| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was 09:27 - Mar 12 with 1378 views | ArnieM |
How we didn’t play around with the ball in and around our box like we normally do. We got the ball forward so much quicker with the long pass into midfield. To me that shows McKenna’s approach is very much adapting and that he is learning that League one is different.
There was so much to live about the way we went about our game yesterday. We weren’t bullied, and we absolutely brilliant at picking up those 2nd balls. We did it all afternoon and all over the park.
Special mention from me for Woolfie who, as many if you know, I’ve often criticised for his defensive lapses. Well I thought he had a sound performance, and his desire, passion and love for Town was there for all to see when the ref awarded a penalty. I’ve never seen that much passion in him. Keep it up Woolfie coz that’s what I want to see from you! |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 09:47 - Mar 12 with 1263 views | SheffordBlue |
We were still regularly playing out from the back but Boltons press and the weather conditions I think meant we took other options more frequently. Like you say we won so much first and second ball when it did go longer which we haven't previously done - Luongo one of the main differences there I think |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 09:50 - Mar 12 with 1248 views | bobbyramsey |
I think that's been changing for a while now, the play has become far quicker and much more direct....... |  | | |
| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 09:57 - Mar 12 with 1197 views | unstableblue |
Wolfie was candidate for MOTM
We did play out of the back on quite a few occasions, but also mixed it up a lot more
McKenna did a number on Evatt, out thought and out shaped him
But overall we just wanted it more, our players were more dogged and determined
Hirst hold up and short game was exceptional and Clarke was immense and quality
Chaplin funnily enough was a little out of the game. Shame Harness failed to put his chance away, he needed it.
Now we need to not underestimate the Shrews, and go again, difficult game |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 10:01 - Mar 12 with 1178 views | NthQldITFC |
We did when it was the right thing to do, but we've certainly added a bit more directness at times, which is giving a lovely balance.
One thing that occurs to me about KMcK's tenure is that he knows what he wants and he calmly makes it happen over a period of time, to a plan. We've played out from the back so much (and we've become very good at it if you look at the stats he mentions in terms of mistakes whilst doing it), and it is deeply engrained in us as a very effective way of playing against better teams here and in the division above. Now it's engrained, we can mix it up with more direct styles of play too.
Similarly, the complaints some were making about squad rotation earlier in the season. Because of that rotation, we are now in an extremely healthy position of having a happy squad, with game time well spread, and subs who can come in with minimal loss of team performance.
It is very encouraging for the future. |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 10:25 - Mar 12 with 1077 views | Sawtrich |
Yes, I think we've mixed it up a lot more the last few games. Playing out when we can but going longer as well which makes us less predictable and harder to defend against. |  | | |
| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 10:54 - Mar 12 with 1017 views | Guthrum |
The pitch looked a bit claggy yesterday (understandable given the weather), with the ball not rolling all that well. Hence passing it around the back becomes more dodgy. Also why there was more aerial play than we usually see. |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:22 - Mar 12 with 944 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
I was slightly baffled by Bolton’s style of play/pass it out from the keeper then lump it forward anyway…
That said, it looks like McKenna was prepared for this as all our guys up front were waiting to press. | | | |
| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:30 - Mar 12 with 924 views | clive_baker |
Yeah it’s been notable since Bristol Rovers, we’re much less predictable and more direct. Direct doesn’t have to = lumping long balls to a big man, we seem to get the ball back to front much quicker lately, still happy to play through the lines, but with the ability to really mix it up. Makes us much harder to play against. Really nice to see Clarke exchange a 1-2 with Chaplin in a tight area one minute and then drop a ball in over the head of their left back the next. Without the ball we’re still tenacious, quick press, win a high % of 2nd balls and lately we’ve looked way less predictable in possession. The first half yesterday was up there with one of our best 45 minutes of the season. Can’t think of many better. |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:43 - Mar 12 with 859 views | DJR |
| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 09:57 - Mar 12 by unstableblue |
Wolfie was candidate for MOTM
We did play out of the back on quite a few occasions, but also mixed it up a lot more
McKenna did a number on Evatt, out thought and out shaped him
But overall we just wanted it more, our players were more dogged and determined
Hirst hold up and short game was exceptional and Clarke was immense and quality
Chaplin funnily enough was a little out of the game. Shame Harness failed to put his chance away, he needed it.
Now we need to not underestimate the Shrews, and go again, difficult game |
I thought Woolfy was a strong candidate for MOTM along with Walton, Morsy and Luongo.
I don't think he put a foot wrong and we really limited them to just a couple of real chances.
I also don't get the criticism he gets, because, apart from Oxford and he wasn't the only one to blame for the first goal, I can't think of any goals we have conceded this season where he has been at fault.
But for his penalty save, and overall performance, you'd have to give it to Walton. [Post edited 12 Mar 2023 11:44]
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:44 - Mar 12 with 856 views | bournemouthblue |
| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:22 - Mar 12 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
I was slightly baffled by Bolton’s style of play/pass it out from the keeper then lump it forward anyway…
That said, it looks like McKenna was prepared for this as all our guys up front were waiting to press. |
They got out a few times but it looked more like they would make a mistake than fashion anything particularly dangerous, very few sides press as well as us mind you |  |
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| The thing I noticed about us yesterday was on 11:47 - Mar 12 with 829 views | Darth_Koont |
Yes, good to see us mix it up to deal with Bolton’s pretty effective press. Made the game a little scrappier than we’ve been used to but ultimately it was a good marker for how we can respond and adapt to better teams. Ready to scrap and win 2nd balls instead as you say, we generally always looked like the side with the upper hand and more in control even before the goal.
The goal was also confirmation of a recent trend in this good run that we’ve got much better at scoring goals at the right time. Taking a lead into the break was entirely deserved but we delivered on that by pressing home our advantage, which we weren’t doing with any real consistency over the first 30 games.
A lot of things seem to be coming together. If we can get up to this level more often, and especially keep it going to take points off Barnsley and Derby, then we’ll be back in control of our own destiny in no time. |  |
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