| Cook’s Recipe. Game by Game discussion of Tactics and Chemistry. 16:28 - Aug 10 with 558 views | ITFC_Esquire |
I thought I would make a new thread to discuss each game with particular focus on the following: Cooks system, and how well the team are adapting to it in addition to team chemistry and evidence of ‘gelling’.
I’ll start with my take on the first game:
Overall, I was quite impressed by the first game. I am aware it is difficult to gauge how well we played as you have to expect it was probably against one of the weaker sides in the league. Having said this, I felt we controlled the game for large spells and showed fleeting glimpses of magic when the players combined in the final third, however this did not happen enough. You’d have to hope that as these players get more minutes together under their belts, the more frequently these moments will occur and the more consistent the performance will become.
After all, how often was it last season that we didn’t just lose (or draw) against inferior opposition but we were outperformed. This definitely wasn’t the case vs. Morecambe.
In some ways I feel the result is not a fair reflection on Cook. Although we perhaps should have been more dominant over a newly promoted side, ultimately individual errors lead to goals and I’m not sure how much you can lay the blame onto the manager for these. Yes over a season the coaching staff should be expected to either iron these out as best as possible where they can (or remove the player from the starting XI), Cook could not have done anything about these in his first competitive game in charge.
Despite this, we again (in the same manner as the Colchester game) showed character to come from behind. This will give us huge confidence going forward should the team find themselves in similar positions... After all, akin to winning, ‘refusing to lose’ is a habit.
In terms of system, I think there was solid evidence of Cook’s stamp of authority all over the game.
The team looked to adopt a possession based style of play, keeping the ball on the carpet - something which resonates with the DNA of the club and I for one am here for it.
Key to this was the midfield partnership of Evans and Harper, who were superb and could easily become the best central midfield partnership in the league if they stay fit. It was so nice to see 2 players in the middle of the park who were technically competent and confident in making the play tick (Long gone are the combinations like Skuse and Douglas in front of a back 5, Amen!). They are both able to switch the play with ease and absolute accuracy which gives us so many options when moving the ball around, making it much harder to defend. I’m intrigued to see if they are able to ooze class like this against more experienced opposition.
The Cook attacking wingback was definitely on show on Saturday. They both got into really attacking positions and were a brilliant outlet for those Evans/Harper cross field balls. They often offered an overload on the opposition fullbacks and this looks to be a significant goal threat going forward. Unfortunately, both KVY and Penney let themselves down with end product on too many occasions but with KVY still fresh off the back of a long spell on the sidelines, in addition to the introduction of Coulson, you’d expect this to improve over the next few games. Watch this space.
With the wingbacks flying up the touch line, it allowed the wider advanced midfielders to tuck in and become a tight knit 4 with the 9/10. This was exactly what allowed Fraser to get into the box for his goal, which was absolutely fantastic in my opinion. One thing I’d particularly like to mention is Chaplin’s involvements. I know people said he had a quiet game but IMO when he got the ball he was clever with it, moving it on quickly to another attacking player and often offering a pivot for other players to run off, just as he did for the goal. If the other attacking players can get onto his wavelength, I feel he could be one of our most valuable attacking assets in the side.
Overall I felt all of the attacking players had moments where you could see their class but were unable to find each other on a regular basis which im sure will improve with game time together.
Another positive was Cooks willingness to switch to 2 up top and change system. Something fans of his previous clubs had heavily criticised. Whilst it could have come earlier, it payed off. I’m sure a lot of fans from previous clubs will be looking at that and asking why he didn’t do it more often for them.
Defensively, I felt we were a bit of a shambles unfortunately.
Piggott and Chaplin pressed from the front with some intensity but the press never seemed to be as a unit, allowing them to be bypassed easily. Hopefully, again, with game time together this can improve.
In midfield I thought Harper and Evans battled well, with the exception of the first goal. One concern I do have, however, is Harper’s defensive awareness. I made it 2 or 3 times that got sucked too high up the pitch in attack and 2 or 3 times that he didn’t track late midfield runners into the box. Although we didn’t suffer as a consequence in this game, if not addressed it won’t be long before that costs us a goal or two.
At the back it was almost as though there were 4 players who were not on the same page in any regard in my opinion. Morecambe did not offer much in the way of attacks, but when they did it felt we were at total 6s and 7s. We need that experienced CB and we need him ASAP. Hopefully putting the fridge in next to an experienced head will allow a much more stable platform to defend from.
I feel it would be unfair to comment on Hladky after a difficult game where he didn’t have much to do apart from pick the ball out the back of his net. I was however pleased to see that he is quick to come off his line and was confident with his distribution. I felt he went short when appropriate and when going long he was calculated with his ball forward, proven by his involvement in the second equaliser.
Overall, a solid performance to build on. Although we will likely have tougher opposition, I feel that if we can get the center half partnership sorted and ensure Harper is defensively switched on, we will have enough at the other end to beat most sides in this division. I’d be interested to hear other peoples takes.
P.s Sorry for rambling, I’m no good at writing. Additions to this over the following games will likely be shorter with updates only on new insights.
COYB.
BERKE BAKAY’S BARMY ARMY. |  |
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| Cook’s Recipe. Game by Game discussion of Tactics and Chemistry. on 17:10 - Aug 10 with 443 views | Dennyx4 |
A good read, thanks for posting and some good observations.
I agree the defence looks at 6's and 7's and a new leader at the back may just help Harper too.
A few of thoughts from me to add.
I liked the timing of Penney's runs forwards - helps that we now have central midfielders that can pick the pass, but for me Penney's running off the ball was superb. Unfortunately didn't lead to a goal, and maybe didn't choose the right options, but much rather our full backs were getting into those positions.
Pigott - I thought would have done better in the air on Saturday, I remember he was a right nuisance for our defenders, but didn't win as many headers as I hoped/thought he would. Some really good movements from him and you can see that he will find space in the box, if we can pick the right pass.
Hladky - not sure he had to come off his line for the first goal. The angle was getting tighter and tighter, and believe that his advance, made the strikers mind up to have a shot. Easy in hindsight, when you can see the bigger picture, and also would have been the right choice, if he had made the save. |  | | |
| Cook’s Recipe. Game by Game discussion of Tactics and Chemistry. on 18:05 - Aug 10 with 370 views | ITFC_Esquire |
| Cook’s Recipe. Game by Game discussion of Tactics and Chemistry. on 17:10 - Aug 10 by Dennyx4 |
A good read, thanks for posting and some good observations.
I agree the defence looks at 6's and 7's and a new leader at the back may just help Harper too.
A few of thoughts from me to add.
I liked the timing of Penney's runs forwards - helps that we now have central midfielders that can pick the pass, but for me Penney's running off the ball was superb. Unfortunately didn't lead to a goal, and maybe didn't choose the right options, but much rather our full backs were getting into those positions.
Pigott - I thought would have done better in the air on Saturday, I remember he was a right nuisance for our defenders, but didn't win as many headers as I hoped/thought he would. Some really good movements from him and you can see that he will find space in the box, if we can pick the right pass.
Hladky - not sure he had to come off his line for the first goal. The angle was getting tighter and tighter, and believe that his advance, made the strikers mind up to have a shot. Easy in hindsight, when you can see the bigger picture, and also would have been the right choice, if he had made the save. |
Thank you, appreciated, same goes for you.
Re: Penney, I actually had in my original draft a comment on how I was overall happy with his performance and would be happy if he was our first choice. I agree entirely about his runs forward and at this stage I definitely think he did more than enough to keep the shirt. Having said that, seeing what people have said about Coulson, and having watched his highlights, I do feel he will probably be the more handy of the two… but time will tell. From what I’ve read Warnock may have been keen to keep him and try him in the midfield, but that is heavily inferred. He was Boro’s young player of the year when allowed to get forward but since Warnock has come he hasn’t featured much as he prefers more traditional fullbacks. Either way, we should have some seriously healthy competition at LB for once!
I did feel the one pull back from Penney (as a consequence of a brilliant run in behind as you mention) was incredibly unfortunate not to get a touch into the back of the net.
On Piggott, yes I agree. I did feel he looked technically sound though, which is nice for a bigger lad. I felt his link up was decent but he didn’t really get a chance inside the box, for whatever reason. And he nearly scored a very clever header from one of our earlier corners.
I’ll take your word for it on Hladky, can’t say goalkeeping is my area of expertise. I can definitely see your point though. | |
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