Too Too Slow

[Poolview]

Firstly I think we have a decent squad, but no luck with injuries. This has meant players being pushed into the team with limited or no match time. That said I think everyone called upon as done a good job for the team.
However what hasn't changed but needs to, is this painfully slow build up play, which involves a series of square passes, a few back passes, then pass back to the keeper. We even did it against 10 men, so it is something we work on.
Play out from the back, but with quicker sharper passing. Don't just pass the ball, pass and move forward to receive the ball. Play the ball into space, for players to run onto.
All teams work on their defensive shape, slow football allows them to keep that shape. Quick dynamic passing with players running off the ball will break down the best organised defense.
It's good to watch effective and I think we have the players to do it.
Of course good training facilities would be a massive help

 

[Mach_UK]

Sadly, it is very like England's style of play. And like Man Utd in the UEFA cup final(?) So much of the ball but do nothing with it. They need to learn how to break teams down who sit deep and keep their shape.

 

[Atletico_Seasider]

I think this is where we have missed a player like Sonny Carey, who can make a real difference in these kind of games. There is currently nobody who can link the midfield to the attack and play that killer pass. Against the 10 men of QPR it was painfully obvious at times...

 

[Wizaard]

Blackburn played 10 men for even longer and still lost. That's football.

 

[Dougz]

I think this is where we have missed a player like Sonny Carey, who can make a real difference in these kind of games. There is currently nobody who can link the midfield to the attack and play that killer pass. Against the 10 men of QPR it was painfully obvious at times...

Keshi too, he is the link man. We have no replacement for him in this respect as stated before.

 

[BFC76]

However what hasn't changed but needs to, is this painfully slow build up play, which involves a series of square passes, a few back passes, then pass back to the keeper. We even did it against 10 men, so it is something we work on.

I used to think this happened when Keogh was at the back .. clearly not and it's an actual 'technique'!!

 

[Henshman]

Our tactic of ponderously passing the ball around the back four then to the keeper has been sussed because almost all teams are pressing us high, and then we end up with a hasty hoof upfield, which means a 50/50 ball at best. Why-oh-why can't we instead move the ball to a forward from midfield, which gives us more attacking options. We've wasted far too many points this season because of this. Finally, attack is the best form of defence.
Come on you Mighty Pool, let's put teams under pressure and get more goals, and wins.

 

[1950`spoolfan]

The thing is after all this negative passing at the back we often end up with hoofing it upfield and apparently are statistically one of the teams who use the long ball most often especially from Grimshaw. We totally lack skill and creativity both at the back and in midfield.

Apparently when Fergie was Man U manager he always stressed that from the back and in midfield they should always try to make their first pass a forward one.

 

[mull]

Totally unlike the youth the other night. Lovely sharp incisive exciting football

 

[BestTrip]

Whilst I understand the frustration ( I feel it too) I feel better looking at the league table - 20 odd points clear of the bottom three in our first season back in the championship. We must be doing something right. All this talk about attacking exposes us defensively. We could have scored 55 but conceded 70 and he looking over our shoulders. We’ve been really comfortable this season, and at the start of the season I would have taken this without hesitation.

In the summer we can build in what we have, bring in better quality players and push on from this season. Rome wasn’t built in a day and we have a virtually revamped squad in just 4 transfer windows. Realistically we’re not going to challenge the top 6 this season but we’ve given it a good go. Critch builds on a solid foundation and I think we have a solid foundation but I agree the front 4 could do better coherently and we could do with a link from midfield and attack. We will get there.