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What's wrong tactically?

What's wrong tactically?

H

Hetfield

Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Messages
179
I thought a good exercise would be to play manager for a min. And say in a sentence what you think the main issue is ON THE PITCH at the moment . We know this squad can produce results . So what needs to change ? I'll start:

Need to play more down the middle . We put dozens of crosses into to strikers that want it on the floor.
 
It really isn’t that simple. The opposition block off the middle of the pitch for a reason.

Last night, the issue was just not defending our box. I think we’ve been shaky defending set pieces for a while, so we ought to start there really.
 
Every game is different because of the opposition.

Personally I'd say that yesterday we selected a very slow defence, which left us super vulnerable on the counter attack, which is how Oxford were very happy to play.

Watching Hughes ineffectively chase their lad back the entire length of the pitch after our shambolic free kick routine was pretty embarrassing.

Feels like if you're going to play 4-2-3-1, with the wide attackers cutting in onto their stronger foot, then you want fullbacks with some pace who can overlap and keep the defence stretched.
 
Insufficient focus on (or effectiveness in implementing) creative set piece routines.

Insufficient work done (or effectiveness in implementing) alternative playing styles or patterns of play.

Insufficient interest in (or knowledge of) how to flex in shape and structure, especially mid-game.

Insufficient interest in (or knowledge of) how to build a team around the strengths of the players who are most likely to have top Championship or Premier League potential.

Insufficient interest in (or acceptance of) performance data which shows we have been in the bottom five of the division against all the metrics that matter for the entirety of his tenure.

Inability (or unwillingness) to control behaviour and discipline on the touchline, including behaviour which consistently costs us points (i.e. wasting time through pretend injuries leading the more time added on and the inevitable last minute goals conceded).

Inconsistency in performance standards demanded of different players, leading to the continuous selection of some poor performers and complete ousting from the squad of others, with likely failure to command respect of those players who feel mistreated.
 
2 things, well 3 now in light of recent performances.
No link up between the holding midfielders an the attacking midfielders ( Offiah sometimes tries from a defensive position)
Probably the main reason why we can't get a foothold in games.

Hecky wants crosses coming in.
Seriously, who have we got that looks strong in the air going forward? Lang maybe but now crocked.
Osmajic is the nearest otherwise but other than last night, he rarely scores with headers.
Is that just shit supply or is not lookin to get in front of your defender?

Lastly, well, we've forgotten the rules of basic defending!
 
Dead ball defending. Some players deliberately choose the area/zone thing & the others- opposition players.
I don't think you am mix the two & would always choose the latter anyway. The former is (yet) another trickle-down Prem. manual thing that doesn't transpose well.
 
Terry dactyl said:
I’m sorry but first question for me is what possessed him to play 4 centre backs in a back 4.
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Offiah is a RB/CB. Absolutely no problem him playing there and he did a good job

Hughes is a CB who can do a job at LB

I can absolutely understand why he made that decision, in theory to give us some defensive solidity whilst playing a different formation. His failing was not changing it when it was clear Gibson was miles off it and we needed more threat
 
We try to play out from the back but have a static midfield every game whiteman gets the ball from defence looks up and every forward and midfield is marked and just stood still so it goes back into defence….try offiah in whiteman position would help as he is capable of bringing the ball out from back but again if the midfield don’t attempt to lose their marker it won’t make a difference.
 
bkfu76 said:
We try to play out from the back but have a static midfield every game whiteman gets the ball from defence looks up and every forward and midfield is marked and just stood still so it goes back into defence….try offiah in whiteman position would help as he is capable of bringing the ball out from back but again if the midfield don’t attempt to lose their marker it won’t make a difference.
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In a team struggling for inspiration and ideas, I think trying Offiah in midfield is a no brainer.

Like the Gregan transformation, for those who remember.

Unfortunately, an experiment like that requires acknowledging that we're out of inspiration and ideas.

That's not a good look.
 
Quite simply, hecky says he knows this division inside out, well he doesn’t as his team selections and tactics clearly show. His plan A has been sussed once again and he doesn’t have a plan B.
 
Doyler said:
It really isn’t that simple. The opposition block off the middle of the pitch for a reason.

Last night, the issue was just not defending our box. I think we’ve been shaky defending set pieces for a while, so we ought to start there really.
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Seems pretty simple to me . Crosses aren't working . So play down the middle . If it isn't working it's because we aren't training correctly.

Our forwards not being able head the ball is a trait of theirs that you can't train.

Midfielders such as devine , dobbin, lang, and whiteman should be able to work in tight spaces and put ball in behind for the forwards to latch onto .
 
Now the dust has settled from yesterday, here's my thoughts.
I liked the way we set up, both in terms of the personnel and the formation. I didn’t think anyone had a particularly poor game either. Maybe Gibson got outfought a bit at times, and Dobbin faded in the second half, but in the first half he showed some outstanding quick feet and real bits of skill. Other than that, I thought everyone put the effort in.
If I’m being picky, the only change I’d maybe have made would be bringing Small on for Lang to keep the wing play going. Other than that I broadly agreed with the subs, although Small could probably have come on a bit sooner. I’d also have liked to see Moran come on for Whiteman around the 75 minute mark.
I thought we actually worked through the lines better with this formation rather than relying so heavily on width from the wing backs. The extra man in midfield helped, and Thompson gave us good balance on the left with that left foot.
In the end though it came down, yet again, to defending the box and dealing with set pieces. Both defensively and offensively. Our shooting from outside the box has also noticeably declined.
I get the impression that PH trusts his coaches to deal with the set pieces, both attacking and defending, while he focuses on other areas. From my perspective, if that’s the case he needs to take more control of that side of things, because set pieces are what I think are costing us at the moment, both going forward and at the back.
 
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