The Issue As I See It.....

[Deleted]

Hi Everyone.

I think the performance today was worrying. But I thought the signs were there a bit after Stranraer (ill ignore Ayr as there is a gap between the teams).

The issue for me is firstly the tempo Rovers are trying to play is waaaaaaaaaaaay too high.

Before the substitutions today in the 2nd half, it looked to me mostly like the team was attacking in a 433 unit. Aitken coming deep, two forward players able to get around him or run in behind. No problem with this in of itself.

However any time a Rovers defender picked up the ball, it was almost instinctive for them to play an early long pass. Why?? This killed any chance the Rovers midfield had of contributing to the game.

There was very rarely a situation where a central player would drop deep to receive a pass from a defender. Likewise, as the ball was going back to front, it gave very little chance for any of the midfielders to get up in any kind of support.

The knockon effect of the long balls from the back in my opinion led to the midfield being very flat in its shape.

Its just my opinion but theres two things that are allowing opposition teams to profit.

1) Id CERTAINLY be looking to lower the tempo down, and look for more shorter passes between the lines of the team. Im not saying dont use the long pass at all, its a great weapon and under pressure from a high press, use it as a way to get out. But when an opposition is already set and not pushed up, theres little point in hammering a ball forward, bypassing the midfield where theres no room to get in behind for strikers.

2) I feel like a formation that can allow players to get in between the lines (could even be more of a 442 or even 4231) would aid players having more options on the ball without HAVING to look back to front so soon, and then offer a bit more solidarity when possession is lost, players will be closer together and can act much more as a defensive "unit".

Just wondered what people thought about this?

[Deleted]

Very good! 🤔 I’m sure that’s what the manager was saying to them before the game and at half time?

[Deleted]

It was 4 4 2 and has been in all the games this season.

We did play the ball forward quickly at times and that works if it's the correct ball. Aitkens feet or channel for either wide man. Both Skeoch and Moore have pace but never got an opportunity to use it.
I think they played better on their natural sides v Stranraer rather than cutting in today.

Changing to 3 at the back didn't work and seemed a strange choice.
In most of the previous games we played some great football but not today.

Disappointing result but early days and hopefully learn quickly

[jordancampbell]

I’m thinking you should calm down, FFS! It’s the first competitive league game of the season, this (young) squad are still finding their shape, and the manager will be trying to work out his best starting 11.

[Deleted]

Oct 17, 2020 16:51:50 GMT @ski64 said:

It was 4 4 2 and has been in all the games this season.

We did play the ball forward quickly at times and that works if it's the correct ball. Aitkens feet or channel for either wide man. Both Skeoch and Moore have pace but never got an opportunity to use it.
I think they played better on their natural sides v Stranraer rather than cutting in today.

Changing to 3 at the back didn't work and seemed a strange choice.
In most of the previous games we played some great football but not today.

Disappointing result but early days and hopefully learn quickly

I agree with you that the team has a 442 shape without the ball, but when in possession there were no wide midfield options, it turned into a narrow 433.

Aitken and Jamieson rotated positions a bit more, Skeoch was more left sided.

But to me there never seemed to be any width in the team that youd associate with a 442.....Neither full back really advanced into midfield areas.

I thought the first half v Stranraer showed the trend that was on show today, but 2nd half was better in that game.

I absolutely agree with you the direct ball is the right option if theres a bit of room in behind but today it seemed like it was almost instinctive, it was the only pass the back 4 were looking for.

[Deleted]

Oct 17, 2020 16:53:33 GMT jordancampbell said:

I’m thinking you should calm down, FFS! It’s the first competitive league game of the season, this (young) squad are still finding their shape, and the manager will be trying to work out his best starting 11.

I am calm

Just giving some thoughts thats all, I dont think it would take much for this team to be a decent unit

[mildrover]

Oct 17, 2020 16:53:33 GMT jordancampbell said:

I’m thinking you should calm down, FFS! It’s the first competitive league game of the season, this (young) squad are still finding their shape, and the manager will be trying to work out his best starting 11.

Might not have put it the same way as Jordan but I agree that it is early days and definitely no need to panic. We have an experienced manager and I believe we have the squad to see us hold our own this season.

[mildrover]

Oct 17, 2020 16:27:52 GMT @weeroversnewbie said:

Hi Everyone.

I think the performance today was worrying. But I thought the signs were there a bit after Stranraer (ill ignore Ayr as there is a gap between the teams).

The issue for me is firstly the tempo Rovers are trying to play is waaaaaaaaaaaay too high.

Before the substitutions today in the 2nd half, it looked to me mostly like the team was attacking in a 433 unit. Aitken coming deep, two forward players able to get around him or run in behind. No problem with this in of itself.

However any time a Rovers defender picked up the ball, it was almost instinctive for them to play an early long pass. Why?? This killed any chance the Rovers midfield had of contributing to the game.

There was very rarely a situation where a central player would drop deep to receive a pass from a defender. Likewise, as the ball was going back to front, it gave very little chance for any of the midfielders to get up in any kind of support.

The knockon effect of the long balls from the back in my opinion led to the midfield being very flat in its shape.

Its just my opinion but theres two things that are allowing opposition teams to profit.

1) Id CERTAINLY be looking to lower the tempo down, and look for more shorter passes between the lines of the team. Im not saying dont use the long pass at all, its a great weapon and under pressure from a high press, use it as a way to get out. But when an opposition is already set and not pushed up, theres little point in hammering a ball forward, bypassing the midfield where theres no room to get in behind for strikers.

2) I feel like a formation that can allow players to get in between the lines (could even be more of a 442 or even 4231) would aid players having more options on the ball without HAVING to look back to front so soon, and then offer a bit more solidarity when possession is lost, players will be closer together and can act much more as a defensive "unit".

Just wondered what people thought about this?

A quick question weeroversnewbie. With your Leicester address and your detailed knowledge of football tactics, you're not Brendan Rodgers under another name by any chance?

Ronnie

[Deleted]

Oct 18, 2020 18:43:09 GMT mildrover said:

Oct 17, 2020 16:27:52 GMT @weeroversnewbie said:

Hi Everyone.

I think the performance today was worrying. But I thought the signs were there a bit after Stranraer (ill ignore Ayr as there is a gap between the teams).

The issue for me is firstly the tempo Rovers are trying to play is waaaaaaaaaaaay too high.

Before the substitutions today in the 2nd half, it looked to me mostly like the team was attacking in a 433 unit. Aitken coming deep, two forward players able to get around him or run in behind. No problem with this in of itself.

However any time a Rovers defender picked up the ball, it was almost instinctive for them to play an early long pass. Why?? This killed any chance the Rovers midfield had of contributing to the game.

There was very rarely a situation where a central player would drop deep to receive a pass from a defender. Likewise, as the ball was going back to front, it gave very little chance for any of the midfielders to get up in any kind of support.

The knockon effect of the long balls from the back in my opinion led to the midfield being very flat in its shape.

Its just my opinion but theres two things that are allowing opposition teams to profit.

1) Id CERTAINLY be looking to lower the tempo down, and look for more shorter passes between the lines of the team. Im not saying dont use the long pass at all, its a great weapon and under pressure from a high press, use it as a way to get out. But when an opposition is already set and not pushed up, theres little point in hammering a ball forward, bypassing the midfield where theres no room to get in behind for strikers.

2) I feel like a formation that can allow players to get in between the lines (could even be more of a 442 or even 4231) would aid players having more options on the ball without HAVING to look back to front so soon, and then offer a bit more solidarity when possession is lost, players will be closer together and can act much more as a defensive "unit".

Just wondered what people thought about this?

A quick question weeroversnewbie. With your Leicester address and your detailed knowledge of football tactics, you're not Brendan Rodgers under another name by any chance?

Ronnie

[Deleted]

Im not sure that Bren would be able to explain all that to his players. I don’t think that the players would understand it either? Maybe I do the players a disservice? Keeping it simple and minimalist I believe is usually the best policy!

[Deleted]

Oct 18, 2020 18:52:50 GMT @littlewoodenhorse said:

Oct 18, 2020 18:43:09 GMT mildrover said:

A quick question weeroversnewbie. With your Leicester address and your detailed knowledge of football tactics, you're not Brendan Rodgers under another name by any chance?

Ronnie

Haha, i wish i was, would have a massive countryside house if i was. Its close to a really nice golf course here too.

I like Brendan on the whole. I think although he wasnt popular, Claude Puel left him a great squad. Bringing in Maddison, Tielemans, Riccardo Perreira and Soyuncu, these are some top quality players and well scouted.

My main issue with Brendan is, there have been games where he almost tries and brings out some grandmaster chess tactic that you think there must be some masterplan to this.....and then we get battered. Been a few instances of that where he makes some quite random changes before and in games and its backfired in some games. Towards the end of last season (had injuries) but the Bournemouth and Spurs games, the games around christmas last season too.

The way he set us up v Man City was perfect.

Weve got a really fickle fanbase ill say that. Winning the league has arguably made this even worse. Only takes a few results down here and people start to get really critical. Seems like our messageboard is infiltrated by hormonally imbalanced teenagers rather than the more level headed fans on this forum and that doesnt help. Momentum can build quickly. Fan base love to have a scapegoat down here too.

EDIT: And, predictably, the knives are out yet again after the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Never mind the fact that he got us qualified for europe with a net spend over 2 seasons of around 20 million and had 4 absolutely key players injured tonight. Some people say hes got 3 games to save his job!!! 2 games ago we put 5 past Man City at the Etihad