Tactics

[baggiematt]

Some really obvious things have stuck out lately but the tactics are way off.

Our right side in attack just isnt working. When we attack, the right back moves inside to make a three man defence. Gilchrist and Campbell have both rarely gotten forward to support.

So that led to Iling-Junior coming in on his left and there is no one overlapping. He is not a great player but he has one less passing option than he should. Its really easy for the defence. They tried moving Price out to support but that didnt work either.

The system is tailor made for Fellows on the right to go round the left back rather than inside. Given he’s no longer here, Mason needs to get those full backs far forward and attacking when at home.

The other thing, with the side at home he had the centre halves about 10 yards further back than they needed to be. That led to us not being able to control a side that didnt attack us that much.

Crazy how off we were today with the setup and he didnt change it.

[baggieal]

Some really obvious things have stuck out lately but the tactics are way off.

Our right side in attack just isnt working. When we attack, the right back moves inside to make a three man defence. Gilchrist and Campbell have both rarely gotten forward to support.

So that led to Iling-Junior coming in on his left and there is no one overlapping. He is not a great player but he has one less passing option than he should. Its really easy for the defence. They tried moving Price out to support but that didnt work either.

The system is tailor made for Fellows on the right to go round the left back rather than inside. Given he’s no longer here, Mason needs to get those full backs far forward and attacking when at home.

The other thing, with the side at home he had the centre halves about 10 yards further back than they needed to be. That led to us not being able to control a side that didnt attack us that much.

Crazy how off we were today with the setup and he didnt change it.

Judging by his interviews Matt he thinks there?s very little wrong and Nestor won?t want to be proved wrong and sack him.

A good manager with experience should be able to read the room with players and the overall thoughts of supporters. He can?t because he lacks managerial experience and know how.

I can see this being drawn out and Nestor having no option but to react in months to come if the toxicity gets worse. Judging by the many fan debates and social media posts the majority think Mason is a clown and out of his depth!

God do we miss Fellows and again in pubs Boro supporters didn?t rate Mowatt or Junior and switched him to full back. Diakite and Styles are both average at best and Campbell poor at going forward or with the ball at his feet.

Two winnable games coming up 😂 and then Coventry and Blues who are everything we are not - playing as a team comes to mind!

[Omegstrat6]

Some really obvious things have stuck out lately but the tactics are way off.

Our right side in attack just isnt working. When we attack, the right back moves inside to make a three man defence. Gilchrist and Campbell have both rarely gotten forward to support.

So that led to Iling-Junior coming in on his left and there is no one overlapping. He is not a great player but he has one less passing option than he should. Its really easy for the defence. They tried moving Price out to support but that didnt work either.

The system is tailor made for Fellows on the right to go round the left back rather than inside. Given he’s no longer here, Mason needs to get those full backs far forward and attacking when at home.

The other thing, with the side at home he had the centre halves about 10 yards further back than they needed to be. That led to us not being able to control a side that didnt attack us that much.

Crazy how off we were today with the setup and he didnt change it.

Totally agree with you regarding our right side attack!

Styles may not be good defensively but when played at LB he is allowed to push forward more which helps support Mikey whereas how many times have we seen Campbell/ Gilchrist-Phillips-Mepham hold a line at the back and pass the ball sideways between them. I've thought for a long time that Junior does not play wide enough for us which forces us to be too narrow in our attacks, but then it is too rare that he has had support from his RB.

Fellows may have been quite hit and miss during the second half of last season but we miss his running down the flank to put crosses in at the byline and we certainly miss his number of assists. Regardless of Campbell being no Furlong when it comes to forward play, Illing Junior is no Tom however and neither are Grant or Wallace.

The likes of Maja and Dike won't score many goals until they get more service and until we learn to both move the ball quicker going forward and attack/ press in numbers our scoring opportunities will remain slim.

[Bombers right foot]

Just a note,
We?ve scored 12 goals this season. Coventry have scored 36. That?s what happens when you play football at a walking pace with no clear plans, structure or energy, plus playing the ?safe? game mostly in your own half with the full backs not overlapping creating chances smacks of very poor coaching with total lack of ideas.
Even Pulis who bored us to death had a plan, Mason has no idea and should be replaced before the next international break, the new manager whoever that may be needs time before the next transfer window, Patel and Nestor should admit they have made a glaring mistake in appointing a novice and act accordingly

[baggieal]

Just a note,
We?ve scored 12 goals this season. Coventry have scored 36. That?s what happens when you play football at a walking pace with no clear plans, structure or energy, plus playing the ?safe? game mostly in your own half with the full backs not overlapping creating chances smacks of very poor coaching with total lack of ideas.
Even Pulis who bored us to death had a plan, Mason has no idea and should be replaced before the next international break, the new manager whoever that may be needs time before the next transfer window, Patel and Nestor should admit they have made a glaring mistake in appointing a novice and act accordingly

Totally agree Bomber! We must also realize that football under Pulis was in the Premier so for many games it was expected to park the bus. Mason is boring us stupid in a lesser division and whilst yes we need more quality in a few positions, this is not a bad side. It's just a awful manager who is totally clueless and you can't just blame the players.

Hull play decent football and have scored 10 goals more than us and spent 700K this season compared to our 4.7 million on Heggebo alone. Why are they playing on the front foot and scoring freely? Perhaps it's because their Croatian Manger is known for implementing an exciting and attacking philosophy, averages 1.84 goals per game whilst boasting an impressive win ratio of 58.9% from 292 matches managed across four countries!

[Prando]

I imagine most of us on here have played amateur football at a variety of standards. (For me, Birmingham AFA 1966 - 1980s Saturdays and a local Sunday league) Our tactics were to play to our strengths and very much dependent upon the various players available. The club had 3 teams each playing in differing divisions in the same league, so players were moved up and down teams, depending on availability. Accordingly, playing to our strengths changed in view of the changing team. But that was not a problem and tactics therefore changed, sometimes match to match.

I struggle to see quite what our tactics are attacking wise. Clearly players are instructed to play it out from the back and deal with the opposition press, presumably awaiting for the opportunity to swiftly move the ball forward…but that is NOT working, given the creative quality of our midfield players.

My view is that our players are aware of this and essentially just going through the motions. A continuance will keep us floundering mid table, stealing the odd win and conceding the inevitable defensive c ock up.

I have no solution given the current structure, and am resigned to accepting the status quo, conscious of the alternative potential threat of a financial demise and the inevitable administration.

I and SWMBO will still be there supporting irrespective.

[baggieal]

I imagine most of us on here have played amateur football at a variety of standards. (For me, Birmingham AFA 1966 - 1980s Saturdays and a local Sunday league) Our tactics were to play to our strengths and very much dependent upon the various players available. The club had 3 teams each playing in differing divisions in the same league, so players were moved up and down teams, depending on availability. Accordingly, playing to our strengths changed in view of the changing team. But that was not a problem and tactics therefore changed, sometimes match to match.

I struggle to see quite what our tactics are attacking wise. Clearly players are instructed to play it out from the back and deal with the opposition press, presumably awaiting for the opportunity to swiftly move the ball forward…but that is NOT working, given the creative quality of our midfield players.

My view is that our players are aware of this and essentially just going through the motions. A continuance will keep us floundering mid table, stealing the odd win and conceding the inevitable defensive c ock up.

I have no solution given the current structure, and am resigned to accepting the status quo, conscious of the alternative potential threat of a financial demise and the inevitable administration.

I and SWMBO will still be their supporting irrespective.

Nobody should just be accepting Prando. The financial issues of the club is the past and Shilen is not stupid - he bought the club for an investment and not a love token. I would never ever boo the team during the match but those who booed the players at the end of the match had every right to do so. Nothing ever gets done if you are accepting but don?t voice your feelings in the right way.

My son hates Mason and his tactics but still going to Charlton. If our tactics are like Saturday then he will no doubt boo along with others at the end of the game. He loves the club but when paying good money home and away he?s entitled to vent his feelings if the football is complete s hite!

[Prando]

Understand all you say al buddy.

However, I also consider Shilen to be no fool and it will be his decision to change and will be results driven. Clearly, he is prepared to allow Mason more rope at present, pending his final demise?or otherwise. In the meantime, I will go along with status quo albeit reluctantly.

Interesting that I ensure I always vote politically. (have done so for circa 60 years) irrespective of what the polls say !

[baggieal]

Understand all you say al buddy.

However, I also consider Shilen to be no fool and it will be his decision to change and will be results driven. Clearly, he is prepared to allow Mason more rope at present, pending his final demise?or otherwise. In the meantime, I will go along with status quo albeit reluctantly.

Interesting that I ensure I always vote politically. (have done so for circa 60 years) irrespective of what the polls say !

Shilen is very sharp Prando and a shrewd guy so will protect his investment. No doubt he will have noted the mood and frustration around. I honestly don?t have any more expectation than top 10 but still expect decent football like Hull who spent peanuts. That comes from the manager.

Politically I have never voted although some of the family voted for Starmer which they deeply regret. Sadly almost all politicians are hypocrites and out to line their own pockets

[WBA123]

Yep. Mason has to change it up.

From an attacking perspective we are so poor. So little creativity.

And I know some of our players are limited, but I actually think team setup is killing us.

We played bottom of the league at home and set up 4-5-1. Did we need 2 centre halves or 2 holding midfielders? We brought Dike on in the 92nd minute.

We rely on set pieces and long range strikes from Price/Johnston to score. If that doesn't happen, I don't see how we score.

Mason, its time to be brave and put an extra striker on or change our system, particularly at home.