| This is the reason we can't score goals 11:42 - Apr 11 with 1558 views | bringmeaKuqi |
I'm going to attempt a Jonathan Wilson-style explanation of our current inability to even manage shots on target.
It seems like it hinges on our new 3-5-2 formation — a switch I am in favour of, but perhaps we need to manage our expectations a bit.
I'm no Lambert apologist, but if he was able to get anything out of this squad it was goals from midfield. Our strikers are shocking, so it's basically the only option to score. In a 4-2-3-1, you're well set up for goals from midfield. The centreforward occupies the two centrebacks creating space for the number 10 to run into. That's how Bishop scored his goals when playing as the 10 — running onto the ball. You also have two wide midfielders with licence to stay forward as there is a fullback behind them. That's how Edwards scored his goals. Remember when those two were our top scorers? Now, if we had a better number 10 and better wingers, those goals might not have dried up.
In a 3-5-2 you have two wingbacks, three centrebacks and two midfield pivots. That's seven players who will have little contribution in the box — you're relying on three players to be your most offensive. That's a big switch in style. The teams that have made 3-5-2 work best are teams like Wolves and Sheffield United. In Wolves's case they have phenomenal forward players. In SUFC's case they don't, so their example might be better to follow for us. SUFC's use of their centrebacks and wingbacks as offensive options is well documented. They don't have particularly mobile defenders — and their wingbacks are proper defenders, no out-of-position wingers. What they do is build up possession around the edges of the box and use their defenders to pull balls back to midfield — basically bypassing their forwards who are just their to hold the ball up and create space.
Are Edwards and Ward our best wingback options for this style of play? Clearly no. I might get crucified for this, but I would argue someone like Chambers would work better there. Mobility is not an issue, and if there's one thing (and there might only be one thing) that he can do it is arrive late at the back post.
The other thing this formation does is get three centremids close together — rather than in a 4-2-3-1 where the 10 often drifts up to become a centreforward. I would argue this is a really good move if we play Dozzell, Downes and Bishop together. Our squad is rubbish and I am looking forward to the exodus, but those three are our better players. Dozzell on his day is one of the best in the league (before you object, remember that he was pivotal to beating Hull and made their midfield look average). Dozzell's decline in form is absolutely one reason the whole team suffers. I think it's a bit much to expect him to pull up this rabble all on his own. So, playing 3-5-2 makes a lot of sense if we can get the most out of those three. They are possession footballers and good dribblers. This will be a good move for them.
The other thing we lack to make this system work is good centreforwards. Do we have someone who can occupy and hassle defenders like McBurnie? Maybe Norwood? Do we have someone who can hold up the ball and link play like McGoldrick? No. Do we have a poacher like Sharp? Definitely not. If we want to stand a chance of getting this system to work we have to look at that. Perhaps, that is why Cook played Dobra and Drinan. To see if Drinan could be a McBurnie and Dobs a McGoldrick. I admire that Cook is at least taking a look at those options.
Which brings me on to expectations. Cook might want to play this system next year and is getting a good look at what his options are. That means the formation switch was basically him giving up on this season. The timing of the takeover might have actually come at a bad time for him — just as he's conceded that promotion is not an option this year. Perhaps he's now nervous that the new owners want to see more from him this year. If would be one explanation for his "surprised" comments and his no-shows in press conferences.
Trying out this formation might also explain why he sees positives in dull 0-0s. What we know about SUFC's style of play is that they do not create many chances, but the chances they make are good quality. That wasn't the case for us yesterday (the only chance of quality was Dob's miss). But keeping it tight at the back is a good place to start if you want to put together a run of 1-0s like SUFC did. Perhaps, if this is the style we need to get used to, we need to be okay with 2-3 shots on target a game and 1-0 results. It might be a boring scoreline, but at least SUFC's football is (was) good to watch.
The downsides to looking for positives here are 1) SUFC's style of play requires dominating possession (as they did in the Champ and last season). We are not doing this at the moment and that is a concern. 2) If we are committing to this style change we really need Cook to come out and be clear. Avoiding the media adds to the confusion — he just needs to be open with the fans so that we can get used to these attritional results and buy into the bigger picture. |  | | |  |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 11:44 - Apr 11 with 1525 views | Dubtractor |
We didn't play 352 yesterday though.
Was more like a 4411. |  |
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| This is the reason we can't score goals on 11:50 - Apr 11 with 1491 views | WD19 |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 11:44 - Apr 11 by Dubtractor |
We didn't play 352 yesterday though.
Was more like a 4411. |
Edwards played and had to be covered, so it was the usual 4-4-1. |  | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 11:56 - Apr 11 with 1457 views | ZXBlue |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 11:44 - Apr 11 by Dubtractor |
We didn't play 352 yesterday though.
Was more like a 4411. |
Quite. |  | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 12:34 - Apr 11 with 1402 views | BlueForYou |
No formation will ever work if you don't have any strikers to finish the job! |  | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:06 - Apr 11 with 1334 views | Darth_Koont |
Not sure I agree with the formation aspect but agree with the underlying problem of not enough players getting into forward positions.
While our forwards aren’t great shakes perhaps they’re pretty isolated and at least one or two of our midfielders and one or two of the fullbacks need to be getting further forward more often. This is about outnumbering defenders, moving the defensive line (or at least giving them something else to think about) and being in position to give or receive a short pass and pick up a loose ball.
Right now we seem to be putting all the onus on three attacking players. And that’s even more of a problem if we don’t actually rate them. In that case, they need more support not less.
The good news is that I still think that this is a margin/confidence issue. Get players willing to take a few more runs forward, press up a few yards higher, believe that the teammates around them will do something positive or constructive with the ball ... and we can look a much better team. Certainly good enough to be in the play-offs. How to instill that confidence after 3+ years of underperforming is the 64,000 dollar question. |  |
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| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:13 - Apr 11 with 1305 views | bluefunk |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:06 - Apr 11 by Darth_Koont |
Not sure I agree with the formation aspect but agree with the underlying problem of not enough players getting into forward positions.
While our forwards aren’t great shakes perhaps they’re pretty isolated and at least one or two of our midfielders and one or two of the fullbacks need to be getting further forward more often. This is about outnumbering defenders, moving the defensive line (or at least giving them something else to think about) and being in position to give or receive a short pass and pick up a loose ball.
Right now we seem to be putting all the onus on three attacking players. And that’s even more of a problem if we don’t actually rate them. In that case, they need more support not less.
The good news is that I still think that this is a margin/confidence issue. Get players willing to take a few more runs forward, press up a few yards higher, believe that the teammates around them will do something positive or constructive with the ball ... and we can look a much better team. Certainly good enough to be in the play-offs. How to instill that confidence after 3+ years of underperforming is the 64,000 dollar question. |
Your last para is spot on IMO. We had 4/5 decent opportunities to score yesterday, Dobras first half chance, Ward cross when Edwards was the only one in the box, Sears 2 gilt edged second half chances and Drinans failure to get off a shot when almost clear.
On each one a more confident player would have got at least one of those on target, for Dobras chance Edwards should have used his pace to get clear of the defender and shoot rather than pass and Drinan wouldn’t have turned away looking for support. Sears, well just simply poor execution.
Cook’ll sort it for next season |  | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:19 - Apr 11 with 1274 views | ZXBlue |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:13 - Apr 11 by bluefunk |
Your last para is spot on IMO. We had 4/5 decent opportunities to score yesterday, Dobras first half chance, Ward cross when Edwards was the only one in the box, Sears 2 gilt edged second half chances and Drinans failure to get off a shot when almost clear.
On each one a more confident player would have got at least one of those on target, for Dobras chance Edwards should have used his pace to get clear of the defender and shoot rather than pass and Drinan wouldn’t have turned away looking for support. Sears, well just simply poor execution.
Cook’ll sort it for next season |
It was better yesterday and some decent chances were made.
The one where Edwards rightly didnt get a pen was a good example of the problem though. he was the only one busting into the 6 yard box. Dozz made the pass then luked on the edge when he could have steamed into the middle in expectation of a cross. | | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 13:21 - Apr 11 with 1259 views | blueislander |
A very long and detailed post, but really it boils down to the fact that our strikers are collectively and individually s-it. | | | |
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| This is the reason we can't score goals on 14:57 - Apr 11 with 1099 views | El_Fenix |
A good, thought-provoking post, thank you.
I agree that Cook may have given up on making the play-offs and will use otherwise irrelevant games to explore different ideas and possibilities. If that is the case, seeing what he tries during the next seven games will be interesting. Not wanting to admit (yet) that he has given up on the playoffs may be why Cook is avoiding press conferences .
In terms of the failure to score goals, I believe that one problem is that the players who provide pace (e.g. Edwards and Jackson) have rather poor first touches. The close dribbling and mazy runs of Dobra and Bishop may be more unsettling to defenders ... |  |
| ITFC shall rise like a phoenix from the ashes of its long decline! |
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| This is the reason we can't score goals on 15:16 - Apr 11 with 1031 views | saffers12 |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 14:57 - Apr 11 by El_Fenix |
A good, thought-provoking post, thank you.
I agree that Cook may have given up on making the play-offs and will use otherwise irrelevant games to explore different ideas and possibilities. If that is the case, seeing what he tries during the next seven games will be interesting. Not wanting to admit (yet) that he has given up on the playoffs may be why Cook is avoiding press conferences .
In terms of the failure to score goals, I believe that one problem is that the players who provide pace (e.g. Edwards and Jackson) have rather poor first touches. The close dribbling and mazy runs of Dobra and Bishop may be more unsettling to defenders ... |
I think you are right, the first touch issue is a real issue , I hope we got more technical players , it slows momentum and also means players making the pass are less confident in making it |  | | |
| This is the reason we can't score goals on 18:35 - Apr 11 with 895 views | chrismakin |
I'm going to attempt a Roy Keane style explanation.
OUR PLAYERS ARE ABSOLUTELY DOG SHT*
* Most [Post edited 11 Apr 2021 18:40]
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