London Irish
Well-known member
Virgo played very well in his accustomed role today, but the most important thing was not his level of individual performance, simply that the target he offered allowed the rest of our boys to play a gameplan they are comfortable with and which bests suits their abilities.
The real headline news today was the far more options we had in our use of the ball.
For much of this season the lack of the targetman has meant we have been trying to play far too much football. This is a big problem because we only have about two or three players at most with the skill levels to be fully comfortable with that kind of game. Far worse, the emphasis on passing has made us very predictable to defend against and for teams to frustrate us. And worst of all, all this fannying about with the ball in our half of the pitch has often led to us putting too much pressure on ourselves in our own danger areas, rather than putting pressure on the opposition in their half.
Thankfully, that was resolved today. Both Kuipers (when he kicked straight) and our central defenders were relieved of the burden of pretending they can build from the back.
Early direct balls to Virgo which turned the Preston defensive players were effective in continually steering the mometum of the game our way. We were far less predictable in our approach play and Preston had to commit more players back as the game went on to neutralising our long direct balls. This opened up greater space in midfield that Currie and to a lesser extent Nicolas was able to exploit with shorter, controlled passing.
All in all, we looked far more multi-dimensional in our options and approach play. All the team looked comfortable playing a style that McGhee has drilled into them since that Bristol fiasco last November.
A few myths were exploded today. Many people on NSC said we couldn't get the wins playing the semi long-ball style we played last season. Well, we got a win today playing that style even though we were without 4 key players who will make those tactics work even more efficiently.
The other myth that was laid today was this idea that the standards of the other teams in this division are muderous, and that we are a long way the worst team in this division because of our current squad strength. Well, Preston looked pretty poor coping with the mighty targetman Virgo
and their football lacked creativity too. Coventry looked good going forward but were defensively weak, we could well have beaten them on today's form and with today's direct-ball gameplan.
Today underlined the point that in this first month we've had tough fixtures against form teams. But Coventry and Preston have shown we have nothing to fear against the mid-table and lower teams PROVIDING WE PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS.
Today's win was a huge bonus for McGhee, it has eased the pressure on the team and will give us big confidence for future games. I honestly did not think we would get our first 3-pointer until the return of Chippy/Oatway/Rodger sorted out our wretched midfield problems. But the pressure we applied up front through Virgo and Knight eased the burden on Nicolas and Hammond, as did their competent performances - credit to this new midfield pairing, they won't be together for long but they did better than our other scratch pairings this season.
McGhee is now back on track and can plot our revival from the comfort of having found out a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of his players over the difficult last few weeks.
In Currie, we have a gem of a player who is now our most creative force and a remarkable striker of a dead ball. A series of corners he shot over today were the best I've seen from an Albion side for absolute ages.
Once we toughen up our defence with the return from injury of our midfielders and Roberts back to steady Cullip down, once we get our targetman through a signing or maybe even this semi-mythical Bobby Z second coming, then we will deliver battling results consistently for the rest of the season and we will remain a Championship team. But McGhee now knows that only our "semi-long ball" style will do the trick.
The real headline news today was the far more options we had in our use of the ball.
For much of this season the lack of the targetman has meant we have been trying to play far too much football. This is a big problem because we only have about two or three players at most with the skill levels to be fully comfortable with that kind of game. Far worse, the emphasis on passing has made us very predictable to defend against and for teams to frustrate us. And worst of all, all this fannying about with the ball in our half of the pitch has often led to us putting too much pressure on ourselves in our own danger areas, rather than putting pressure on the opposition in their half.
Thankfully, that was resolved today. Both Kuipers (when he kicked straight) and our central defenders were relieved of the burden of pretending they can build from the back.
Early direct balls to Virgo which turned the Preston defensive players were effective in continually steering the mometum of the game our way. We were far less predictable in our approach play and Preston had to commit more players back as the game went on to neutralising our long direct balls. This opened up greater space in midfield that Currie and to a lesser extent Nicolas was able to exploit with shorter, controlled passing.
All in all, we looked far more multi-dimensional in our options and approach play. All the team looked comfortable playing a style that McGhee has drilled into them since that Bristol fiasco last November.
A few myths were exploded today. Many people on NSC said we couldn't get the wins playing the semi long-ball style we played last season. Well, we got a win today playing that style even though we were without 4 key players who will make those tactics work even more efficiently.
The other myth that was laid today was this idea that the standards of the other teams in this division are muderous, and that we are a long way the worst team in this division because of our current squad strength. Well, Preston looked pretty poor coping with the mighty targetman Virgo
and their football lacked creativity too. Coventry looked good going forward but were defensively weak, we could well have beaten them on today's form and with today's direct-ball gameplan.Today underlined the point that in this first month we've had tough fixtures against form teams. But Coventry and Preston have shown we have nothing to fear against the mid-table and lower teams PROVIDING WE PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS.
Today's win was a huge bonus for McGhee, it has eased the pressure on the team and will give us big confidence for future games. I honestly did not think we would get our first 3-pointer until the return of Chippy/Oatway/Rodger sorted out our wretched midfield problems. But the pressure we applied up front through Virgo and Knight eased the burden on Nicolas and Hammond, as did their competent performances - credit to this new midfield pairing, they won't be together for long but they did better than our other scratch pairings this season.
McGhee is now back on track and can plot our revival from the comfort of having found out a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of his players over the difficult last few weeks.
In Currie, we have a gem of a player who is now our most creative force and a remarkable striker of a dead ball. A series of corners he shot over today were the best I've seen from an Albion side for absolute ages.
Once we toughen up our defence with the return from injury of our midfielders and Roberts back to steady Cullip down, once we get our targetman through a signing or maybe even this semi-mythical Bobby Z second coming, then we will deliver battling results consistently for the rest of the season and we will remain a Championship team. But McGhee now knows that only our "semi-long ball" style will do the trick.
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