| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. 09:23 - Apr 12 with 728 views | homer_123 |
I have never been one to believe that KM is rigid in his approach. Since he has joined us, he has shown that, whilst on paper we line up as a 4-2-3-1 formation, the reality is that the approach to each game is different depending on circumstances.
Over the years, we have played 3 at the back, 5 at the back, we have Davis being an inside forward, and overlapping winger. We've had Clarke bombing on from the right. We have seen Morsey and Luongo drop deep to cover those runs. We have played out from the back, looking to play through the lines, we've gone long and direct into Hirst and Moore. We've looked to switch the play with diagonal raking passes. We've scored a whole range of different goals, from different positions and players.
I have never understood the thinking that he's inflexible. If I am being fair, the only thing you 'could' lay at his door is that he hasn't played 'two up top'.
This season does feel different though. Whilst we still have an attacking edge and real threat going forward - my two observations are.
1. We are even better on the break than we have been in the past, our transition can be excellent at times.
2. Defensively, we look more solid.
I feel he has adapted us again, we 'feel' more solid. Historically, we have sometimes blown teams away (we are still capable of that) and looked to 'score one more than you'. This season is different and yesterday was a masterclass of what some teams have done to us over the years.
Forged from our time in the Prem (I suspect) - that low'ish block and fast transition yesterday was superb and Norwich had no answer. We looked really solid defensively and that is from the front players through to the excellent Dara and Jacob. Yet, we created as well - we moved the ball really well at times, moving through the gears to get forward. I make KM right, we could have had 3 or 4 in that first half.
Norwich struggled, they huffed and puffed but ultimately worked off scraps and little in the way of genuine sustained pressure. Which given their recent form (and fair play to Clement for what he has done) was really pleasing to see from our side.
There is a steel about us that I like at the moment. It might not be quite as gung ho or exciting as KM had us playing early doors but there is, arguably, a better balance with us right now.
Finally, KMs insistence with squad depth and rotation. I do understand the frustration at times from supporters (I am not immune myself) but it is evident to me that we look fresher than other teams right now with Cov, Boro, Hull and Wrexham all showing signs of the long haul that the Championship is. In the trenches of the final few weeks - it really is working for us.
KM has always been a manager that learns.
Yesterday was a wonderful example of this and illustrates just how good a manager he is. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:30 - Apr 12 with 636 views | Steve_M |
Broadly agree with that, and this bit stands out:
"There is a steel about us that I like at the moment. It might not be quite as gung ho or exciting as KM had us playing early doors but there is, arguably, a better balance with us right now."
I did think we were a bit frustrating in our use of the ball yesterday, first half especially we kept giving it back to Norwich. Had we done that bit better then we might have been out of sight. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:30 - Apr 12 with 630 views | Cheltenham_Blue |
Spot on.
I think what he has done this season is to set us up for how we will need to play in the Premier League to grind out results. Hes moved away significantly from his, “High risk, high reward” strategy of 22/23 and 23/24.
It’s not been pretty at times as the Championship is not the place that that Premier League method translates well, but we’ll be better enabled to make a go of it should we go up. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:34 - Apr 12 with 608 views | Dubtractor |
| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:30 - Apr 12 by Steve_M |
Broadly agree with that, and this bit stands out:
"There is a steel about us that I like at the moment. It might not be quite as gung ho or exciting as KM had us playing early doors but there is, arguably, a better balance with us right now."
I did think we were a bit frustrating in our use of the ball yesterday, first half especially we kept giving it back to Norwich. Had we done that bit better then we might have been out of sight. |
Yep. Whilst we did look impressive on the transition at times yesterday, we also gave the ball away cheaply too many times too.
Could have scored more with the chances we created, but probably ought to have punished them more if we'd been tidier with the ball. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:35 - Apr 12 with 601 views | homer_123 |
| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:30 - Apr 12 by Steve_M |
Broadly agree with that, and this bit stands out:
"There is a steel about us that I like at the moment. It might not be quite as gung ho or exciting as KM had us playing early doors but there is, arguably, a better balance with us right now."
I did think we were a bit frustrating in our use of the ball yesterday, first half especially we kept giving it back to Norwich. Had we done that bit better then we might have been out of sight. |
Yeah, one or two stray passes, agreed.
We worked hard to ensure we were not punished though. | |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 10:17 - Apr 12 with 467 views | Guthrum |
People get very hung up on the number grids of formation (442,433, 4231, etc.) as if players stay fixed in those positions throughout the game. Also upon traditional ideas of what a centre-forward/striker is supposed to be and whether there's one or two of them standing in the middle, rather than a group of four or more coming from all angles.
Whereas in reality, the team is set up in fluid and overlapping units which operate in different areas of the field and according to the situation. The left side unit, its counterpart on the right, the forward pack and the defensive baseline. The two-rank zonal-but-flexible defence when under attack. Which is why we frequently see nominally right-side players popping up on or chasing across to the left and vice-versa. There is no rigidity and adaptiveness is key. People are not "out of position" if they're doing a job and there should always be someone thinking to cover for them.
This is what McKenna has been doing for four years plus. It has worked very well - apart from in the Prem, where we were too fragile at the back and somewhat outclassed all round.
It's also very similar to 2023-24, in that, having got into a position on the tails of the leaders, we are getting results when the teams around us are staggering with exhaustion and injury. Compare Boro now with Leeds that season. That will be fitness, subs and rotation. Ben Johnson can come in at short notice and perform at a high level. Kipre and Greaves can interchange with no loss of strength. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 10:21 - Apr 12 with 446 views | RonFearonsHair |
| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 10:17 - Apr 12 by Guthrum |
People get very hung up on the number grids of formation (442,433, 4231, etc.) as if players stay fixed in those positions throughout the game. Also upon traditional ideas of what a centre-forward/striker is supposed to be and whether there's one or two of them standing in the middle, rather than a group of four or more coming from all angles.
Whereas in reality, the team is set up in fluid and overlapping units which operate in different areas of the field and according to the situation. The left side unit, its counterpart on the right, the forward pack and the defensive baseline. The two-rank zonal-but-flexible defence when under attack. Which is why we frequently see nominally right-side players popping up on or chasing across to the left and vice-versa. There is no rigidity and adaptiveness is key. People are not "out of position" if they're doing a job and there should always be someone thinking to cover for them.
This is what McKenna has been doing for four years plus. It has worked very well - apart from in the Prem, where we were too fragile at the back and somewhat outclassed all round.
It's also very similar to 2023-24, in that, having got into a position on the tails of the leaders, we are getting results when the teams around us are staggering with exhaustion and injury. Compare Boro now with Leeds that season. That will be fitness, subs and rotation. Ben Johnson can come in at short notice and perform at a high level. Kipre and Greaves can interchange with no loss of strength. |
I remember interviews two or three years ago where he would stress that he doesn't really work with 'formations' but more with 'roles on the pitch'. |  | | |
| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 10:48 - Apr 12 with 365 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 09:35 - Apr 12 by homer_123 |
Yeah, one or two stray passes, agreed.
We worked hard to ensure we were not punished though. |
Far fewer back passes than usual. overall success rate, for passes, not much over 60% but will no doubt be worked on. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 10:53 - Apr 12 with 349 views | NthQldITFC |
What I have thought has been going on for most of this season is that our professor of a manager is using games like this to prepare us for the Premier League.
Class. |  |
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| Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. on 11:06 - Apr 12 with 296 views | billlm |
I'd like to apologize, I have nailed him to a mast in the past out of my frustration at times, but he's a clever manager coach, he did say it would take time to come together,
The 23/24 squad had heart this squad is better more guile,
This squad with a few additions will fair better in the premiership for sure we're more balanced and not gung ho very patient,
So apologies to kieran m, |  | | |
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