Main differences I noticed tonight was that that we tried to get the ball forward quicker with balls over the top and forwards running in behind. And with three up front we had more players in the box when we attacked from wide. I liked Struber, but think this more direct attacking style of play could suit is better.
I'm surprised no one's commented that we didn't try to "play out from the back" in the way we had been doing
I noticed that early on when Walton took a long goal kick and there were no defenders standing near him. So many teams come a cropper with that tactic. It’s just stupid.
I like odour but great decision to bring on styles instead and of course the inclusion of the OUTSTANDING matty james. So tactically good decision fella...u saw the problem and sorted it.
Yes I think so too and I think James had a lot to do with that with his quick thinking and accurate passing . Others in that position have wasted balls with sloppy and innacurate passing .
Weve had quality players for some time but that fine tuning has been needed. Let's hope Valerian is actually tweaking in the correct places. It was blatantly obvious that hes curbed the playing from the back, that's fraught with cockups and getting the ball quicker to the front runners. Ok this was his first game and other than the first 10 minutes, QPR were pretty poor, Warburtons substitutions had little effect whereas ours made large changes with a different system. Excellent performance other than our finishing which needs serious work and I'm sure Val' will sort that out. Hopefully we can look forward to a more productive season. Our game against Watford will be a different kettle of Fish, they have a lot of quality and experience so I can see James in the starting line up.
It's more than a good start imho It's absolutelty brilliant. If this is what he can do after 2 days, imagine what he and the players can do in a few weeks.... months! Wow, I'm looking forward to this season now Happy bunny this morning. Congratulations and thank you Valerian Ismael
Exactly SD, it looks like an attacking 3-4-3 formation looking at what we saw last night. Matty James..... wow, what can you say. Brilliant, just simply brilliant. The backheel half way through the second half...... sumptuous. Allows Mowatt to roam forward as well.
When we play that well it's easy to forget about the result which is what I enjoyed the most. Wave after wave of attacks. I didn't clock watch once second half. It was disappointment for Schmidt at the final whistle. I wanted the match to go on until he scored.
I know mate, it would have been nice for a couple of others to make the score sheet, if not for the actual scoreline but for their personal confidence levels. As an aside, how Chappers missed that header in the second half, I'll never know! He was stood right in front of the GK and seemed to half chest it half chin it!
That goal at 4 yards from goal is statistically the longest goal of Lineker's career. FACT (It's not I'm just in a giddy mood this morning lol