Kieran McKenna - agile, adaptive, adept and astute. by homer_123 12 Apr 9:23
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.