Our shape and defensive discipline

[cooperblade]

Was a joy to behold for most of the game last night. Think it's been a hallmark of DW's reign that our shape when the opposition have possession is excellent.

Last night was a great example, it seemed like every time County had the ball, we got 8 men in 2 banks of 4 making it incredibly difficult for them.

A great all round performance that has filled me with confidence for the rest of the season.

Fantastic to see Commander Collins notch as well.

 

[Pinchy]

Absolutely. It's great to have The Commander and K-Mac back. Collins is a real attacking threat. I hope his problems have eased?

 

[SwissBlade]

Was a joy to behold for most of the game last night. Think it's been a hallmark of DW's reign that our shape when the opposition have possession is excellent.

Last night was a great example, it seemed like every time County had the ball, we got 8 men in 2 banks of 4 making it incredibly difficult for them.

A great all round performance that has filled me with confidence for the rest of the season.

Fantastic to see Commander Collins notch as well.

It sounded like we were going to score with every attack last night.

How would you say that this type of performance differed to the last few weeks?

I think we’ve really missed Collins in the last few weeks.

 

[broomhillblade]

How did Hill do?

After Tranmere Deadbat said:
Hill 2/10 – Well we have a winner in the competition to find the worst left back in one season. After some wretched performances mixed with some so so ones between the likes of Francois, Williams and Taylor; todays performance from Matt Hill was easily the poorest all season. From minute one he was totally hopeless. The only thing I can say in his defence slightly is that Quinn did not help him much all game but overall he was head shakingly bad. He left his man often, he could not control a football, let alone pass it and his distribution looked like a man who had never played the game before. Finally took off but it was too late realty.

Wilson obviously didn't agree with Deadbat; otherwise he would have played Williams or Taylor last night.

It's all about opinions, as they say...

 

[Bradford Blade]

...I think we’ve really missed Collins in the last few weeks.

And not forgetting Macca...

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------

How did Hill do?

[...]

Wilson obviously didn't agree with Deadbat; otherwise he would have played Williams or Taylor last night.

It's all about opinions, as they say...

Must be said, my own 'opinion' after Saturday was in agreement with Deadbat = Hill was the worst man on the pitch. So after last night, was he any different? Would like to know from any of you there...

UTB!

 

[SwissBlade]

And not forgetting Macca

It was a deliberate omission as I think MacDonald gets more than enough credit, but Collins has probably been a greater loss over the past few games.

 

[Bradford Blade]

It was a deliberate omission as I think MacDonald gets more than enough credit, but Collins has probably been a greater loss over the past few games.

I knew that well sorta - but yes, with Macca out, I agree we needed Collins more than ever...

 

[Selly]

I knew that well sorta - but yes, with Macca out, I agree we needed Collins more than ever...

Just goes to show how important the spine of the team are. You can just about cope with losing 1, but 2 or more and you will struggle...

 

[SwissBlade]

I knew that well sorta - but yes, with Macca out, I agree we needed Collins more than ever...

Creative Midfielders need to have players behind them that they can rely on... but yes, I get your point

 

[LSF]

How did Hill do?

After Tranmere Deadbat said:
Hill 2/10 – Well we have a winner in the competition to find the worst left back in one season. After some wretched performances mixed with some so so ones between the likes of Francois, Williams and Taylor; todays performance from Matt Hill was easily the poorest all season. From minute one he was totally hopeless. The only thing I can say in his defence slightly is that Quinn did not help him much all game but overall he was head shakingly bad. He left his man often, he could not control a football, let alone pass it and his distribution looked like a man who had never played the game before. Finally took off but it was too late realty.

Wilson obviously didn't agree with Deadbat; otherwise he would have played Williams or Taylor last night.

It's all about opinions, as they say...

I found DB's assessment of Hill's Tranmere performance rather unfair. Whilst Hill wasn't outstandingly bad or good he certainly didn't deserve a 2. I think he's a decent defender with experience, who can, like all pro's (even Monty!) control a football, pass it with reasonable accuracy most of the time and display reasonable athleticism. Sometimes people go overboard due to extreme disappointment.
The fact that DW has a choice of 3 left backs now and goes for Hill says something positive about the fellah.

 

[JohnDenver]

Just goes to show how important the spine of the team are. You can just about cope with losing 1, but 2 or more and you will struggle...

Same applies to every team, even the very best. Which is why I find the recent hysteria over our poor form a bit weak.

Barca probably won't win the league this year, just because their second string had to be used in a few league games. Guardiaola out!




PS - did I just compare us to Barcelona?

 

[Bradford Blade]

...The fact that DW has a choice of 3 left backs now and goes for Hill says something positive about the fellah.

I'd say so - and I'd trust DW's judgement over mine any day of the week...suppose he just needs to settle into our style of play? Time will tell I guess...

UTB!

---------- Post added at 04:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 PM ----------

Creative Midfielders need to have players behind them that they can rely on... but yes, I get your point

Sure, I'd say half the battle is psychological and when the team know a 'linchpin' is out, to lose another (albeit from a differing position) is probably a blow even for them let alone us...

UTB!

 

[cooperblade]

It sounded like we were going to score with every attack last night.

How would you say that this type of performance differed to the last few weeks?

I think we’ve really missed Collins in the last few weeks.

It was chalk and cheese. We had our swagger back and played like we have in some of the home matches where we've just swept teams aside with ease.

We managed to get players in front of the ball when attacking and behind it when defending with apparent ease.