We were down to 10, so mad sprinting at someone with the ball, who could then simply lay it off to another man and utilise the extra man would have been a dangerous and foolish tactic.
Yeah I completely agree. Phillips was the only presser in the opposition half against three or four opposition players. I’d argue that anyone suggesting he should have closed down harder is clueless. Phillips is the best presser we have in our team by quite some margin. That doesn’t mean running around like a headless chicken.
I'd have to disagree and as the only presser as you put it I would have thought he would have applied himself better, maybe his instructions were not to press but to just wait for the long ball over the top.
I was not the only one who saw it around me but we won, just.
As I started this side note, I suppose I should give my views clearly.
Philips has developed really well since his first game against Orient where I was critical of his game and have been proven wrong time & time again since. His development has been something that I have enjoyed watching this season.
However, with that said, I did expect him to apply himself a bit more on Monday. Yes, we were down to 10 men and yes, we only had 10 / 15 mins left (including stoppage time) & yes, we ended winning so none of this should matter but I would have liked him to have stepped out of 2nd gear. Apart from the sliding tackle in front of the FA Stand, I don't think he really engaged with the defenders like Vokes does. (And I know Vokes has got 10 yrs plus experience & striker isn't his natural position). It just looked as tho he had played the full 90 mins, instead of someone fresh coming off the bench with only 10-15 mins left. He normally shows us energy, passion and drive, I just didn't see any of those qualities out there.
I thought pressing at the top of the pitch might cause some confusion and indecision and disruption therefore reducing the pressure on our goal...rather than just watching the ball being pinged to Chris Martin. As I said I like Phillips but I found it strange...obviously that is because I am tactically naive or clueless.
It’s surely not possible for one player to do the high press against three or four defenders is it? They’d have all the time in the world to just pass it around them.
It's an interesting debate really, I'm one of Vokes' biggest fans on here, but aside from him doing 2 uncharacteristic clatterings of defenders, chasing defenders down in general isn't one of his skills, and probably IS one of Phillips's attributes.
Maybe it's about how much Phillips usually does versus what he was constrained to be able to do in the circumstances of the 10men situation.
Actually I thought KP was a complete waste when he chased down defenders at a jog. I just thought he should have waited in the centre circle/midfield and make it very difficult for the horse punchers to find a way through. As many have pointed out, chasing down defenders high up the pitch just makes it too easy to pass round the chaser when there is only 10 on your side. Why waste the energy? The best example of this was Chelsea v Barcelona European Cup semi final when Chelsea were down to 10. They just retreated to the edge of their own box and let Barcelona have the ball possession & play their tiki taka football outside the penalty area. The minute they got "close" to the box, they hit them and eventually scored on the break through Torres. 🤷♂️
he is not good enough at the moment and not sure he is full stop, By all accounts Taylor, KP and Boyes were impressive on loan at other league 1 sides last season then they come here and are average at best....is there a common theme?
means your scared of critiquing anything to do with Blooms , you can have your own views ...I'm sure blooms won't ask you to join the coaching staff I'm afraid.
But I have critiqued...though as many of the intellectuals on here will know, that's not the same as criticising though despite using some of the same letters...
That's an interesting point, and a little concerning if they have all played worse. I suppose it's hard to know without having seen more of them for their clubs last season. KP was young player of the season for Shrewsbury, so an argument he was better there for sure. Boyes might have simply been hard done by with the lack of opportunities for us. Taylor is definitely the one who seems to have clearly not lived up to his reputation from last season with Burton.
My guess is that they are close to the same level, but our general struggles and growing pains have simply put them all at a disadvantage. Either way, I don't see it as a pure development issue, because I don't think anyone could fault our handling of Potts, and also various loanees from prior seasons.
I think with Taylor (in fact both D, and L Taylor when he was with us) we’re just not playing to his strengths.
It happens (see Al-Hamadi as the most obvious recent example).
I feel he looks a lot more comfortable when the ball is played to feet, the Orient away game was a perfect example of how not to use him (hoof it up to him…oh! he’s not a target man so the ball just comes straight back).
Early on DT was carving out chances for himself (not taken but looked a threat) so I think the general fall in confidence during our barren run has hit all of our forward players who (Gmac included) seem to look for another pass instead of taking a shot. Hopefully second half of the season will see a hat full of goals!
I think you are in to something here @Wendoverman. Dale Taylor was getting a few shots away early doors but against Lincoln he definitely was happier to lay it off rather than shoot. Have a shot mate! Make it the goalie’s problem!
Comments
We were down to 10, so mad sprinting at someone with the ball, who could then simply lay it off to another man and utilise the extra man would have been a dangerous and foolish tactic.
Yeah I completely agree. Phillips was the only presser in the opposition half against three or four opposition players. I’d argue that anyone suggesting he should have closed down harder is clueless. Phillips is the best presser we have in our team by quite some margin. That doesn’t mean running around like a headless chicken.
I'd have to disagree and as the only presser as you put it I would have thought he would have applied himself better, maybe his instructions were not to press but to just wait for the long ball over the top.
I was not the only one who saw it around me but we won, just.
As I started this side note, I suppose I should give my views clearly.
Philips has developed really well since his first game against Orient where I was critical of his game and have been proven wrong time & time again since. His development has been something that I have enjoyed watching this season.
However, with that said, I did expect him to apply himself a bit more on Monday. Yes, we were down to 10 men and yes, we only had 10 / 15 mins left (including stoppage time) & yes, we ended winning so none of this should matter but I would have liked him to have stepped out of 2nd gear. Apart from the sliding tackle in front of the FA Stand, I don't think he really engaged with the defenders like Vokes does. (And I know Vokes has got 10 yrs plus experience & striker isn't his natural position). It just looked as tho he had played the full 90 mins, instead of someone fresh coming off the bench with only 10-15 mins left. He normally shows us energy, passion and drive, I just didn't see any of those qualities out there.
I thought pressing at the top of the pitch might cause some confusion and indecision and disruption therefore reducing the pressure on our goal...rather than just watching the ball being pinged to Chris Martin. As I said I like Phillips but I found it strange...obviously that is because I am tactically naive or clueless.
It’s surely not possible for one player to do the high press against three or four defenders is it? They’d have all the time in the world to just pass it around them.
I just think Dale needs a little luck. He works very hard and I hope he can flourish alongside Vokes.
It's an interesting debate really, I'm one of Vokes' biggest fans on here, but aside from him doing 2 uncharacteristic clatterings of defenders, chasing defenders down in general isn't one of his skills, and probably IS one of Phillips's attributes.
Maybe it's about how much Phillips usually does versus what he was constrained to be able to do in the circumstances of the 10men situation.
Actually I thought KP was a complete waste when he chased down defenders at a jog. I just thought he should have waited in the centre circle/midfield and make it very difficult for the horse punchers to find a way through. As many have pointed out, chasing down defenders high up the pitch just makes it too easy to pass round the chaser when there is only 10 on your side. Why waste the energy? The best example of this was Chelsea v Barcelona European Cup semi final when Chelsea were down to 10. They just retreated to the edge of their own box and let Barcelona have the ball possession & play their tiki taka football outside the penalty area. The minute they got "close" to the box, they hit them and eventually scored on the break through Torres. 🤷♂️
Thanks very much all. Much appreciated. Enjoy the rest of the season and good luck!
he is not good enough at the moment and not sure he is full stop, By all accounts Taylor, KP and Boyes were impressive on loan at other league 1 sides last season then they come here and are average at best....is there a common theme?
You should know about common themes.
all of your support of Blooms won't get you on the coaching team
Wow! Burnt!
(What does that even mean?)
no idea but at least he’s not calling you bendoverman anymore
A better class of insult obviously.
means your scared of critiquing anything to do with Blooms , you can have your own views ...I'm sure blooms won't ask you to join the coaching staff I'm afraid.
Pathetic.
(But I did chuckle)
To be honest I am quite impressed by how young kids are these days in learning how to create log-ins on websites.
But I have critiqued...though as many of the intellectuals on here will know, that's not the same as criticising though despite using some of the same letters...
I think you two should have a discussion face to face over a pint and a bottle of fizzy pop!
Have you seen the prices...?
I'm not one to critique but Thanks Rob!
That's an interesting point, and a little concerning if they have all played worse. I suppose it's hard to know without having seen more of them for their clubs last season. KP was young player of the season for Shrewsbury, so an argument he was better there for sure. Boyes might have simply been hard done by with the lack of opportunities for us. Taylor is definitely the one who seems to have clearly not lived up to his reputation from last season with Burton.
My guess is that they are close to the same level, but our general struggles and growing pains have simply put them all at a disadvantage. Either way, I don't see it as a pure development issue, because I don't think anyone could fault our handling of Potts, and also various loanees from prior seasons.
I think with Taylor (in fact both D, and L Taylor when he was with us) we’re just not playing to his strengths.
It happens (see Al-Hamadi as the most obvious recent example).
I feel he looks a lot more comfortable when the ball is played to feet, the Orient away game was a perfect example of how not to use him (hoof it up to him…oh! he’s not a target man so the ball just comes straight back).
Early on DT was carving out chances for himself (not taken but looked a threat) so I think the general fall in confidence during our barren run has hit all of our forward players who (Gmac included) seem to look for another pass instead of taking a shot. Hopefully second half of the season will see a hat full of goals!
If you mean not playing to Al Hamadi’s strengths by leaving him on the bench, I absolutely agree!
Ainsworth didn’t seem to rate him, shame really.
I think you are in to something here @Wendoverman. Dale Taylor was getting a few shots away early doors but against Lincoln he definitely was happier to lay it off rather than shoot. Have a shot mate! Make it the goalie’s problem!
Is this true?
There's no way you could verify that, so who knows...