My technological failing have meant I have had to reinvent myself for the v2 BBS. God, its good to be back! I've felt like Patrick Swayze in Ghost. Anyway, glad to see everyone's clamed down a bit. I thought it had all gone mad. Anyway, a couple of thoughts: Firstly, Boro are a very good team this year. We caught them cold with Butterfield in the hole but they quickly adapted and dropped Arca a little deeper who controlled the game. They sat off us and let us have the ball in our own half and then broke with pace. MacDonald's movement was exceptional. We will play a lot worse teams than that this year. I don't think we should let our love of Bobby cloud our judgement of Wiseman. i thought he looked like the one player truly comfortable with how Hill wants us to play (unsurprisingly) and was tireless in working the flank. Bobby is brilliant but isn't going to be able to do that. For me, there is a place for him in the starting eleven (see below) but I can understand why Wiseman is at right back. I will give Edwards plenty of time to prove me wrong but he was very poor against Boro. Was the only player who kept trying to lump the ball upfront and was at fault for two of their goals. Finally, I can;t believe the same people who hated Davey for playing **** football are calling for us to abandon trying to play a passing game two home games in. Its going to take time and to be honest which is better - clinging on in this league each year by being defensive and direct or trying to play passing football and if it fails sticking to the same principles and coming back up a better passing team? Either way I also agree with Hill that the atmosphere at Oakwell is not condusive to success. I appreciate it is a two way thing but you can't play patient passing football if everyone gets on your back for being patient. Also, I could (to soem extent) understand the booing at half time but second half they worked very hard against a very good team who had a two goal cushion and soaked up everything we threw at them. And to be fair i don't think Hill's real issue is with the booing at the end of the game, its the tense, impatient atmosphere throughout which inevitably transmits to the players. Good to be back!
Dont think this trying to play a passing/possession game is anything new at Oakwell and cant see why some think its a totally new concept or something. Even Liverpool of old used to belt the **** out of it when under pressure. Welcome back by the way. Anyway that was far too serious must change tack.
I definitely think sometimes it needs that but I don't think that has what's got us in trouble. We've largely knocked it about pretty well at the back, its when we then try and move in to midfield with it. Thats why i think we're finding it easier away when the onus isn't on us to force the game. At home teams are happy for us to have the ball but as soon as we get into their half they are pressuring us and (until the loan signings hopefully!) we ddin't have the players to work openings or keep the ball. the worse parts aginst Bror were when Edwards lumped 60 yard balls on to their defenders heads. He got a right rollicking from Hill too.
We`ve looked good at passing it when the opposition haven`t wanted the ball because they want to keep their shape and mark our midfielders. I can only go on what I`ve seen with the 2 home league games. Away we seem to be a different animal.
It was getting to me, I was trying to start conversations about the merits of Perkins in a more central role with random strangers in the streets of York. Nobody cared Dave, nobody. Re-registering my take my posts, but it won't take my freedom
yeah I agree but hopefully with a better passing players (Drinkwater) in midfield we will play the ball around their players and create gaps instead of losing it the second we get in their half!
You'll be hard pressed to match some of the opinions that have been vented on here in recent weeks. The BBS has been in meltdown at times.
Just registered back this morning and funnily enough had same idea (v2) fresh start and all that......
Bloody hell Andy, as soon as I read the 'take my posts' I went into 'braveheat' mode. Don't think like me young man or you're screwed !!!
