Questions regarding Walsall game

[Bergen Blade]

Would be nice if someone who went could give a few views.

1. What was our formation? Clough said he decided against sticking with the 4-4-2 from the Tranmere game. Where did Baxter play?
2. When Andy Taylor played for us I always thought he struggled against wingers with any sort of pace or dribbling ability. Who was our right winger and did we attack Taylor?
3. Our counter attacking was good against Tranmere and especially Murphy exploited the space that opened up after we took the lead. Did we manage to counter attack when 1-0 up even though we didn't have anyone with pace in the starting eleven?
4. Walsall fans said we did a lot of pulling and pushing, which may have contributed to the referee's decision. Did you agree with that?
5. How did we do for the last 30 minutes when we were chasing the game? Did the subs manage to make an impact?

 

[SE1Blade]

1. Yep, 4-4-2 with Baxter just off Porter. Flynn on left, Coady on right.
2. Coady and No. Flynn on the left did well 1st half, but it was negative from Clough not to get Murphy or Brandy on earlier, particularly at 1-0 as we could all see the goals coming as we just sat back and invited them on once we got ahead.
3. No. We played very well until going ahead, at which point we sat back and invited Walsall on and from that point (10 mins before half time) there was only ever going to be one winner.
4. No more than any other match and both teams were at it. It was a definate penalty though, I saw it clearly. Ignore Clough's remarks.
5. Yes, Murphy tried to attack but the game was gone by then as we were on the back foot. The change(s) should have been made at 1-0 (Baxter was clearly injured and it was like playing with 10 ment for 20-25 minutes). Miller was ineffectual and Brandy didn't have enough time (should have been brought on earlier).

 

[Bergen Blade]

1. Yep, 4-4-2 with Baxter just off Porter. Flynn on left, Coady on right.
2. Coady and No. Flynn on the left did well 1st half, but it was negative from Clough not to get Murphy or Brandy on earlier, particularly at 1-0 as we could all see the goals coming as we just sat back and invited them on once we got ahead.
3. No. We played very well until going ahead, at which point we sat back and invited Walsall on and from that point (10 mins before half time) there was only ever going to be one winner.
4. No more than any other match and both teams were at it. It was a definate penalty though, I saw it clearly. Ignore Clough's remarks.
5. Yes, Murphy tried to attack but the game was gone by then as we were on the back foot. The change(s) should have been made at 1-0 (Baxter was clearly injured and it was like playing with 10 ment for 20-25 minutes). Miller was ineffectual and Brandy didn't have enough time (should have been brought on earlier).

Cheers. Clough's challenge seems to be finding the right balance between attacking and defensive choices when deciding his tactics and team selection. We also need to maintain attacking threats even though our main priority is to avoid conceding.

 

[MBoreman]

Before Murphy came on it was a 5-3-2/3-5-2 with Flynn and McMahon wing backs.