Jump to content
Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

Burton H


DomRepWanderer

Recommended Posts

Last time we came from behind to win 3-2 away (Oxford), we played Burton 3 days later and that didn't go well 🤨  Away though, so it doesn't count.

Home game last season was one of best attacking performances of season, we did score one, wrongly disallowed, and deserved more.

For all they are "struggling", they have improved hugely with their new manager and a few half decent signings of out of contract players in last few weeks, 1 defeat in last 6, expecting another close game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
2 hours ago, desperado said:

With the way things went on Saturday, you’ve had a difficult job so far this season selecting teams, does that help?

“Selecting teams is always difficult and some things work, some things don’t. What I will say is I don’t think people can become too focused on formations. We have an idea of what we are trying to do in possession and an idea what we try to do out of possession.

“Just because on paper it looks like 3-5-2, it doesn’t really mean to easy it is going to stay like that. In games, we can rotate and move into 4-3-3, we can change and build out with four at the back, three at the back, sometimes even two.

“It doesn’t really matter about formations and people shouldn’t be concentrating on it too much. The most important thing is what we are trying to do in possession, our idea of how to affect the opposition and then how we are going to press against the ball, not necessarily meaning we are going to stay in that formation for 90 minutes.”

Does that change game by game?

“Yes, but also players have the responsibility and the flexibility to be able to do that in game themselves. We can easily just move slightly to change into a back four or back three, there’s no issue with that and there’s no complaints from me if the players decide to do that because they feel like they’re not getting the right solutions in a certain structure.

“We want the players to have the flexibility and the confidence to be able to do things and rotate and move themselves. We’ve got a clear idea of what we’re trying to do in possession and a clear idea of how to affect the opposition and also out of possession, what our idea is in the high press and high regains.

“What that looks like in terms of systems is irrelevant really.”

 

Dapo at RWB then 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

I think its dead easy for folk to have a bit of a pop at evatt over selection

Ive said a few times id always play dapo, and morley fwiw

But

Play your best players in their best positions?

Starts great with dapo wide left

Bradleys best position is wing back, so it starts to get a bit trickier, as we aint playing 352 on the right and 442 on the left, are we

Charles is prob best up front

Santos is prob a 3 at the back man

If we could even agree on our best 5 players, i dont think we could fit them in in positions we felt were their best

I dunno, its just not as clear cut as is being suggested

The dapo idea sounded like a plan pre match saturday...id like to see it again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Site Supporter
7 hours ago, Casino said:

I think its dead easy for folk to have a bit of a pop at evatt over selection

Absolutely.

If he plays Bradley tonight, (which IMO he should) it’s going to be a 5. Or seemingly look that way to us, despite his efforts to try and explain how this can be fluid.

If we don’t win, he’ll get criticised - rightly so BTW, because it’s a game we should win.

But the contrast in how folk will suddenly use their “expert knowledge in systems and formations” to say how Evatt was wrong, to us winning with Bradley in and him getting praise would be stark.

My interpretation of Evatts comments yesterday are that he wants his best players receiving and using the ball in their best positions. One example is Dapo. People questioning that he doesn’t think this means Dapo getting it in that left area of the pitch and cutting in are wrong IMO. 

I also think this means Bradley playing on the right too, but as casino says, both these players seemingly fit better in 2 different systems. 

Personally I think tonight he’ll try and find a way of playing both, but in doing so, he’ll have to think about the balance of the team in attack/defence and the Implications of this with different players in different positions. 

He’s never come across as Dougie Freedman, a tactical deity, beyond the understanding of normal humans. Or a Coyle who went from game to game without much of a tactical plan.

He’s actually gone to some lengths in trying to explain an aspect of his tactical thinking. He’s young and still learning too, so he’s not always going to get it right. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The topic was pinned
1 hour ago, desperado said:

Absolutely.

If he plays Bradley tonight, (which IMO he should) it’s going to be a 5. Or seemingly look that way to us, despite his efforts to try and explain how this can be fluid.

If we don’t win, he’ll get criticised - rightly so BTW, because it’s a game we should win.

But the contrast in how folk will suddenly use their “expert knowledge in systems and formations” to say how Evatt was wrong, to us winning with Bradley in and him getting praise would be stark.

My interpretation of Evatts comments yesterday are that he wants his best players receiving and using the ball in their best positions. One example is Dapo. People questioning that he doesn’t think this means Dapo getting it in that left area of the pitch and cutting in are wrong IMO. 

I also think this means Bradley playing on the right too, but as casino says, both these players seemingly fit better in 2 different systems. 

Personally I think tonight he’ll try and find a way of playing both, but in doing so, he’ll have to think about the balance of the team in attack/defence and the Implications of this with different players in different positions. 

He’s never come across as Dougie Freedman, a tactical deity, beyond the understanding of normal humans. Or a Coyle who went from game to game without much of a tactical plan.

He’s actually gone to some lengths in trying to explain an aspect of his tactical thinking. He’s young and still learning too, so he’s not always going to get it right. 

 

Perfect summary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
11 hours ago, Casino said:

I think its dead easy for folk to have a bit of a pop at evatt over selection

Ive said a few times id always play dapo, and morley fwiw

But

Play your best players in their best positions?

Starts great with dapo wide left

Bradleys best position is wing back, so it starts to get a bit trickier, as we aint playing 352 on the right and 442 on the left, are we

Charles is prob best up front

Santos is prob a 3 at the back man

If we could even agree on our best 5 players, i dont think we could fit them in in positions we felt were their best

I dunno, its just not as clear cut as is being suggested

The dapo idea sounded like a plan pre match saturday...id like to see it again

3-4-3 could fit them even though I can't ever see us playing it

Trafford

Jones Santos Johnston 

Bradley MJ Morley Iredale  

Kachunga Charles Dapo 

 

But then I'd want Lee in there, instead of Morley  

And John instead of Iredale but I don't think he's in the frame anymore 

I just think with Dapo it's a case of use him or lose him, which would be shit because no doubt he'd do well elsewhere, and Bradley won't be here next season 

So I'd accommodate Dapo over Bradley 

I do think we're likely to see Dapo start LWB tonight 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 minutes ago, tomski said:

 Nothing will beat that Parkinson game at their place. One of the worst performances I’ve seen a team put in considering what was at stake.

And their midfield included Sordell and Luke Murphy! 

I think there was a lot of criticism of Morais being left out.  Our bench included Anthony Robinson but we had Andy slow coach Taylor at left back.  In all honesty did anyone think Robinson would become a regular in the Prem? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, desperado said:

Absolutely.

If he plays Bradley tonight, (which IMO he should) it’s going to be a 5. Or seemingly look that way to us, despite his efforts to try and explain how this can be fluid.

If we don’t win, he’ll get criticised - rightly so BTW, because it’s a game we should win.

But the contrast in how folk will suddenly use their “expert knowledge in systems and formations” to say how Evatt was wrong, to us winning with Bradley in and him getting praise would be stark.

My interpretation of Evatts comments yesterday are that he wants his best players receiving and using the ball in their best positions. One example is Dapo. People questioning that he doesn’t think this means Dapo getting it in that left area of the pitch and cutting in are wrong IMO. 

I also think this means Bradley playing on the right too, but as casino says, both these players seemingly fit better in 2 different systems. 

Personally I think tonight he’ll try and find a way of playing both, but in doing so, he’ll have to think about the balance of the team in attack/defence and the Implications of this with different players in different positions. 

He’s never come across as Dougie Freedman, a tactical deity, beyond the understanding of normal humans. Or a Coyle who went from game to game without much of a tactical plan.

He’s actually gone to some lengths in trying to explain an aspect of his tactical thinking. He’s young and still learning too, so he’s not always going to get it right. 

 

I agree with the principle that if we win, IE will get praise, if we lose, he'll get criticism around system or personnel.  Bound to happen, and there are valid reasons why us fans want or dont want Thomasson, Williams, Dempsey, Morley, Lee, Sadlier to be included.  We'll never all agree, but we can still say what we prefer and why.

I don't agree that anyone commenting, on for eg Dapo at LWB is claiming to be an "expert in formations".  Its just opinions, and I don't think many fans would really like to see him at LWB again.  You've stated you think Bradley should play tonight, that doesn't mean you claim to be an expert on it, its an individual preference.  I personally would prefer 4-4-2 and either Jones or Bradley at right back, no need for both at the expense of a Dapo or Sadlier. 

But I get why IE and some fans prefer wingback, its just not for me with our current squad.  Nobody's an expert though, and IE and most managers will continue to make mistakes that we can discuss and fall out over!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love Bradley, but if we have to make an attacking based decision on either him or dapo then surely what best suits dapo is the best choice?

Hes our best and most dangerous attacking player when used properly by a long shot. 

Bradley could still play full back and cause havoc in a 4-3-3. I know we aren't Man City, but that's their system.

The full back push up, and then the defensive midfielder drops in the middle of the 2 centre backs as almost a 3 at the back when in possession.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agree with what most are saying.  As good as Bradley is, he'll more than likely not be here next season.  Dapo is ours and he's also our most dangerous attacker so I'd like to see him get the nod if it's one or the other.

Agree with @Zicotoo though, I can see IE playing Dapo at LWB again tonight.  He's too stubborn to drop an idea after less than 60 mins of trying it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Site Supporter
12 hours ago, Casino said:

Bradleys best position is wing back, so it starts to get a bit trickier, as we aint playing 352 on the right and 442 on the left, are we

That’d be fun. In much the same way as 5 3 2 changes to 3 5 2 when we attack, a system which changes if we’re attacking up the right or up the left would create confusion for every fucker. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Site Supporter
1 hour ago, Johnnyrotten said:

If we win IE will get praise, if we lose, he'll get criticism around system or personnel.

My point was I don’t think it will be proportionate.

contrast in how folk will suddenly use their “expert knowledge in systems and formations” to say how Evatt was wrong, to us winning with Bradley in and him getting praise would be stark.
 

We regularly have this debate @Johnnyrotten I never want to stifle peoples opinion. @Lostock Whites above makes a good argument for a 4-3-3. And this is as good a place as any to do it!

But I still maintain my opinion (and you are welcome to disagree) that after a defeat/poor result there’s more fans who come on claiming how it should have been done, than giving praise to the manager when we’ve won, if he’s done something that goes against fan opinion. 

Ok so yes I do find it hard to understand why some might choose to ignore/disagree with his statements about tactics/formations, because it helps me make sense of why he might stick with wing backs and why Dapo might play there again. 

Even though I hasten to add, if I was picking the team I wouldn’t have him there! As I alluded to in my predicted team earlier in the thread. 

 

Edited by desperado
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evatt's preferred 3CB's & 2 wing backs took us into a play off position & gave us the best defence in the league, so I wouldn't be scrapping it as a reaction to one half of football......I hope that Bradley & Iredale start as the wing backs, with any changes in the other 5.

One thing I do agree with, is that if Dapo is to play, it should be on the left wing/left side of our forwards, but whether we should make changes to the system or players that took us into a play off position, just to accomodate a player who has just had one very good half game, is a different thing. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Casino said:

we aint playing 352 on the right and 442 on the left, are we

Logical as that is, it could actually turn out, in practice, to be what is done. Especially if Dapo is struggling with it.

Play Iredale there & he can cover a bombing wing-back & even one who becomes notably more wing than back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.