We struggle to break down low blocks

[HughieG]

An interesting take on our Wolves game which can be projected onto a lot of other games we've played this season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJBcJTYl8iY

Here's an image of our passes and completion rate during the match. Almost always sideways, hardly ever trying to play passes in between their back 3. First shot on target was in the 85th minute:





I trust Eddie to improve this part of our game; he will have to, I think.

[HughieG]

[HughieG]

Hmm, the image won't upload - see the stats here:

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=fb6ec2c420ab31bb&rlz=1C1GCEA_enDK1150DK1150&sxsrf=ANbL-n4HHzN16lJWFcZVzHo-nbwnSE-nhw:1768903320680&udm=2&fbs=ADc_l-YGrpJMQtvjQ6h14rj-dfIrUznLzv7WN6UQCfnuWPcU0UweXN6xddqVo-7NbJdEYREU-hVRixQFpdrQqksbjfB1UijBlDC8M-RS0W8hGSOHSAteYDH3of0bN0nY1IH8p9DmEU6x7FtZcyTs8cXY73qvOmLXqZ9PaTrngUNg8p8D5LSvwbWJ2hNkl8NlDZSaIVi1WfKk&q=newcastle+wolves+passes+stats&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4zsiw7pmSAxXjJxAIHS30ABMQtKgLegQIDBAB&biw=2133&bih=1145&dpr=0.9&aic=0#sv=CAMSVhoyKhBlLV9PRDl***VHUTF4b3JNMg5fT0Q5bHl1R1ExeG9yTToORU9ZT2tza3l4bXNRTE0gBCocCgZtb3NhaWMSEGUtX09EOWx5dUdRMXhvck0YADABGAcg9YmyhgMwAkoKCAIQAhgCIAIoAg

[toptoon]

Everyone has trouble breaking down a low block, that?s why the tactic exists.
I think we need to improve our set pieces to combat these tactics, otherwise it?s a question of your attackers being on form. Ours obviously aren?t just now.

[Ragatino]

Everyone has trouble breaking down a low block, that?s why the tactic exists.
I think we need to improve our set pieces to combat these tactics, otherwise it?s a question of your attackers being on form. Ours obviously aren?t just now.

More 0-0 draws already this season 14 than all of last season 13.

I commented in the 'The lack of quality in the Premier League this season' thread, that this season as a product is seriously diminished as a spectacle.

It's good to see the league being more competitive but the cost of that competitiveness is boring defensive football.

The Premier League is going to suffer if this is the future of the league is gonna be a this kind of boring all the time.

Is it me or has the standard of attacking got worse?

Is it due to the obsession with Data driving the creativity and technical brilliance out of the game for a tactical structured product?

How many 'Worldies' as there been scored in this season?

[HughieG]

Thanks for chipping in with your observations.

@TT - I agree that low blocks are generally hard to break down. But doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is mad - therefore, the current style of play where we insist on playing wide all the time when we only have one decent winger on form at the moment, Barnes, is not going to help. We need to play more directly in between the low blocks which requires quick feet, a higher tempo of play and a better understanding and link up with the central forwards. With a midfield including Tonali and Bruno this should definitely be possible.

@Raga - Absolutely, the focus on data and constant optimizing is killing some aspects of the game. I think we will see a counter-wave at some point, hopefully, where managers will focus on a more open, free style of play, trusting the players' individual ability more and less focus on coaching them into players that fit a certain system. I'd like that more of that from Eddie, to be honest - and I think he's a brilliant coach.

[toptoon]

I agree, Hughie. The problem is that our style is strength out wide and I don?t think we currently have the personnel to play the way you suggest.
What?s needed?
1. Eddie to evolve his thinking
2. Patience from us to understand our squad isnt quite THERE yet and is still being built
3. The end of the ridiculous PSR

Bruno is well capable of making your suggestion work but we need more technical and faster players beside and in front of him.

[Ragatino]

My take on it is that it's not just NUFC it's every team struggling to crack the defensive nuts of teams that just want to put 10 behind the ball. City lost 2-0 to the filth and their fans are crowing singing the city is red. Lunacy but that's what a win does.

fact is that the league is lucrative that teams are prepared to do what ever it takes to stay in the league. Bus parking, anti-football playing, deep lying 2 banks of 5 defending is very much in vogue at present.

That said. The team needs more time between games than they have to evolve as TT mentioned.

A lot of people are saying we need more creativity. I think we need a midfielder that will solely defend. Plug that gap in front of the back 4, cover the CBs. A Claude Makelele type to allow Bruno, Tonali, Ramsey, Joelinton to go forward without any concern about what's gonna happen behind them.

It doesn't mean a change of formation still a 4-3-3 set up but like on Football Manager, FIFA, PES etc the role of that CMF is set to Ball Winning and Defensive would be more beneficial.

It's a bit of a miss read by a lot of people.

[HughieG]

I agree, Hughie. The problem is that our style is strength out wide and I don?t think we currently have the personnel to play the way you suggest.
What?s needed?
1. Eddie to evolve his thinking
2. Patience from us to understand our squad isnt quite THERE yet and is still being built
3. The end of the ridiculous PSR

Bruno is well capable of making your suggestion work but we need more technical and faster players beside and in front of him.

That sounds about right, TT.

I do think a transition in play could begin already with having Wolte and Wissa on at the same time. This provides an extra link for a more direct, centrally focused game. It would impact the rest of the team's structure so it can't be done overnight, but it needs to be explored IMO.

Patience is a virtue and I don't expect us to be winning the Premier League or the Champions League, but I think we need to be seeing a more versatile tactical output than we're currently seeing; this will also stand us in good stead once we get a bit further investmest wise in terms of challenging the biggest teams.

[Ragatino]

Did you guys notice that Joelinton was almost a Shadow Striker? He was right up along side Wissa.

Still in a 4-3-3 but the roles Howe asked the lads to play was altered. This is what we needed to see against the Wolve bus park.

Didn't work out at the weekend but we should see a better performance against Villa who will come and have a go.

[Jammy89]

I did notice that about Big Joe, to the point I had to double check he was in the midfield on the graphic.

Big Joe was back to his beast maurading best last night - long may it continue.

[Ragatino]

I did notice that about Big Joe, to the point I had to double check he was in the midfield on the graphic.

Big Joe was back to his beast maurading best last night - long may it continue.

Aye he's been mint and getting back to those top levels, Back to barking orders and bringing that leadership needed.

Tonali was better in PSV match, with Bruno taking a knock we need Sandro back up to his levels from early in the season too.