Walsall Ratings

[The_Don_ORiordan]

One important question we need to ask any potential new signing, "Can you pass the ball forward as a first option "

I think it’s more to do with the pace of passing rather than the just the direction.

There is little point in switching if it’s done so slowly the defenders can walk into position.

Palmer was usually instrumental in switching up the pace with a quick one touch pass. We just don’t have that at the moment, it’s overly laboured.

[Mark_Ross]

One important question we need to ask any potential new signing, "Can you pass the ball forward as a first option "

If only it were that simple. I don't claim to understand how goals are made or have any great insight.

However, one thing occurs to me - watching games at various levels down the years. The team dominating the possession passes it around endlessly, going from side to side, back a bit then forward a bit, side to side, and so on again. There is no way through. It seems like the defenders have it all covered.

Suddenly there is a spark! Somebody creates an opening. How does this happen? Perhaps they spot a chink in the defensive armour. Perhaps wearing them down mentally & physically is a part of this, but making that opening is about skill (obviously), vision, speed of thought & co-ordinated action.

[SmiffyPie]

If only it were that simple. I don't claim to understand how goals are made or have any great insight.

However, one thing occurs to me - watching games at various levels down the years. The team dominating the possession passes it around endlessly, going from side to side, back a bit then forward a bit, side to side, and so on again. There is no way through. It seems like the defenders have it all covered.

Suddenly there is a spark! Somebody creates an opening. How does this happen? Perhaps they spot a chink in the defensive armour. Perhaps wearing them down mentally & physically is a part of this, but making that opening is about skill (obviously), vision, speed of thought & co-ordinated action.

I remember watching a match several years ago when Man U (sure it was them?) were playing the great Barca team. Barca had been playing possession football for several seasons and were considered the best in Europe. Well Man U just let them have possession and closed shop while Barca could only pass it round the top of the Man U defence. Man U got a loose ball, passed it through the Barca high line and scored (Bit of poetic licence there). Our style is supposed to be a slow controlled build up looking for a passage of play into a goal scoring position. Easily countered though if we are too methodical.

[ThaiPie]

If only it were that simple. I don't claim to understand how goals are made or have any great insight.

However, one thing occurs to me - watching games at various levels down the years. The team dominating the possession passes it around endlessly, going from side to side, back a bit then forward a bit, side to side, and so on again. There is no way through. It seems like the defenders have it all covered.

Suddenly there is a spark! Somebody creates an opening. How does this happen? Perhaps they spot a chink in the defensive armour. Perhaps wearing them down mentally & physically is a part of this, but making that opening is about skill (obviously), vision, speed of thought & co-ordinated action.

Agree, with both Durham Pie and Mark_Ross. However, I think passing the ball forward is the easy bit.

Receiving a ball in central midfield, turning in a tight space, and spotting the offensive opportunities is one of the hardest things in football. A few names who have more than most in this regard: Matty Palmer, Mark Draper or Don Masson. I'm sure others can name many more.

Balancing this with the need for energy in midfield, makes it all the harder to get the right balance.

Nothing against any of our current midfielders, but since losing Matty Palmer, we haven't got the right blend.

[MarcusCole]

I think the problem with the Walsall game was the rest of the team have no confidence with the defence. How many times did we see someone else filling out in Defence because the original guys were just not doing their jobs. That pulled everyone back and I saw at one point we had a back 5 that included Bostock and Nemane.

The defence we have is just not good enough, it is causing the rest of the team to cover for them and is destroying the formation.

[BanjoPie]

It seems some on here have twigged that our defence is not good enough - “what a remarkable observation”

[TSANHO]

You have to ‘turn’ the other teams lines somehow. Passing sideways and backwards, like others said, is so easy to defend against. Palmer and Ruben and JOB, to an extent, have the courage/vision/skill to do that. It’s also Baldwins biggest strong point in my eyes….he can drive forward and turn the oppositions midfield, leaving us with massive overloads further up the pitch. For a while under Burchnall that’s also what Brindley started doing….now a days the ball is a hot potato to him. In fact the whole team look low on confidence, creating a vicious circle where they don’t want to take risks so the fans get on their backs and then the players play even more within themselves….and then Meadow Lane turns into a very dark place indeed.

[matt_magpie]

You have to ‘turn’ the other teams lines somehow. Passing sideways and backwards, like others said, is so easy to defend against. Palmer and Ruben and JOB, to an extent, have the courage/vision/skill to do that. It’s also Baldwins biggest strong point in my eyes….he can drive forward and turn the oppositions midfield, leaving us with massive overloads further up the pitch. For a while under Burchnall that’s also what Brindley started doing….now a days the ball is a hot potato to him. In fact the whole team look low on confidence, creating a vicious circle where they don’t want to take risks so the fans get on their backs and then the players play even more within themselves….and then Meadow Lane turns into a very dark place indeed.

Scoring goals wasn’t and still isn’t an issue, yes we will have games where we can’t break down teams but that goes for every team in the country.
Palmer is probably the player most wouldn’t want to see see get injured, he’s Mr consistent and basically makes the team tick firing balls around and also works hard to get it back. It was never going to the case we would have someone not in the team that could come in and do that to his level.
We just need to get to Jan and hopefully pick up a few points on the way.
Stockport have spent a hell of a lot of money and got off to a flyer but even their having a bad patch now, we just need to ride it and bring in 2 or 3 and reignite the group.

[durhampie]

You have to ‘turn’ the other teams lines somehow. Passing sideways and backwards, like others said, is so easy to defend against. Palmer and Ruben and JOB, to an extent, have the courage/vision/skill to do that. It’s also Baldwins biggest strong point in my eyes….he can drive forward and turn the oppositions midfield, leaving us with massive overloads further up the pitch. For a while under Burchnall that’s also what Brindley started doing….now a days the ball is a hot potato to him. In fact the whole team look low on confidence, creating a vicious circle where they don’t want to take risks so the fans get on their backs and then the players play even more within themselves….and then Meadow Lane turns into a very dark place indeed.

A controversial one which i am sure will get some abuse, This being McGoldrick. last season we played with just Macca up front, Ruben played in midfield along side Palmer, O Brien and later Bostock. This season we now have McGoldrick playing in a position created for him, which to be honest was not a necessity. The only real change should have been Crowley moving into Rubens slot. But because of where McGoldrick is playing , Crowley has been pushed out wide, which is a complete waste. Instead of signing McGoldrick we should have spent that money on a decent defender... And in any case, we had Scott for that 2nd striker roll if needed, (unfortunately now injured) who had a far better understanding with Macca, and was more athletic and mobile..

[sinophile]

Crowley has been such a waste he hasn't scored any goals. get rid!