Fleetwood Town Post Match Thoughts

[fc_miller]

I thought hamshaw was working on crossing with Ogbene in training. Maybe in training sessions the day before the game the team need to work on set plays both attacking and defending them, that way they might remember what to do.

Regarding Ogbene and Sadlier, maybe it's the formation that doesn't suit them and why they end up being played out of position. Wiles stated to play better when he was finally played in midfield (albeit not recently). When Sadlier was at Donny what formation were they playing? For Ireland Ogbene played in a front three. Both situations they weren't asked to defend as much as they do for us. If ogbene does play down middle he is more likely to win a penalty, as will have more opportunity to get in the box (although sometimes I think that is all he can offer, is being able to run past a player and win a free kick).

Maybe instead of 352, would 343 be bette? but then Warne doesn't like only having 2 CM's (as we get outplayed, although the game tactic is not to pkay through the middle but to get it out to the wing and get crosses in). Maybe 433, but then Warne can't play Wood in 2CB's as he's too slow.

[The Hillsborough Miller]

I wonder if wiles would have played if sadlier fit,
Ogbene cant cross so play him in middle , so miller on right ferguson on left
Its only an idea

[mellowmiller]

apart from last week when was the last time Rotherham played well . Are you happy with how our midfield are playing.

Not at all, I think our general play has been below par for 6 or 7 games now but, up until recently we have been picking up points so that has papered over the cracks to some extent.
I haven't changed my view that we have some excellent midfielders, arguably amongst the best group in the division, but we don't have that creative player who can control a game.
People will probably disagree but I said after the home game against Cambridge that we could do worse than get Wes Hoolahan on a short term contract in January to help drive us forward in the second half of the season.

[MillerBill]

I wonder if wiles would have played if sadlier fit,
Ogbene cant cross so play him in middle , so miller on right ferguson on left
Its only an idea

Not a bad idea though,it seems to work at international level for Ogbene.

[MillersTime]

That's my point really where Sadlier's concerned, I don't feel he gets a fair press from a lot of Rotherham fans, albeit lately that opinion has started to change when he has played centrally where we have seen what he can do. But in these games we have played to his strengths and not missed our midfield out, played to and through him instead of hitting long aimless balls from the back 3 to our front 2.

I was at the QPR game and agree, Sadlier was largely anonymous going forward. He tracked their 7 playmaker for the whole first half, ironically doing a good defending and tracking back job, but thats not his game but one he had clearly been told to concentrate on. Ironically it was tracking back and tackling his player around the 60th minute in the second half that led to his injury and departure from the field. He didn't have a good game, but he equally didn't have a bad game either. Ironically all our penalty takers (Barlaser. Sadlier, Ferguson, were off the field for the penalties after extra time.

For me and I have posted this before. The problem for Sadlier is the way that we setup and play. It doesn't suit him as a player and asking him to track back and defend means that he allows that player he is marking to dictate play and he follows him, whereas if he was allowed free rein to roam, the opposition would have to worry about him and track him rather than the other way around.

Personally I feel that the first line of defence is to attack, but we setup to defend and counter attack down the channels via our WB's rather than play through the middle. We mix that up with also being very direct, route one in fact. So players like Sadlier who come into their own in the opposition's half, in and around that last third more importantly, are feeding off scraps. In our teams a 10 is expected to defend first and attack second and asking a player like sadlier to do that nuiifies his game, whereas in a another side, setup to get the ball down and play, ironically the types of teams that are muted to be after him, would suit him him better.

For me we haven't seen enough of Sadlier because he hasn't been given that run of games and even when he plays we don't play to a system and in a way that plays to his strengths.

Its all about opinions MillersTime and we differ on this player Im afraid.

I understand what you're saying and there is probably a large element of truth to it regarding Sadlier being undervalued at times but I still feel on many occasions he hasn't done enough to force PW's hand to include him. The reality is somewhere between, like usual, not utilised correctly at times but has to do better too. I get that you want to use him in a position where he doesn't have to defend as much but that goes against the ethos of the side and frankly we aren't good enough to have passengers going that way. Only a very select few players in all the leagues basically get told to just free roam and don't worry about the other side. He's not that good to be allowed that role imo. I have no actual issues with his work rate defensively, it isn't his strength but he does his share, just answering your point on that side of things.

I don't think he has ever been asked to do beyond what is reasonable. If he went to Portsmouth say where they attempt to play more, they also want to press from the front so he would be asked to do the same. Just like if we played him in the 10.

I don't think we set up to defend first. Just a part of the game all teams have to do at times. We do aim to get on the ball and create, just sometimes our build up play isn't the crispest and we struggle for clear opportunities. We press high up to try and win the ball back as early as possible, that isn't a team that thinks to defend first. If it were we would be scurrying back into a defensive shape rather than trying to squeeze the opposition.

You'll never find me disagreeing about our need to keep it on the deck to utilise our players. We must continue to do develop that area of our game for longer term success.

[MillersTime]

And 100% it is a game of opinions. It's been an interesting back and forth between us with other posts in between our lengthy responses. One thing we will both agree on is lets hope PW finds a route forward to get us out of this funk.

[flourbasher]

And 100% it is a game of opinions. It's been an interesting back and forth between us with other posts in between our lengthy responses. One thing we will both agree on is lets hope PW finds a route forward to get us out of this funk.

He always does. I can't remember when we played badly twice in a row or had two bad results.
PW and the players are too good for that to happen

[gru]

Not a bad idea though,it seems to work at international level for Ogbene.

Getting dafter Ogbene down middle Miller on the right! Warney he's trying to do the right thing not upsetting clubs he loans players off. This is were we start Vickers in goal. No nursing Wood at the expense of Harding. Harding Ihiekwe didn't let us down in the championship should be 1st two names in defence. Going to have to except Chioe his final ball let's him down nearly most of the time but he takes players out of the game he's best we've got on the right. Ferguson best we have on the left. Midfield how it stands Barlaser only player in there guaranteed his place. Up front Smith same no point to me playing Grigg or Ladapo till we get reinforcements there Sadlier behind Smudger. Need Angus back another who did his job in the championship.

[MillerBill]

Hey come on lads,win on Tuesday and we can go back on top.Every team has a blip and we are no exception.Warney said due to the the "window month",it would be a stressful time.We can do it.

[millersrus]

Not a bad idea though,it seems to work at international level for Ogbene.

Had the same thoughts myself. His crossing is poor, if he hasn’t got it by sorted by now, likely it won’t be. Playing down the middle might work. He’s a decent header of the ball too.