Measured approach

[Eric Cartman]

Since the Derby game we seem to have started taking a different approach in games and it’s serving us well so far, 3 goals in each and 9 points later we’re now 4 points off the top.

We seem to now not be going hell for leather in the first 30 minutes and knackering ourselves out, we’ve been starting a little slower and preserving energy for later on in the games and now have 3 wins from 3 in a week with an almost unchanged lineup.

Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s not. But I feel like we might be a tactic employed by Chris and Alan and if it is it’s serving us well - long may it continue.

 

[Smirth]

We definitely seem to be playing with a little more control. We also seem to be looking to follow up with more goals quickly after scoring which is another good trait to have.

Enjoyed the last 2 games where the last 10-15 mins the team have been able to take a step back after amounting a comfortable lead, it’s good to conserve energy and what Liverpool have been managing really well this season.

 

[Edinblade]

Chris Wilder didn’t seem happy with the pace we played at Wigan in his post match interview. So it would seem it was a result of three matches in a week and tiredness rather than good planning.

 

[Blade58]

Since the Derby game we seem to have started taking a different approach in games and it’s serving us well so far, 3 goals in each and 9 points later we’re now 4 points off the top.

We seem to now not be going hell for leather in the first 30 minutes and knackering ourselves out, we’ve been starting a little slower and preserving energy for later on in the games and now have 3 wins from 3 in a week with an almost unchanged lineup.

Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s not. But I feel like we might be a tactic employed by Chris and Alan and if it is it’s serving us well - long may it continue.

Only a week ago we were 10 points behind leaders Leeds

How things can change so quickly

Long way to go and February will be a big month. Boro, Villa and WBA to play

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Since the Derby game we seem to have started taking a different approach in games and it’s serving us well so far, 3 goals in each and 9 points later we’re now 4 points off the top.

We seem to now not be going hell for leather in the first 30 minutes and knackering ourselves out, we’ve been starting a little slower and preserving energy for later on in the games and now have 3 wins from 3 in a week with an almost unchanged lineup.

Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s not. But I feel like we might be a tactic employed by Chris and Alan and if it is it’s serving us well - long may it continue.

I agree that we are playing a bit different to last season. Think McG has made a massive difference in that where as last season it was always 2 up top, McG tends to drop off giving us more of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

CW & AK do not know this league very well, but they are adapting to it very quickly.

Reckon the new lad coming in from Everton could also give us a different dimension in games - doubt CW will change any of the core players, but he has options to alter a game - just as we did with Coutts yesterday v Wigan.

UTB

 

[Sheffsteel]

I agree that we are playing a bit different to last season. Think McG has made a massive difference in that where as last season it was always 2 up top, McG tends to drop off giving us more of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

CW & AK do not know this league very well, but they are adapting to it very quickly.

Reckon the new lad coming in from Everton could also give us a different dimension in games - doubt CW will change any of the core players, but he has options to alter a game - just as we did with Coutts yesterday v Wigan.

UTB

Agree with this. Many are well aware and accept that Duffy gives us a creative dimension, be’s so important to our team.

Well I also believe that McGoldrick also provides a new dimension. I was still a big fan even when he wasn’t scoring.
Even though he wasn’t scoring a few weeks back I can see that he’s the clever link between midfield and attack.
He’s a much better player than I thought he was........unless it’s just another case of Wilder getting the max out of his players coaching them to be effective within his system.

Also agree that Dowell could play a similar role to Duffy, so it gives us extra insurance in a postion that’s so key to our success.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

We definitely seem to be playing with a little more control. We also seem to be looking to follow up with more goals quickly after scoring which is another good trait to have.

Enjoyed the last 2 games where the last 10-15 mins the team have been able to take a step back after amounting a comfortable lead, it’s good to conserve energy and what Liverpool have been managing really well this season.

I completely agree with this, it's an approach that we were so used to seeing/using to see out games in L1, when we were comfortable with the scoreline, I referred to it as game management on another thread. The trouble being in this league, we've often had to have the whole squad bang on form, playing at 100% to even compete and to stay in games - meaning that it was quite gung ho, quite often - we'd not been in the position to 'see games out' until more recently, which again is another sign of progress. It's also something we could do more often with a little bit extra quality in in January. All the more reason to sign a couple.

I'd go for Dicko + 1 other, I think Dowell is an astute signing for CAM and low risk.

 

[Topplayersleave]

I don't think we've started to start slower at all, but agree that we are maybe taking a more measured approach and not trying to do everything at 100 mph
The team's biggest problem seems to be knowing when to release the pass and knowing when not to, knowing when to cross and knowing when not to, knowing when to shoot and when not to.
Our style of play is batshit crazy really, but it's exciting when done properly and causes no end of problems for other teams, many of whom just can't seem to figure it out
They just think "Defend" and hope that'll do the job

 

[Ricky]

In this hectic, physically demanding period, it's impressive that we've finished all 3 games strongly and hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

I've been wanting us to focus on how we finish games for a while now, whether it's been as a result of our approach or not I'm not sure, but long may it continue. Having more quality on the bench will certainly help.

 

[dc_blade]

The two things I've noticed:

1) We've seemed a bit more willing to move the ball more quickly and directly. The core principles of keeping the ball, being patient, and waiting for good opportunities to shoot or cross remain in place, but it has been balanced out by some nice through-balls by Norwood, Duffy, and Stevens, and some earlier crosses into the box.

2) Not everything flows through Norwood in the same as it did before the Leeds game. Opposition managers noticed how important he was to us and started putting him under more pressure; as a result, he seems to be playing further up the pitch and doing less of his "quarterback" thing. It means less dazzling performances from him but overall makes us a stronger team, in my opinion.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We’ve definitely adapted our game and full marks to Wilder and his team. I think the (first) FLDC and West Brom games have him a bit to think about in terms of how we came unstuck against certain teams. He’s making small changes to combat this.

The 2nd goal against Wigan wouldn’t have been possible a few weeks ago as Hendo would only look short immediately. We seem to be mixing it up a bit now.

 

[Mumbo]

breaking quicker+crossing earlier +defending better+vocal support =winning

 

[Daredevil]

We’ve definitely adapted our game and full marks to Wilder and his team. I think the (first) FLDC and West Brom games have him a bit to think about in terms of how we came unstuck against certain teams. He’s making small changes to combat this.

The 2nd goal against Wigan wouldn’t have been possible a few weeks ago as Hendo would only look short immediately. We seem to be mixing it up a bit now.

I really noticed yesterday how much Hendo kicked it instead of feeding Norwood or one of the defenders.

 

[shorehamview]

Over the Christmas period our approach seemed to be “score three in every game”. This sounds like a tactical master plan to me.

 

[Eric Cartman]

Chris Wilder didn’t seem happy with the pace we played at Wigan in his post match interview. So it would seem it was a result of three matches in a week and tiredness rather than good planning.

I'm not sure that's true. It seemed a very similar approach to all 3 games where we haven't started great but kicked on as time went on and got the 3 points.

 

[wizadry]

I'm not sure that's true. It seemed a very similar approach to all 3 games where we haven't started great but kicked on as time went on and got the 3 points.

I agree, I think it’s been a clear tactical readjustment and Wilder is keeping his cards close to his chest and rightly so.