card he had against Norwich. It also meant that Dembele or Sandro had to make up for his lack of pace on the defensive end, which was especially damaging to Dembele, who was not as free to influence the game going forward due to Huddlestone’s lack of pace. (...) In situations where the game was stretched and there was room for him to spray passes for pacey wingers to sprint onto, Huddlestone thrived. When asked to play a more complete role as a starter, he struggled mightily.

We'll have to see, but if we can avoid giving Hull's forwards a lot of space to run into, we may deal with Huddlestone's passes. I'm glad that we will have full backs (Brayford and Harris) who will match Hull's wingers for speed.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Bergen just a question as I have to bow to your analysis, but both balls suggested use the centre. How much room was there on the wings both sides and what could be achieved with their set up by wing play once past the half way line. Would this stretch them or bring the midfield and defence over bearing in mind Wembley's wider pitch?

In the pictured situations the counter attacks were on, so it wasn't really an alternative to play the ball out wide. Hull were in trouble with their midfield missing and so Swansea had to bomb forward through the middle before they got back.

Their full backs are quick. If they play with a back four Rosenior will probably be on the right with Elmohamady (who can also play full back) in front of him. They will look to make it difficult for Murphy and if they succeed we should look to rotate our front three. On the left Figueroa will have George Boyd in front of him in a free role. It may be easier for us to create things down that side. Unless they score early I predict counter attacks will be our best chance of scoring though.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Hull are a Premier League team. Their players have experienced away games at grounds like Old Trafford, The Stadium of Light, St. James' Park, The City of Manchester Stadium, Stamford Bridge, Anfield and The Emirates, plus a few more I either can't think of or can't be bothered to mention. Our players are more accustomed to away games at Gresty Road, Greenhous Meadow, New York Stadium and the like. Unfortunately, if the occasion gets to anybody, I fear it is likely to be our lot.

We'll have to hope that they're not entirely happy at being huge favorites against a lower league side, and that their missing front two will upset their rhythm.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Two things come to mind:

1. Are they quick enough in defence to cope with Murphy? He never looks like he needs top gear to beat the full back or drift past two or three challenges when he cuts inside..

All their back four have good pace and we may have to use good movement to create. Baxter's moving out of the traditional lone striker position with midfielders running into the box may give them some dilemmas.

2. If their main strategy at dealing with counter attacks is to dive in with hard tackles then they'll need to be very quick and precise not to give away a lot of free kicks on Murphy and Scoogs.

Livermore is a fit lad, Meyler looks slower. Huddlestone won't like to chase back. I'm hoping they will play Meyler on the left and Boyd up front with Fryatt in a 4-4-2. Note that their midfield has over-committed themselves in the two situations in the photos.