Match Thread Sunderland - Coventry City Match Thread - Tuesday 13th May (104 Viewers)

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steve101

Well-Known Member
SkyblueTexan said:
To beat the low block and destabilise the opposing defence, you need to:
1) Raise the tempo and play quick 1 or 2 touch passes in triangles around opposing players or play direct forward passes to exploit half spaces behind opposing players
2) Players must move quickly forward or sideways (to create an overload on one side) to pin opposing players back and/or draw opposing players to one side to free up space on the other side to be exploited
3) Effectively press the opponents into making errors

The key word is "quick" as highlighted above. If you watch Leeds this season, they implement this strategy very effectively. The problem is we are too ponderous and just keep moving sideways and backwards without any forward thrust. Our press is poor and easily bypassed with minimal fuss. There were moments yesterday where I could clearly see half spaces where Rudoni had taken up position and was signaling for the ball to be played to his feet, but we didn't risk it.

We cannot afford to dawdle on the ball and let them sit back and set up. We need to move quickly and show some urgency. All players must be in constant motion, know how to take up positions, know where to be for passes, know how to win back the ball and/or recycle the play if we are thwarted in our initial forays.
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For these reasons I would bring Allen in to replace Sheaf
 
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steve101

Well-Known Member
Their two strikers stepped up on Friday. We need ours to do likewise. I think we also need to take more shots from outside the box, rather than always looking to get the ball wide.
 
Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Sky_Blue_Dreamer

Well-Known Member
If I were Sunderland boss you'd have to be thinking of just playing the same tactics again. They have a lead so can afford to and we've shown all season we struggle to beat it.

But at the same time because they're at home the fans are likely to get restless at them seemingly inviting pressure all game even though it would seem a sensible thing to do and that could make them be a bit more attacking and open.

With the players we have it's difficult to factor in that flexibility to switch tactics depending on which they go for. If they sit deep I'd definitely play the two strikers, but if we do that then Sakamoto is likely to be ineffective as we'd play a narrower formation. We also need Grimes higher up the pitch if they sit in. It's useless him looking good where the opposition aren't being affected in the slightest. Either way we have to be more urgent and be looking to play the ball in or shoot earlier.

I fear FL doesn't have that flexibility though and we'll line up in the usual 4-3-3 regardless.
 
shepardo01

shepardo01

Well-Known Member
Gleneagles65 said:
Will they sit back or try to finish off. I’d give us a 25% chance of going through to the final.
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Think their game plan will be the same.
They don't need to win.
They know we'll give up chances.
We weren't good enough to break them down at home despite everyone saying how they weren't even that good
Not sure how we'll do it away.

2-0 Sunderland
 
Flying Fokker

Flying Fokker

Well-Known Member
Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
If I were Sunderland boss you'd have to be thinking of just playing the same tactics again. They have a lead so can afford to and we've shown all season we struggle to beat it.

But at the same time because they're at home the fans are likely to get restless at them seemingly inviting pressure all game even though it would seem a sensible thing to do and that could make them be a bit more attacking and open.

With the players we have it's difficult to factor in that flexibility to switch tactics depending on which they go for. If they sit deep I'd definitely play the two strikers, but if we do that then Sakamoto is likely to be ineffective as we'd play a narrower formation. We also need Grimes higher up the pitch if they sit in. It's useless him looking good where the opposition aren't being affected in the slightest. Either way we have to be more urgent and be looking to play the ball in or shoot earlier.

I fear FL doesn't have that flexibility though and we'll line up in the usual 4-3-3 regardless.
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Haven’t were switched tactics on more than one occasion this season? FL played a blinder through taking Simms of and putting Paterson on.
 
T

The Big G

New Member
Lots of people saying we need to go for it, we are only 1-0 down, I'd just play similar to last night tbh, I'm not sure they will play low block at home, we just need to stay in the game and obviously defend a lot better or they will just pick us off its definitely not beyond us to win by 1 or even 2 but our recent away form is an issue. I'd play Simms for Asante . Maybe Allen for Sheaf but do t think Frank will do that.
 
clint van damme

clint van damme

Well-Known Member
Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
If I were Sunderland boss you'd have to be thinking of just playing the same tactics again. They have a lead so can afford to and we've shown all season we struggle to beat it.

But at the same time because they're at home the fans are likely to get restless at them seemingly inviting pressure all game even though it would seem a sensible thing to do and that could make them be a bit more attacking and open.

With the players we have it's difficult to factor in that flexibility to switch tactics depending on which they go for. If they sit deep I'd definitely play the two strikers, but if we do that then Sakamoto is likely to be ineffective as we'd play a narrower formation. We also need Grimes higher up the pitch if they sit in. It's useless him looking good where the opposition aren't being affected in the slightest. Either way we have to be more urgent and be looking to play the ball in or shoot earlier.

I fear FL doesn't have that flexibility though and we'll line up in the usual 4-3-3 regardless.
Click to expand...

Since reverting to a back 4 we've played 6 away games and took 4 points.
We're 20th in the last 6 away form table.
We've heavily dominated possession in 4 of those games, had the majority of possession against Sheffield U and obviously had our backs to the wall v Luton due to the red card. It isnt working on our travels.
If we play the same tactics on Tuesday I fear the outcome will be the same.

You may be right that Lampard has little room for flexibility with the current squad and he's certainly not been helped by the performances of the strikers. But we had more success away with 3 at the back and definitely think we should consider some variation of it for Tuesday, or at least be prepared to switch to it depending on how they're set up.
 
SkyBlue_Bear83

SkyBlue_Bear83

Well-Known Member
Woud be a brave decision but would consider having Sheaf on the bench and playing one of Allen or Eccles.

Sheaf either wants to play in the same place as Grimes or he's trying to play a little further ahead like Torp was but isn't very good at that aspect of the game
 
Q

quinn1971

Well-Known Member
The Big G said:
Lots of people saying we need to go for it, we are only 1-0 down, I'd just play similar to last night tbh, I'm not sure they will play low block at home, we just need to stay in the game and obviously defend a lot better or they will just pick us off its definitely not beyond us to win by 1 or even 2 but our recent away form is an issue. I'd play Simms for Asante . Maybe Allen for Sheaf but do t think Frank will do that.
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I reckon EMC starts and we put wright down the middle, get him running at them, he’s wasted out on the left, bet the Sunderland centre halves were loving it when they saw they were up against Asante
 
JAM See

JAM See

Well-Known Member
quinn1971 said:
Why did we change the team that beat Mboro ? I know they came here having to win, but we looked good There was no advantage to dropping simms and starting BTA ?
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You might as well ask...

"Why did we move the centre forward who scored a hat trick against Sunderland to left wing"?

I've no idea. But I'm not a professional football manager.
 
G

Gleneagles65

Well-Known Member
shepardo01 said:
Think their game plan will be the same.
They don't need to win.
They know we'll give up chances.
We weren't good enough to break them down at home despite everyone saying how they weren't even that good
Not sure how we'll do it away.

2-0 Sunderland
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First goal on Tuesday keeps the tie alive or kills it. No one knows what’s coming.
 
Q

quinn1971

Well-Known Member
JAM See said:
You might as well ask...

"Why did we move the centre forward who scored a hat trick against Sunderland to left wing"?

I've no idea. But I'm not a professional football manager.
Click to expand...
I honestly thought we’d brought Asante in to play on the left, he set up the 2nd goal against Mboro from there, our plan was to get wide and get crosses in or try and nick one from a corner, at least simms gives you something to worry about, had to win that first leg, wrong team,
 
Mucca Mad Boys

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
shepardo01 said:
We couldn't break them down at home playing the way they did.
What makes you think we can do at their place!?
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We came close a few times where a kind bounce of the ball leads to a material chance.

It’s a new game, we’ve put 6 goals past this Sunderland defence this year and confident we can put more past them on Tuesday.
 
SkyblueTexan

SkyblueTexan

Well-Known Member
SkyBlue_Bear83 said:
Woud be a brave decision but would consider having Sheaf on the bench and playing one of Allen or Eccles.

Sheaf either wants to play in the same place as Grimes or he's trying to play a little further ahead like Torp was but isn't very good at that aspect of the game
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Exactly this. Allen's bicycle kick was closer to the target than Sheaf's easy chance in the first half which he skied miles wide. Sheaf's shooting is so poor and he dawdles on the ball, commits silly fouls, gives away possession and operates so close to Grimes and others and gets in their way sometimes. For someone who's a midfielder I am surprised Sheaf has not improved at all under Lampard unlike Torp and Rudoni.
 
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