Interesting tactical analysis of our systems under Struber

To be honest, I cannot believe that the two wider centre backs are being allowed forward at all. It is yet another of the things about the Struber System that I have still to get my head around. I think you are right that Williams gets forward more than Sollbauer, but he pops up all over the place. The shot on goal against Forest was hit from a right sided position, and he defended a break away against Newcastle down the right side. It must all fit together somehow, but as you say, it will remain a mystery until we see some live action.

We have strikers who are undoubtedly better than Brown in front of goal. Woodrow is one. However, none of them can work anywhere near as hard or as effectively as Brown. It has also been pointed out that Brown's best position is wide right, so he could still get in the team if we were playing 4-4-2 for example. It is clear therefore that Struber see Brown as being essential to his system and the forward press. I must confess that I did not convert to the idea willingly, and for months was saying in Minority Report exactly why we should be playing a different way. The penny did not drop until after the post lock down resumption. I suddenly realised that it was the press was an integral part of our defensive improvement, and that the press could only be effective with the right front two. Until then, I had been convinced that we needed a big target man. Afterwards, I knew that such a player did not work in the pressing system used by Struber. I still have concerns about our lack of height at set-pieces, but that could be solved in a different way, should Struber want to do so.

It is not quite that I do not like watching these lads play, it is more that there seems to be less penalty area action. Most of games is played out in the middle third. We defend high and win the ball back early, and because we have no target man, we do not have a way of getting the ball forward quickly. The more short passes you hit, the better chance you have of losing the ball. Having said all that, I am warming to it, but when you have watched 4-4-2 all your life, it takes some getting used to. I began by saying that I did not totally understand Struber's system, and I guess that is part of my problem of accepting it. I am anxious to learn though, and an grateful to find posters who share my interest.

I do not want to talk about changing systems. I would rather concentrate on getting to know this one. I hope that Struber stays with us for a long time, and that would suggest that 3-4-1-2 is successful. My team in 3-4-1-2 is:

Walton

Sollbauer, Andersen, Halme

Ludewig, Mowatt, Styles, Oduor

Thomas

Brown, Chaplin

I have given you my team, but I remain unsure that I understand the Struber System well enough to have any confidence in it. I have gone for Halme because I see a weakness in us at set-pieces. I do not really mind whether our right wing back is Ludewig or Williams. Many will argue that we have to find room for Woodrow. He is a good striker, but he cannot work as hard or as effectively as the other two in the press, and for me, he is not as effective as Thomas at No10. I am sure there are lot of holes in my logic, because, as I say, I do not yet understand the Struber system well enough.

How about you. What is your team?

 

You are of course correct that we can get picked off if our front two do not take more of their chances, but if we had a different front two, are you sure the opposition would not create more chances themselves, thereby negating our advantage because we had taken more of ours. That is the big question, and it is a question that no-one can answer without spending a lot of money

 

I’m not convinced we have to spend a lot of money tbh.
I’m not suggesting a Grabban or such like maybe it just needs some coaching of what we’ve got (although I know you can’t coach natural ability ) but our misses or nearly always just wide or miles high .
The system up to now creates a lot of chances I’m talking just a few more chance taken than we do at present .
It may be that Woodrow returns to form and Chaplin and Browns finish a few more of their chances after all they’re only young lads but if not I think we need an alternative .
Otherwise for all our possession and chances if nothing improves the confidence will go imo .

 

Regards the team selection:
1. I'm in the must make a place for Woodrow in the team (or if sold a place for a goal scoring AM/CF). Ultimately, more goals will be scored, over the course of a season.

2. I see your reasons why you bring Halme in. However, many would argue what J. Williams has done to warrant being dropped.

The system 3412 has proved to be working for us. We have conceded fewer goals, kept more clean sheets, and attained more points (all per game) as opposed to the Stendel Championship stats.

So, as you say, we assume that we are keeping this system. What do we need to make it better/more successful?

 

That is the $64,000 question. Do not forget that we are trying to compete with a budget that is a fraction of that others in our league are spending. What Struber achieved last season was a miracle, and we must be careful not to set our aspirations too high, too soon. It is more a case of gradual improvement. We are not going to see a sudden breakthrough. Players will be sold, and new young players brought in to replace them. That is simply how it is unfortunately.

 

I understand your frustration, and all I can do is urge patience.

 

do you realise that you've basically just written 'i am more intelligent than you. You are all too thick to understand football but I'm not'?

 

Oh dear, not you as well.

Why don't you read the whole thread before you decide that I am a horrible person.

 

You are assuming what I'm thinking. I'm just saying that your post comes across as you professing your superior intellect. How would you know that when watching football all I care about is exciting players and not the system being played?

 

Read the rest of the thread, and if you still feel the same way, we can have the discussion.

 

Good luck ST.

Doesn’t matter how many people tell him, he’s never ever been condescending, in any way, in his eyes.

 

I've read the entire thread. It's full of you implying everyone else is inferior to you. That you are the only person who fully understands football, that everyone else is just there for excitement, that there isn't anyone on the BBS with your intellect who you can debate tactics with.

Perhaps, just perhaps, there are many people who look at the tactical side? Maybe there are many who don't just go 'oooo he run fast, he make me excited'? Possibly there are people who, when at games, are looking and thinking why the hell have left our left back so exposed? He's got him going fully up and down the wing but isn't providing any cover for when he's gone forward. Their right winger is staying up the pitch and having the run of the park when he gets in behind him? You won't even consider the fact that people are interested in the tactical side at all and when anyone pulls you up on the way you post in a condescending manner you just deny it and do just the same again.


Prime example. 'read the thread before you dare to comment on me being condescending' erm I have read the thread thanks but you crack on assuming I can't possibly have done.

 

Not once. And if you think he has just read this thread which he somehow thinks proves he hasnt

 

Did you enjoy the debate myself, Marlon and 55&Counting had about Struber's system?

 

Yes. How is that relevant to my point regarding your condescending post?

 

You chose not to join in that debate, even though you enjoyed it. Why didn't you join in and contribute to a debate that I found really interesting?

 

Because I find it extremely difficult trying to discuss an issue with someone who feels they are vastly superior to myself and who looks at me as a lesser being. I'm sorry if that isn't the case but it's exactly how your posts make me feel.

 

I can assure you that I do not feel vastly superior to anyone. If you feel inferior, then that is your problem and not mine.

Having got that out of the way, let us start again. I am interested in your thoughts on Struber's System.

 

As I've been looking through this thread I've asked myself whether we're witnessing the return of total football in Barnsley a la the Dutch in the 70s!! Having just looked at their formation however, it seemed more like a 4122 and they had a guy called Cruyff, which we don't!

My team would look very much like yours. However, I'd retain JW as a "roving" attacking CB. He's quick, he can spot a good pass, he can beat a man and he can tackle. I'd keep him there as he seems to be growing into the role. This also enables us to keep Ludwig where he is most effective.

I really can't disagree with your view of Cauley, especially when you compare him to Jacob and his (Jacob's) ability to press and work hard. However, CW scores goals and as I've said before on here, I think he can also grow into the 10 role. I believe, together with Mowatt, he reads the game better than most others in our team. He's an intelligent footballer who is bright enough to understand what the 10 needs to do. His lack of pace is an issue but operating in that space in and around the edge of the area, enables him to offer us some incision in the final third. Having said this, I'm not 100% convinced. Your choice of Thomas in that position is logical. Luke can play in the way I would expect a 10 to play. Like Beardsley use to. He can dribble, he's tricky, he has a bit of pace and he worries defenders. The way he harried the Millwall defender (in the game at the Den) and won the ball back from him prior to crossing to Schmidt, for me, is typical of what a 10 should be doing.

It's a good selection problem to have. For now I'd be placing my faith in Cauley, trusting that he can develop into the role quickly; keeping LT on the bench.

The other area I might tinker with is to play Aapo alongside Alex in CM as I indicated in my last message on here. That would mean moving Styles out to the left and putting Oduor on the bench. It would also provide us with more height, as you wish and a defensive minded CM who would naturally cover for any breaks JW made going forward.

So - in summary and in keeping with GS' preferred starting XI, in your team I'd replace Aapo with JW and Luke with Cauley.

As I'm typing this thing I'm getting quite enthused about what we do have in the group, with one season playing together behind them - at Championship level. Like you, I've preached patience from the start of last season. It's certainly time now for them to take us up the next step. A mid-table position would represent progression and, unlike the cliche, would not be regarded as mediocre, in my opinion.

 

"Minority Report is for those who crave a deeper understanding"!

Come and stand wi' me ST and we'll just watch a game of football!