Lacking in guile?

[andertonarms]

Firstly, I’ll take that point today considering for long spells we were struggling to string 2 passes together.

However, that’s now 3 draws in 4 home, and I think we’re lacking a bit of guile, creativity, and ability to create things in small spaces to break teams down and turn those draws into wins.

Today we brought on ‘runners’ like Horgan and Mavididi but we didn’t look any closer to breaking them down. We did the same against Millwall. These types of subs may work better away from home, like a Hull last week, with more space to play/run in, but at home I don’t think it’s working.

IMHO we’re lacking a player who can make things happen in small spaces and play that clever pass through to break down sides with a lot of men behind the ball. Harrop’s the closest we’ve got to that but he can’t do it all alone, especially with Johnson playing quite deep.

Some of our guys once they got into the box didn’t know what to do. Robinson for example at the end, ran forwards, didn’t want to shoot, didn’t see a pass, ended up just doing a half-hearted, mindless flick.

It’s been a good start and I don’t think I’m overreacting, just think we need more guile and better ideas in the final third to break teams down at home when they’ve shut up shop.

First Half, Hugill got nothing from O’Shea and Browning. Second Half Maguire went CF and Hugill was more LW. The ball to Maguire’s feet with his back to goal changed things. And for a short period Hugill ran riot at LW. Hugill has some skill, quite funny to watch him skill the RB. The guile sometimes needs to come from the manager and today it did.

 

[Spavin Stardust]

I thought the second half we needed Gally off the bench with his ability to pick a killer pass and composure on the ball.

 

[marsbars]

I thought the second half we needed Gally off the bench with his ability to pick a killer pass and composure on the ball.

I can see what you’re saying but the way Neil sets us up there isn’t really a position for Gallagher is there?

 

[Kingy]

I can see what you’re saying but the way Neil sets us up there isn’t really a position for Gallagher is there?

IMO when you have a player as technically good as Paul Gallagher, there's always a position for him. #

AN actually mentioned that he'd been having to play Gally deeper due to a lack of bodies in CM, and also said "He'd be better a bit further up the pitch to use that dangerous right foot of his".

 

[sports rehab]

The funniest thing was seeing Neil, in disgust, spin round and circles his arms quickly for a sub - ANY Sub - when Hugill dribbled the ball out of play for a throw in running down the Left Wing.

For a moment it looked like Steve Cowell was coming on as he was nearest to the technical area.... Neil just wanted Hugill off QUICKLY...

 

[trucker white]

Firstly, I’ll take that point today considering for long spells we were struggling to string 2 passes together.

However, that’s now 3 draws in 4 home, and I think we’re lacking a bit of guile, creativity, and ability to create things in small spaces to break teams down and turn those draws into wins.

Today we brought on ‘runners’ like Horgan and Mavididi but we didn’t look any closer to breaking them down. We did the same against Millwall. These types of subs may work better away from home, like a Hull last week, with more space to play/run in, but at home I don’t think it’s working.

IMHO we’re lacking a player who can make things happen in small spaces and play that clever pass through to break down sides with a lot of men behind the ball. Harrop’s the closest we’ve got to that but he can’t do it all alone, especially with Johnson playing quite deep.
A
Some of our guys once they got into the box didn’t know what to do. Robinson for example at the end, ran forwards, didn’t want to shoot, didn’t see a pass, ended up just doing a half-hearted, mindless flick.

It’s been a good start and I don’t think I’m overreacting, just think we need more guile and better ideas in the final third to break teams down at home when they’ve shut up shop.

we need someone like garner , maguire is seen as a player to poach goals , but i wasn't that impressed sat , seems to lose interest & spends most of his time on the deck claiming a free kick

 

[IanBogie9]

Alex Neil has identified we have this problem, he discussed it in the latest PNE podcast.

 

[White123]

we need someone like garner , maguire is seen as a player to poach goals , but i wasn't that impressed sat , seems to lose interest & spends most of his time on the deck claiming a free kick

Didn't garner spend most of the time on the deck claiming free kicks too. Maguire didn't play well Saturday, but from what I have seen of him so far he is a class player.

 

[26-0]

we need someone like garner , maguire is seen as a player to poach goals , but i wasn't that impressed sat , seems to lose interest & spends most of his time on the deck claiming a free kick

Made me laugh reading that we need someone like Garner rather than a player who spends most of his time on the deck claiming a free kick. Really funny that.

I've been impressed with Maguire. Works hard, great touch, great running with the ball at defences and creating openings, terrific shot and lots more. He's a talented player. Allowed an odd off day?

 

[diggerb]

we need someone like garner , maguire is seen as a player to poach goals , but i wasn't that impressed sat , seems to lose interest & spends most of his time on the deck claiming a free kick

How many times have you seen Maguire ?
This is not a dig or I am a better fan than you type thing, merely interested, from the wording of your post which I may be misinterpreting, you make it sound like the first time. If it was the first, I can see where your coming from because by his standard so far I would say it was his worst performance. Overall I think he is a real asset and usually looks a big threat maybe the initial buzz that he experienced has just faded on realising its this standard every week, I think he will adapt and go on to be a fans favourite.

 

[pen white]

How many times have you seen Maguire ?
This is not a dig or I am a better fan than you type thing, merely interested, from the wording of your post which I may be misinterpreting, you make it sound like the first time. If it was the first, I can see where your coming from because by his standard so far I would say it was his worst performance. Overall I think he is a real asset and usually looks a big threat maybe the initial buzz that he experienced has just faded on realising its this standard every week, I think he will adapt and go on to be a fans favourite.

Totally agree with this it wasn't McGuire's best game for us but lets give some credit to the Sunderland defence.
I think he will continue to be one of the fans favourites and his game will improve as he adjusts to this level of football.

 

[trucker white]

How many times have you seen Maguire ?
This is not a dig or I am a better fan than you type thing, merely interested, from the wording of your post which I may be misinterpreting, you make it sound like the first time. If it was the first, I can see where your coming from because by his standard so far I would say it was his worst performance. Overall I think he is a real asset and usually looks a big threat maybe the initial buzz that he experienced has just faded on realising its this standard every week, I think he will adapt and go on to be a fans favourite.

go on every home match and about two thirds of the away ones , I get the point about garner always dropping to the deck to gain a free kick , probably not the best player to view in relation to Maguire I'll agree , just ain't been that impressed with Maguire , he's finding his feet in the championship so don't think we've seen the best yet

 

[diggerb]

go on every home match and about two thirds of the away ones , I get the point about garner always dropping to the deck to gain a free kick , probably not the best player to view in relation to Maguire I'll agree , just ain't been that impressed with Maguire , he's finding his feet in the championship so don't think we've seen the best yet

Just goes to show how opinions can differ, I have been really impressed with Maguire and if I am honest I didnt expect to be.
Maybe he has played better at home than away as I dont get to many away matches.

 

[Retfordpete]

The Sunderland game was Maguire's worst by a distance of those I have seen so far. I wouldn't judge him based on that - in every other game I've been very impressed and he has looked a real threat. He also hasn't had any time off for ages and hopefully will benefit from the international break (even if he is away with ROI, he probably won't get much game time).

 

[Minty pne]

Sometimes he’s too predictable when he’s going to turn his man. You can see it all the time, it’s not going to work in the championship.

 

[paolo poggi]

As North End's opponents gain respect for their talents, each opposition, at this level, develops tactics to thwart North End's potent weapons. As a result, clear cut chances on goal tend to be reduced.
This is always the case for promoted teams which North End will be in May.