Quality Goals

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Many things have changed this season, and one that I am finding hard to fathom is the number of high-quality team goals we are scoring. We have gone from worst defence to one of the best defences in the country, and that is clearly down to being in a lower league, and several excellent signings, both permanent and loans. We have become more resilient, and that may be largely down to recruitment and management. And we seem to be able to play unconvincingly for long spells, defending, playing easy passes without creating chances, when suddenly there is a superb goal scored: Millwall last night is a case in point. Jack Robinson plays a 50-yard volleyed pass that TC would have been proud of, Hamer controls superbly, times his run with the ball to perfection, and picks out Brewster’s perfect run with a pass that is begging to be put into the net. And after that, relatively little. Is this deliberate? Draw opponents into complacency, and then suddenly switch tactics? Is it that we have players who try difficult things, which often don’t come off, but when they do, are unstoppable? It has been a big feature of points won this season, and it surely cannot be a fluke?

 

[HighfieldBlade]

I noticed that of last night's game, too. It was difficult to dissect.
Some really nice stuff and also some very unconvincing play, a WTF moment ('how did that not go in?'), a few 'jeez, we got away with one there', then that gem of a goal and then we shut up shop!

 

[scouseblade]

The difference is the gap in quality between the PL and the Championship, that plus some shrewd business from Wilder and co has given us the shot in the arm we needed this season. I must admit its bizarre to see a total flip in defence but we have a new, more reliable keepers, a monster CB which has helped put Ahmedhodzic and Robinson back to confidence and have a dependable RB and LB.

 

[SwissBlade]

Many things have changed this season, and one that I am finding hard to fathom is the number of high-quality team goals we are scoring. We have gone from worst defence to one of the best defences in the country, and that is clearly down to being in a lower league, and several excellent signings, both permanent and loans. We have become more resilient, and that may be largely down to recruitment and management. And we seem to be able to play unconvincingly for long spells, defending, playing easy passes without creating chances, when suddenly there is a superb goal scored: Millwall last night is a case in point. Jack Robinson plays a 50-yard volleyed pass that TC would have been proud of, Hamer controls superbly, times his run with the ball to perfection, and picks out Brewster’s perfect run with a pass that is begging to be put into the net. And after that, relatively little. Is this deliberate? Draw opponents into complacency, and then suddenly switch tactics? Is it that we have players who try difficult things, which often don’t come off, but when they do, are unstoppable? It has been a big feature of points won this season, and it surely cannot be a fluke?

We’re patient which can also be frustrating to watch, last night was a big example. Millwall sat in and it was a very scrappy first half. But we kept plugging away.

As you say the quality from Robbo to pick out Hamer and Hamers quality ball for Brewster to finish calmly was enough to break Millwall.

Watching Leeds they have a lot more pace and quality up top, players that can win tight games, they force sides deeper and create clearer chances with their high press. But they lost away to Millwall…

I’d like to see us bring in another match winner - whether that’s McAtee or BBD or someone else, but someone who can affect games later on

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

The difference is the gap in quality between the PL and the Championship, that plus some shrewd business from Wilder and co has given us the shot in the arm we needed this season. I must admit its bizarre to see a total flip in defence but we have a new, more reliable keepers, a monster CB which has helped put Ahmedhodzic and Robinson back to confidence and have a dependable RB and LB.

That is right. But the bit I don’t quite understand is why we are scoring so many classic team goals. Have we scored any with shots from outside the penalty area? Very few with headers, one came from a long throw. But mostly, they have come from really good passing movements, and rather out of character with much of the play in the rest of the game.

 

[BalticBlade]

Many things have changed this season, and one that I am finding hard to fathom is the number of high-quality team goals we are scoring. We have gone from worst defence to one of the best defences in the country, and that is clearly down to being in a lower league, and several excellent signings, both permanent and loans. We have become more resilient, and that may be largely down to recruitment and management. And we seem to be able to play unconvincingly for long spells, defending, playing easy passes without creating chances, when suddenly there is a superb goal scored: Millwall last night is a case in point. Jack Robinson plays a 50-yard volleyed pass that TC would have been proud of, Hamer controls superbly, times his run with the ball to perfection, and picks out Brewster’s perfect run with a pass that is begging to be put into the net. And after that, relatively little. Is this deliberate? Draw opponents into complacency, and then suddenly switch tactics? Is it that we have players who try difficult things, which often don’t come off, but when they do, are unstoppable? It has been a big feature of points won this season, and it surely cannot be a fluke?

This is a really good post. Fans of many of our opponents so far this season have the opinion that we're 'nothing special' and that their teams gave us a good game.

Based mainly on the fact that they have good periods of pressure against us, win corners, get crosses in and force our keeper into the odd save. The difference between us and them is our quality in the final third. So many of our goals (especially in recent weeks) have been close-range tap ins.

Those chances come from having that quality that we possess up top. If you can create just one or two of those opportunities a game then you're laughing. It was a great diagonal ball from Robbo last night but those first two touches by Hamer, followed by the pass, were absolutely sublime.
Combined with some good movement from Brewster and the ball was in the back of the net faster than you can say 'RED AND WHITE WIZAAAAAAAARDS'! 1-0. Game over.

 

[scouseblade]

That is right. But the bit I don’t quite understand is why we are scoring so many classic team goals. Have we scored any with shots from outside the penalty area? Very few with headers, one came from a long throw. But mostly, they have come from really good passing movements, and rather out of character with much of the play in the rest of the game.

Is this not Wilder's style of play? I cannot recall too many goals from outside the box when he managed us previously with the odd exception (the lad v Boro). I think he wants build up play and taking chances from 10-12 yards out. Much easier to score I suppose. We also have invested in footballers, O'Hare, Hamer, Burrows, Raks-Sakyi etc can put the ball on the ground and knock it around, movement etc.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Is this not Wilder's style of play? I cannot recall too many goals from outside the box when he managed us previously with the odd exception (the lad v Boro). I think he wants build up play and taking chances from 10-12 yards out. Much easier to score I suppose. We also have invested in footballers, O'Hare, Hamer, Burrows, Raks-Sakyi etc can put the ball on the ground and knock it around, movement etc.

That is very true. Previously we went for goals by going for sudden overloads with overlapping centre-backs, etc. The current crop of goals seem to depend more on combinations of skilled individuals, and perhaps the arrival of O’Hare, Campbell, etc in the 6-yard area at the right moment.

 

[SuperSonicBlade89]

So basically United have come full circle in trying to walk the ball in the net again.

Only this time, it's a little more successful?

 

[Chimes]

Another potential contributor is the lack of Keiffer Moore in recent games.

Probably ever since the signing of McBurnie, when playing with a big, target-man style CF, the players have had a tendency to hoof the ball and hope it sticks up front. I've noticed this happen on quite a few occasions, where we suddenly find our ability to zip the ball about on the floor once the option of an easy outball is removed.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Robbos balls to Hamer was excellent. But, wasn't that Rak-Sakyi side of the field? Would be nice to see more of that, Rak-Sakyi and Hamer swapping sides and creating more as we seem to be scoring alot of goals from crosses this year. Burrows has an exceptional good delivery, Gilchrist and Seriki not as good. Get those 2 crossing like the other 3 and defences will have all kinds of problems to deal with.

 

[joe casey]

Is this not Wilder's style of play? I cannot recall too many goals from outside the box when he managed us previously with the odd exception (the lad v Boro). I think he wants build up play and taking chances from 10-12 yards out. Much easier to score I suppose. We also have invested in footballers, O'Hare, Hamer, Burrows, Raks-Sakyi etc can put the ball on the ground and knock it around, movement etc.

Agreed - we'd score cutback/tap ins for fun back then - a lot of the reason Leon/Billy/Didzy scored so many.

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

Many things have changed this season, and one that I am finding hard to fathom is the number of high-quality team goals we are scoring. We have gone from worst defence to one of the best defences in the country [...] we seem to be able to play unconvincingly for long spells, defending, playing easy passes without creating chances, when suddenly there is a superb goal scored: Millwall last night is a case in point.

Hodgy... very well said, but my question is, what is the difference between this season and the last? If last year we were hopeless, this year we are conquerors of all.

For certain we lost two important players in the final days of last season's summer transfer window... but that does not explain the full story.

I'm lost if it was the strikers, the midfielders or the defence that signaled the collapse. I'm left thinking the problem was the insecurity of "the lad playing goalkeeper."

By contrast, this season, with a fast, calm and confident Cooperman in goal, all becomes possible.

Hodgy, you should tell us more... even if it is only how Micheal Cooper compares to the great Alan Hodgkinson?

 

[Guesty]

We've scored a few from distance, Hamer has three I think (one a free kick) and Arblaster scored one from the edge of the area on the opening day, as I recall. Not sure there have been as many recently though.

 

[Hackey Blade]

Let this sink in, if we beat Plymouth on Saturday without conceding, then our defence will have gone from the worst in history to joint best in history within half a season. If we win Saturday without conceding we will equal Chelsea's record of nine straight home wins without conceding which is the current record in english football.

 

[Snowflake]

Many things have changed this season, and one that I am finding hard to fathom is the number of high-quality team goals we are scoring. We have gone from worst defence to one of the best defences in the country, and that is clearly down to being in a lower league, and several excellent signings, both permanent and loans. We have become more resilient, and that may be largely down to recruitment and management. And we seem to be able to play unconvincingly for long spells, defending, playing easy passes without creating chances, when suddenly there is a superb goal scored: Millwall last night is a case in point. Jack Robinson plays a 50-yard volleyed pass that TC would have been proud of, Hamer controls superbly, times his run with the ball to perfection, and picks out Brewster’s perfect run with a pass that is begging to be put into the net. And after that, relatively little. Is this deliberate? Draw opponents into complacency, and then suddenly switch tactics? Is it that we have players who try difficult things, which often don’t come off, but when they do, are unstoppable? It has been a big feature of points won this season, and it surely cannot be a fluke?

One of the best team goals that I have seen us score. Great cross field pass, sublime control and cross to a player who “just tapped it in” having sprinted down the pitch and into the right position at the right time ( maybe at 73 I could have done that !!!!!)

 

[DifferentClass]

Wonder if anyone had "Rhian Brewster with a goal of the season candidate" on their bingo card...

 

[Gin&Juice]

One of the best team goals that I have seen us score. Great cross field pass, sublime control and cross to a player who “just tapped it in” having sprinted down the pitch and into the right position at the right time ( maybe at 73 I could have done that !!!!!)

Love goals like that. Good long ball.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Hodgy... very well said, but my question is, what is the difference between this season and the last? If last year we were hopeless, this year we are conquerors of all.

For certain we lost two important players in the final days of last season's summer transfer window... but that does not explain the full story.

I'm lost if it was the strikers, the midfielders or the defence that signaled the collapse. I'm left thinking the problem was the insecurity of "the lad playing goalkeeper."

By contrast, this season, with a fast, calm and confident Cooperman in goal, all becomes possible.

Hodgy, you should tell us more... even if it is only how Micheal Cooper compares to the great Alan Hodgkinson?

You have set me going asking a question like that First, I don’t think the problems started with the goalkeepers last season, and by the time Grbic arrived, the defence had lost it, and he was the unfortunate icing on the cake. And the poor guy never showed us what his strengths as a keeper were. As a lifelong member of the goalkeepers union, I prefer to leave it at that.
The question of Hodgy v Cooper is a much more pleasant debate, as their presence in the goal has been enough in itself to justify watching United from behind that goal. I am very much prejudiced in favour of Hodgy, as he was my childhood hero, had a brilliant connection with the kids behind the goal (whichever team they supported), and was one of the reasons I have spent so much of my life watching and playing football. Cooper has already become the keeper I have most enjoyed watching since Hodgy retired, but it is very early days yet. He is very different (and of course the game is very different); he is calm, yet an organiser, but is not yet a big personality. Ever since keepers have had to use their feet more, I have been a nervous wreck behind the goal, but I am now calm when he has the ball at his feet. I relax when we do short goal kicks, or when he has to kick the ball with his left foot. Even if occasionally he is not accurate, he has not yet (touch wood) created a disastrous situation. Like Hodgy he is below average height for a keeper of his era, but unlike Hodgy who relied on agility and bravery, Cooper uses judgment, anticipation and positional sense to minimise the number of spectacular saves he has to make. Like Hodgy, he might not get the recognition he deserves because of his height. I am really looking forward to seeing how his career develops.

 

[bakeblade]

The difference is the gap in quality between the PL and the Championship, that plus some shrewd business from Wilder and co has given us the shot in the arm we needed this season. I must admit its bizarre to see a total flip in defence but we have a new, more reliable keepers, a monster CB which has helped put Ahmedhodzic and Robinson back to confidence and have a dependable RB and LB.

There's only 1 from last season (Anel or Robbo) playing in the current back 5 and all the new lads are big upgrades, so it's not too surprising.
Excluding George of course, but he didn't play many games

 

[Keen Blade]

That is right. But the bit I don’t quite understand is why we are scoring so many classic team goals. Have we scored any with shots from outside the penalty area? Very few with headers, one came from a long throw. But mostly, they have come from really good passing movements, and rather out of character with much of the play in the rest of the game.

Have we even scored one with a header in the league ?
Hamer got one from a free kick outside the box

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Have we even scored one with a header in the league ?
Hamer got one from a free kick outside the box

One at Bristol City. That works with ‘One’ the player or the number.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

Let this sink in, if we beat Plymouth on Saturday without conceding, then our defence will have gone from the worst in history to joint best in history within half a season. If we win Saturday without conceding we will equal Chelsea's record of nine straight home wins without conceding which is the current record in english football.

Funny old game innit?

 

[Servigliano]

Quite a few on here criticise Wilder for playing Haymer (Not Harmer by the way) on the left.
That notwithstanding he's been imho our most effective/best player by far.
And, he often pops up on the right wing.
How can that be ?
I mean he's fat, slow, runs out of gas and is only any any good in a central midfield position, apparently.
Maybe Wilder and Co. know a thing or two about football.

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

The question of Hodgy v Cooper is a much more pleasant debate... Cooper has already become the keeper I have most enjoyed watching since Hodgy retired, but it is very early days yet. He is very different (and of course the game is very different); he is calm, yet an organiser, but is not yet a big personality. Ever since keepers have had to use their feet more, I have been a nervous wreck behind the goal, but I am now calm when he has the ball at his feet.

Many cheers Hodgy for your considered observations. I really appreciate them. I'm sure many other readers will agree with you.
I've been of the thought that Wilder's biggest mistake was not re-signing Henderson on loan for our second season in the Premier.
Cooper certainly gives the team a new confidence.
Maybe your new founded calmness behind the goal is visible to the players on the field...
Just saying,
But most of all thank you!

 

[robbiez666]

The difference between us an other teams are the fact we have more match winners. So many poor to ok performances and yet we keep winning.

At this level, Hamer, O'Hare, JRS and Burrows all can create something from nothing.

We had one shot on goal last night and a goal.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Many cheers Hodgy for your considered observations. I really appreciate them. I'm sure many other readers will agree with you.
I've been of the thought that Wilder's biggest mistake was not re-signing Henderson on loan for our second season in the Premier.
Cooper certainly gives the team a new confidence.
Maybe your new founded calmness behind the goal is visible to the players on the field...
Just saying,

Appreciate that.
I tend not to shout criticism at our players, just mutter my grumbles. Unfortunately people that know me tell me I have a loud voice

 

[Loco Blade]

I was right behind the goal last night and noticed a few bits. Firstly we seemed to be happy for Millwall to have the ball in wide positions especially down our right. Then we pass across the middle for what seems like ages tiring the opposition before mostly running down the middle . Rak was poor last night which made us narrow and Ohare kept getting done for pace so no surprise goal came from long ball . Sign of a good team is being happy to let the opponent have the ball in wide positions and keep our shape . See this in better end of the prem .

 

[Keen Blade]

Robbos balls to Hamer was excellent. But, wasn't that Rak-Sakyi side of the field? Would be nice to see more of that, Rak-Sakyi and Hamer swapping sides and creating more as we seem to be scoring alot of goals from crosses this year. Burrows has an exceptional good delivery, Gilchrist and Seriki not as good. Get those 2 crossing like the other 3 and defences will have all kinds of problems to deal with.

JRS & Hamer need to swap wings frequently + confuse the hell out of the opposition defence

 

[Silent Blade]

JRS & Hamer need to swap wings frequently + confuse the hell out of the opposition defence