So, what you're saying is if we swapped our complete team for Swansea then they would play poorly because they would be managed by AT?
This is just wrong. The best move Saturday, leading to a goal, started with lots of short passing in our own half. Lots of fans stupidly started booing, shouting things like "get it forwards!". They couldn't see that we were doing the correct thing, moving opposition players out of position.
If you didn't see the analysis on how Swansea play (MOTD2 I think?), it is strongly advised. Sure we don't have anything like the same quality, but the same principles apply. Pass after pass after pass in their own half, all of which would have been jeered at The Ricoh, whereas they were cheered by Swansea fans who understand the style of play.
In a similar position near the end, Deegan tried to play a direct, forwards "Hollywood" pass: it was intercepted, and Ipswich scored.
Long ball does not equal results. It's a recurring theme on here that if only we hoofed it, we'd soon be climbing the table. Boothroyd showed that is not the case-it's totally one-dimensional and easily "worked out".
Thorn has adjusted his tactics from the Swansea model to slightly more direct-we started "mixing it up" a bit as we were too short-passing at times. It has led to slightly better results, but ultimately, it isn't the tactics that win: it's footballers. Ours just aren't good enough, and there aren't enough of them, compared to our peers. Tactics can give you an edge when sides are even, but when you are miles behind in terms of quality and depth, it won't see you win enough. I'm with Brian Clough on this one!
Thing is, Nick. When the opposition is on top and looking for an equaliser / winner and we go on the back foot, our passing game goes all to pot. As you say, that is the time to play possession football, when you are trying to see a game out and waste time.
Rotherham were a team with a very low budget but survived for 2 seasons in the division. So yes in can be done.
Broghton or Brizzle????
Beat me to it, Wingy! Short memories, some.
we defend far too deep, which gives us less space to play in, which puts pressure on our passing game at a time when legs and minds are tiredest. Trouble is we set up to play in our half then break forward, basically surrendering a huge chunk of the pitch to the opposition. Saw Swansea being mentioned, well their passing game is based 10m either side of the halfway we are based 20m + behind halfway from the kickoff - they are on the front foot pressuring the play we are on the back foot drawing teams on to us. It all means we allow teams to settle, conserve energy, get organised - which makes it harder for our lads, wastes energy, creates desperate defending and makes it far harder to get in on goal because even with the small amount of pace we have other teams can set up to deal with it. We dont have to set up to play in our own half even with the squad we have but we choose to. We dont pressure and compact the other team but allow them to do that to us. Or am i watching a different game to everyone else ?
I assume that the players do not choose the formation or choose to play so deep. I assume they follow instructions. AT's. It may well be his best but it aint working and that is not just down to squad size or quality
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