Wigan analysis

[Bergen Blade]

Wigan lined up in a 4-5-1 like this:

Jaaskelainen

Daniels Morgan Pearce McCann

Morsy
Power - - - Perkins
McAleny - - - - - - - - - Wildschut

Grigg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharp Sammon

Baxter Hammond Basham Coutts
McEveley Collins Edgar Brayford
Long​

Against our 4-4-2.


I think they had a good balance in their team. Robust back four with the strong Morsy protecting them well just in front. Their more advanced central midfielders Power and Perkins were hard working and fit, although slightly reluctant to push forward too much, but then again, they didn't really have to. They competed well and were composed on the ball.

Their wide men were both quick and played like inside forwards, running inside on and off the ball with good pace and ball control. Wildschut's runs saw him win the first penalty and cause havoc before their second, which was scored by McAleny.

Wigan played it out from the back and on occasions showed that they were able to cut through our midfield if we weren't careful. That's why we're so careful. We have realised that we have to stay very compact to get away with playing two strikers and a midfield that lacks pace, tenacity and mobility. When we remain deep and compact we make it more difficult for them, and Adkins is right that Long didn't have many saves to make.

An occasion where Basham had enough of them passing it around in their own half and decided to go for the ball, but wasn't successful, resulting in them cutting through us:



This is why we're so deep and why we often look like an away side at the Lane. We're so vulnerable with that midfield and back four that we feel we have to prevent space between our midfield and defence and behind our defence.

I think our current tactics is something that can work with some success on a temporary basis. It probably relies on superior motivation, which I think was the case in the matches following the Shrewsbury shock. Being embarrassed and fired up I think Adkins and the players had enough and agreed on a plan which was going to get us out of trouble, turning to:

• bigger, stronger players
• experience
• aggression
• solidity
• set pieces

With Sharp in good goalscoring form our attacking limitations weren't as big a problem as one might have feared, but we seem to struggle more and more now, having only scored once, a penalty, in our last three games.

Our attacking play vs Wigan was again poor. Our passing moves often seem to consist of the player on the ball just looking for a teammate in less trouble than himself. Brayford's overlapping aside, movement off the ball is poor and there is very little pace and flair, very little penetration and we often end up chipping it upfield to Sharp and his partner, all of whom are struggling to find form.

When Clough was hired his first few line ups and tactics were also very defensive. In an attempt to "knock the losing habit out of the players" he thought it was necessary. But gradually he managed to find an approach and team selection that worked well defensively and offensively. We haven't seen the same type of development from Adkins as yet.

I think Adkins has been too stubborn when it comes to his preference of playing 4-4-2. He's tried variations of it though, vs Wigan as well. Before half time we switched to a diamond, but struggled immediately to cover up on each side. In the second half we tried moving Baxter up behind Sharp in a 4-4-1-1. Then we put Done on up front, had Adams behind him and Sharp before putting JCR on as a winger, leaving a two man midfield of Coutts and Hammond. We had our best period in the middle of the second half, but McEveley's finish wide was our best chance. When so many changes take place in one game it tends to become a bit messy and we didn't create a lot at the end.






Quick GoalWatch:

The first goal happened after a poor touch by Brayford saw us lose possession in our own half. Basham panicked and made a sliding tackle which looked needless because we had more players back.

The latter goal was a bit similar to the one we conceded vs Swindon, collectively failing to move sideways quickly enough. Before that Brayford had taken a throw in with Baxter returning the ball to him with too much force, resulting in another touch that was intercepted.

​

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Wigan lined up in a 4-5-1 like this:

Jaaskelainen

Daniels Morgan Pearce McCann

Morsy
Power - - - Perkins
McAleny - - - - - - - - - Wildschut

Grigg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharp Sammon

Baxter Hammond Basham Coutts
McEveley Collins Edgar Brayford
Long​

Against our 4-4-2.


I think they had a good balance in their team. Robust back four with the strong Morsy protecting them well just in front. Their more advanced central midfielders Power and Perkins were hard working and fit, although slightly reluctant to push forward too much, but then again, they didn't really have to. They competed well and were composed on the ball.

Their wide men were both quick and played like inside forwards, running inside on and off the ball with good pace and ball control. Wildschut's runs saw him win the first penalty and cause havoc before their second, which was scored by McAleny.

Wigan played it out from the back and on occasions showed that they were able to cut through our midfield if we weren't careful. That's why we're so careful. We have realised that we have to stay very compact to get away with playing two strikers and a midfield that lacks pace, tenacity and mobility. When we remain deep and compact we make it more difficult for them, and Adkins is right that Long didn't have many saves to make.

An occasion where Basham had enough of them passing it around in their own half and decided to go for the ball, but wasn't successful, resulting in them cutting through us:



This is why we're so deep and why we often look like an away side at the Lane. We're so vulnerable with that midfield and back four that we feel we have to prevent space between our midfield and defence and behind our defence.

I think our current tactics is something that can work with some success on a temporary basis. It probably relies on superior motivation, which I think was the case in the matches following the Shrewsbury shock. Being embarrassed and fired up I think Adkins and the players had enough and agreed on a plan which was going to get us out of trouble, turning to:

• bigger, stronger players
• experience
• aggression
• solidity
• set pieces

With Sharp in good goalscoring form our attacking limitations weren't as big a problem as one might have feared, but we seem to struggle more and more now, having only scored once, a penalty, in our last three games.

Our attacking play vs Wigan was again poor. Our passing moves often seem to consist of the player on the ball just looking for a teammate in less trouble than himself. Brayford's overlapping aside, movement off the ball is poor and there is very little pace and flair, very little penetration and we often end up chipping it upfield to Sharp and his partner, all of whom are struggling to find form.

When Clough was hired his first few line ups and tactics were also very defensive. In an attempt to "knock the losing habit out of the players" he thought it was necessary. But gradually he managed to find an approach and team selection that worked well defensively and offensively. We haven't seen the same type of development from Adkins as yet.

I think Adkins has been too stubborn when it comes to his preference of playing 4-4-2. He's tried variations of it though, vs Wigan as well. Before half time we switched to a diamond, but struggled immediately to cover up on each side. In the second half we tried moving Baxter up behind Sharp in a 4-4-1-1. Then we put Done on up front, had Adams behind him and Sharp before putting JCR on as a winger, leaving a two man midfield of Coutts and Hammond. We had our best period in the middle of the second half, but McEveley's finish wide was our best chance. When so many changes take place in one game it tends to become a bit messy and we didn't create a lot at the end.






Quick GoalWatch:

The first goal happened after a poor touch by Brayford saw us lose possession in our own half. Basham panicked and made a sliding tackle which looked needless because we had more players back.

The latter goal was a bit similar to the one we conceded vs Swindon, collectively failing to move sideways quickly enough. Before that Brayford had taken a throw in with Baxter returning the ball to him with too much force, resulting in another touch that was intercepted.

​

Great analysis. Thanks.

 

[Booker4]

Some great points that I mostly agree with. We do have to be very compact because when we don't put two banks of four behind the ball, teams just cut through the middle. I thought in the first half that we looked solid and that if we did have some attacking quality on one of the wings or a better version of Sammon that we would have caused problems yesterday for Wigan. We moan about the defence at times, but one of the main problems is that there is so much pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets because we can' break teams down.

Re Clough, lets remember he inherited a team of Maguire, Murphy and Coady. I think that its fair to say that Clough inherited a far better team than the one Adkins did. Clough (like Adkins with Murphy) did have his better players sold, and like Adkins, he struggled to replace the ones he'd lost with players of equal ability. What we don't do as a club or manager is sign a younger replacement when we do sell someone and then let them develop into a decent player, like what Peterboro do. We've too often sold our best player and replaced him with a journeyman who has failed at his present club or who has seen better days - like Woolford. Hopefully that will change this summer.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The back your has been deep at home all season. When we chase the game or look for a goal later in the game the midfield pushes up more and team after team exploits the gap and the lack of pace through the middle. Game after game and Adkins either hasn't noticed it or is unable to get the players to stop it.

 

[Roygbiv]

Good if depressing read Bergen. Really enjoy these posts. I think the tactic we played earlier in the season of a sort of 4-3-3/4-5-1, whilst not always successful, was our best way forward with these players. That said I sadly don't think there is a tactician or manager anywhere in the world that could get these players to do what we want them to do. I get what Adkins tried and succeeded in doing by making us solid if predictable but as you say you cant play like that all season. This is how relegation threatened sides play as they don't have the talent to take the game to whoever they are playing. We do have the odd spark such as Adams or JCR that can on their day cause defenses at this level trouble but problem is they are both inconsistent and both neglect defensive duties that leave a slow, clumsy ponderous midfield to protect a slow, clumsy defence.

The clear is out is clearly needed but I fear too many will be kept on due to a lack of support at board level to better the players already here. Next season will decide whether we are planning on trying to turn the club around or whether we have accepted where and what we now are. Words will be taken with a pinch of salt but I just hope the people who can save our club are fully aware just how important next season's recruitment is. It has to be planned out like no other pre-season before it because it will define the entire future of the club.

As with many I worry that there isn't a footballing brain between the board room. I just hope beyond hope they prove us all wrong . It's not about throwing money at it. It's about having a genuine plan and policy. Whether we sign Hammond or not will probably be an indication of where we are going as a club. Unfortunately I see him leading the team out as captain next season

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

An occasion where Basham had enough of them passing it around in their own half and decided to go for the ball, but wasn't successful, resulting in them cutting through us:



This is why we're so deep and why we often look like an away side at the Lane. We're so vulnerable with that midfield and back four that we feel we have to prevent space between our midfield and defence and behind our defence.

Two points:

1. I'm not entirely sure Bash had had enough. Aren't the players under instruction to look for an opportunity to pinch the ball? It's a judgement call: he wins it we break - he doesn't and they play through us. All part of decision making which is such a big part of the modern game. Occasionally we will sit and watch like we're not that interested...and then all of a sudden attempt to pounce. (Thinking about it this is almost literally the cat and mouse referred to in the interview.)
2. a) How do you record (and change the speed of) sections of the game b) Have you ever heard of Benny Hill?

 

[Snowman]

Two points:

1. I'm not entirely sure Bash had had enough. Aren't the players under instruction to look for an opportunity to pinch the ball? It's a judgement call: he wins it we break - he doesn't and they play through us. All part of decision making which is such a big part of the modern game. Occasionally we will sit and watch like we're not that interested...and then all of a sudden attempt to pounce. (Thinking about it this is almost literally the cat and mouse referred to in the interview.)
2. a) How do you record (and change the speed of) sections of the game b) Have you ever heard of Benny Hill?

?????????????????????????? and?

 

[UnitedBlade]

The temporary fix after Shrewsbury isn't now working. The chances of winning 11 of the next 17 is about 0% so he does need to think about rebuilding.

I personally feel throwing some money at it is needed. Our pursuit and failure to land targets is now a big part of the problem.

The very worst thing to do is to lose slowly. I'm not talking about games I'm talking about discarding and replacing players. Obviously we need better players but we also need decisiveness.

We have no ideas of their plans,targets and budgets. Who has confidence they'll get it right this time ?

 

[Bergen Blade]

Two points:

1. I'm not entirely sure Bash had had enough. Aren't the players under instruction to look for an opportunity to pinch the ball? It's a judgement call: he wins it we break - he doesn't and they play through us. All part of decision making which is such a big part of the modern game. Occasionally we will sit and watch like we're not that interested...and then all of a sudden attempt to pounce. (Thinking about it this is almost literally the cat and mouse referred to in the interview.)
2. a) How do you record (and change the speed of) sections of the game b) Have you ever heard of Benny Hill?

A team like Wigan wants us to come higher to chase after them, because this will give them space to play and run into in our half. I think the sideways and backwards passing that some may think is a waste of time take place in order to...

• tire our strikers (who often work quite hard at chasing, getting behind the ball, defending from the front)
• frustrate us in general
• tempt a midfielder to come out and leave a gap behind him for them to exploit

You are right with the judgement call and that's what makes it difficult for Basham. He likes pressing and getting a tackle in, but if he's unsuccessful we need the rest of the midfield to compensate. As it happened Wigan wore out our strikers, then tempted Basham out. Morsy managed to sidestep him AND pass it forward. As Coutts and Baxter didn't really do much to compensate (this is a joint weakness for them), we effectively have only Hammond back to deal with this attack and he was bypassed as well:



For me this is a weakness with our current team. Our players have to be very disciplined and patient and careful not to over-commit ourselves, and this often makes us drop deeper to minimise space in our own half.

In the games following the Shrewsbury defeat we looked so determined and motivated that we maintained good intensity in our defensive work, i.e looking aggressive and eager to win the ball, but that effect is now waning. This means that we rarely win the ball in good areas to set ourselves up for breaks. Have you noticed we've only been offside twice in our last three games? We rarely try to get in behind defences and opposition teams always seem to get players behind the ball.

I think it would have been easier to maintain aggression and an aim of winning the ball in midfield with a trio in central midfield, and better runners. Basham would then have more licence to chase after the ball and put tackles in, knowing there would be an extra player in midfield covering for him. Adkins seems determined to try and make it work with 4-4-2 though.



Yes, I've seen a bit of Benny Hill! I film the clips with my mobile, then use Windows Movie Maker to edit. Not very high tech, but it makes it easier for me to explain things!

 

[Wards]

We probably should play three in midfield, but a three that has more energy, agility and creativity.

I'd love us to try a midfield of Hammond (holding, and not doing much else) with two of Scougall, Coutts, Baxter and Cuvelier in front of him. Get JCR out wide and either Flynn/Adams on the other side with Sharpy up top.

It's time to ditch this negative approach as it's painfully obvious it's not going to see us into the top 6. Might as well just have a right good go at it now.

 

[sitwell]

The back your has been deep at home all season. When we chase the game or look for a goal later in the game the midfield pushes up more and team after team exploits the gap and the lack of pace through the middle. Game after game and Adkins either hasn't noticed it or is unable to get the players to stop it.

I think some of this is due to our keeper not being vocal or strong enough to move the defence out ,George is playing well but I think this is one point of his game he will struggle to improve. I liked him getting in the face of Grigg before the pen but compare him to Jaaskalainen ,he doesn't have that presence which comes with age and experience.

 

[TonyAgana]

Excellent as always, Bergen.

It appears to me that we've sacrificed every ounce of pace because the players that possess it do not offer the same defensive cover as their unfortunately leaden-legged counterparts. There's only one long-term outcome in that situation, and we're witnessing it now.

We need at least one outlet, whether it be out wide or a quick carrier. For all their failings, JCR and Scougall (possibly Flynn) are our only players that bring this. Adams played a handful of incisive forward balls and that was indeed refreshing but we can't seem to accommodate more than one attack-minded midfielder without it costing us. That's not their failing, by the way, but our frail deep-mid / defence.

One more point; our captain. I was ready to rip my seat out and throw it at him after conceding our second. He looked like he was about to fucking cry. He ain't no Morgan, and we know how valuable he was, but even Doyle was light-years ahead of McEveley in terms of rallying.

 

[Dnblade]

Sometimes I think Bash would fit better into a Benny Hill sketch than a Football match...What was he thinking with that needless penalty challenge with 3 or 4 United players around the player...It seemed it was just a frustrated brainless challenge after he'd just missed a decent chance on the far post from a Coutts cross...certainly should have made more of it..moments later he then plays a simple pass to Brayford into touch to give away the throw in before he gives away the penalty with a frustrated lunge...I can see why he's in the side,as he can get box to box,he's mobile and has great energy,but often he is a bit headless chicken,and doesn't do much on the ball,often loses possession,and doesn't carry much of a goal threat...surely we can find an improvement with a box to box loan player who can not only pass and run with the ball,but can chip in with goals.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Great analysis. Thanks.

Bergen as always put it in simple language (great analysis ) where we get it wrong.Adkins decided after the shrews debicle to
Change to a more defensive approach because the squad is not capable of playing expansive football (did it take Adkins too long to come to this conclusion ).Clough put that team together to play a certain way 4 5 1==4 3 3 he was in the process in my opinion of completing his team
building around this way of playing he was just short of 2 or 3 players and was looking to make this season be a promotion winning one.The club obviously had valid reasons for sacking him (guesswork what they were) and he was gone.
We employ Adkins who is a 4 4 2 beleave but finds the squad cant play effectively that way,I think he felt the players could adapt and it took him till the shrews debacle to realise he was flogging a dead horse and play a more defensive 4 4 2. He probably should have changed it earlier (read the signs).,but we are where we are!!.To have a last shot at the play offs this season he has to bring in a few players with pace to hit on the break because teams are feeling more and more confident of pushing us back and playing in our half,nothing wrong with dragging teams forward but our counter attacking at times is very poor.Pace to break out is vital we don't have it anywhere so teams are very confident
of getting something at the lane ,6 defeats proves this and our home record over the last few years suggests it's a problem that previouse managers have failed to remedy ,I hope Adkins doasnt join them,.I do think the play offs are still acheave be given a few recruits,over too you Mr Adkins..

 

[Sean Thornton]

Harder to beat in theory but teams are always willing to attack us for the full ninety minutes. They don't seem to see it that way.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

Some great points that I mostly agree with. We do have to be very compact because when we don't put two banks of four behind the ball, teams just cut through the middle. I thought in the first half that we looked solid and that if we did have some attacking quality on one of the wings or a better version of Sammon that we would have caused problems yesterday for Wigan. We moan about the defence at times, but one of the main problems is that there is so much pressure on the defence to keep clean sheets because we can' break teams down.

Re Clough, lets remember he inherited a team of Maguire, Murphy and Coady. I think that its fair to say that Clough inherited a far better team than the one Adkins did. Clough (like Adkins with Murphy) did have his better players sold, and like Adkins, he struggled to replace the ones he'd lost with players of equal ability. What we don't do as a club or manager is sign a younger replacement when we do sell someone and then let them develop into a decent player, like what Peterboro do. We've too often sold our best player and replaced him with a journeyman who has failed at his present club or who has seen better days - like Woolford. Hopefully that will change this summer.

___________Long
McMahon Maguire Collins Lappin
Flynn Coady Doyle McGinn Brandy
__________Taylor

Subs:- Howard, Westlake, McGinty, Cuvelier, Murphy, King, Miller

This is the team that Clough inherited and I don't agree that it's a far better team than the one Adkins did.
A hell of a lot of deadwood to move out which he did pretty quickly (McMahon, Lappin, Brandy, Taylor, King etc) which allowed him to sign Brayford, Harris and Scougall.
He didn't add 5 players to the squad, bring discarded players back into the fold, take 6 months to assess all the others, then moan about how big the squad was.

 

[BushBlade]

Bergen as always put it in simple language (great analysis ) where we get it wrong.Adkins decided after the shrews debicle to
Change to a more defensive approach because the squad is not capable of playing expansive football (did it take Adkins too long to come to this conclusion ).Clough put that team together to play a certain way 4 5 1==4 3 3 he was in the process in my opinion of completing his team
building around this way of playing he was just short of 2 or 3 players and was looking to make this season be a promotion winning one.The club obviously had valid reasons for sacking him (guesswork what they were) and he was gone.
We employ Adkins who is a 4 4 2 beleave but finds the squad cant play effectively that way,I think he felt the players could adapt and it took him till the shrews debacle to realise he was flogging a dead horse and play a more defensive 4 4 2. He probably should have changed it earlier (read the signs).,but we are where we are!!.To have a last shot at the play offs this season he has to bring in a few players with pace to hit on the break because teams are feeling more and more confident of pushing us back and playing in our half,nothing wrong with dragging teams forward but our counter attacking at times is very poor.Pace to break out is vital we don't have it anywhere so teams are very confident
of getting something at the lane ,6 defeats proves this and our home record over the last few years suggests it's a problem that previouse managers have failed to remedy ,I hope Adkins doasnt join them,.I do think the play offs are still acheave be given a few recruits,over too you Mr Adkins..

The problem is that Billy can't play as a loan striker in the type of 451 we're capable of playing. By signing Billy, Adkins committed to 442. It was his biggest error of judgement, no doubt partly based on a wholly inaccurate summary of our players given to him when he arrived.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Same errors game after game after game and nothing seems to be done. Do we have a coaching staff ?.

 

[madeinsheffield]

Sammon and Baxter look as flat footed on the still as I remember them playing, anticipation just isn't there, the Wigan player there wants the ball, Sammon unaware.

I'd rather have eager U21's in than someone who's not putting the effort in when they're getting paid numerours thousands of pounds every week

 

[Blade56]

Bergen Blade dont know what formation we are supposed to be playing but we never appear to have.......

1. Midfielders between our defence and the front players. They 4-4 is always to compacted into our last 1/3 leaving all the midfield to them with our 2 one up the middle and one wide with defenders between.

2. Players running through from behind the man with the ball. We always have to hold it while people gradually move up or play it back. Both these actions give the opposition time to get men back and get in position.

Think this fits in with your observation that we pack the rear to protect the defenders. Pisses me off every game.

 

[Booker4]

___________Long
McMahon Maguire Collins Lappin
Flynn Coady Doyle McGinn Brandy
__________Taylor

Subs:- Howard, Westlake, McGinty, Cuvelier, Murphy, King, Miller

This is the team that Clough inherited and I don't agree that it's a far better team than the one Adkins did.
A hell of a lot of deadwood to move out which he did pretty quickly (McMahon, Lappin, Brandy, Taylor, King etc) which allowed him to sign Brayford, Harris and Scougall.
He didn't add 5 players to the squad, bring discarded players back into the fold, take 6 months to assess all the others, then moan about how big the squad was.

We've still got Harris and Scougall and I think both are reasonable but not good enough to form a team of to get promotions like all of the team that Adkins inherited. Ok lets change it from Clough inherited a squad (as opposed to team) better than Adkins if you're going to play silly buggers, since the team you've mentioned was selected by Morgan! Clough had Maguire, Coady and Murphy all at his disposal. Lappin was on loan so he was able to get rid of. He got the backing of the board to pay off King - at great cost. He then added a plethora of average players which we've still got or he gave new contracts to from the squad he inherited. So you can say that Howard, Freeman, Harris, Done, Scougall, McEveley, JCR, Wallace, Flynn, Coutts, Basham, McNulty, McGahey, Adams Brayford and Kieran Wallace all came or stayed under Clough and out of those only about 3 are likely to be start in next seasons starting 11 I would guess for next season. Coutts, Basham and Brayford are the best probably likely to play a big role next season. There's some decent players in the list but ultimately you can find equal players at every club in the top 10, of which many have better.

Yes Adkins has added Sammon, Woolford and Hammond who are all poor but I think Edgar is ok and Sharp is quality. I still think that Clough inherited a far better squad than what he left Adkins with, although obviously I don't blame Clough for the sales. Put it this way. Last season we finished 5th and had Murphy. If you ask me I think if Murphy was still here we'd be in the top 6 right now, very similar to where we were last season. Adkins has to wait a season before he can get rid of the dead wood most of which is Clough's dead wood and there's a lot of it.