Tactics

[Back of the Kop]

It's clear to me that many fans are struggling with our tactics and how we set up to gain as many points as possible from 46 games. Let's be clear here, that's Parky's number 1 priority. The entertainment and sexy football comes a poor second. He's constantly 3 consecutive defeats from the sack. That's the bottom line

We are set up to allow other teams the ball in non dangerous areas. This is totally at odds with how Notts play for example who's aim it is to dominate with 70%+ possession which requires incredible fitness, concentration and comes with a high degree of risk if you are caught in possession.

We are quite content to conserve energy and play a lower risk waiting game, play percentages, wait for mistakes to happen and strike quickly, deliver set piece accuracy and generally stay in the game.

Depending on the situation, we then engage our own version of the South African Rugby team "bomb squad" where we aim to completely overwhelm the opposition in the final 15 minutes when bodies and minds are tiring

These tactics have delivered a probable never to be beaten 111 point title win and 3rd place after a third of the season in League Two with just 2 defeats in 15.

I think many fans are struggling to accept our tactics, preferring the Notts way but that will never be Parky and who's to say he's wrong as he eventually overcame Luke Williams over 46 games. Football is a 90+ minute game of chess in many ways and there's many ways to win. I just wish fans could be a little more patient and look at the bigger picture. We are there to be entertained but it will always be results first and Parky isn't bad at delivering them

Enjoy the game

[RHYLRED]

Good post and nice and positive for so nearly in the morning.

[st_asaph_red]

A good analysis of Parky’s tactics. I’ve always considered myself someone who enjoys passing football and like Wrexham to play an attractive style, however I’m not so blind that I can’t see it when another way of playing is incredibly effective. I can’t recall a more dangerous Wrexham team than this one - we score more goals, win more games and always give 100% until the end of every game and I don’t think you can ask for any more than that. Yes we are very direct, but the entertainment we’ve had at the racecourse over the last few seasons is pretty much unparalleled. Long may it continue and I hope Parky stays for a good while yet.

[WrexSi]

Good post BOTK.

I’m happy with PP, it’s a results business, and we are getting points when appearing not to play good football. There’s method behind it. As you say. With tiring out the opposition then going for it late-on.

The only bit I’m not entirely comfortable with is the allowing them the ball in non critical areas. We do seem to do more than our fair share of standing off players, not marking up, not getting in their faces…. Most worryingly on the wings too, we stand back and don’t cut the supply. It’s a bit odd cos playing the percentage game the more crosses we allow them to put in, unchallenged, the more chances they got of spawning a goal against us.

As you say though, otherwise ok, even though we aren’t as entertaining as we once were.

[Prodigal Dragon]

Surely this is strategy rather than tactics.

But both are just means to an end.

It will be an interesting competition to see which camp come out top.

[Woody]

I think most people understand our tactics. If we had scored that first goal after 60 minutes then everything would have worked out fine. When we scored so early it was an opportunity for us to put that extra player into the midfield and push for a crucial second. They're all only opinions and I'm sure everyone is more than happy with how we're going

[robred]

We are all living the dream at the moment and long may it continue and as long as we are winning games I don’t care how we do it! UTST

[rob_the_red]

Excellent post BOTK . This is exactly what we're doing & very successfully .

What baffles me at times is the blames statements we see from some about 'parkyball' - we just hit long balls forward & we never keep the ball ..... neither of which is true . At tomes we're very effective at keeping the ball . The likes of Evans & O'Conner have both helped with that - people just have to be patient with this , when we keep the ball it doesn't matter if we go forwards, backwards , or sideways , as long as we keep the ball - we're looking to move the opposition as much as the ball and when eventually they make a mistake in their movement , that's when we exploit it , until then , we just have to be patient .

Same with the long balls , I think this is a misconception - we generally look to move the ball left and right and ultimately look to get one of the WBs in or have Lee drop back and open up the back line - we do hit long balls at times, of course we do , every team does ( even Notts County ) but we're certainly not a long ball side .

... same with the ' I wish we would 't play 5 at the back ' thing we har often - we don't play 5 at the back - we play 3 , the wingback are generally well in advance of the back 3 so in effect we play 5 in midfield - we only see 5 at the back when we're really under the pump and struggling to get forward - which actually, isn't that often ...

it's a results game as you say , but also in terms of entertainment , I can't recall a more entertaining time at the racecourse for decades & those last 20 minutes in most games are absolutely thrilling ...

( the rugby analogy is spot on by the way - the best teams have been doing it for years - wear people down for 60 minutes or so , then open up and kill them in the last 20/30 )

[Wrex4life]

Originally Posted by Back of the Kop

It's clear to me that many fans are struggling with our tactics and how we set up to gain as many points as possible from 46 games. Let's be clear here, that's Parky's number 1 priority. The entertainment and sexy football comes a poor second. He's constantly 3 consecutive defeats from the sack. That's the bottom line

We are set up to allow other teams the ball in non dangerous areas. This is totally at odds with how Notts play for example who's aim it is to dominate with 70%+ possession which requires incredible fitness, concentration and comes with a high degree of risk if you are caught in possession.

We are quite content to conserve energy and play a lower risk waiting game, play percentages, wait for mistakes to happen and strike quickly, deliver set piece accuracy and generally stay in the game.

Depending on the situation, we then engage our own version of the South African Rugby team "bomb squad" where we aim to completely overwhelm the opposition in the final 15 minutes when bodies and minds are tiring

These tactics have delivered a probable never to be beaten 111 point title win and 3rd place after a third of the season in League Two with just 2 defeats in 15.

I think many fans are struggling to accept our tactics, preferring the Notts way but that will never be Parky and who's to say he's wrong as he eventually overcame Luke Williams over 46 games. Football is a 90+ minute game of chess in many ways and there's many ways to win. I just wish fans could be a little more patient and look at the bigger picture. We are there to be entertained but it will always be results first and Parky isn't bad at delivering them

Enjoy the game

Some fair points, but requiring 20 yard screamers every game to get us out the crap surely can't be part of the plan as well.