I have a suspicion that once Keogh went things improved and that wasn’t just a coincidence. It always seemed ponderous and too much passing back to Keogh for ineffective distribution to ever work that well.
Keogh as the old pro getting ready to move into management perhaps had too much influence on that system both on and off the pitch.
I’m not saying he created a toxic culture or anything like that, more he may just have been able to persuade a young manager to incorporate elements of his style for a period of time.
In fairness to MB and the way he wanted to play (3 at the back), there was a good analysis on, I think MOTD in ref to either Man Utd or Southampton.
Essentially the thinking was that 3 at the back works effectively in teams that have sufficient possession and ability but all too easily becomes 5 at the back when teams are under pressure and/or have little possession or they lack confidence in the ability of the back 3.
It then becomes a vicious cycle as the midfield becomes stretched once the wingbacks retreat, so they drop back to close the space and the strikers then become isolated.
To me this all sounds very like what was happening to us in the first half of last season, especially at the end of games.
I'll leave it to others to have an opinion on why we couldn't make 3 at the back work, but it would be wrong to blame MB for trying to implement the system.
Blooms knew what he wanted to achieve out of the 3 at the back (supposedly have the one in the centre with good passing range and vision), and then looked at how he could achieve it with just two centre backs (push Josh forward, put Morley at the back of midfield as the visionary) - stroke of genius if you ask me.
Ditto. And what a bright bunch of players we have currently. They have clearly bought into the philosophy.
One of the most remarkable (and cheeky) aspects of our approach is the use of wingbacks in a back four. I’m no expert but I thought you had to have three central defenders to allow the fullbacks (especially the brilliant Dan Harvie) to rampage forward as often as they do.
If the opposition concentrates the press on one player, it makes it more likely others will be in space. We have shown that our midfield can play through all comers (since the second half of the third game at least), if the opposition want to leave more room for the rest of our players, I'm sure we'd exploit it.
Your comment brings home to me the limitations of watching on TV or tablet rather than being at the match. I hadn’t noticed that but, thinking about it, there wouldn’t be much sense in both fullbacks rampaging forward at the same time. Since Jasper took over, however briefly, from Jack I suspect he and Harvie are neck and neck.
This last game against Lincoln was the first one where Jasper really went for it going forward, and he showed (during the build up to the first goal) that he can beat his man and be a handful. Considering he was a midfielder (I believe?) when we brought him in from Worthing, I think he has it in his locker to be absolutely devastating once he gets forward more - and that would give Harvie a breather too!
By the way, how incredibly fit is Harvie? Against Wigan he broke the back of injury time with that amazing marauding run forward, and he seems to have the legs to bomb on at any time in the game.
Were I Matt Bloomfield my priority during the transfer window would be to get in cover for Dan Harvie, I think he's the one player we can't afford to lose at the moment
In the comments bit from Lincoln fans on the 'Ringing the Blues' podcast, one highlighted the incredible fitness of the whole team. Said something along the lines that we were relentless. And that second goal was the best team goal I can recall seeing from Wycombe side. And that lung bleeding run from Harvie...well...
Comments
I have a suspicion that once Keogh went things improved and that wasn’t just a coincidence. It always seemed ponderous and too much passing back to Keogh for ineffective distribution to ever work that well.
Keogh as the old pro getting ready to move into management perhaps had too much influence on that system both on and off the pitch.
I’m not saying he created a toxic culture or anything like that, more he may just have been able to persuade a young manager to incorporate elements of his style for a period of time.
I wonder how much of an impact Scott Mitchell had on that transfer.
In fairness to MB and the way he wanted to play (3 at the back), there was a good analysis on, I think MOTD in ref to either Man Utd or Southampton.
Essentially the thinking was that 3 at the back works effectively in teams that have sufficient possession and ability but all too easily becomes 5 at the back when teams are under pressure and/or have little possession or they lack confidence in the ability of the back 3.
It then becomes a vicious cycle as the midfield becomes stretched once the wingbacks retreat, so they drop back to close the space and the strikers then become isolated.
To me this all sounds very like what was happening to us in the first half of last season, especially at the end of games.
I'll leave it to others to have an opinion on why we couldn't make 3 at the back work, but it would be wrong to blame MB for trying to implement the system.
Personnel matters, too - I bet 3ATB would have worked better with Lonwijk involved than Keogh, for instance!
Either way, it will always tickle me that Blooms' UEFA Pro License was paid for by Colchester.
Blooms knew what he wanted to achieve out of the 3 at the back (supposedly have the one in the centre with good passing range and vision), and then looked at how he could achieve it with just two centre backs (push Josh forward, put Morley at the back of midfield as the visionary) - stroke of genius if you ask me.
The most interesting thing I found (in an article full of interesting things) was the “philosophy pamphlet.”
In a world where we are playing extraordinarily well I am nodding along sagely (and ignorantly).
But must admit I am intrigued when and where that originated. (I am assuming not Bob Dylan)
I saw Philosophy Pamphlet on one of the smaller stages at Glastonbury a few years ago, unusual sound
Ditto. And what a bright bunch of players we have currently. They have clearly bought into the philosophy.
One of the most remarkable (and cheeky) aspects of our approach is the use of wingbacks in a back four. I’m no expert but I thought you had to have three central defenders to allow the fullbacks (especially the brilliant Dan Harvie) to rampage forward as often as they do.
Extraordinary.
Only one goes at a time though, and it's usually Harvie. It's been a brilliant tactic that's worked a treat this season.
Will be interesting to see what happens if an opposition side decides the way to stop Wycombe is to set up to prevent Harvie bombing on.
If the opposition concentrates the press on one player, it makes it more likely others will be in space. We have shown that our midfield can play through all comers (since the second half of the third game at least), if the opposition want to leave more room for the rest of our players, I'm sure we'd exploit it.
Your comment brings home to me the limitations of watching on TV or tablet rather than being at the match. I hadn’t noticed that but, thinking about it, there wouldn’t be much sense in both fullbacks rampaging forward at the same time. Since Jasper took over, however briefly, from Jack I suspect he and Harvie are neck and neck.
This last game against Lincoln was the first one where Jasper really went for it going forward, and he showed (during the build up to the first goal) that he can beat his man and be a handful. Considering he was a midfielder (I believe?) when we brought him in from Worthing, I think he has it in his locker to be absolutely devastating once he gets forward more - and that would give Harvie a breather too!
By the way, how incredibly fit is Harvie? Against Wigan he broke the back of injury time with that amazing marauding run forward, and he seems to have the legs to bomb on at any time in the game.
Were I Matt Bloomfield my priority during the transfer window would be to get in cover for Dan Harvie, I think he's the one player we can't afford to lose at the moment
In the comments bit from Lincoln fans on the 'Ringing the Blues' podcast, one highlighted the incredible fitness of the whole team. Said something along the lines that we were relentless. And that second goal was the best team goal I can recall seeing from Wycombe side. And that lung bleeding run from Harvie...well...
Problem is, anyone good enough to stand in for him won't want to be warming the bench for most of the season.
Need someone who can cover CB or DM as well then, or for Hartridge to step up