Ryan Lowe

[MattPNE17]

For now, a 7/10 is quite fair in my opinion.

Lowe has proven for me that you can definitely play an aggressive system with 5 "defenders". The wingbacks get really high and hug the touchline, the wide centre halves almost go out to fullback, Whiteman plays in a quarterback-type role to collect the ball from the back 5 and DJ/Browne get the chance to push on alongside the two up front. The marked difference between McAvoy and Lowe is that when the ball is passed nowadays it is passed with pace. My point is that there's a purpose and a role for everyone going forwards, not just to passively sit in defensive shape and go to hit them on the break as we always did under McAvoy in exactly the same shape.

We are most threatening when the wide centre-halves drive forward with the ball, step into midfield to make an incisive pass or run and it sets us on our way to a chance. 3 times in the first half against QPR either Sepp or Hughes did this, and all 3 times we got at least to the edge of the QPR box.

On the flip-side, if we don't make that step up then it's high-octane, high-tempo and downright risky passing around the back that either gets us nowhere or actively give chances up to our opposition because the squad simply isn't capable of playing like that reliably.

Lowe has said somewhere that he won't be raiding Plymouth for their squad, but considering he needs specific types of player in almost every position because of how he wants us to play, the coming summer and how he continues to recruit will either make or break him. If we keep trying to play like this with the wrong type of player (Earl at LWB, for example) then it's already threatened to come back and bite us.

 

[simo]

Just to add to that, you could also argue some of the recent games under Lowe have been dead rubbers, whereas all games under Frankie meant something.

As far as we're concerned, I think only the QPR game has been largely meaningless to us but it will have meant something to them.

It'll be interesting to see how we go for the rest of the season, be good not to go into beach mode for once!

 

[Thracia]

For now, a 7/10 is quite fair in my opinion.

Lowe has proven for me that you can definitely play an aggressive system with 5 "defenders". The wingbacks get really high and hug the touchline, the wide centre halves almost go out to fullback, Whiteman plays in a quarterback-type role to collect the ball from the back 5 and DJ/Browne get the chance to push on alongside the two up front. The marked difference between McAvoy and Lowe is that when the ball is passed nowadays it is passed with pace. My point is that there's a purpose and a role for everyone going forwards, not just to passively sit in defensive shape and go to hit them on the break as we always did under McAvoy in exactly the same shape.

We are most threatening when the wide centre-halves drive forward with the ball, step into midfield to make an incisive pass or run and it sets us on our way to a chance. 3 times in the first half against QPR either Sepp or Hughes did this, and all 3 times we got at least to the edge of the QPR box.

On the flip-side, if we don't make that step up then it's high-octane, high-tempo and downright risky passing around the back that either gets us nowhere or actively give chances up to our opposition because the squad simply isn't capable of playing like that reliably.

Lowe has said somewhere that he won't be raiding Plymouth for their squad, but considering he needs specific types of player in almost every position because of how he wants us to play, the coming summer and how he continues to recruit will either make or break him. If we keep trying to play like this with the wrong type of player (Earl at LWB, for example) then it's already threatened to come back and bite us.

I agree that Lowe is an upgrade on Frankie, but I don't agree with this "passing with pace", "high-octane", "high-tempo" stuff.

Most of the time we are still slow and pedestrian - we only go "high-tempo" when we're counter-attacking, or we get Archer or Riis on the end of a through ball without playing it so late that they're offside. We don't pass instinctively as if we know the patterns we are playing, while our dribbling at speed out of midfield is shocking.

The spectacle of Hughes, Bauer, vdB and Iversen nervously tapping it between themselves against a competent press isn't high-octane, but I agree it can be downright risky, and that this squad isn't capable of playing that way. Similarly, none of our "wingbacks" play like proper wingbacks, which I think helps make our LCB/RCB look so dynamic when they decide to advance past our wingbacks anchored on halfway.

I think what you describe is more the theory of how Lowe would like his teams to play, rather than the reality of how this team actually plays - so I agree recruitment in the summer will be crucial.

 

[simo]

Most of the time we are still slow and pedestrian - we only go "high-tempo" when we're counter-attacking, or we get Archer or Riis on the end of a through ball without playing it so late that they're offside. We don't pass instinctively as if we know the patterns we are playing, while our dribbling at speed out of midfield is shocking.

Occasionally the mask slips and a hint of instinct sneaks out, eg last Tuesday's goal, but its proving very hard work to escape the over-programmed Neil era.

 

[Euxtonboy]

I agree that Lowe is an upgrade on Frankie, but I don't agree with this "passing with pace", "high-octane", "high-tempo" stuff.

Most of the time we are still slow and pedestrian - we only go "high-tempo" when we're counter-attacking, or we get Archer or Riis on the end of a through ball without playing it so late that they're offside. We don't pass instinctively as if we know the patterns we are playing, while our dribbling at speed out of midfield is shocking.

The spectacle of Hughes, Bauer, vdB and Iversen nervously tapping it between themselves against a competent press isn't high-octane, but I agree it can be downright risky, and that this squad isn't capable of playing that way. Similarly, none of our "wingbacks" play like proper wingbacks, which I think helps make our LCB/RCB look so dynamic when they decide to advance past our wingbacks anchored on halfway.

I think what you describe is more the theory of how Lowe would like his teams to play, rather than the reality of how this team actually plays - so I agree recruitment in the summer will be crucial.

Just as I see it too

 

[MattPNE17]

I agree that Lowe is an upgrade on Frankie, but I don't agree with this "passing with pace", "high-octane", "high-tempo" stuff.

Most of the time we are still slow and pedestrian - we only go "high-tempo" when we're counter-attacking, or we get Archer or Riis on the end of a through ball without playing it so late that they're offside. We don't pass instinctively as if we know the patterns we are playing, while our dribbling at speed out of midfield is shocking.

The spectacle of Hughes, Bauer, vdB and Iversen nervously tapping it between themselves against a competent press isn't high-octane, but I agree it can be downright risky, and that this squad isn't capable of playing that way. Similarly, none of our "wingbacks" play like proper wingbacks, which I think helps make our LCB/RCB look so dynamic when they decide to advance past our wingbacks anchored on halfway.

I think what you describe is more the theory of how Lowe would like his teams to play, rather than the reality of how this team actually plays - so I agree recruitment in the summer will be crucial.

The comment about it being high-octane wasn't actually a compliment to the style, more how on edge it seems which we agree on. It feels like we're always one poor pass away from disaster when we're building up from the back, especially when we are being pressed high as you say. I will stand by the fact the ball moves quicker than under McAvoy, whilst also conceding that this isn't saying much.

From what I can see in terms of who is out of contract or out of favour, we need at least three wingbacks assuming he is content to use Potts out there, two goalkeepers minimum, probably three as you can't trust Ripley, a new set of centre-half options, more depth in midfield than the trusted 3 that play there, and two strikers to replace loans/contracts expiring. The summer is huge.

 

[tcinders]

Against Derby and Luton I think that statement would be justified, we were awful.

Which coincided with Derby and Luton being very good on the day.

 

[PNECrag]

Here it is. Looks better than I remembered it.

Could still be playing.

 

[djwoody]

I agree that Lowe is an upgrade on Frankie, but I don't agree with this "passing with pace", "high-octane", "high-tempo" stuff.

Most of the time we are still slow and pedestrian - we only go "high-tempo" when we're counter-attacking, or we get Archer or Riis on the end of a through ball without playing it so late that they're offside. We don't pass instinctively as if we know the patterns we are playing, while our dribbling at speed out of midfield is shocking.

The spectacle of Hughes, Bauer, vdB and Iversen nervously tapping it between themselves against a competent press isn't high-octane, but I agree it can be downright risky, and that this squad isn't capable of playing that way. Similarly, none of our "wingbacks" play like proper wingbacks, which I think helps make our LCB/RCB look so dynamic when they decide to advance past our wingbacks anchored on halfway.

I think what you describe is more the theory of how Lowe would like his teams to play, rather than the reality of how this team actually plays - so I agree recruitment in the summer will be crucial.

Great assessment. This is why we desperately need upgrades (attack minded) in the wingback positions.

 

[Thracia]

The comment about it being high-octane wasn't actually a compliment to the style, more how on edge it seems which we agree on. It feels like we're always one poor pass away from disaster when we're building up from the back, especially when we are being pressed high as you say. I will stand by the fact the ball moves quicker than under McAvoy, whilst also conceding that this isn't saying much.

From what I can see in terms of who is out of contract or out of favour, we need at least three wingbacks assuming he is content to use Potts out there, two goalkeepers minimum, probably three as you can't trust Ripley, a new set of centre-half options, more depth in midfield than the trusted 3 that play there, and two strikers to replace loans/contracts expiring. The summer is huge.

Yeah, I think I'd describe our general play with the oxymoronic "slow-paced but rushed".

 

[SF]

League Games - 21
Won - 8
Drawn 9
Lost - 4
Points - 33
Goals - 22
Conceded - 20
Clean Sheets - 8

Probably finishing just outside the play-offs if that form was spread over a 46 game season.

Obviously the addition of Archer has helped, but it's not bad considering it's a squad he inherited that was/ is devoid of any attacking idea.

After being labelled a gobshite and a chancer by some a few weeks ago because of two bad results, i'd say it's a solid start with room for optimism.

 

[Liberation]

League Games - 21
Won - 8
Drawn 9
Lost - 4
Points - 33
Goals - 22
Conceded - 20
Clean Sheets - 8

Probably finishing just outside the play-offs if that form was spread over a 46 game season.

Obviously the addition of Archer has helped, but it's not bad considering it's a squad he inherited that was/ is devoid of any attacking idea.

After being labelled a gobshite and a chancer by some a few weeks ago because of two bad results, i'd say it's a solid start with room for optimism.

Fair comment but then remove the 3 loanees ( esp Iverson) from the equation and then he gets let down with no backing( as usual) then I don't think those stats will be repeated...... Sincerely hope I'm wrong and he gets backed to the hilt.

 

[SF]

Fair comment but then remove the 3 loanees ( esp Iverson) from the equation and then he gets let down with no backing( as usual) then I don't think those stats will be repeated...... Sincerely hope I'm wrong and he gets backed to the hilt.

I'd take a weaker keeper and defender and a decent replacement for Archer, as long as we get two capable wingbacks which this system heavily relies on.

 

[Liberation]

I'd take a weaker keeper and defender and a decent replacement for Archer, as long as we get two capable wingbacks which this system heavily relies on.

So would I but with our track record we are likely to get none of them...