| Low blocks and packed defences 05:51 - Nov 23 with 1607 views | BouncebackIpswich |
and our ineffectiveness to play against them is becoming a major Achilles heel of the team. The comments KM makes in interviews on the subject, 'its really tough when there are that many players behind the ball' etc, like it's just a problem out of his control are not good enough.
It's on him to work on tactics and put out a team that is able to break down packed defences. It's not a surprise to anyone that this is what we're facing week after week at home especially. He would have known it was coming at the start of the season. But yet he persists with the same formation, players, tactics that have proven time and time again to not work against packed defences. And does not appear to have anything in his locker to change it.
It's really frustrating as we have more than enough quality in the squad to win these games comfortably and it's going to cost us promotion if it continues like this.
Rant over. [Post edited 23 Nov 2025 6:28]
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:01 - Nov 23 with 1398 views | southnorfolkblue |
We miss Wes, because he’s the one player on our books who is prepared to go outside his man. Philogene Clarke and Egeli all want to cut inside and they just run into congested areas, which plays right into the opposition’s hands |  |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:02 - Nov 23 with 1391 views | Len_Brennan |
This is fair comment. Our longterm inability to switch our play, to have another way of playing - a Plan B or Plan C - when struggling with a side set up to frustrate us, has been raised on here many times, and yet it hasn't been addressed by the manager.
When Phil Parkinson, a manager much derided as not being tactically competent to function at Championship level, spoke about how he knew we were going to change our front 4 around the 65/70 minute mark, you realise just how predictable we are. I thought it was very telling that he brought on 2 strong, fresh, defensive minded midfielders around the 60 minute mark, to prepare them for our inevitable switches.
In our promotion season we were still seen as unlikely contenders that we're going to be reeled in, even after out great start, so most teams took us on & let is play; ultimately our greater fitness & fleshing up of the forwards saw us score lots of late goals in a flowing, offensive formation; it's much different this time, as most opponents recognise that we have the quality to cut through them if they take us on in a straight up open football match.
We need an effective Plan B to deal with sides set up to block & frustrate us. This is an issue outside of whether Akpom & McAteer are good enough & should save us the need to splash out another £10m+ on a new striker/attackers. [Post edited 23 Nov 2025 8:05]
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:28 - Nov 23 with 1328 views | ArnieM |
The best thing to do when trying breakdown ultra defensive sides at PR is park your most creative player on the bench. This, McKenna does nearly every game. Nunez should be playing EVERY game from the start and most of the game. |  |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:49 - Nov 23 with 1280 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:28 - Nov 23 by ArnieM |
The best thing to do when trying breakdown ultra defensive sides at PR is park your most creative player on the bench. This, McKenna does nearly every game. Nunez should be playing EVERY game from the start and most of the game. |
Nunez had been away with Chile so was always unlikely to start yesterday imho. I agree though that he appears to be the best fit at 10 | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 10:00 - Nov 23 with 1184 views | Blue_Heath |
Teams have adapted by play against us and we haven't, tinkerman team line ups, subs on 60 mins, try something different please KM. | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 10:03 - Nov 23 with 1178 views | Blue_Heath |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:01 - Nov 23 by southnorfolkblue |
We miss Wes, because he’s the one player on our books who is prepared to go outside his man. Philogene Clarke and Egeli all want to cut inside and they just run into congested areas, which plays right into the opposition’s hands |
I agree but given his age and injury not really sure we can expect the Wes old if/when he comes back. | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 10:17 - Nov 23 with 1149 views | Blue_Uprising |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:02 - Nov 23 by Len_Brennan |
This is fair comment. Our longterm inability to switch our play, to have another way of playing - a Plan B or Plan C - when struggling with a side set up to frustrate us, has been raised on here many times, and yet it hasn't been addressed by the manager.
When Phil Parkinson, a manager much derided as not being tactically competent to function at Championship level, spoke about how he knew we were going to change our front 4 around the 65/70 minute mark, you realise just how predictable we are. I thought it was very telling that he brought on 2 strong, fresh, defensive minded midfielders around the 60 minute mark, to prepare them for our inevitable switches.
In our promotion season we were still seen as unlikely contenders that we're going to be reeled in, even after out great start, so most teams took us on & let is play; ultimately our greater fitness & fleshing up of the forwards saw us score lots of late goals in a flowing, offensive formation; it's much different this time, as most opponents recognise that we have the quality to cut through them if they take us on in a straight up open football match.
We need an effective Plan B to deal with sides set up to block & frustrate us. This is an issue outside of whether Akpom & McAteer are good enough & should save us the need to splash out another £10m+ on a new striker/attackers. [Post edited 23 Nov 2025 8:05]
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What is perhaps most surprising is the number of teams in the championship that see how we play against the low block and don’t just deploy that against us every game home or away.
I’d assume most teams would be happy with a point or maybe snatching 3. Wonder about the quality of championship mangers who don’t just look at the evidence and take that approach.
Almost every mid and lower level team in the prem noticed this about our play and set up to dull our attack and counter us (successfully) |  | | |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 10:41 - Nov 23 with 1109 views | aloanagain |
Watching EFL highlights it now seems that we are one of a few teams playing out from the back. Has that suddenly become old fashioned? The top teams in the Championship play faster attacking football, which seems to get results. Do we need to change our style of play. Have enjoyed it whilst it worked but is it time for change? | | | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 11:22 - Nov 23 with 1046 views | Blue_Heath |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 10:41 - Nov 23 by aloanagain |
Watching EFL highlights it now seems that we are one of a few teams playing out from the back. Has that suddenly become old fashioned? The top teams in the Championship play faster attacking football, which seems to get results. Do we need to change our style of play. Have enjoyed it whilst it worked but is it time for change? |
Yes, football has moved on since the start of the season, it was noticeable many teams were conceding rather than scoring from playing this way and have adapted. We ponce about and play to dead end Furlong and often end up giving chances away.
The answer is overwhelmingly yes, KM needs to change the tactics not the personnel.
Against a low block you have to break quick when you win the ball back from them, we don't, we appear to have zero pace in the team.
Sorry to be negative but it's so predictable, I was just pleased Broady didn't score. | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 11:30 - Nov 23 with 1031 views | ArnieM |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 11:22 - Nov 23 by Blue_Heath |
Yes, football has moved on since the start of the season, it was noticeable many teams were conceding rather than scoring from playing this way and have adapted. We ponce about and play to dead end Furlong and often end up giving chances away.
The answer is overwhelmingly yes, KM needs to change the tactics not the personnel.
Against a low block you have to break quick when you win the ball back from them, we don't, we appear to have zero pace in the team.
Sorry to be negative but it's so predictable, I was just pleased Broady didn't score. |
Hallelujah!!! Some else has seen the light. Its not negative to challenge the status quo. To always 'accept its always bern thus way" is folly and shows a rigid mindset. IMHO. Good on you... | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 11:37 - Nov 23 with 1016 views | mellowblue |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:02 - Nov 23 by Len_Brennan |
This is fair comment. Our longterm inability to switch our play, to have another way of playing - a Plan B or Plan C - when struggling with a side set up to frustrate us, has been raised on here many times, and yet it hasn't been addressed by the manager.
When Phil Parkinson, a manager much derided as not being tactically competent to function at Championship level, spoke about how he knew we were going to change our front 4 around the 65/70 minute mark, you realise just how predictable we are. I thought it was very telling that he brought on 2 strong, fresh, defensive minded midfielders around the 60 minute mark, to prepare them for our inevitable switches.
In our promotion season we were still seen as unlikely contenders that we're going to be reeled in, even after out great start, so most teams took us on & let is play; ultimately our greater fitness & fleshing up of the forwards saw us score lots of late goals in a flowing, offensive formation; it's much different this time, as most opponents recognise that we have the quality to cut through them if they take us on in a straight up open football match.
We need an effective Plan B to deal with sides set up to block & frustrate us. This is an issue outside of whether Akpom & McAteer are good enough & should save us the need to splash out another £10m+ on a new striker/attackers. [Post edited 23 Nov 2025 8:05]
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That's not really fair on Parkinson. He has always been able to get a team to do the basics and that was all Wrexham had to do as our play was so unimaginative. But he is lilmited in his approach, Pep he is certainly not. But if you want someone to set up a team to be reliable and solid he good at that. | | | |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 17:20 - Nov 23 with 866 views | cressi |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:49 - Nov 23 by southnorfolkblue |
Nunez had been away with Chile so was always unlikely to start yesterday imho. I agree though that he appears to be the best fit at 10 |
Yea played 63 minutes in two weeks with Chile also played in Russia not South America. Far from convinced by McKenna | | | |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 17:26 - Nov 23 with 854 views | Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:01 - Nov 23 by southnorfolkblue |
We miss Wes, because he’s the one player on our books who is prepared to go outside his man. Philogene Clarke and Egeli all want to cut inside and they just run into congested areas, which plays right into the opposition’s hands |
I saw Ogbene do this against Southampton when he came on. If we miss Wes that much, that’s m not a great look with the cash we’ve thrown around! [Post edited 23 Nov 2025 17:33]
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 19:04 - Nov 23 with 778 views | skinnybob72 |
You could always allow them more time on the ball, no high press. Allow them to progress towards halfway then press them and if we win the ball there should be space in behind. I think that Charlton's first goal was that kind of thing. However, you then have to rely on them not just scoring when we allow them further up the pitch! | | | |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 19:16 - Nov 23 with 760 views | TheBoyBlue |
It is frustrating when we do get the opportunity to break against teams with a low and have them on the back foot that we regularly just hold the play up and let them get back into position. Also when our attacking players make a run round the back of the defence but the player on the ball ignores it.
Hat said, we are creating chances and we're yesterday. It seems basic and obvious but we need to be better at shooting. But one or two of those chances in and it's a comfortable victory. | |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 19:45 - Nov 23 with 716 views | JammyDodgerrr |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 08:28 - Nov 23 by ArnieM |
The best thing to do when trying breakdown ultra defensive sides at PR is park your most creative player on the bench. This, McKenna does nearly every game. Nunez should be playing EVERY game from the start and most of the game. |
You want to play the guy with an incredibly patchy injury record from the start every single game and for most of the game? Enjoy ruling him out for the season in three games time. |  |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 20:07 - Nov 23 with 673 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 19:45 - Nov 23 by JammyDodgerrr |
You want to play the guy with an incredibly patchy injury record from the start every single game and for most of the game? Enjoy ruling him out for the season in three games time. |
What was his patchy injury record. Wasn't that a myth? |  |
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| Low blocks and packed defences on 20:37 - Nov 23 with 628 views | Plums |
| Low blocks and packed defences on 19:04 - Nov 23 by skinnybob72 |
You could always allow them more time on the ball, no high press. Allow them to progress towards halfway then press them and if we win the ball there should be space in behind. I think that Charlton's first goal was that kind of thing. However, you then have to rely on them not just scoring when we allow them further up the pitch! |
An alternative is to give them the ball e.g. from throw-ins inside our half to pull them out and then break on them. However, it's an incredibly bold thing to do, especially in as tight a division as the Championship where every point counts.
I'd like us to leave a player or two up at defensive corners to give the opposition something to think about but there must be data that says its high risk as very few teams do it. |  |
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