Why has our creativity dropped off?

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I was pondering this last night in Shoutbox with Carlton Blade and others and thought I'd throw it out there for discussion.

It feels like our creativity has dropped off considerably compared to the back end of last season. The stattos will no doubt be able to back this perception up, or challenge it...

The notable change we've faced is the loss of MGW, but that side and shape (front 3 of MGW, N'Diaye and Berge) was borne out of necessity due to a lack of fit forwards. Even so, we played with more intent and on the front foot.

Now, we feel considerably cagier in our approach, IMO. We feel solid and well organised but far from creative. That's with several key additions coming in: Anel, McAtee, Doyle, the return of Lowe and the return to form of McBurnie.

It feels like when you're seeing a game out, final 15 and you make a few subs, take a CF off and bring a CB on, run to the corners, don't take any unnecessary risks, avoid putting the ball into the box. Except, it feels like we're applying that approach to our entire game plan and our season as a whole. Stick to what we've got, stay steady.

Are we worried about being caught by the chasing pack and therefore going for solidarity over anything else?

Have we learned from or are we worried about injuries? The squad is looking thin at the mo, after all. Are we refraining from going full throttle for that reason?

Again, we're short up front, why aren't we looking at a front 3? Berge, N'Diaye, and one other: McAtee or Jebbo, McBurnie? We worked hard to coach an attacking intent into Berge last season, almost stumbled across it by accident and he was superb. Why did we stop using that?

Thoughts?

 

[Nightsweats]

Managers mindset, in game management and substitutions. Pound for pound our players are as good as Burnleys and better than anyone elses. We should be more than capable of keeping teams on the back foot for more than 20 mins a game without opening ourselves up at the back.
It's like the manager is looking permenantly over his shoulder rather than striving to chase Burnley down. Injuries a huge issue acknowledged but no excuse for match day performance levels.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Th

I was pondering this last night in Shoutbox with Carlton Blade and others and thought I'd throw it out there for discussion.

It feels like our creativity has dropped off considerably compared to the back end of last season. The stattos will no doubt be able to back this perception up, or challenge it...

The notable change we've faced is the loss of MGW, but that side and shape (front 3 of MGW, N'Diaye and Berge) was borne out of necessity due to a lack of fit forwards. Even so, we played with more intent and on the front foot.

Now, we feel considerably cagier in our approach, IMO. We feel solid and well organised but far from creative. That's with several key additions coming in: Anel, McAtee, Doyle, the return of Lowe and the return to form of McBurnie.

It feels like when you're seeing a game out, final 15 and you make a few subs, take a CF off and bring a CB on, run to the corners, don't take any unnecessary risks, avoid putting the ball into the box. Except, it feels like we're applying that approach to our entire game plan and our season as a whole. Stick to what we've got, stay steady.

Are we worried about being caught by the chasing pack and therefore going for solidarity over anything else?

Have we learned from or are we worried about injuries? The squad is looking thin at the mo, after all. Are we refraining from going full throttle for that reason?

Again, we're short up front, why aren't we looking at a front 3? Berge, N'Diaye, and one other: McAtee or Jebbo, McBurnie? We worked hard to coach an attacking intent into Berge last season, almost stumbled across it by accident and he was superb. Why did we stop using that?

Thoughts?

This thread is just asking for a rant from Fallowfield!! Thanks for that Kozzy

 

[biggiesablade]

We are described as a big physical teams by opp fans, thing is opp teams have worked out we are far from it. Rough us up and keep ball off the ground and we look lost. I'm worried about our promotion chances and I'm no bed wetter

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Th

This thread is just asking for a rant from Fallowfield!! Thanks for that Kozzy

I've got him on ignore, so I'll be fine!

 

[Houston_Blade]

It’s a mentality issue in my opinion. Since we had the poor run before the World Cup we’ve come back and setup a lot more cautiously.

The ‘creative’ moments now come from individuals and not from team moves. Ndiaye, McAtee, Bogle, Berge need to produce or we just don’t bother.

 

[Geordie Blade]

We seem to fall into the trap of pinging long balls up to McBurnie (or Sharp, if he’s playing). If we do that, we need Osborn, McAttee or Doyle to be very close to the target man, to pick up the loose ball. For whatever reason, McBurnie looked very isolated for the long balls yesterday, so Rotherham just scooped up the knock-downs with ease.

 

[robbiez666]

There are a whole list of issues.

These include injuries (both playing with an not playing), players not being fully match fit, not being able to play a set starting XI, teams working out how to play us (press us, push our wb back by pushing their wide players up, put men behind the ball etc), general drops in form.

The main issue with our attacking football is the midfield. It's our weakest area and you could see yesterday that we would attack down the right but not the left. I don't really think there's an obvious solution to that. If Doyle starts for Osborn then I think we'd have more confidence unleashing Lowe, but it's still our iffy side. Robbo and Osborn not really good enough to play with two free-flowing WBs and overlapping CBs.

Also, look at our bench yesterday: Davies, Basham, Clark, Coulibaly, MacAtee, Marsh, Sharp.

McAtee aside, there aren't a lot of great impactful attacking options to bring on.

Imagine if we had RND, Brewster, Jebbison, Doyle even Osula etc to bring on.

 

[nopigfansintown]

A few reasons. Our frontline has often lacked runs in in behind. This allows teams to play high, congest the middle and deny room to Ndiaye, Mcburnie, Berge, Mcattee etc that like to operate in this 10 space. The players that run in behind are Jebbo and Sharp.

Jebbo in particular (due to his pace) makes defensive lines drop deeper creating space in between the lines for midfielders and forwards dropping deep. He also gives you the longer pass in the channel or over the top. This allows us to get through the lines before the opponent is set. There was one run by Sharp yesterday that underlined this. Berge played an excellent long diag from left to right. Sharp made the run off the shoulder but couldn't quite get his shot away. If it was Jebbo?

Our goals often come from set pieces and bits of individual brilliance rather than exploiting space this way.

The loss of RND has been big. The only time the overlapping centre back overloads have worked from both sides post JOC is when RND has been playing well. We have less overloads without him and are easier to neutralise.

High pressing. All the injuries and personnel changes have taken the edge of this. Winning the ball high is an obvious way to break lines.

 

[RammyBlade]

I think the vast amount of injuries hasnt helped as its meant we have been playing square pegs in round holes such as Osbourne who hasnt got a creative bone in his body. I dread him being in the team as his every pass is a backward one.
The fact that JLT is in the side also doesnt help as although he is a solid defender he hesitates when pressed at the back so tends to hoof it forwards so giving the ball back to the opposition.
Its probably a mentality thing as much as anything but we desperately need fit players like Doyle,Mcatee, McBurnie Clark, and we have also got one of our most improved players Jebbison missing 3 games because of a stupid 4th official wanting his 3 minutes of fame.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

I would say it’s a lack of game plan and a lack of intensity very rarely we play well for even a full half let alone 20/30 spells

For me it is all down to the manager he has no ideas on how to attack and he can’t manage to get a consistent level of intensity & performance from the players and that’s all down to the coaching staff

And let’s be honest the last time we properly played well was Burnley and that was months ago

Just watched his post game interview and I nearly spat my cornflakes out you would have though we’d just drew 1-1 @ Manchester City

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

A few reasons. Our frontline has often lacked runs in in behind. This allows teams to play high, congest the middle and deny room to Ndiaye, Mcburnie, Berge, Mcattee etc that like to operate in this 10 space. The players that run in behind are Jebbo and Sharp.

Jebbo in particular (due to his pace) makes defensive lines drop deeper creating space in between the lines for midfielders and forwards dropping deep. He also gives you the longer pass in the channel or over the top. This allows us to get through the lines before the opponent is set. There was one run by Sharp yesterday that underlined this. Berge played an excellent long diag from left to right. Sharp made the run off the shoulder but couldn't quite get his shot away. If it was Jebbo?

Our goals often come from set pieces and bits of individual brilliance rather than exploiting space this way.

The loss of RND has been big. The only time the overlapping centre back overloads have worked from both sides post JOC is when RND has been playing well. We have less overloads without him and are easier to neutralise.

High pressing. All the injuries and personnel changes have taken the edge of this. Winning the ball high is an obvious way to break lines.

That’s just all coddswallop and excuses for the manager

We have the best attacking options in the league and choose to play teams like rotheram at there game

We have played well under hecky mainly last season and at the start of the season but the last few months have been a hard watch

 

[Captain2]

We are a solid team, very difficult to beat, show good discipline.Definitely lack flare and creativity particularly down left hand side.Yesterday Bogle had a poor game so we didn’t create down either flank.
With such a healthy gap between us and the play off contenders this will be our style of football.
Best case scenario get prompted with half a dozen games to spare and we can play a tad more expansively.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

Th

This thread is just asking for a rant from Fallowfield!! Thanks for that Kozzy

You’re not wrong

But I’m not wrong I have been saying it for months

And now it’s becoming a majority that see we play boring uninspiring football that nicks 1-0 wins

 

[nopigfansintown]

That’s just all coddswallop and excuses for the manager

We have the best attacking options in the league and choose to play teams like rotheram at there game

We have played well under hecky mainly last season and at the start of the season but the last few months have been a hard watch

They're not excuse they're reasons. It's Hecky's choice not to play Jebbo, Sharp or Osula. It's also his responsibility to improve the overloads from LCB and to improve United's pressing regardless of personnel. The signings are also his responsibility. That's the opposite of excuses for the manager. Keep up.

 

[BettingBlade]

I dont think its all that different to last season tbh. The back end of last season, particularly away from home, we were devoid of any creativity whatsoever. It was our home form that got us in to the play-offs last season.

That away mentality has crept in across all our games this season, however, it seems we are far more formidable in terms of just doing enough to grind out results.

Comes down the old question of whether you view football as a results business or an entertainment business. As it stands, no one can argue with the results which for United as a club is all that really matters. If you go to matches to be entertained, you’re not getting much value for money at the Lane this season.

 

[BushBlade]

They're not excuse they're reasons. It's Hecky's choice not to play Jebbo, Sharp or Osula. It's also his responsibility to improve the overloads from LCB and to prove United's pressing. The signings are also his responsibility. That's the opposite of excuses for the manager. Keep up.

Just ignore him FFS. Don’t allow another thread to become a sea of shit.

 

[nopigfansintown]

Just ignore him FFS. Don’t allow another thread to become a sea of shit.

I'm just making sure nobody else was sucked in .

 

[Working Class Hero]

I like Hecky as a bloke, and his record as our manager is brilliant. He deserves the accolades if we get promoted.

However, I don't think it's contentious to say that his tactics, style of play and effective use of our creative players is lacking. He's inherited a very good squad and doesn't really get the best out of it performance wise. If he gets us promoted though, I couldn't care less.

 

[Brownieblade]

I don’t think we are much different than last year other than you had MGW and we simply haven’t replaced him

For a few years now we haven’t been the most creative of teams but we have always been hard to beat

But creative wise we are still very much a slower tempo try to create on the outside than through the middle

But this year we def missing a MGW and we now expect Berge to step up to fill that role

 

[Blade56]

the loss of MGW, but that side and shape (front 3 of MGW, N'Diaye and Berge) was borne out of necessity

The main issue with our attacking football is the midfield

I think Bogle could step up and do the MGW MF attacking role. Problem is with Angry George out who do we play at RWB.

 

[ATL Recs]

We are a solid team, very difficult to beat, show good discipline.Definitely lack flare and creativity particularly down left hand side.Yesterday Bogle had a poor game so we didn’t create down either flank.
With such a healthy gap between us and the play off contenders this will be our style of football.
Best case scenario get prompted with half a dozen games to spare and we can play a tad more expansively.

The last time we had a 10 point gap was also in February and that went well
The gap means nothing we are now into a period of tough games and playing the way we are I can see us getting picked off a few times and the panic button starts I can see us losing 3/4 of our next nine
We have been awful
away from home all season but have got some impressive results and recently some of that level of performance has been showing at home
It’s fine margins something we don’t have a history of coming out of well

 

[robbiez666]

I think Bogle could step up and do the MGW MF attacking role. Problem is with Angry George out who do we play at RWB.

I don't think Bogle has the physicality to play that role. MGW was good in the air and really strong. Lots of elements which might work, but I think you lose a lot of Ndiaye's game if he's leading the line.

 

[Trafford]

Ndiaye is going through a tough spell, trying to take too many on rather than laying the ball off to others, and it’s affecting the team. The softer playing surfaces aren’t helping but he’ll hopefully bag a goal soon and normal service will be resumed. In the meantime we need Berge to get back to his best but he unfortunately looks a yard off the pace at the moment.

 

[robbiez666]

I'd also add that team play us and play for a draw (or at least play not to lose). They are very wary against us and don't usually commit numbers. When teams do is when there's much more space and we create much more. As the season goes on, more teams will be having a go (because they either need the 3 points for play-offs/avoid relegation or have nothing to lose.

Worth noting that we are top for XG both home and away, so it could be the case we work harder to create big chances than having a pop. We also have the best defence and second best attack in the league when it comes to goals conceded/scored.

https://footystats.org/england/championship/xg

I'm pretty sure people were saying the same about Burnley and them not creating enough last year. Maybe this is the secret to getting promoted. Less shots, more good chances?

 

[Edinblade]

Many of the folk on here have have certainly lost the creativity to post positive threads.
This is just another bloody moan without any facts to back it up. 10 points clear of third, unbeaten for sometime, recognised as one of, if not the best teams in the league, yet still people bloody moan.
I’m not sure anything would make the negative moaners happy.

 

[SB_90]

yeah this is an issue i was thinking yesterday that last years play off team would probably beat us because they caused so many attacking problems

is it finish line itis. have they seen the pot of gold at the end of the rain & theyve become defensive through nature. but then yesterday v rotherham. i thought we created some good chances but couldnt finish. as we had anel 6yd header, Berge couldnt get out of his feet 12yds out. bogle's 2 or 3 shots over the crossbar

 

[JohnDenver]

Teams should play to their strengths. Ours is not about winning the midfield. And our results are unquestionable.

On the creativity front, I thought Berge played fairly well yesterday. But he never found himself in those outside right advanced positions in which he’s so dangerous. Without defensive cover on the opposite side of midfield, I think he’s asked to show caution.

Counterintuitively, I think if we played one up front and allowed Berger and McAtee to play higher, we’d flow much better. But solidity with Ndiaye’s match winning quality has seen us right so far.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

Midfield is the engine room of creativity and for me that’s where the problem lies.

Norwood single handedly provides all the incisive passes and provides the tackling steel to break up opponents play. When he has a slightly off day, creativity suffers hugely.

He needs help, far too often his midfield colleagues drift in and out of games.

 

[metalblade]

I wouldn't be looking much further than injuries and not being able to field a settled team. Starting at the back RND is a huge loss so too Anel after his bout of GF so our wide centre backs are getting forward a lot less. We have had problems at wing back all season especially on the left. Same in midfield only Norwood is a regular in that department all the rest have had spells out injured. Same up front start of the season you would have said we were oversubscribed but we can't seem to get more than three fit at any time, says it all when we are flogging a 37yr old into playing two games per week. To say how much Hecky has had to juggle the team selections we have done remarkably well I'd say.
The other factor is teams don't want a football match with us they mainly want to sit behind the ball and play for set pieces and breakaway's, noticeable that we seem to struggle more against the lower opposition and hoofball teams who bypass midfield and try to draw us into a long ball contest.