What Style does it take to get Promoted ?

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by Alan Attack

our budget is directed more at the defence than attack. I don’t know what players earn but I’d be surprised if any attackers are earning more than Smith and Pearson.

If this is the case (I'd tend to agree it is) then it needs to be addressed because ultimately its not working.

[BP Red]

Originally Posted by Alan Attack

our budget is directed more at the defence than attack. I don’t know what players earn but I’d be surprised if any attackers are earning more than Smith and Pearson.

I’d be amazed if Grant was on less than Manny.

Ultimately though, we need to make better use of the width the racecourse affords us. You can see from the match against Druids that Hughes is looking to exploit the wings more than last season, particularly with overlapping full backs.

I’d still be wary about playing like that away from home against some of the better teams though as I’m not convinced Jennings has the energy to get up and down and while Jazzi looked great going forward, I’d like to see what he can do defensively first

[Alan Attack]

Originally Posted by Phils-an-alki

If this is the case (I'd tend to agree it is) then it needs to be addressed because ultimately its not working.

You could argue that it is working based on previous poor seasons’ results.

There does need to be a balance struck in terms of a) not losing games; and b) wanting to win games. Our approach has been to keep it tight and hopefully Nick a goal. I suggest we need to be a bit more progressive than that and hopefully Hughes concurs. Injecting pace and mobility into the team will hopefully address this.

I know there was doom from last season but we’re set up better to actually give this season a bloody good go. The spine of the squad is retained and we’ve added hopefully better players in Hooper and Redmond.

[robiethered]

I want us to go up as Champions, nothing less nothing more. By this there is nothing to complain about and not if and but. Getting to the playoffs and loosing is a real kick in the teeth.

[KingBuxton_Forever red]

I think the whole issue we have with style comes down to the same problem (that I think someone has mentioned before in this thread) we do not have a midfield general.

Is this hoofball style the fault of the coaches/managers or are the midfield not coming to demand the ball. Darren Ferguson was a perfect example of this, everything revolved around him, he demanded the ball and dictated the play. He would not allow any hoofball and we worked around him. I dont think we have someone who wants to dictate the play and get on the ball every chance they can. We haven't for a while.

[Fraser01]

Any style works if you have the right players for it

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by KingBuxton_Forever red

I think the whole issue we have with style comes down to the same problem (that I think someone has mentioned before in this thread) we do not have a midfield general.

Is this hoofball style the fault of the coaches/managers or are the midfield not coming to demand the ball. Darren Ferguson was a perfect example of this, everything revolved around him, he demanded the ball and dictated the play. He would not allow any hoofball and we worked around him. I dont think we have someone who wants to dictate the play and get on the ball every chance they can. We haven't for a while.

I agree we're missing that type of player but surely the manager(s) dictate the style of play? If the midfield aren't doing as instructed I'd expect wholesale changes this summer.Maybe its the reason we by pass the midfield as they don't have faith in the midfielders to play that way.

This season is where we'll see a Bryan Hughes team, he said last season when he came in he couldn't change too much so we'll soon see.

If after a few games its more of the same I think I'll shed a tear and get a good book to take to games with me.

[pagl]

Style? Its a whole combination of things though with a good old bit of luck thrown in.

Formation 433, 442 as this really defines the players you are going to use.
When we lost Walker from the 433 then we should have gone 442 especially when losing Summerfield on top.

For me we need a smaller better quality squad which then allows us the flexibility to improve it January (ducks for cover). We can only field 11 and then replace with 3 subs so then allowing for injury/suspension you have to trust the replacements.
e.g. Redmonde/Wright, Grant/Ruthers, JJ/Fondop, Harris/Mc (just as a series of examples).

Loan players for me MUST improve the starting 11 otherwise we should have Sargent/Tharme/Thorn on the bench if we are trying to progress them.

The blend of the squad is the key really. Starting 11.
Defensively we were sound but we re going to have a change at RB.
Midfield we know what happened without Walker and his replacement now for me is key.
Up front then its perm 3 but we seem to have bigger, quick, stronger options than last season.

What can you do about good old lady luck? Managers leaving , players form, injuries, scoring at the right time of a game (goals change games).

If only there was aa style

[Bigmike]

Originally Posted by Colonel D

The experienced physical sides normally do well , but they can be mindnumbingly boring.
We had an excellent defence last year and it got us to the playoffs, but at times was less attractive than watching paint dry.
BH has set out to play more attractive football with more emphasis on breaking quickly and scoring more.
I applaud that , but will it be at the expense of leaking goals ?
Will we have 2-3 defeats ,where we had 0-0 or even 1-0 wins last year.
If we finish 8th ,but play more attractive football will fans be happy ?

not me I love to watch skilful, fast exciting football but if it takes boring to get promoted then boring will do.