| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil 08:05 - Sep 16 with 2056 views | cbower |
Against the top quality sides we are getting overrun in midfield. This happened so much last time in the Premier League and McKenna steadfastly declined to play three midfielders or a 352 to counteract this. Perhaps he did not have the quality in the centre of the park but O'Neil, however, has Lukic, Palacious, Florentino, Matusiwa, Nunez and (when fit) Taylor to choose from. You could certainly add a so far very impressive Outtara to that list for me
We have to be tighter, more compact against superior, top quality teams. Shipping goals at this rate is a worry. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 08:11 - Sep 16 with 1809 views | NthQldITFC |
I agree in the long run, but I'm also quite convinced by the idea of trying to mould our default way of playing in first, and the three games we've not unexpectedly lost are fine sacrifices after that principle.
Citeh away might be the first game where we do a defensive approach with an extra midfielder or extra CB, if not then, maybe Leeds or Brighton away? |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 08:59 - Sep 16 with 1674 views | Wright1 |
It takes time sometimes to get the balance right - look at Xabi Alonso and Chelsea, they are still figuring it out with one of the best Managers out there and vast resources.
Goals will keep us up - so personally I wouldn't want to sacrifice one of our forward players whilst we are scoring at this rate. |  | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:03 - Sep 16 with 1643 views | BloomBlue |
Does shipping goals against the top teams really make any difference?
Surely its the points which is the most important thing. If playing a more attacking style against the top teams to get cohesion which results in us getting points against mid/lower PL teams then thats a positive. Sunderland proved last season goals against isn't crucial, they qualified for Europe with a negative GD (-6) |  | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:13 - Sep 16 with 1591 views | ElderGrizzly |
15 goals conceded in 6 games is a worry and will kill any chance of staying up |  | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:14 - Sep 16 with 1581 views | TractorJack |
It doesn't necessarily need to be about getting 3 in there, the issues so far have mostly been from midfield pressing too high and getting beat. As we've seen the best teams are too good for that. Totally agree we need to show the ability to sit in and be compact, manage the state of the game. |  | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:17 - Sep 16 with 1559 views | Swansea_Blue |
I’m not convinced it’s an issue. We have the same number of players on the pitch as the opposition. Wingers can tuck in, the CAM can sit in as needed. We’re not inflexible in how we play during the games. As others have said, I wouldn’t want to reduce our threat for the sake of having an additional defensive midfielder on the pitch. Who do you drop? Enciso? Clarke? Fatawu? Fatawu’s the weakest of the 3, but to only play with O’Shea on the right would leave us wide open. Who plays RWB if we go to a back 3? We haven’t got a natural one like we have Leif on the left. Etc., etc. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:38 - Sep 16 with 1513 views | LankHenners |
Very easy for people to say 'we should put 3 in midfield so we're more solid' without considering how that would affect the entire rest of the set-up and how we want to play.
Seems O'Neil is happy enough to sacrifice that extra bit of solidity for what it brings going forwards and early doors it doesn't appear to be a bad approach, although I do think it's a bit risky at times and can be a bit too easy for teams to get in behind us.
He's talked about having to adapt in certain games anyway so I'm sure we'll see some clearer variation come in at times. Don't think it's a bad thing to start the season off wanting to be positive and instil some belief in the players that 'our way' can get results, which it has done. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:39 - Sep 16 with 1499 views | Guthrum |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:13 - Sep 16 by ElderGrizzly |
15 goals conceded in 6 games is a worry and will kill any chance of staying up |
If we're playing 50% of our games against ManU, Liverpool and Arsenal, we're probably stuffed anyway. Tho, to be fair, we've won all the others. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:46 - Sep 16 with 1465 views | ElderGrizzly |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:39 - Sep 16 by Guthrum |
If we're playing 50% of our games against ManU, Liverpool and Arsenal, we're probably stuffed anyway. Tho, to be fair, we've won all the others. |
Man Utd have looked woeful (apart from against us) and sit below us in the table.
It's more the hits to confidence if we keep shipping so many, or fall behind in almost every game.
We're learning and we are clearly much stronger than last time. You just hope that is enough to be better than 3 others. | | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 10:02 - Sep 16 with 1371 views | Guthrum |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:38 - Sep 16 by LankHenners |
Very easy for people to say 'we should put 3 in midfield so we're more solid' without considering how that would affect the entire rest of the set-up and how we want to play.
Seems O'Neil is happy enough to sacrifice that extra bit of solidity for what it brings going forwards and early doors it doesn't appear to be a bad approach, although I do think it's a bit risky at times and can be a bit too easy for teams to get in behind us.
He's talked about having to adapt in certain games anyway so I'm sure we'll see some clearer variation come in at times. Don't think it's a bad thing to start the season off wanting to be positive and instil some belief in the players that 'our way' can get results, which it has done. |
Indeed. If the approach wasn't working against Sunderland or Palace, there would be reason to worry. But it has*.
Also has to be considered in the context that our midfield is completely new and still building that instinctive understanding of how each other play and where they are likely to position themselves. Plus coordination with the back-line to prevent gaps opening as we fall back. I expect us to get tighter as the season progresses.
* Even the red card can be seen as a function of our attacking mentality, Disasi forced into a clumsy error to stop yet another drive forwards. | |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 10:42 - Sep 16 with 1261 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:39 - Sep 16 by Guthrum |
If we're playing 50% of our games against ManU, Liverpool and Arsenal, we're probably stuffed anyway. Tho, to be fair, we've won all the others. |
Also not sure why anyone would include League Cup statistics in relation to our chances of staying up. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:15 - Sep 16 with 1089 views | pingu67 |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:46 - Sep 16 by ElderGrizzly |
Man Utd have looked woeful (apart from against us) and sit below us in the table.
It's more the hits to confidence if we keep shipping so many, or fall behind in almost every game.
We're learning and we are clearly much stronger than last time. You just hope that is enough to be better than 3 others. |
Man Utd have not looked woeful at all
They were seconds away from winning at Hill Dickenson and were it not for a worldy would have won
They comfortably beat Sabah in the Champs League and lost 1-0 to City which tbh isnt a bad result | | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:35 - Sep 16 with 1027 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:15 - Sep 16 by pingu67 |
Man Utd have not looked woeful at all
They were seconds away from winning at Hill Dickenson and were it not for a worldy would have won
They comfortably beat Sabah in the Champs League and lost 1-0 to City which tbh isnt a bad result |
They were average vs Everton. Who even are Sabah. They lost at home to City with an extra man for 90 minutes.
We made it far far too easy for them at their place. |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:43 - Sep 16 with 992 views | pingu67 |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:35 - Sep 16 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
They were average vs Everton. Who even are Sabah. They lost at home to City with an extra man for 90 minutes.
We made it far far too easy for them at their place. |
Playing against 10 men can be tougher at times as we have found out over the years | | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:48 - Sep 16 with 965 views | Adams |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:15 - Sep 16 by pingu67 |
Man Utd have not looked woeful at all
They were seconds away from winning at Hill Dickenson and were it not for a worldy would have won
They comfortably beat Sabah in the Champs League and lost 1-0 to City which tbh isnt a bad result |
Hull comfortably beat them; Everton were the better team and, at the very least, deserved the draw. Losing to Man City at home when against ten men is an awful result for them, and their performance was so bad.
They've been dreadful in every league game apart from against us.
What is it with people on this forum trying to pretend Man U and Liverpool haven't struggled in their other 3 league games? I've seen it a few times on here, while I've not seen it anywhere else. It [Post edited 16 Sep 13:50]
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:55 - Sep 16 with 938 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:48 - Sep 16 by Adams |
Hull comfortably beat them; Everton were the better team and, at the very least, deserved the draw. Losing to Man City at home when against ten men is an awful result for them, and their performance was so bad.
They've been dreadful in every league game apart from against us.
What is it with people on this forum trying to pretend Man U and Liverpool haven't struggled in their other 3 league games? I've seen it a few times on here, while I've not seen it anywhere else. It [Post edited 16 Sep 13:50]
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Why do you care?
We've got 6 points from 4 games, we are exceeding expectations. We've lost the games that everyone would have presumed and won the ones against the teams we need to. If we kept this up we would finish on 57 points and likely get Europe.
You should be delighted. Instead you're posting about Champions League teams being crap. Obvious nonsense.
There is no negative angle here. [Post edited 16 Sep 13:57]
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:57 - Sep 16 with 917 views | jasondozzell |
As KM used to say, formations don't mean much in the modern game. It's roles.
I like that we are playing with a clear identity.
Thought GON would be pleased with the way the team last night showed a real familiarity with our style. |  | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:59 - Sep 16 with 906 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:43 - Sep 16 by pingu67 |
Playing against 10 men can be tougher at times as we have found out over the years |
They had a man advantage for almost the whole game and were dreadful. Its not always easy playing vs 10 true. But the the talent they have on paper they were absolutely appalling.
Carrick wont last long there. [Post edited 16 Sep 14:01]
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 14:05 - Sep 16 with 879 views | PioneerBlue |
I agree 15 goals is too much but the sample isnt great. Weve done ok, not exceptional against teams we need to be taking points from (ok play wise, great points wise), weve lost games where we might not reasonably expect to salvage anything. I need to see a few more games to see whether this is an exception, certainly conceding groups or goals against anyone needs to stop and the bigger teams need to be made to work harder for their goals when they do ask a question or two. Either way, i expect they will work hard on defensive shape, mindset, game state tactics with whomever is around during the international break. | |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 14:20 - Sep 16 with 798 views | Adams |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 13:55 - Sep 16 by Bellevue_Blue |
Why do you care?
We've got 6 points from 4 games, we are exceeding expectations. We've lost the games that everyone would have presumed and won the ones against the teams we need to. If we kept this up we would finish on 57 points and likely get Europe.
You should be delighted. Instead you're posting about Champions League teams being crap. Obvious nonsense.
There is no negative angle here. [Post edited 16 Sep 13:57]
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This is such a dreadful post, and I'm not sure what you're rambling on about. It;s like you replied to the wrong person.
I never said they were crap. Clearly, they have good players. I said they have struggled in the other three games. They are different things. What I said was also factual, as they have struggled and not been good so far.
What are you on about in the rest of your post? I'm very happy with the start of the season and said it's been a great start, and I think we'll have a good season, and I didn't mention anything about Ipswich in my post. Stating the fact that Man U and Liverpool haven't been great so far in the other games isn't about being positive or negative; it's stating facts.
Why does stating these facts bother you so much? [Post edited 16 Sep 14:34]
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 15:33 - Sep 16 with 673 views | Bellevue_Blue |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 14:20 - Sep 16 by Adams |
This is such a dreadful post, and I'm not sure what you're rambling on about. It;s like you replied to the wrong person.
I never said they were crap. Clearly, they have good players. I said they have struggled in the other three games. They are different things. What I said was also factual, as they have struggled and not been good so far.
What are you on about in the rest of your post? I'm very happy with the start of the season and said it's been a great start, and I think we'll have a good season, and I didn't mention anything about Ipswich in my post. Stating the fact that Man U and Liverpool haven't been great so far in the other games isn't about being positive or negative; it's stating facts.
Why does stating these facts bother you so much? [Post edited 16 Sep 14:34]
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The whole angle of your post is that we should have got better results and or performances from games against Manchester United and Liverpool because they haven't been great against other teams?
It's just needlessly negative IMO. [Post edited 16 Sep 16:23]
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| We need to cut out the unforced errors and cheap turnover on 16:01 - Sep 16 with 625 views | unstableblue |
Arsenals first two last night were errors from town
Errors for Liverpool’s two
At palace it was Town causing themselves problems in that first half at palace, not the opposition themselves
Be calmer and more focussed - like at old Trafford up to the slip
Hoping to see this at Hill Dickinson |  |
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| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 16:07 - Sep 16 with 612 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
I would play Ouattara as the RWB in a 352/532
I don't think either Maeda or Fatawu have totally clicked yet, so it seems to me to be a way of playing our 11 best players, too.
But I wouldn't knock O'Neill for tactical inflexibility. He has more than one plan and does change things noticeably in game.
McKenna was much more wedded to "the right way to play". | | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 16:09 - Sep 16 with 596 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 09:17 - Sep 16 by Swansea_Blue |
I’m not convinced it’s an issue. We have the same number of players on the pitch as the opposition. Wingers can tuck in, the CAM can sit in as needed. We’re not inflexible in how we play during the games. As others have said, I wouldn’t want to reduce our threat for the sake of having an additional defensive midfielder on the pitch. Who do you drop? Enciso? Clarke? Fatawu? Fatawu’s the weakest of the 3, but to only play with O’Shea on the right would leave us wide open. Who plays RWB if we go to a back 3? We haven’t got a natural one like we have Leif on the left. Etc., etc. |
Ouattara. So much energy. He could prove to be the find of the season. | | | |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 19:55 - Sep 16 with 411 views | Adams |
| We need to see some greater flexibility from O'Neil on 15:33 - Sep 16 by Bellevue_Blue |
The whole angle of your post is that we should have got better results and or performances from games against Manchester United and Liverpool because they haven't been great against other teams?
It's just needlessly negative IMO. [Post edited 16 Sep 16:23]
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There was no angle to my post. You should take what I actually say and not fill in the gaps and decide I mean something else.
I replied to a comment about Man U not being woeful so far. This is clearly ridiculous, as they have 4 points from four games after what was considered an easy first 3 games for them.
The only thing I'm being negative about is Man United's performance, but so are their fans and ex-players. | | | |
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