Sitting back at 1 nil

[GymClassHero]

Time and again we've adopted this tactic with a one goal lead, and often it's been relatively early in the second half. We've gotten away with it a lot this season and it's no surprise that it's eventually bit us on the arse.

I'd understand it at the 80 minute(ish) mark, but tonight we took this stance pretty much as soon as we took the lead! Added to the fact we were playing capable opposition, who have the ability to hurt us there's no defending Wilder tonight IMO. The thing I struggle to wrap my head around - surely by attacking and keeping teams on the back foot you are in effect defending your lead (so long as you don't commit too many forward and leave the defense exposed) because the opposition then spend less time in your half!

I'm not part of the bed wetting brigade, and certainly don't think it's a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment to miss out on putting a bit of daylight between us and Burnley. We have the ability to hurt teams until we sit in to defend these narrow leads, often taking off our more dangerous players to facilitate it (granted this wasn't the case tonight).

In summary, not the end of the world but I hope Wilder learns from this and we look to kill teams off more.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Time and again we've adopted this tactic with a one goal lead, and often it's been relatively early in the second half. We've gotten away with it a lot this season and it's no surprise that it's eventually bit us on the arse.

I'd understand it at the 80 minute(ish) mark, but tonight we took this stance pretty much as soon as we took the lead! Added to the fact we were playing capable opposition, who have the ability to hurt us there's no defending Wilder tonight IMO. The thing I struggle to wrap my head around - surely by attacking and keeping teams on the back foot you are in effect defending your lead (so long as you don't commit too many forward and leave the defense exposed) because the opposition then spend less time in your half!

I'm not part of the bed wetting brigade, and certainly don't think it's a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment to miss out on putting a bit of daylight between us and Burnley. We have the ability to hurt teams until we sit in to defend these narrow leads, often taking off our more dangerous players to facilitate it (granted this wasn't the case tonight).

In summary, not the end of the world but I hope Wilder learns from this and we look to kill teams off more.

He hasn’t learned, and never will learn. He’s been lucky this season - Pompey game the most recent slice of luck but there are loads more.

 

[thehet]

He hasn’t learned, and never will learn. He’s been lucky this season - Pompey game the most recent slice of luck but there are loads more.

His first two subs set our goal up. It goes both ways.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Unfortunately, we won't kill teams off until we know how to pass and move like Bristol City and others have done this season.
But for a couple of quality players to finish things off, they and others would have taken many more points off us.
Problem is, if we do go up, the teams in the Prem DO have those quality players!

 

[LondonBlade89]

This just isn’t true. We didn’t sit back. I’m sat here with the recording of the game in front of me. It’s the 82nd minute and we’ve got five players near BC’s box as part of an attack. McCallum is then up and putting pressure on their player deep into their half of the pitch.

We just can’t dictate games. If anything I think Wilder told the players NOT to sit back. But the reality is that we’re playing against a BC side who were wanting to move the ball forward at every opportunity to get a goal back. And we’re fairly evenly matched. The biggest issue for me was having an incredibly rusty Keifer Moore on the pitch who butchered a lot of decent openings for us.

 

[Champagneblade]

The notion that we intentionally sit back like some sort of rope a dope is something I don’t agree with. Each to their own.

But the pass completion was not so high today and we kept coughing up possession. As a result it allowed them to push forwards. They were a good team.

I doubt very much we sit back on a lead as a tactic. I do imagine that we lack composure and surrender possession under pressure and as a result it invites teams on.

The team was put together on a transfer surplus. I think they deserve a little leeway.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Time and again we've adopted this tactic with a one goal lead, and often it's been relatively early in the second half. We've gotten away with it a lot this season and it's no surprise that it's eventually bit us on the arse.

I'd understand it at the 80 minute(ish) mark, but tonight we took this stance pretty much as soon as we took the lead! Added to the fact we were playing capable opposition, who have the ability to hurt us there's no defending Wilder tonight IMO. The thing I struggle to wrap my head around - surely by attacking and keeping teams on the back foot you are in effect defending your lead (so long as you don't commit too many forward and leave the defense exposed) because the opposition then spend less time in your half!

I'm not part of the bed wetting brigade, and certainly don't think it's a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment to miss out on putting a bit of daylight between us and Burnley. We have the ability to hurt teams until we sit in to defend these narrow leads, often taking off our more dangerous players to facilitate it (granted this wasn't the case tonight).

In summary, not the end of the world but I hope Wilder learns from this and we look to kill teams off more.

Our line up after the goal was very attacking and not ideal for defending a lead:

 

[FTPE]

He hasn’t learned, and never will learn. He’s been lucky this season - Pompey game the most recent slice of luck but there are loads more.

Lucky?

 

[Wards]

I don't think we sat back we just lacked a proper structure against a really well coached side.

 

[Freethinker]

Our line up after the goal was very attacking and not ideal for defending a lead:

View attachment 205988

There four in midfield pissed all over peck and choudhury imo

 

[Bergen Blade]

There four in midfield pissed all over peck and choudhury imo

I don't agree with that. Our set up was too attacking, and Peck and Choudhury had too much space to cover.

 

[Blade56]

Wilder tactics

 

[Freethinker]

I don't agree with that. Our set up was too attacking, and Peck and Choudhury had too much space to cover.

Im pretty much agreed on that mate they had extra bodies in middle

 

[Snowflake]

Time and again we've adopted this tactic with a one goal lead, and often it's been relatively early in the second half. We've gotten away with it a lot this season and it's no surprise that it's eventually bit us on the arse.

I'd understand it at the 80 minute(ish) mark, but tonight we took this stance pretty much as soon as we took the lead! Added to the fact we were playing capable opposition, who have the ability to hurt us there's no defending Wilder tonight IMO. The thing I struggle to wrap my head around - surely by attacking and keeping teams on the back foot you are in effect defending your lead (so long as you don't commit too many forward and leave the defense exposed) because the opposition then spend less time in your half!

I'm not part of the bed wetting brigade, and certainly don't think it's a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment to miss out on putting a bit of daylight between us and Burnley. We have the ability to hurt teams until we sit in to defend these narrow leads, often taking off our more dangerous players to facilitate it (granted this wasn't the case tonight).

In summary, not the end of the world but I hope Wilder learns from this and we look to kill teams off more.

Did we sit back ? I think we were under pressure from the start and had chances to score a second.
It is a bit dismissive of BC to suggest that we changed anything .

 

[nopigfansintown]

I thought we looked knackered from kick off, especially in the middle of the park. We tired badly and were far too attacking and open all night. I look on the bench and don't see the defensive midfield reinforcements. Players with energy and experience. We had Hamer but he probably doesn't even come on if we're comfortable. I'm worried about Sunday because we look done in. If anything we were too open and had far too many attacking players.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Listen, we must sit back. Every team we face in this league is unbelievably fantastic

But if we're going to sit back, why the fuck take Holding off? Why would you not want the option of a back 5? On first viewing their goal looks like the sort that would have been prevented by a wider spread defence

Another factor in all this is the repetitive and pathetic position of having to constantly get by with players who are never properly fit. It dictates hugely

 

[JHaber]

Our line up after the goal was very attacking and not ideal for defending a lead:

View attachment 205988

Exactly my thoughts whilst watching. If this was a tactical choice to absorb pressure, then it was a poor thought process given the personnel. Given how the game went before the goal, I just think they outplayed us in most parts of the pitch and their manager got it right - he didn't even have to change it up as it was working and we didn't adapt. It was crying out for another person in the middle to help us at both ends of the pitch - Hamer could have dropped in there and addressed the issue.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Unfortunately, we won't kill teams off until we know how to pass and move like Bristol City and others have done this season.
But for a couple of quality players to finish things off, they and others would have taken many more points off us.
Problem is, if we do go up, the teams in the Prem DO have those quality players!

The passing and moving was a real eye opener tonight. We were so static Compared to them

 

[The Vicar]

Between Hamer coming on and Campbell going off we looked good. With no Campbell there was no running in behind and we lost possession. Plus we continued to allow their right winger time and space to receive the ball and get it in the box. Whereas we never seemed to utilise the pace on the right of JRS and FS to get at their full back and get in behind to pull it back.

They deserved the point, I thought we were poor for most of the game, in fact they have got worse over the 6 games I have attended, Luton, Oxford, Plymouth, Sunderland, Burnley and tonight. We must be the worst SUFC team to sit on top of the Championship/league 1/Division 2. Which says a lot about the quality of the Division.

I am not sure that promotion would be a good thing, more likely it will bring back a repeat of last seasons debacle, and possibly worse.

 

[gordoncharles]

A lot on here seem to be saying we were forced to defend for long periods, especially at the end, because were too attack-minded (?), as if this game was some sort of aberration, instead of what it was; a continuation of the pattern we have witnessed practically all season long
.
When we get Roy's View Froms I have to agree when most wonder how on earth we're at the top of the league because it mystifies me too. Every game we play for about 15-20 minutes either in one purple patch, or in small packets, during which time the extra quality we have over most teams comes to the fore and we put together some excellent moves and usually manage to score.

We then absorb a lot of pressure which is mostly possible as, to repeat, we have good players in comparison with nearly all our opponents, and an outstanding keeper.

Our results are a marvel, but we've become a team that is not especially impressive as a team.

I'd like to say that I'll worry about how we will cope again in the PL if we get there, but honestly I'm already terrfied.

 

[sheff_blade90]

i know what you mean, but is it not that team start throwing caution to the wind

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

23 shots conceded at home to Bristol City

Would Leeds, Burnley or any other side in the top 6 get anywhere near that?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Lucky?

Agree…..you can blame good luck and bad luck in one- off games

But luck can never be a factor over 37 games.
If a team keeps winning but seems lucky that’s because they are really good.
Same as if a team keep losing and seem to be unlucky…that’s because they are poor.

 

[Houston_Blade]

They were a decent side, we don’t have a divine right to beat everyone. That said we only had to not shit the bed for another few minutes and we’d have been in a very good position. We’ve wasted a huge opportunity tonight, just hope we don’t compound it by dropping points at the weekend, we all know what’s coming though!

 

[Champagneblade]

Listen, we must sit back. Every team we face in this league is unbelievably fantastic

But if we're going to sit back, why the fuck take Holding off? Why would you not want the option of a back 5? On first viewing their goal looks like the sort that would have been prevented by a wider spread defence

Another factor in all this is the repetitive and pathetic position of having to constantly get by with players who are never properly fit. It dictates hugely

Honest answer; Holding has not played 90 minutes for ages. We can all get wrapped up in the moment. Wilder isn’t wanting us to complete the remaining 9 games of the season with just two fit centre backs, both of which aren’t shy at picking up cards.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Honest answer; Holding has not played 90 minutes for ages. We can all get wrapped up in the moment. Wilder isn’t wanting us to complete the remaining 9 games of the season with just two fit centre backs, both of which aren’t shy at picking up cards.

He'd already made it to 87 minutes, so.....

 

[GymClassHero]

The notion that we intentionally sit back like some sort of rope a dope is something I don’t agree with. Each to their own.

But the pass completion was not so high today and we kept coughing up possession. As a result it allowed them to push forwards. They were a good team.

I doubt very much we sit back on a lead as a tactic. I do imagine that we lack composure and surrender possession under pressure and as a result it invites teams on.

The team was put together on a transfer surplus. I think they deserve a little leeway.

Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinion mate

Would you not agree that we lack any sort of urgency going forward, and the slow, lethargic build up play results in congestion in the opposition box? We then end up passing it around the box and, in some cases, surrendering possession. I am noticing this frequently and when in front it gets worse.

From where I'm watching the team plays with shackles on 9 times out of 10. This intensifies when we lead, and the stats support this; only one 3 goal margin victory, many one goal margin victories. We've won more games than anyone else so it's not a case of fluking wins by a goal it indicates we are getting our noses in front and shutting up shop

 

[Champagneblade]

Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinion mate

Would you not agree that we lack any sort of urgency going forward, and the slow, lethargic build up play results in congestion in the opposition box? We then end up passing it around the box and, in some cases, surrendering possession. I am noticing this frequently and when in front it gets worse.

From where I'm watching the team plays with shackles on 9 times out of 10. This intensifies when we lead, and the stats support this; only one 3 goal margin victory, many one goal margin victories. We've won more games than anyone else so it's not a case of fluking wins by a goal it indicates we are getting our noses in front and shutting up shop

I think we’ve been very effective with the players we have.

I’d like us to be more dynamic but the team was assembled on a positive transfer surplus and is bound to have its limitations. We don’t have the high caliber and high £££ per week players that Leeds have brought in.

So we have to do it our way. Maybe it’s ugly some times. But we have the highest win percentage in the division so it can’t be that bad. I can think of at least 22 if not 23 teams who would swap places with us right now.

 

[robbiez666]

I thought we looked knackered from kick off, especially in the middle of the park. We tired badly and were far too attacking and open all night. I look on the bench and don't see the defensive midfield reinforcements. Players with energy and experience. We had Hamer but he probably doesn't even come on if we're comfortable. I'm worried about Sunday because we look done in. If anything we were too open and had far too many attacking players.

Genuinely don't understand why he has One and Baptiste on the bench. Both are behind Moore and Anel to come on. Shackleton is fit and playing for the U-21s and can cover RB and CM. Even Blacker. Peck needed to come off after we scored.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Genuinely don't understand why he has One and Baptiste on the bench. Both are behind Moore and Anel to come on. Shackleton is fit and playing for the U-21s and can cover RB and CM. Even Blacker. Peck needed to come off after we scored.

A lot has been.made of the failure to bring in another ( or different) defender. The bigger failure was not bringing in another reliable, robust central midfield player. Relying on Peck, Shacks, Davies, Vini, HC was always too big a gamble imo. I'd have been concluding that most of them (the exception being of HC and Souza) are unreliable and would not be relying on Peck three games a week (due to his age and the long season). Peck performing above all reasonable expectations has covered this issue up. I'm not sure what I'd have done except attempt to pack the middle of the park with four or five players. Maybe a big lad with some pace off him up front.