Still seething about Friday's performance and current events

[Bergen Blade]

I also agree that Murphy is a good player and have no doubts he will become a good player for us, however I disagree with your points on Flynn. In comparison on Friday Flynn did alot more than Murphy. You criticise Flynn's attacking side yet he tried to take on his man more times than Murphy did? Flynn also was successful more times and did not give up when he lost the ball as Murphy pushed the ball passed his fb on a few occasions and just gave up as soon as he was challenged? Flynn was also up against a better full back (Christie) than Murphy was. I know they both swapped wings but if you look back on the highlights you will see Flynn played the majority against Christie. I agree his final product wasn't their but he won a free kick, kept possession and his defensive tracking back was far better than that of Murphy. The only thing of note I can recall Murphy doing is blasting the ball halfway up to Kop when he had a great position to clip it to the back post for Kitson to nod in.....

Fact is we didn't have any luck down the wings on Friday untill Robson with a bit of experience came onto the pitch and Forte made runs to open some more space up. Both Flynn and Murphy are easily good enough for this league and I just think Flynn seems to get bashing for unfair reason considering he has one of the highest if not the highest assist rate in our squad?

I agree that Flynn had a better game than Murphy. More of the things he tried weren't a total cock up, wheras Murphy had a bit of mare.


I'll show why I'm more enthusiastic about Murphy: In the situation you mention McDonald is poorly closed down, while Coventry's defence have pushed too high up. Murphy sees this and starts sprinting. McDonald's pass is well weighted and Murphy leaves the defence for dead. This could have been Arsenal.

If we'd had someone up front who'd had the pace and anticipation to keep up with Murphy, the latter could have crossed it low, early and simple, for an easy finish. When Murphy looks up he sees nobody and decides to launch a shot instead. This sees him get wider and it's not unreasonable to think that the ball may have taken a little bounce as his shot went shockingly high into the Kop. It looked an awful attempt. A lot of fans cringed, but for me it was proof of Murphy's good attributes. The sideways rolling cross is the easy part, he'll probably get it right next time if there's someone to cross early to.




In contrast, I'll show you Flynn's problem. A minute or two after the episode above, Flynn showed how clever he can be as he fooled one of their players with a skilful lob, then ran away from him:





Two seconds later, this is what's happened:



From an excellent attacking position, the Coventry player has caught up with Flynn, who has to check back and pass it backwards to Maguire. This stops the momentum of the attack, gives the centre halves time to prepare for the next cross/pass. Flynn hasn't made a fool of himself, but him (having to) stopping up in these situations makes it more difficult for us to score.

 

[Foxy]

From an excellent attacking position, the Coventry player has caught up with Flynn, who has to check back and pass it backwards to Maguire. This stops the momentum of the attack, gives the centre halves time to prepare for the next cross/pass. Flynn hasn't made a fool of himself, but him (having to) stopping up in these situations makes it more difficult for us to score.

One of the reasons he often does this is the same reason that Murphy ended up shooting, there's normally little in the way of options in terms of people joining the attack. Then, the wingers are made to look even worse by very little option backwards, so they end up dwelling on the ball, being crowded out and having little option in releasing it.

 

[Kempy]

One of the reasons he often does this is the same reason that Murphy ended up shooting, there's normally little in the way of options in terms of people joining the attack. Then, the wingers are made to look even worse by very little option backwards, so they end up dwelling on the ball, being crowded out and having little option in releasing it.

I agree that Flynn had a better game than Murphy. More of the things he tried weren't a total cock up, wheras Murphy had a bit of mare.


I'll show why I'm more enthusiastic about Murphy: In the situation you mention McDonald is poorly closed down, while Coventry's defence have pushed too high up. Murphy sees this and starts sprinting. McDonald's pass is well weighted and Murphy leaves the defence for dead. This could have been Arsenal.

If we'd had someone up front who'd had the pace and anticipation to keep up with Murphy, the latter could have crossed it low, early and simple, for an easy finish. When Murphy looks up he sees nobody and decides to launch a shot instead. This sees him get wider and it's not unreasonable to think that the ball may have taken a little bounce as his shot went shockingly high into the Kop. It looked an awful attempt. A lot of fans cringed, but for me it was proof of Murphy's good attributes. The sideways rolling cross is the easy part, he'll probably get it right next time if there's someone to cross early to.

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In contrast, I'll show you Flynn's problem. A minute or two after the episode above, Flynn showed how clever he can be as he fooled one of their players with a skilful lob, then ran away from him:



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Two seconds later, this is what's happened:

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From an excellent attacking position, the Coventry player has caught up with Flynn, who has to check back and pass it backwards to Maguire. This stops the momentum of the attack, gives the centre halves time to prepare for the next cross/pass. Flynn hasn't made a fool of himself, but him (having to) stopping up in these situations makes it more difficult for us to score.

Cracking post BB and I really do agree with you that Murphy has a lot more to offer. I hope there hasn't been any confusion in the fact that I do think Murphy is a better player than Flynn and will be only get better over time, so long as he starts some weight exercises very soon. My thoughts were more directly launched at the annoyance I get at people slagging of Flynn for what he actually adds to the team, many do not seem to see what he adds and so is used as a scapegoat.

However just a few things I'd like to suggest to your well illustrated points.

Firstly the wing of which both attack pictured below takes place on. I mentioned earlier there was a clear distinction of quality in the full backs that played for cov (Christie (rb) being one of there best players). I would expect Flynn to struggle against a pacey strong RB of Championship quality, I would not expect Murphy with his pace and ability to do the same. However I remember 2 occasions he showed good forward thinking and pace only to give up on the run he had started with an incoming shoulder to shoulder challenge, this challenge from a weaker opponent not having the quality that Christie does, nor being as quick or strong. Flynn however kept battling and the image you show actually sees him beating a different player who is filling in for Christie only when Christie tracks back do you see him turning back and trying to keep possession instead of wasting it away.

I agree with the fact that this checking back slows momentum, however getting the cross in first time is not always the best option. I also blame factors such as the lack of pace in our squad shortening the options for both Murphy and Flynn as Foxy suggests. The fact that our fullbacks also do not overlap is another fatal difference between our attacking momentum last year and this year. Can you imagine if Murphy had a full back of Lowton as an option? Pace, good delivery, and makes smart runs. I hardly see that in McMahon although he is the best rb we have at the moment. This likewise with the help that Flynn receives from our fairly inept list of Lb's, none of which currently provide decent attacking support. I actually think Murphy has better support from Mcmahon and this is also shown in the image as Murphy makes the run with McMahon further up the pitch dragging the attention of a defender and making a decent option of himself.

I do agree with your points that Murphy will become a better player and is now a better player, I also think he had a mare on Friday and expect a lot more from him, I was just using him as an example to reference why Flynn is not as bad as many seem to think.

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