A terrific start so far. I came away from the Ipswich game entertained, and not at all despondent with the result against a team who have started the season well. But the Forest and Sunderland performances have been something else. You can almost see this side learning game by game. And the work rate is phenomenal. I wasn't sure about Brad Potts at first, but in the last two games he has demonstrated that rare quality of getting the ball in tight spots and making time for himself. It's a rare quality, and allows him to make use of his shooting and passing abilities. Joe Williams has reminded me of Josh Scowen in every game so far. Harvey Barnes has a touch of class about him, and I think Ike Ugbo has the potential to be an even better loan signing than Ashley Fletcher. Moncur is making strides, and with Adam Hammill on his top game at present, and the likes of Cavare, McGeechan, Isgrove and Thiam still to come, things are looking quite exciting. It's far from the finished product yet - there will be slips and trips along the way, but if we continue to pull out performances like the Forest and Sunderland ones from time to time we are in for some rich entertainment. Hecky is a magician. Pure and simple.
3 wins from 4 at home, and one of them being the annual banana skin that is the league cup, plus the Ipswich game could have gone either way, even big Mick said that in an interview. I think we'll need our home form to be better than last season, because I can't see us being as good on our travels. Last season was a special one for away wins.
Mr Kaht. Accurately sums up my feelings also. What's not to be positive about. Whether the future is Chinese or not there is one thing our club should do and that us get the heckster tied in to a long term contract with his management and scouting and recruitment teams. Plus the continuing development of the Barnsley boot room a la anfield. Some proper succession planning will see us rate for years to come.
For me, Hecky approached the season knowing that we would not be quite ready, and like the clever manager he undoubtedly is, he has adapted his tactics to suit a team in transition. I have only seen the 3 league games, but in none of those have we dominated possession. Now generally, I like to watch my team playing with the ball, rather than watching the opposition playing with the ball. For a start, if we have the ball, our opponents are not going to score. We do not currently have the players or the organisation to dominate possession and Hecky has accepted that. Sunderland were very poor yesterday, especially in the second half, when to my mind at least 5 of their players accepted defeat far too soon. Even so, we continued to let them have the ball, concentrating on keeping our shape and defending both in numbers and in depth. You say that you enjoy that sort of football. For me it is different. I can see the need for it and I appreciate the logic of it, but I would prefer for us to have a larger share of possession. Of course, we won, and wins make everything right with the world. So everyone is bubbling again, but does it indicate a real or a false dawn. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I look forward to the time when we properly gel, especially in midfield.
I think this question about possession is a bit more complex. Since our upsurge in League One we seem to have been a team (or several teams, given the revolving doors) that does very well counter-attacking. If you boss possession it can often imply that your opponents are behind the ball, making it difficult to create meaningful chances if they defend well. That seems to describe Sunderland yesterday, particularly in the opening 25 minutes or so. They had ominous amounts of possession but created virtually no clear cut chances. When we did break, we broke swiftly and accurately. Sunderland had defenders who may have had some positional sense but who struggled with our pace and trickery. It's nice to win, but as I said I was by no means disappointed with the performance against Ipswich, even though we lost. Another point I'd make: our second half performance was an absolute masterclass in looking after our lead. We can all remember horror stories about the times our teams have surrendered comfortable leads. Yesterday we stayed solid and prevented Sunderland from gaining any foothold in the game after half time. The logic was that sooner or later we'd get another chance on the break and score. And we did. I love this football, and whether you think it's technically pleasing or not, I've had a buzz from that game (and the Forest one) since I got home.
I agree FT2. After five games last season we had nine points and a goal difference of plus four. We beat Derby 2-0, QPR 3-2 and Rotherham 4-0 at home, so having lost at home to Ipswich with six points this time round, we haven't got off to as good a start as we did last season. Also last term, we won 2-1 away at Preston in sixth game. Let's hope that's a good omen and we can replicate that result this season.!
Thought last season we were more competitive. Defeats at Ipswich on the opening day, and at Huddersfield against what proved to be a very good team, but they were narrow defeats and we showed enough in both games to suggest we were hard to beat. This season we've already put in two very poor away performances at Bristol and blunts. All in all though, I'm not fussed whether our points come at home or away as long as we pick up enough, and I'm very pleased with the new lads.
Totally agree. Very very exciting times at the WELL. As Hecky keeps reminding everybody - we are going to get hammered (e.g. Sheff United) every now and again because the players are new to this league - but WOW it's just really interesting what's happening. Hecky and staff are incredible !!!!!!! For all those reading this message board but still not going to the WELL - then you need to get down there.
That is a very good point. Sometimes the possession statistic is because one team allows the other to have it, whilst the more important thing is keeping your shape. There is no doubt that the modern teams are far better organised than the teams that I watched when I first began watching the game. Even allowing for equality of playing resources, the modern team wins 9 out of 10. Nevertheless, it is sometimes good to remember the old days, when the game was less sophisticated, and when games were generally won by the team having the larger share of possession. You knew where you stood in those days. You are also correct in saying that we organised to protect our lead during the second half, but to be honest 5 midfield players in front of 4 defenders (and only breaking forward when you catch the opposition and win the ball back early) is not the way that I like to watch my football. Even 4-3-3 stretches my powers of concentration, with it emphasis on safety first. There is no doubt that it was the correct way to play the game, and equally, there is no doubt that it is successful (provided you score first), but there is little glory in playing that way.
The last time we played possession based football was in the early stages of Johnson's brief stay at Oakwell. I don't think we were particularly good to watch then, often having 60% of the ball but creating few chances. I think personnel is more important than formation. With the right personnel 4-5-1 can be exhilarating. Conversely 4-4-2 can be staid and moribund with the wrong players. I agree that 'Ecky has taken a pragmatic approach based on the players at his disposal, but I don't agree that we're playing safety first football. Our strategy is to maximise the opportunities presented immediately after our opponents have lost the ball, whilst they're still trying to get back into their shape. We're happy to let teams pass across their back line or the middle of the park, pressing when they reach our final 3rd.If the opportunity to take the ball presents itself in other areas of the pitch of course we take them.
