Tactics

[Jersey Rover]

This is now down to Grant I’m afraid. To keep starting with the same tactics and personnel week after week after week. Different team today after 60 mins. The buck stops with Grant as he always says.

[Thorney]

This is now down to Grant I’m afraid. To keep starting with the same tactics and personnel week after week after week. Different team today after 60 mins. The buck stops with Grant as he always says.

Changes the team up and get stick for not picking a consistant line up.

Now stick for the same personnel?

[andyst79]

This is now down to Grant I’m afraid. To keep starting with the same tactics and personnel week after week after week. Different team today after 60 mins. The buck stops with Grant as he always says.

Changes the team up and get stick for not picking a consistant line up.

Now stick for the same personnel?

Agreed on that point, but formation & tactics are same every week. Never gonna work with Billy up top on his own I'm afraid

[oggycompton]

Every team in the league know we play two high wide players. Stop Molynueux at the minute and you win. Another assist and goal contribution. So slow and and methodical, no urgency at all. Doesn't know his best team still but it 1000% with this sqaud of players isn't this formation.

[sedwardsdrfc]

We haven’t been playing that bad the last few so it’s frustrating but to change everything might mean we go backwards when we’re getting close to that win!

If I was to change I’d play Hanlan with Billy and Clifton on the left (where he played for Grimsby)in a 442. Clifton can tuck in to keep midfield solid from the left and Moly can stay wider on the right because of it.

Trust Grsnt but we need to grind some results out before Jan and have a dam good play to improve when the window opens.

Honestly think we’re a decent team other than a couple of areas so hopefully it’s addressable in Jan

[Avsuptem]

I think we played our best starting 11 today.

[grayx]

I think we played our best starting 11 today.

Possibly, although i would like to find a starting place for Middleton. I accept Gibson did well midweek though.

[Jersey Rover]

Hanlan needs to start. Although not the finished article, his shear presence up top scares defence's  so they drop back a yard. Billy is not an out and out No 9. As good as he is, his physicality dictates he’s a poacher picking up the second balls, that’s why Hanlan is perfect for him to pair up with.

[Padge_DRFC]

Our best 11 played today. I'd probably say Hanlan instead of Sharp. Sharp chance today is a joke btw. If it was Hanlan he'd have got some right stick. I was directly behind the goal, he had half an empty net to aim at with his left foot and bottled it. Still should have beat affectively a keeper without arms after too. Sharp gets away with criticism far too easy.

[GazLaz]

Our best 11 played today. I'd probably say Hanlan instead of Sharp. Sharp chance today is a joke btw. If it was Hanlan he'd have got some right stick. I was directly behind the goal, he had half an empty net to aim at with his left foot and bottled it. Still should have beat affectively a keeper without arms after too. Sharp gets away with criticism far too easy.

Sharp doesn’t get criticism. He’s playing on memory. Can’t fault his work rate and application for someone of his age. He obviously keeps himself fit and will be a good voice in the changing room but come on, he’s been pretty ordinary this season.

McCann reminds me of Sean Dyche. He can say absolutely anything and the fans and media believe it. However nonsensical it is. That’s been the story with Sharp. Saying that his great form is the reason Brandon and T haven’t been playing is just nonsense.

Recruitment in that area obviously hadn’t been good enough but as I’ve said all season, the drop off the Hanlan isn’t the chasm it’s been made out to be, if there is one at all. He’s been underused in exactly the same way Gibson was left out and  under used at the start of last season.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Equally you wouldn't expect McCann to come out and say he's playing as the others aren't good enough.  Feels quite clear to me that he wanted one other and had to get olusanya as a plan b etc.

I also agree he was too quick to ditch Hanlan who technically isn't a bad player. Suspect his work ethic was part of that reason but that's massively improved. We shouldn't forget players have to adapt to different systems etc.

[GazLaz]

Equally you wouldn't expect McCann to come out and say he's playing as the others aren't good enough.  Feels quite clear to me that he wanted one other and had to get olusanya as a plan b etc.

I also agree he was too quick to ditch Hanlan who technically isn't a bad player. Suspect his work ethic was part of that reason but that's massively improved. We shouldn't forget players have to adapt to different systems etc.

Yeah, agree but like you say, these things are a work in progress and the response to BH not being fully dialed in felt a bit extreme.

All this chat and really it boils down to poor recruitment. Simple as that.

Loads of mistakes made with signings and even contract renewals. We were too loyal to some. 

[Canadian Rover]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

[Chris Black come back]

It’s a weird season. First 10 games superb. Next 10 games poor. Yet even during that latter run we’ve only been taken apart what, twice? Margins are fine but when you are consistently losing out to fine margins then there is an issue still.

[drfchound]

As bad as the latest results are I’m not worried about relegation … yet anyway.
There have only been a couple of really poor performances.
I feel confident that McCann will turn this run round and to be honest, if we finish mid table I think it will have been a good season.
I did get a bet on pre season that we would be promoted (via any means) and that ship has probably sailed.
Mind you, I had put a pre season bet on us winning the title last season and had virtually given up on that happening at the turn of the year.

[Filo]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Make em wear black boots and let them earn the right to wear multi coloured boots lol!

[i_ateallthepies]

Our lack of goals isn't only about our lack of fire power up front, it's also about our inability to create real clear-cut chances as opposed to just getting the ball into the penalty area.  That is down to our build-up play which everyone can see lacks precision and urgency.
Yesterday's game showed just how far behind our midfield is compared to Lincoln's. Second balls seemed to fall to their players ninety percent of the time and we were just chasing shadows.  Sure, we had decent, brief spells of possession but didn't create enough clear-cut chances from it.  No player at any level converts all of the chances they get and ours are no different.  We have to create enough great chances to expect to be winning games.

[selby]

  Anybody who thinks you can play nice square short balls in little triangles across the back when the ball is picking up water and slowing as it runs on the grass wants their bumps feeling.

[In the box]

It’s a weird season. First 10 games superb. Next 10 games poor. Yet even during that latter run we’ve only been taken apart what, twice? Margins are fine but when you are consistently losing out to fine margins then there is an issue still.

The first 10 games were all down to to the momentum from promotion..  it took a bad injury to Sterry who was playing out of his skin and providing along with Mols  chances and results seemed easy . Now it’s where is our striker ..??  the one we didn’t have earlier. There is a huge gap in the centre of our attack and it’s looking like that person Hanlan who hasn’t had a first team start in the league could well be that man , yet McCann has never actually said why he hasn’t featured from the first game !! Tactics WTF .. that’s what we need fresh ones .. not this hit and hope some gets on the end the chances .

[Filo]

It’s a weird season. First 10 games superb. Next 10 games poor. Yet even during that latter run we’ve only been taken apart what, twice? Margins are fine but when you are consistently losing out to fine margins then there is an issue still.

The first 10 games were all down to to the momentum from promotion..  it took a bad injury to Sterry who was playing out of his skin and providing along with Mols  chances and results seemed easy . Now it’s where is our striker ..??  the one we didn’t have earlier. There is a huge gap in the centre of our attack and it’s looking like that person Hanlan who hasn’t had a first team start in the league could well be that man , yet McCann has never actually said why he hasn’t featured from the first game !! Tactics WTF .. that’s what we need fresh ones .. not this hit and hope some gets on the end the chances .

If only we could make sense of any of that

[In the box]

It’s a weird season. First 10 games superb. Next 10 games poor. Yet even during that latter run we’ve only been taken apart what, twice? Margins are fine but when you are consistently losing out to fine margins then there is an issue still.

The first 10 games were all down to the momentum from promotion..  it took a bad injury to Sterry who was playing out of his skin and providing along with Mols the  chances and results seemed easy . Now it’s where is our striker ..??  the one we didn’t have earlier. There is a huge gap in the centre of our attack and it’s looking like that person Hanlan who hasn’t had a first team start in the league could well be that man , yet McCann has never actually said why he hasn’t featured from the first game !! Tactics WTF .. that’s what we need fresh ones .. not this hit and hope some gets on the end the chances .

If only we could make sense of any of that

cryptic .. Hanlan has been there all here all the time and McCann needs to play him or get shut and replace as Billy can’t do the job on his own ..

[RugbyRover]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 



I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that.

[GazLaz]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 



I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that.

It was pretty poor by him for that goal but Gibsons defensive contributions overall are better than Moly and Middleton according to the numbers. Middleton offers nothing defensively.

[Spud]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 



I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that.

It was pretty poor by him for that goal but Gibsons defensive contributions overall are better than Moly and Middleton according to the numbers. Middleton offers nothing defensively.

He does get some stick on here for his defensive side but I bet his running stats are up there for this team, the fact that he covers ground seemingly effortlessly makes him look lazier to some.
Wasn't great for the goal, admittedly.

[Metalmicky]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 

I'd agree with these comments - I bet his team mates won't have appreciated his defensive efforts.  I think that both Moly and Middleton try to stretch the play and hug the touchlines more, which perhaps impedes their defensive contributions. 

[Petche]

Our lack of goals isn't only about our lack of fire power up front, it's also about our inability to create real clear-cut chances as opposed to just getting the ball into the penalty area. 

Not sure I agree, there has been games recently (Barnsley) where we have created numerous clear chances and just not taken them!

[GazLaz]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 



I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that.

It was pretty poor by him for that goal but Gibsons defensive contributions overall are better than Moly and Middleton according to the numbers. Middleton offers nothing defensively.

He does get some stick on here for his defensive side but I bet his running stats are up there for this team, the fact that he covers ground seemingly effortlessly makes him look lazier to some.
Wasn't great for the goal, admittedly.

I think his positioning out of possession is probably better than he gets credit for. Players that are chasing about are very often doing so because the are tactically poor and out of shape a lot.

[RugbyRover]

Here's a tactic for Gibson, pull up your socks and show you are ready for a battle young man. The socks around the ankles with mini shin pads image doesn't look great. Especially when you are scared to go into a 50/50.

I know this seems ridiculous from me and probably old school...but pulling up your socks and going to work is a saying for a reason.

Overall though I thought we played well again today.

Another tactic for Gibson. Stop being lazy and but some effort into helping out your teammates.
That feeble attempt to stop the cross for Lincoln's first goal 



I wouldn't have him anywhere near the first team after that.

It was pretty poor by him for that goal but Gibsons defensive contributions overall are better than Moly and Middleton according to the numbers. Middleton offers nothing defensively.

He does get some stick on here for his defensive side but I bet his running stats are up there for this team, the fact that he covers ground seemingly effortlessly makes him look lazier to some.
Wasn't great for the goal, admittedly.

I think his positioning out of possession is probably better than he gets credit for. Players that are chasing about are very often doing so because the are tactically poor and out of shape a lot.

I read somewhere recently the phrase "you can't coach heart" and I think that applies to Gibson.

[EasyforDennis]

Are the managers tactics that bad? With the odd few exceptions we haven't played that bad this season. Our problem is that when we get in sight of the opposition goal we run out of ideas. Very rarely does anyone try a shot from outside the box or get a cross into the box without trying to beat the full backs 2 or 3 times first. It's very rare this season when we can say that their keeper has had a blinder.

[pib]

Are the managers tactics that bad? With the odd few exceptions we haven't played that bad this season. Our problem is that when we get in sight of the opposition goal we run out of ideas. Very rarely does anyone try a shot from outside the box or get a cross into the box without trying to beat the full backs 2 or 3 times first. It's very rare this season when we can say that their keeper has had a blinder.

Not saying his tactics are bad, but IMO we are a bit predictable. We rely too heavily on the full backs and wide players to create, but if teams suss that out and shut those players down (which they seem to have done fairly quickly at this level) we don't seem to have much of an answer, and we end up going sideways/backwards or long, which doesn't get us anywhere. Not sure what the stats are but it feels like our CB's and goalkeeper pass the ball between them a lot more than our midfielders and forwards.

There is also the problem of being too indecisive and/or lacking quality in the final third. Too often we don't take the percentage option or maybe just don't have the quality to make that final killer pass/cross/shot.