Set up to fail

S

Superbretty

Well-known member
It is becoming increasingly clear to all (particularly the opposition) how we are set up to play.
Always with a back three, always with (inverted) wingbacks.
This alone puts us at a disadvantage as the formation is predictable and the opposition have all week to work out a game plan.
Then we pass the ball so slowly and predictably in possession the opposing team have all day to get back in position when we have the ball.
If we try and play it through the midfield we can’t because the build up is so slow that the opposition are in position and they are happy for us to play sideways passes until it all breaks down and they hit us on the counter.
It’s all so slow, laboured and predictable.
The players are very clearly being told to play this way so for me it is on the manager.
We were failing the first time Critchley came in until we got Calderwood. It’s either time for another no2 or time to consider Critchley’s future.
 
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Superbretty said:
It is becoming increasingly clear to all (particularly the opposition) how we are set up to play.
Always with a back three, always with (inverted) wingbacks.
This alone puts us at a disadvantage as the formation is predictable and the opposition have all week to work out a game plan.
Then we pass the ball so slowly and predictably in possession the opposing team have all day to get back in position when we have the ball.
If we try and play it through the midfield we can’t because the build up is so slow that the opposition are in position and they are happy for us to play sideways passes until it all breaks down and they hit us on the counter.
It’s all so slow, laboured and predictable.
The players are very clearly being told to play this way so for me it is on the manager.
We were failing the first time Critchley came in until we got Calderwood. It’s either time for another no2 or time to consider Critchley’s future.
Click to expand...
The only teams that can set up the same way week after week are the ones at the top of their game. Even then the better managers make tactical tweaks. We just continue doing the same thing hoping the opposition will come out to play. If they don't, or if they have decent wide players or a proper midfield we are up against it. Hard to watch.
 
Have actually felt sorry for Andy Lyons isolated on the left hand side on his own with no team mates around him and only 2-3 opposition for company the last few. And it'll be no different on Friday when it's Owen Dale there until 65 minutes when he gets subbed off in a pre-planned change for Lyons to come on and carry on the same thing with the same outcome.

I don't know of any other manager who actively sets out to make his own players uncomfortable in their role before the other team even has a chance to make it worse.
 
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
 
I must admit we have to mix it up a bit. Passing around at the back is pointless against teams like Cambridge, Burton and probably Vale. They're not going to be drawn out of shape as they're not expecting to win the game and they're quite happy to sit back and watch us faff around while they wait for their slice of luck to get something out the game.

The possession football on the other hand is more effective against the Portsmouths and Barnsleys as they want to win the game and will try to come and get it off us allowing us to counter at pace and create openings.

We are just too stuck in our ways.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
Click to expand...
Callum looks under pressure passing from the back. I dread to think what would happen in a cluttered midfield.
 
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1966_and_all_that said:
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
Click to expand...
Gabriel was ill, hence Thompsons late inclusion.
 
The worrying thing is nothing seems to be learned from the set up failing before, we just do the same thing, time and time again and expect a different outcome.

I know it's suppose to be a bit old school these days but we seem to be crying out to go to a 442 set up and for God's sake play the players in their right positions on their stronger sides. Inverted wing backs my furry arse!
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
Click to expand...
Not playing the divisions top scorer a bold move
 
Yarmouth Seasider said:
The worrying thing is nothing seems to be learned from the set up failing before, we just do the same thing, time and time again and expect a different outcome.

I know it's suppose to be a bit old school these days but we seem to be crying out to go to a 442 set up and for God's sake play the players in their right positions on their stronger sides. Inverted wing backs my furry arse!
Click to expand...
I agree we need to go 442 especially for now away from home. With this 3 5 2 bollocks the defence is found wanting every time. The players at the back are just not good enough in a 3 man defence when the opposition come knocking as has happened at Cambridge and Burton. Critchley must see this now surely ?
 
Superbretty said:
It is becoming increasingly clear to all (particularly the opposition) how we are set up to play.
Always with a back three, always with (inverted) wingbacks.
This alone puts us at a disadvantage as the formation is predictable and the opposition have all week to work out a game plan.
Then we pass the ball so slowly and predictably in possession the opposing team have all day to get back in position when we have the ball.
If we try and play it through the midfield we can’t because the build up is so slow that the opposition are in position and they are happy for us to play sideways passes until it all breaks down and they hit us on the counter.
It’s all so slow, laboured and predictable.
The players are very clearly being told to play this way so for me it is on the manager.
We were failing the first time Critchley came in until we got Calderwood. It’s either time for another no2 or time to consider Critchley’s future.
Click to expand...
The manager should make the team watch videos of Peterborough. Now there's team that moves the ball very quickly and counter attacks with lighting pace.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
Click to expand...
More comedy gold ..if Critchley had picked that team then it could have been even worse than it was…I have to assume this is a wind up post and an attempt at parody
 
The issue with our midfield I think is players like Morgan and Norburn pass and don’t move up the pitch. How do you create an overload without attacking intent. We play this left to right, right to left stuff but it relies on being a bit more dynamic than we are. Playing it through Dembele is the only chance of something worthy of breaking through and creating a chance.
 
Yarmouth Seasider said:
The worrying thing is nothing seems to be learned from the set up failing before, we just do the same thing, time and time again and expect a different outcome.

I know it's suppose to be a bit old school these days but we seem to be crying out to go to a 442 set up and for God's sake play the players in their right positions on their stronger sides. Inverted wing backs my furry arse!
Click to expand...
Exactly what I keep saying . Critchley seems incapable of learning from his mistakes or just incredibly stubborn. It has always been his problem . Without doubt he needs a no 2 to whisper a few words of wisdom .
 

Set up to fail​


On purpose?? In the Championship you need to spend millions to compete.

Or is Critchley doing the same thing over and over because he's stupid?
 
zico_bamber said:
The issue with our midfield I think is players like Morgan and Norburn pass and don’t move up the pitch. How do you create an overload without attacking intent. We play this left to right, right to left stuff but it relies on being a bit more dynamic than we are. Playing it through Dembele is the only chance of something worthy of breaking through and creating a chance.
Click to expand...
Away from home it’s Pass….admire….reset position. It has to be coming from the genius coach.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I was going to post this last night but Indiana Jones and several glasses of malt got in the way.

Whilst out walking the dog (post-match) I had time to think about how we should have set up against Burton. In the end, I thought it wasn't so much a question of formations but of attitude and the style of play. I wrote, during the match, that Burton were instructed to rough us up and to pack their defence which, on their smallish pitch, they were able to do successfully. For me, therefore, it wasn't a day for the ball players, rather those with a bit of muscle, grit and determination. Players who would give back as much as they received.

On that note then, I would have started with:

Grimshaw - albeit he now has real competition for the jersey.

Pennington / Casey / Lyons (Casey is now our best centre-back and I could not drop Penno. Lyons in as a full-back)

Connolly / Virtue (Connolly is a good defensive midfielder in my book. Virtue is a strong unit. Dougall should be there but....?)

Gabriel / Dembele / Dale (I like CJ but not a day for his skills)

Carey / Joseph (If they were available it should have been Lavery / Carey or Lavery / Kouasi).
Click to expand...

Connolly and Virtue in midfield? Do you want us to be even worse?
 
Connolly in Any position doesn't work. The Tram stop reject can't pass tackle or run . How many games have we won when he,s in the defence?
Carey had 3/4 good games and has now reverted to his normal backpass/sidewards passing . Oh he can't tackle either!!
Grimshaw seems to be wearing stupid shirts(pink!) and making poor positional decisions at present(sack Banks)
Norburn? Any player Peterboro give away is normally a liability.
3 out of those 4 are not good enough
1 isn't being coached properly.
End of Rant
 
2 minutes left in the Burton game first half, we pass it around the back as usual like we are actually winning the game. Cannot be arsed watching more of the same drivel against PV.
 
poolfc said:
Have actually felt sorry for Andy Lyons isolated on the left hand side on his own with no team mates around him and only 2-3 opposition for company the last few. And it'll be no different on Friday when it's Owen Dale there until 65 minutes when he gets subbed off in a pre-planned change for Lyons to come on and carry on the same thing with the same outcome.

I don't know of any other manager who actively sets out to make his own players uncomfortable in their role before the other team even has a chance to make it worse.
Click to expand...
This is tragically true.

We have a genuine lwb in Thompson who doesn’t get a chance except in shit games.

Can’t play him obviously in case he attacks and makes a mistake.
 
poolfc said:
Have actually felt sorry for Andy Lyons isolated on the left hand side on his own with no team mates around him and only 2-3 opposition for company the last few. And it'll be no different on Friday when it's Owen Dale there until 65 minutes when he gets subbed off in a pre-planned change for Lyons to come on and carry on the same thing with the same outcome.

I don't know of any other manager who actively sets out to make his own players uncomfortable in their role before the other team even has a chance to make it worse.
Click to expand...
Lyons has not been playing well recently and if a professional isn't capable of passing the ball close to the full length of the pitch he is in the wrong job. If a winger cannot get the ball into the box ,he should be able to pass it back to either a midfielder or a defender as the opposition would be goal side of him in most cases. Andy Lyons last two games have been awful , his passing has been poor and he has even lost possession a couple of times. In my opinion he just needs a break to get his confidence back.
 
Chesterbfc said:
Connolly in Any position doesn't work. The Tram stop reject can't pass tackle or run . How many games have we won when he,s in the defence?
Carey had 3/4 good games and has now reverted to his normal backpass/sidewards passing . Oh he can't tackle either!!
Grimshaw seems to be wearing stupid shirts(pink!) and making poor positional decisions at present(sack Banks)
Norburn? Any player Peterboro give away is normally a liability.
3 out of those 4 are not good enough
1 isn't being coached properly.
End of Rant
Click to expand...
Ever since Banks was appointed goalkeeping coach none of our keepers come off the line to command the area.

He was exactly the same as a player.
 
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