Why are we scoring more this season?

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

There seems to be disagreement between fans between the reason we're scoring 3+ goals in games this season when we really struggled to score more than 2 in games last season.

What's the main reason in your opinion?

 

[bladesmanluke]

Two former England strikers involved about the place is good for everyone

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

Wilder's approach and also the relative freedom we can play with now we're not up at the top feeling like we must win every game

The different full back dynamic is another big factor

 

[Need4speed]

Last seasons performances and League position was a freak if you look at the whole season But if you look at in two halves it is different. first half of the season we were confident, we were light on numbers but fairly lucky in terms of injuries and we has Keifer Moore as an outlet. Because we started the season well teams were wary of us at home and mostly set up to nick a point, the teams that had a go actually did quite well. Even away teams gave us too much respect. That changed with Keifer Moore's injury, we had no outlet and whatever you think of Cannon he isn't the same kind of striker and Wilder didn't really know how to use him. Teams started to realise our vulnerabilities especially with injuries to Soutar and Souza. So they were much more prepared to have a go at us and we never really dominated games Second goals sttle sides we never got them.

 

[jt64]

Variance, probably

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Last seasons performances and League position was a freak if you look at the whole season But if you look at in two halves it is different. first half of the season we were confident, we were light on numbers but fairly lucky in terms of injuries and we has Keifer Moore as an outlet. Because we started the season well teams were wary of us at home and mostly set up to nick a point, the teams that had a go actually did quite well. Even away teams gave us too much respect. That changed with Keifer Moore's injury, we had no outlet and whatever you think of Cannon he isn't the same kind of striker and Wilder didn't really know how to use him. Teams started to realise our vulnerabilities especially with injuries to Soutar and Souza. So they were much more prepared to have a go at us and we never really dominated games Second goals sttle sides we never got them.

I think we watched a different Kieffer Moore last season. He only seemed decent after his injury, offered very little prior to his injury.

 

[Need4speed]

I think we watched a different Kieffer Moore last season. He only seemed decent after his injury, offered very little prior to his injury.

In terms of end result I agree but in terms of an outball fort the team I think he was important and then we missed him. He played less than 300 minutes after 1st January excluding the playoffs

 

[Gysbrechts_tash]

Wilder's approach and also the relative freedom we can play with now we're not up at the top feeling like we must win every game

The different full back dynamic is another big factor

This. Pressure off, seriki down the right...also recall the board said they wanted a better style when he left so maybe something he's had to deliver. 2016 - 2020 wilder was fantastic to watch so I'm glad he's let the shackles off, last year was pretty dull to watch albeit effective.

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

This. Pressure off, seriki down the right...also recall the board said they wanted a better style when he left so maybe something he's had to deliver. 2016 - 2020 wilder was fantastic to watch so I'm glad he's let the shackles off, last year was pretty dull to watch albeit effective.

We've got more chance of achieving something this season if the shackles stay off as well

If we get into the top 6 we shouldn't revert to being more cautious

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

In terms of end result I agree but in terms of an outball fort the team I think he was important and then we missed him. He played less than 300 minutes after 1st January excluding the playoffs

In terms of end result I agree but in terms of an outball fort the team I think he was important and then we missed him. He played less than 300 minutes after 1st January excluding the playoffs

Aye it was very late on Wilder started trying with front 2 last season and Campbell had rightly got priority when playing 1 up front.

 

[Cappy]

We've only scored 4 more goals (22) this season than we did at the same point (18) last season, FYI.

But I absolutely get your point. Just chucking this out there before any neggers do

Wilder taking input from his employers. When we're better, push! A business tactic that translates well to sport!

 

[Need4speed]

We've only scored 4 more goals (22) this season than we did at the same point (18) last season, FYI.

But I absolutely get your point. Just chucking this out there before any neggers do

Yep thanks but given the first six games ...............

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

We've only scored 4 more goals (22) this season than we did at the same point (18) last season, FYI.

But I absolutely get your point. Just chucking this out there before any neggers do

I'm disregarding the Selles part of the season completely, imagine how many we'd have scored by now without that baffoon in charge?

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

8 of Wilder's last 20 games in charge have seen us score 3 or more

A remarkable change

If this rate is maintained we will get in the top 6

 

[Blademan89]

A bit of all 3. We are playing more freely with chains off, it does seem a poorer lesgue this season. That's the 2 big factors, then having extra bodies in and around the box is cherry on cake.

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

IMO there’s been a pretty significant change in the way we’re setting up now. Even last season, it felt like we played in lots of little silos where players were grouped in various areas of the pitch, too far apart from each other. Souza & Peck for example worked the middle of the pitch and the closest outlets they had were either Hamer, Campbell or whoever played on the right, some 20 yards away. Those passing channels were generally clogged with defenders, so it would go sideways or backwards. Only O’Hare was capable enough to get the ball in a tight space and move forwards with it.

That seems to have changed over the last couple of months. Our defence are much closer to the midfielders, who in turn are much closer to the forwards and wingers. It means we don’t need a 20 yard pass to get the ball moving forwards (my single biggest gripe last season) - it’s probably half that now and allows us to move the ball about much quicker. Even the full backs are playing much closer to the wingers now which gives more options to move the ball around. Add in the fact we also seem to have moved the entire side a quarter of the pitch further forward when we do have the ball and pressing opposition much harder from the front when we lose it, it feels like we’re camping sides in their own penalty areas now waiting for them to make mistakes or lump it forward.

It’s still quite a small sample size, but the football we’ve been playing of late is very refreshing to see. Proper front foot, attacking football. Makes brilliant viewing.

 

[Pawk Patrol]

^ this.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

IMO there’s been a pretty significant change in the way we’re setting up now. Even last season, it felt like we played in lots of little silos where players were grouped in various areas of the pitch, too far apart from each other. Souza & Peck for example worked the middle of the pitch and the closest outlets they had were either Hamer, Campbell or whoever played on the right, some 20 yards away. Those passing channels were generally clogged with defenders, so it would go sideways or backwards. Only O’Hare was capable enough to get the ball in a tight space and move forwards with it.

That seems to have changed over the last couple of months. Our defence are much closer to the midfielders, who in turn are much closer to the forwards and wingers. It means we don’t need a 20 yard pass to get the ball moving forwards (my single biggest gripe last season) - it’s probably half that now and allows us to move the ball about much quicker. Even the full backs are playing much closer to the wingers now which gives more options to move the ball around. Add in the fact we also seem to have moved the entire side a quarter of the pitch further forward when we do have the ball and pressing opposition much harder from the front when we lose it, it feels like we’re camping sides in their own penalty areas now waiting for them to make mistakes or lump it forward.

It’s still quite a small sample size, but the football we’ve been playing of late is very refreshing to see. Proper front foot, attacking football. Makes brilliant viewing.

Great insight. Top post sir

That said, I'd still acknowledge that last season we'd purposefully go negative after taking the lead. We seem to resist that temptation this season and go for more goals instead. I'm a big fan of this. Maybe let then score 1 though to give the game some tension..

 

[b1ade4life]

New coaching team

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

New coaching team

Oh Jackie Lester,
There's plenty better...

 

[mattbianco1]

We've only scored 4 more goals (22) this season than we did at the same point (18) last season, FYI.

Yeah, but we'd won 15 games at this stage, not 8.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Yeah, but we'd won 15 games at this stage, not 8.

Them fine margins eh? We def had the rub of the green last season

 

[CarlMcBlade]

He had an epiphany moment and started playing two up front.

 

[Sithblade]

Must be Guilherme Ramos, he's the difference since arriving at the Lane (or Wilder is taking a more positive approach).
Seriously it'd be interesting to know how much difference a new coach and ideas make to the Wilder/Knill team. You can add Gary McSheffrey as well.

 

[cahill]

This. Pressure off, seriki down the right...also recall the board said they wanted a better style when he left so maybe something he's had to deliver. 2016 - 2020 wilder was fantastic to watch so I'm glad he's let the shackles off, last year was pretty dull to watch albeit effective.

From Xmas onwards last year the football was dire, boring and stressful to watch, especially for those of a nervous disposition and/or bad ticker

 

[cahill]

IMO there’s been a pretty significant change in the way we’re setting up now. Even last season, it felt like we played in lots of little silos where players were grouped in various areas of the pitch, too far apart from each other. Souza & Peck for example worked the middle of the pitch and the closest outlets they had were either Hamer, Campbell or whoever played on the right, some 20 yards away. Those passing channels were generally clogged with defenders, so it would go sideways or backwards. Only O’Hare was capable enough to get the ball in a tight space and move forwards with it.

That seems to have changed over the last couple of months. Our defence are much closer to the midfielders, who in turn are much closer to the forwards and wingers. It means we don’t need a 20 yard pass to get the ball moving forwards (my single biggest gripe last season) - it’s probably half that now and allows us to move the ball about much quicker. Even the full backs are playing much closer to the wingers now which gives more options to move the ball around. Add in the fact we also seem to have moved the entire side a quarter of the pitch further forward when we do have the ball and pressing opposition much harder from the front when we lose it, it feels like we’re camping sides in their own penalty areas now waiting for them to make mistakes or lump it forward.

It’s still quite a small sample size, but the football we’ve been playing of late is very refreshing to see. Proper front foot, attacking football. Makes brilliant viewing.

Tha’s got me enthused nah.

 

[bonobo]

We are using the width of the pitch more, overloads in wide areas, releasing the full backs to get forward more, opening up packed defences. better at set pieces. simply not able to shut up shop effectively, so needed to score our way out of trouble

 

[spikeachu]

We're getting to the edge of the box and putting a cross in instead of turning around and going backwards. We have players in there anticipating and attacking the cross.

I was highly critical of Peck for his safety first approach and slowing down attacks but this changed and the goals started flowing.

Arblaster is back and I think there's more to come from him. He seems to have more awareness than Peck and knows what his next move is before the ball arrives at his feet. Peck lacks this somewhat and can get caught in possession or run into trouble. I think this awareness is where Arblaster makes the game look easy.

We seem to have developed a workable tactic from corners. It's very smart, relies on a pinpoint corner from Gus and blockers preventing defenders from getting across to cut out the cross, leaving a free header. McGuinness fluffed 3 and scored 1 - should have done better in my opinion. Bindon scored with his only attempt at the same routine. From what I've seen, Bindon seems like a much better header of the ball, so we might see more goals from him.

For the defending team, knowing the routine and being able to prevent it are two different things. I'm sure Stoke knew after McGuninness nailed it at the second attempt but weren't able to prevent two more goes - and they're a tight unit and don't concede many. I'm sure the Birmingham backline will have been shown highlights and briefed as well.

We're pressing from the front in numbers, see 2nd goal against Birmingham. Selles talked about it but we never saw it under him.

There's no more passing it around the back. Passes are going forward earlier and with purpose into overloaded areas. Twice Birmingham had to take a card to prevent break aways. The high backline they were playing was suicidal. They dropped back 20 yards after the red card. I think we might have scored more against 11 before they dropped back when down to 10.

Most importantly, we're no longer declaring at 1-0. I always said the best way to defend a 1-0 lead is to make it a 2-0 lead and the team seems to have migrated towards this philosophy. I'm leaving the lane having been entertained - which I couldn't always say last season even when winning. May it continue for the rest of the season.