At what point in a game do you make changes

[blueheeler1]

It's an old theme of mine I know but it remains a question to ask.

Most teams just play to their strengths

They set up to play their game irrespective of the strengths of the opposition.

And that's ok provided your strengths are very good.

But it always amazes me that when a plan is obviously not working Coaches/Managers make changes from the 60th min onward, unless an earlier injury is forced on the team.

What the hell?

Surely if a plan isn't working you make changes either tactically or with your personnel much earlier in the first half.

You can see the way its going quite early on.

Its great when the late changes lead to a late equalizer or winner but generally its more of the same failure--for longer.

No-one employs man for man marking from the start of the game. No retrospective man for man marking even when a player on the opposition is running riot or obviously controlling the game.

No-one seems to employ the old-fashioned sweeper; although it worked very well and clearly prevents the often-seen breakaway goal.

By adopting the 4 Plus 4 defensive model and funneling back to the goal you invite deflective goals and block the goalkeepers vision.

But from this defensive position its very hard to get out of your are and launch attacks.

Result. Camped in your half for far too long and invite wave after wave of attacks until you crack.

It works--but only up to a point.

After that point you are so defensively minded you just are trying to hang on and your attacks are non-existent.

Better to defend high up the field and lock the other team into their defensive zone.

Which means winning the midfield battle--not surrendering it.

But what do I know...

[Altobelli]

If you want a proper answer Heeler, Don't ask Sean Dyche

[Norder]

.

....so the teams been structured optimally - but they're on the back foot, initial strategy has proved ineffective, then need to make the necessary changes...time to weigh it up and make it count, but can't risk any further weakening - as the idea being, to flip the pressure...but, if your Burnley - as where another team could maybe strengthen forward, or at worst,consider it best to fall back and hold out...that's where Burnley began the game...and so - if we lack any reasonable ability to relieve it - then all that remains - is to shout things at them.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

If you believe you have prepared properly and fielded your best eleven it seems a bit daft to me not to trust your instincts and let it roll.

From day one I have been totally bemused by SD's substitutions, but he gets paid £80k a week to make these decisions and I don't!

The reality is no manager gets them right all of the time, Southgate in particular, makes some jaw dropping substitutions, but they try their best I'm sure.

[blueheeler1]

If you believe you have prepared properly and fielded your best eleven it seems a bit daft to me not to trust your instincts and let it roll.

From day one I have been totally bemused by SD's substitutions, but he gets paid £80k a week to make these decisions and I don't!

The reality is no manager gets them right all of the time, Southgate in particular, makes some jaw dropping substitutions, but they try their best I'm sure.

All good BT but what I am talking about is when you have fielded the best 11 and its failing.

But fielding the best 11 usually means the best 11 for the tactic you have adopted--not necessarily the best 11 for job.

You have three substitution options:-
1. forced upon by injury.
2 Playing another player in a position where the starting player has run out of legs or you want another player to have a go in the same position.
3. For tactical reasons.

We use 1 and 2 but seldom seem to employ 3 (although if we do I have missed it).

Why not go 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 or even 3-4-3 if the situation demands? Or 4-2-1-3 or 4-3-1-2.

Or 3-4-2 with one player who man-marks the opposition's best player.

Under those circumstances we would see a different starting 11.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I agree with you 100% blueheeler1. It might be just because we lack variety and real quality of depth in the squad, but SD usually (almost always swaps like for like) e.g. Wood off Vokes on, Barnes off Vokes on. I hope the addition of Vydra and the return of Brady and Defour might offer us a different set of options when substitutions are needed for tactical reasons?

[army88]

For me Blue , the mark of a very good manager is to recognise the threat as soon as it’s there from opposition formation - space etc etc .
Seen it many times at Burnley from visiting managers where they recognise how to exploit us and our shape etc. ( Mourinho was prime more so last time Utd came , but this time he played Fellaini and neutralised any forward play we had ).
We are slow to change - wolves is a prime example 2 weeks back where they had 5 in the middle and the extra man was Portuguese international Jota ( who had a field day ).
I’m unsure why the players didn’t recognise it and say to Dyche we’re getting overun we need to change it.
We were poor that day but when I played I recognised the threat and what was happening in a few minutes, So whilst we were poor in the game why didn’t Dyche stick an extra man in the middle even short term so they didn’t get as big a foothold of the game.
I’m sure there is a structure within Burnley shape etc but if we can’t ever change and adapt to stop other teams with 3 centre backs and overlapping wing backs or 5 across the middle etc , the football will stay the same as it is now, and we will get caught out.
I think it’s so important for management to recognise early as if the opposition get in front in this league by a goal or two it’s very difficult to get back in the game.

A brave manager sees it and alters it Imo as soon as he can to gain an advantage over the opposition or at least prevent them from gaining the advantage.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I would never, ever question SD's bravery, but his tactical nous needs sharpening up!

[sinkov]

I suspect ego plays a part, a manager who changes things relatively early in a game is in effect admitting that, despite having all week to work on selection, formation and tactics, he's got it badly wrong. They don't like admitting that, better to carry on and hope it resolves itself, and sometimes it does.

[alfinyalcabo]

I would never, ever question SD's bravery, but his tactical nous needs sharpening up!

I would never ever question SD..Anybody who can get that bunch of Schite to finish 7th in supposedly the best league in the world and into Europe is a miracle worker..