Players in the box

[boo radley]

I should explain more clearly what I mean.

If we play Scougall and Baxter together in midfield then we are likely to be a bit short giving protection to the back 4.

Even in a 5 man midfield, if we assume we play two wide men that leaves three to share the midfield defensive duties. If two of those are B & S we will be a bit light. Wallace is a more all round player and play either of them with him and we'd be fine.

In any case, if Clough chooses to play Basham with Doyle as I think he will tomorrow, there's only room for one of them.

If that is the case then I would play Baxter as he is far more likely to play the unlock. Scougall is doing a lot of running to little or no effect. Basham actually seems to be doing a better Scougall roll than Scougall. He is willing to try and run past players and get in the box.

 

[Esablade]

Will COG make the difference and show us what we've been missing in link up play/harassing defenders?

I hope so, I'm sure even if things aren't happening he'll do a lot more off the ball to make things happen/force mistakes...still, if he ends up isolated with no service ( like Higgo) then Nigel will certainly have something to think about re the team shape.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Will COG make the difference and show us what we've been missing in link up play/harassing defenders?

I hope so, I'm sure even if things aren't happening he'll do a lot more off the ball to make things happen/force mistakes...still, if he ends up isolated with no service ( like Higgo) then Nigel will certainly have something to think about re the team shape.

Yes I think he will make a difference, he's a lot more mobile than Higdon and it's up to the likely lads to feed off him.

Now, as for converting goal opportunities in the box, give me Higdon every time.

A combination of the two would be great, but wouldn't be playing for us.

 

[Bergen Blade]

As I said, it is not a panacea, but I am 100% convinced that if the 2nd forward is reasonably mobile that will give us an extra option in the box on a cross at least 50% of the time, as opposed to a 4-5-1 situation, for the simple reason that the second forward is starting his run from a position a bit further forward than a midfielder.

Obviously, there are other variables (how fast your strikers are etc) but this must be right, mustn't it?

Sometimes yes. But two players, whether they are strikers or not, in the box is not much. Two strikers in the box can sometimes become a bit static and therefore easier for the centre halves to control. Midfielders running into the box can arrive at full pace, making it more difficult to challenge them, difficult to decide exactly who's supposed to be picking them up.

Another thing to consider is the implications two strikers may have on the rest of the team selection. With one less player taking part in the defending from midfield, managers are normally reluctant to play out and out wingers on both sides. Wide men must use more energy on defensive duties, and it may mean Murphy and Flynn, rather than Murphy and JCR. Flynn backed up by Alcock isn't a guarantee for many great crosses. On occasions, Danny Wilson used Dave McAllister (central midfielder) and Marcus Williams (left back) in wide midfield roles to compensate for just having four players across the midfield. I wonder who'd be picked in central midfield? Basham and Doyle?

 

[Darthblade]

Murphy is markedly better going forwards when Harris plays, just as Flynn was with Brayford.

I also think Harris is under-rated by a lot of Blades fans.

Agreed .... I thought Harris was our best player on Friday. Mind you, there were several of them who were garbage !
UTB & FTP

 

[Darthblade]

We dont have the full / wing backs to play a 3-5-2 unless you play Flynn and Harris in those roles which I wouldnt be confident in doing I wouldnt be comfortable with McCarthy in that line up either

I'm not confident with McCarthy in any line up. I would send him back and put Basham at CB, seems to be his best position imho.
UTB & FTP

 

[robbiez666]

Quite frankly I think the OP's lost the plot. Players in the box?!!!! How are they meant to defend from there?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Yes I think he will make a difference, he's a lot more mobile than Higdon and it's up to the likely lads to feed off him.

Now, as for converting goal opportunities in the box, give me Higdon every time.

A combination of the two would be great, but wouldn't be playing for us.

Agree with your posts on this thread . The winning formula for me would be both Higdon and COG up front and the rest interchangeable .

Higdon was not fit last Friday . If he his fit for tomorrow , play him with COG. Innovation is the key for me .

UTB

 

[Worksop_Blade]

Agree with your posts on this thread . The winning formula for me would be both Higdon and COG up front and the rest interchangeable .

Higdon was not fit last Friday . If he his fit for tomorrow , play him with COG. Innovation is the key for me .

UTB

I thought COG was a big strong lad who could hold the ball up and bring the nippy technical lads in to the game?

Like Higdon but better so why play both?

 

[Kenilworth]

Wow - when I first saw the title for the OP I thought - oh dear, here we go again - not another bloody Ched & McDonald thread

..... but no. Imagine my delight in seeing a well thought out and documented post about a Blades related issue close to all of our hearts.

Thank you, Bergers, and well done. Yet more evidence of your good analytical brain and the fact that those winter nights in Norway can be long and cold ..... and potentially very lonely, indeed

 

[boo radley]

Wow - when I first saw the title for the OP I thought - oh dear, here we go again - not another bloody Ched & McDonald thread

..... but no. Imagine my delight in seeing a well thought out and documented post about a Blades related issue close to all of our hearts.

Thank you, Bergers, and well done. Yet more evidence of your good analytical brain and the fact that those winter nights in Norway can be long and cold ..... and potentially very lonely, indeed

Sounds like your pitch to end up in a log cabin with Bergen for Christmas!

 

[Kenilworth]

Sounds like your pitch to end up in a log cabin with Bergen for Christmas!

No, no, no - never doing that again

He only has one joke.
He asks you to look out of the window and tell him what type of animals you see.
When you tell him that "It looks like reindeer" he always replies with, "well we'll have to stay in again then won't we, ducky?"

Have you seen his Christmas log?

 

[SandyMcBlade]

I think we have to remember here that Nigel him self says, Home or away he doesn't set up to win, he sets up not to lose ...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I think we have to remember here that Nigel him self says, Home or away he doesn't set up to win, he sets up not to lose ...

But that gets you 2 points out of 9.

Losing two and winning one of the the last three would have been 1point better, hope Cloughy gets an abacus for Xmas.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

It also got us out of the relegation zone last season and has won us some good cup games against teams in higher divisions,but it all goes out the window when the opposition scores first .....
We need that first goal at home or odds on it's a draw....

 

[breeny]

Let's get players in the box, create lots of chances and win the fucking game!!! (Despite the formation).

 

[wizadry]

We need that first goal at home or odds on it's a draw....

The only chance we have of that is if we attack the fuckers.

 

[Bladesman]

Alcock Basham McEverly Harris
Murphy Scougall Baxter McNulty Higdon COG

Play them all at once and see who scores first. We don't need a midfield.

 

[Wards]

Many fans are frustrated with the 4-5-1 formation, but I don't think it's as easy as just changing to two up front. Whatever our formation, Clough must have a look at our attacking movement, and make sure we have enough players who are good at making their way into the box. We need more movement and more goal threats, and we need to take a few more risks.

Exactly my thoughts. Could play 3 up front for all I care but it's more mentality that simply just positions. This has been a massive problem of ours for years (ever since Wilsons first season). The opposite wide man and at least 1 midfield player are essential when going forward. Lee Williamson used to be great at getting in the right areas when he was playing wide right and often made the 2nd/3rd or 4th player in the box. Basham is very good at getting in the box but the timing of his runs isn't great. Scougall and Baxter are often guilty of not getting in there quick enough.

 

[cooperblade]

Exactly my thoughts. Could play 3 up front for all I care but it's more mentality that simply just positions. This has been a massive problem of ours for years (ever since Wilsons first season). The opposite wide man and at least 1 midfield player are essential when going forward. Lee Williamson used to be great at getting in the right areas when he was playing wide right and often made the 2nd/3rd or 4th player in the box. Basham is very good at getting in the box but the timing of his runs isn't great. Scougall and Baxter are often guilty of not getting in there quick enough.

In Wilson's first season, Matt Lowton was often the furthest forward even playing at right back. He used to be attacking crosses on the back stick in open play!

 

[Wards]

Correct. Brayford also offered that last year as well. Sadly the full backs this year don't have a deal of attacking intent.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Wow - when I first saw the title for the OP I thought - oh dear, here we go again - not another bloody Ched & McDonald thread

..... but no. Imagine my delight in seeing a well thought out and documented post about a Blades related issue close to all of our hearts.

Thank you, Bergers, and well done. Yet more evidence of your good analytical brain and the fact that those winter nights in Norway can be long and cold ..... and potentially very lonely, indeed

I put it up on the Scandinavian Blades' site first, and there was 1 lousy "Like" after three or four days. They are very hard to please, so it's nice to come on here and get some sort of feedback, cheers!

 

[Kenilworth]

I put it up on the Scandinavian Blades' site first, and there was 1 lousy "Like" after three or four days. They are very hard to please, so it's nice to come on here and get some sort of feedback, cheers!

You just know when you "belong"