The lack of plan today

[riponstokie]

Obviously away at a newly promoted team was always going to be a very challenging start, and I'm chuffed to get a point. However, aside from the shocking performances from the fullbacks, my major concern was the lack of plan we showed in the first half. As I said, always gonna be tough as they'd come flying out the blocks, however we aimlessly passed the ball around the back, with the front men static upfront. Moreover, when we didn't have the ball was the most concerning aspect of play. We didn't know whether to press or drop off, and ended up doing neither and both. This was evident for the goal, they had the ball with their back 4 and we'd moved up as a unit -so far so good- but then we had Arnie pressing in his own, bojan drop off and diouf doing neither. They then played it across their right where Pieters all of a sudden went towards their man, and they played it around, up the pitch and with a half decent ball in accompanied by horrific defending we were 1-0 down. The main concern is the way the team plays is reactive rather than proactive. The players can't look around and think I need to drop to mark him, nor do they proactively think they need to push up and press players to put them under pressure if they get the ball. It Was a subtle, but noticeable issue that has carried on from last season. Second half, Hughes clearly had words (and to good effect.) as we put a couple of early balls in behind them, which pushed them back, and allowed us to push up for the rest of the half, and look far far better. Anyway, I Hope we work hard on sorting out a plan for how to play on and off the ball and to develop an identity to who we are as a team. Again, good point and I maintain we are 2/3 signings and a bit of defensive work away from a seriously good team.

[trentvale68]

Good post, if a bit long

Probably all been said in the other threads - just felt a bit sorry for ya with no replies (happens to the best of us)

[bayernoatcake]

What is our plan? I didn't know what it was last season either.

[kustokie]

Nail on head Ripon. It's been a common complaint on here that Sparky doesn't seem to have much of a Plan A and Plan B is non-existent. He's is clearly a great recruiter of top quality players but tactics are definitely his Achilles heal and don't get me started on substitutions.

[Deleted]

Man City fans probably saying the same thing about their team cus they were pretty shit

[trigger]

Hughes has never and will never have a plan, baffling on a majority of his games, scoring is never on the agenda.

[trentvale68]

Some negative posts here

I sense some incoming fire