Were starting to press much higher up the pitch

[One Teddy Maybank]

I thought that we looked as though we were starting to evolve into an OG team. The possession and passing is not on a par with Gus' team but we are moving the ball much quicker and there were glimpses of a much more exciting game plan than under Poyet. Have you forgotten how often we went deeper and deeper trying to sit on a lead under Poyet? That was my main frustration last season. I don't believe Gus would have made an attacking substitution and I applaud OG for trying to win the game. The aimless lumping is not as aimless as it was. All in all I was quite encouraged by the performance.

Yes, but my point is not Gus vs Oscar, it's the loss of possession. Since you raised it though, remember under Gus when Casper lumped it upfield vs Leeds and they came back and scored, the bench went mad, effectively our tactics were the same and was inviting pressure.

If we have the ball the other team will not score, if it's in the air it is likely we'll lose it.

I agree re the substitutions, but I am not encouraged as much as yourself at the moment.......

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Sorry, that said Oscar does need time with a limited pre-season and lots of injuries.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

With more emphasis on the pressing game CMS will have a massive role to play.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Where is the "I like this thread a lot" button?

 

[Icy Gull]

Yes, but my point is not Gus vs Oscar, it's the loss of possession. ...

I wasn't intending to make it sound like I was comparing. To tweak our style is going to take time. I think we actually look like we know what we're trying to do now, even when it doesn't work. There were times earlier in the season when it looked like the players didn't know what each other were doing. That said we are only 13 games in, with massive injury problems and already to my eyes we are progressing. No doubt we will have more crap performances in the next few months but IMO we do seem to be moving forward. I have accepted that we may or may not have enough to make the playoffs, so as long as we don't slip to around the relegation zone I'm happy to be patient.

 

[Marshy]

I think JFC is particularly good at knowing when to press and when not too.

Im glad I started a thread which has led to some decent discussion and avoided the usual misery of most posters

 

[Coach_Carter_92]

Agree with this, although the one thing we need to do is press as a team. At the start of the season it was just one forward doing it, maybe 2 now. That said, I agree it is all coming together nicely.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I thought we didn't flood forward enough or regularly. Frequently we were outnumbered heavily in the final third.

 

[Scunner]

A positive thread! Wow, wonders will never cease.

I noticed some interesting tactical elements from the vantage point of central WSU on Monday night, a game that I feel we will look back upon as the moment that OG's methods started to bear fruit.

Firstly, Andrews was out of position a lot in the first 25 mins and he was bollocked and asked to sit a lot more after that, thus enabling JFC and AC to push further forward, whereas previously they had been running around trying to cover for Andrews' lack of positional consistency. This led to greater balance and we dominated the remainder of that half, with some pleasing football.

Secondly this triumvirate once in place allowed the full backs to bomb on, which was enhanced by a reversion to Poyet's placement of Barnes on the left covering the left back when Conway went off. Barnes on the left was much happier because he was allowed to turn on the ball and face goal, where he was much more comfortable.

Thirdly, Lita stretched the play when he came on, pressing much higher up and holding that position than Barnes. This comes down to confidence and speed; Barnes kept dropping deep to get the ball, partly because I am sure he is anxious and does not want to be exposed. This meant that on several occasions Buckley had to check back after skinning the left back because there was no one in the box, and when he did cross it was Conway, who is not the tallest. Lita will solve this problem.

All very encouraging for the future, I feel...

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

Were may win soon!

 

[dadams2k11]

We all knew it would take time for Oscar to bed his ideas in. Once it clicks and falls into place and we have our main players back i can see us ripping teams a new one.

I don't think we will get promoted this season but my mouth is watering at the prospect of Oscar being 1 year more experienced and a full pre season training with new signings (hopefully of his choice) and having a real go at promotion.

 

[yxee]

Sounds good, but do our CBs have the pace to deal with a high line?

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Barcelona and Hove Albion

 

[Laridae]

Having Bridcutt, Ulloa and Orlandi fit again is going to transform the team. The trick is to not lose too much ground whilst they're out.

Totally agree. I reckon we need to stay within 9pts of 6th and we've still got a chance.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

So, we're turning back into a British-style team. Bizarre it takes an ex-Barcelona player to do that, though

 

[Icy Gull]

So, we're turning back into a British-style team. Bizarre it takes an ex-Barcelona player to do that, though

How do you work that out? Short passing game with space being made to release the occasional long ball to a player, normally on the wing. Very little actual hoofing, more a long ball to a player. When did a British team play that way, Premier League teams apart? It's not always working but I'm sure hit and hope is not the plan as was the British way imo.

To my eyes it's taking Poyet's style of football one step further. I don't think Gus thought we had the players to play his style quickly. He may yet be proved right but Oscar is giving it a go and trusting the players.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Just for the sake of a bit of balance, I think we should go for a bit of catenaccio - 12 man packed defence Italian Style plus goalkeeper.

I know that doesn't add up. it is deliberate hyperbole.

 

[Surf's Up]

So, we're turning back into a British-style team. Bizarre it takes an ex-Barcelona player to do that, though

That's bollocks. I'm happy that we use this season to learn the system, find out which players can really apply it, ship out those that can't and bring more adept players in in the summer.

 

[AZ Gull]

So, we're turning back into a British-style team. Bizarre it takes an ex-Barcelona player to do that, though

What on earth does that mean?

 

[symyjym]

That's bollocks. I'm happy that we use this season to learn the system, find out which players can really apply it, ship out those that can't and bring more adept players in in the summer.

Agree, they need to be tested and taken out of their predictable comfort zone to become better players or get left behind.

Win lose or draw, no pain no gain and all that.