| The problem with the system and the solution ! 06:27 - Aug 24 with 857 views | Westcountryblue |
The biggest issue we have at the moment is our wide players. Neither are individually poor (they are very talented), but they don’t suit the system or the way McKenna wants us to play. Here’s a breakdown of where things go wrong:
-Philogene and Clarke both want the ball to feet rather than in behind.
-Their natural instinct is to play inverted.
-As a result, they cut inside at every opportunity.
-Previously, Broadhead did this with Davis overlapping, but we still carried width through Burns. Hence, our right sided preference at times.
-Now, we have two players inverting and cutting in.
-This makes us TOO NARROW, and we get blocked by well-organised backlines that aren’t being stretched, parking 2 banks of 4.
That’s pretty much the heart of the issue. Generally, the defence has been excellent this season. Taylor and Matusiwa were very good yesterday and totally dominated. But it all feels a bit distorted further up the pitch.
My suggestions would be:
1.Move Clarke over to the left and let him battle it out with Philogene. Clarke is more direct and should be allowed to play where he thrived for Sunderland. He can cut in, with Davis overlapping to maintain width.
2.On the right side, use McAteer in the Burns role. Ideally, we could also use the Norwegian lad to give us that “Omari factor” (which, based on his highlights, he looks like he has).
3.Accept that Taylor is probably more of an attacking playmaker (as he was at Peterborough). Instead, we need a deep-lying playmaker, which Cajuste excels at. Start him, let him dictate tempo and also sign someone to rotate with him for fitness reasons.
4.We can’t play 3 to 4, 5 foot nothings, otherwise we’ll be physically bullied, as we were in the Premiership. One or two is fine. Szmodics hasn’t really registered yet or Chaplin. Therefore, I think we need to play Akpom in a slightly more advanced, second striker role so Hirst isn’t isolated.
5.Potentially play Woolfie more in games where we’re likely to dictate possession. He’s our best distributor. Let's not fudge about trying to get a replacement, when the solution is in house.
Bottom line, we need shuffle around what already have, strengthen the midfield to sort out the imbalance and add a Hirst alternative. Do that, and we'll be fine. |  | | |  |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 06:47 - Aug 24 with 757 views | textbackup |
Really good point about the wide guys cutting inside, and how teams will just pack out the middle and suffocate us.
KM needs to find a formula where it works for those players, given that he’s worked with a number of them for a while it surprises me a bit that he’s not seen those issues (maybe he has, and that’s why we’ve brought that Kassey lad in) |  |
| |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 06:58 - Aug 24 with 720 views | PioneerBlue |
I agree with everything here but the Wolfy ship might have sailed. What you have outlined is pretty much the plan a when the likes of Cajuste, Akpom are fit and now we have the depth on the RW. The J Clarke experiment on the RW has been tried and I was an early advocate in the PL when we had only Johnson but he’s not taken the opportunity. As you say, Jaden and Clarke are really good players they can’t be allowed to fail under this manager, we have to find a way to get the best from them but that might not be in the same game on the pitch at the same time. | |
| |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 07:23 - Aug 24 with 642 views | Westcountryblue |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 06:47 - Aug 24 by textbackup |
Really good point about the wide guys cutting inside, and how teams will just pack out the middle and suffocate us.
KM needs to find a formula where it works for those players, given that he’s worked with a number of them for a while it surprises me a bit that he’s not seen those issues (maybe he has, and that’s why we’ve brought that Kassey lad in) |
Yeah, when Broadhead did it, it was fine, as Davis overlapped and Burns provided genuine touchline width on the right side.
Thus, we stretched teams. We also had Omari, who could go inside, but also hug the touchline and get to the byline.
I think McAteer will help us. Perhaps not in the same category as Omari, but he will make us more balanced. The Norweigan plays anywhere along and looks to be a good ball carrier. [Post edited 24 Aug 7:24]
| | | |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 07:26 - Aug 24 with 628 views | Westcountryblue |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 06:58 - Aug 24 by PioneerBlue |
I agree with everything here but the Wolfy ship might have sailed. What you have outlined is pretty much the plan a when the likes of Cajuste, Akpom are fit and now we have the depth on the RW. The J Clarke experiment on the RW has been tried and I was an early advocate in the PL when we had only Johnson but he’s not taken the opportunity. As you say, Jaden and Clarke are really good players they can’t be allowed to fail under this manager, we have to find a way to get the best from them but that might not be in the same game on the pitch at the same time. |
You're probably right about Wolfy, defensively he has his lapses and he's not the greatest in the air, but he knits things together between the backline and the midfield. One of the best ball playing CB's outside the top flight. I think he'd be great to use in games where we are likely to see 60-70% of the ball. | | | |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 07:41 - Aug 24 with 564 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
Really good post. The only problem there is where do you play Woolfy? Do you drop your captain to play him? Or push a square peg into a round hole to get them both on the pitch? |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 08:40 - Aug 24 with 358 views | BeachBlue |
An excellent post, but it pains me to say that I think Woolfenden is on his way, if we find another CB |  | | |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 08:42 - Aug 24 with 353 views | Jon_456 |
Another bit that doesn’t help is having your CB constantly putting his pass 5 yards behind Davis every single bl*ody time, killing all momentum. [Post edited 24 Aug 9:06]
| | | |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 08:43 - Aug 24 with 342 views | northants |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 07:41 - Aug 24 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Really good post. The only problem there is where do you play Woolfy? Do you drop your captain to play him? Or push a square peg into a round hole to get them both on the pitch? |
Really good OP and I agree with our issues out wide.
The other one for me (system related) is SS.
I feel sorry for him in a way as we bought him as a championship goal machine. What the hell have we done to him. My same fear is now in place for Akpom if we fail to play to his strengths.
Essentially, this is my issue ....we have a bunch of great players, but our system seems to be stifling them....even lief, possibly the only part of the system thst did work last year - we have now plonked a player in his way to further stifle our attacking threat. |  | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 08:48 - Aug 24 with 317 views | Metal_Hacker |
This is the issue for me …the wide players
Regardless of being lightweight and all that nonsense people bang on about , it’s the system they’re being asked to play which isn’t helping them. I agree let both Clarke and Philogene battle it about between them utilising McAteer |  |
| |
| The problem with the system and the solution ! on 09:02 - Aug 24 with 249 views | Battersea_Blue |
Top class post and agree with the vast majority of what you've said.
I have a good mate who's a Sunderland fan. Both last season and this we're gobsmacked that KM continues to play Clarke on the right. He was brilliant for Sunderland in that role, surely that's what we bought him for. Not to play him out of position and he really struggles on the right, or in the centre.
Also, for me, I'd play Young at RB every day of the week. I can't take to Johnson, really don't think he's good enough.
I have the feeling McAteer will be excellent for us and can see him starting v Derby.
I also hope Akpom starts v Derby. Some of his touches were excellent yesterday when he came on. Cajuste should also start. He's class and made a difference yesterday.
Hirst needs more support. He was poor yesterday, but he didn't get much to work with.
I'm sure it we'll ultimately "click" when the right formation is determined. Play players in positions where we get the best from them, that's the start of it. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
