Richardson out

[Orion1871]

We don’t play with wings. What is consistently frustrating is the lack of natural width. This is not due to a lack of wide options, but is elective from the manager. The only time we have played with natural width was against Barnsley at home, a game that we should have won. It is the only time we operated with two natural wings with Lane, Savage and Roberts down the left and Kyerewaa, Wing and Yiadom (with a late introduction of Cafu) on the right.
Wing and Savage were able to occupy half spaces from deep wide due to the fact that the Barnsley back four were occupied by the natural width presented by us. Both full backs were able to overlap and we put more crosses into the box than we had done all season and since.
It also allowed us to push much further up the pitch and retain possession in the final third. Helped by the fact that Barnsley had a 38 year old David McGoldrick playing up front. Meaning the threat of pace against a high line was not real. There is no great mystery as to why we cannot break teams down or create opportunities from open play. The obsession with playing inverted ‘wingers’ literally plays into the hands of any opposition we face as they know exactly how to play against us. We are easy to play against. We are reliant on one of two things happening. A worldie or a mistake. Most games we are playing seem to come down to Richardson trying to outlast or out fitness opposition teams in what is dire attritional football.

Inverted wingers seems to be the modern way. Must say I’m not a huge fan, esp when you have a 6ft3 target in the middle to aim for

There must be some reasoning behind it that I’m not totally aware of. I get the concept at times, - maybe if you have a Yakou Meite and a great shooting left foot, otherwise not really

One school of thought i heard years ago is that your 6'3" target doesn't have to generate as much power or guidance on an in-swinging cross so it's easier to score.

[MR. CYNICAL]

It's ok to have different opinions and disagree.

That Lincoln game was not typical, Lincoln are excellent at what they do... having no possession and smashing and grabbing. They're the best team in the division.

I think our biggest weakness ahead of defence is actually the wide forwards, from our shape, and retention and movement.

We've been punished by crosses all season. Partly because our fullbacks aren’t great (Dorsett switches off multiple times a game, Nyambe his hit and miss, Ahmed was naive, Yids is on the decline, Abrefa inexperienced, Roberts far better going forward than defending, Jacob slooooow). And because the wingers play so high and drift inside, and indeed half the time at least one FB is playing in a winger spot, we're left short there.

Combine that with the straight balls through the middle which beat us because Burns or O'Connor have stepped up and the back line is generally very slow.

Savage has bags of energy. Wing's defensive work is vastly underrated. Doyle has really progressed. The balance isn't right when he's missing and it's Savage, Fraser, Wing because there isn't that player who can keep the ball and offer passing options between the lines. The turn and carry forward, take people on, evade challenges etc. You frequently see Wing get frustrated that he doesn't have a good pass on just before he goes back.

But that's just how I see it. And certainly on Wing, at least, the numbers back it up.

But it would be a boring world if we all agreed.

To be fair to Dorsett, he is a left sided centre back, not a natural left back who's playing there as our options are limited, especially with Roberts being injured. Annoys me a bit when he gets a lot of stick.
To be honest, the left back position has been an issue for a few seasons now. Can't remember a decent left back since Nicky Shorey. Richards left after probably one decent season and a few academy lads have failed to impress there since, hence the loan signing of Jacobs which didn't work out either.

He's been playing LB in the first team for three seasons and he's got 61 first team starts in League 1, almost all at LB. He's not a CB filling in at LB any more, hasn't been for quite some time. And when he has played CB, he's had much the same issues as at LB.

He's 23 and has over 100 professional appearances, I'm afraid for me the patience and excuses have run out. He's no better now than he was two seasons ago.

Decent LBs since Nicky Shorey?
Chris Armstrong
Ian Harte
Ryan Bertrand
Omar Richards

Andre Garcia's done ok for himself.

I mentioned Richards, forgot and agree about Armstrong and Bertrand, although he was on loan. Harte was past his sale by date when he left and Garcia had his critics, although I'd Liked him to have stayed.
Disagree about Dorsett, think he's done ok seeing he was chucked in the deep end.

[Snowflake Royal]

To be fair to Dorsett, he is a left sided centre back, not a natural left back who's playing there as our options are limited, especially with Roberts being injured. Annoys me a bit when he gets a lot of stick.
To be honest, the left back position has been an issue for a few seasons now. Can't remember a decent left back since Nicky Shorey. Richards left after probably one decent season and a few academy lads have failed to impress there since, hence the loan signing of Jacobs which didn't work out either.

He's been playing LB in the first team for three seasons and he's got 61 first team starts in League 1, almost all at LB. He's not a CB filling in at LB any more, hasn't been for quite some time. And when he has played CB, he's had much the same issues as at LB.

He's 23 and has over 100 professional appearances, I'm afraid for me the patience and excuses have run out. He's no better now than he was two seasons ago.

Decent LBs since Nicky Shorey?
Chris Armstrong
Ian Harte
Ryan Bertrand
Omar Richards

Andre Garcia's done ok for himself.

I mentioned Richards, forgot and agree about Armstrong and Bertrand, although he was on loan. Harte was past his sale by date when he left and Garcia had his critics, although I'd Liked him to have stayed.
Disagree about Dorsett, think he's done ok seeing he was chucked in the deep end.

Maybe he was chucked in at the deep end... three seasons ago. But that's ancient history

[Hound]

We don’t play with wings. What is consistently frustrating is the lack of natural width. This is not due to a lack of wide options, but is elective from the manager. The only time we have played with natural width was against Barnsley at home, a game that we should have won. It is the only time we operated with two natural wings with Lane, Savage and Roberts down the left and Kyerewaa, Wing and Yiadom (with a late introduction of Cafu) on the right.
Wing and Savage were able to occupy half spaces from deep wide due to the fact that the Barnsley back four were occupied by the natural width presented by us. Both full backs were able to overlap and we put more crosses into the box than we had done all season and since.
It also allowed us to push much further up the pitch and retain possession in the final third. Helped by the fact that Barnsley had a 38 year old David McGoldrick playing up front. Meaning the threat of pace against a high line was not real. There is no great mystery as to why we cannot break teams down or create opportunities from open play. The obsession with playing inverted ‘wingers’ literally plays into the hands of any opposition we face as they know exactly how to play against us. We are easy to play against. We are reliant on one of two things happening. A worldie or a mistake. Most games we are playing seem to come down to Richardson trying to outlast or out fitness opposition teams in what is dire attritional football.

Inverted wingers seems to be the modern way. Must say I’m not a huge fan, esp when you have a 6ft3 target in the middle to aim for

There must be some reasoning behind it that I’m not totally aware of. I get the concept at times, - maybe if you have a Yakou Meite and a great shooting left foot, otherwise not really

One school of thought i heard years ago is that your 6'3" target doesn't have to generate as much power or guidance on an in-swinging cross so it's easier to score.

Yes possibly

Thinking about it, I think it’s also part of trying to fill those 5 lanes in attack, I guess the winger coming more central gives the space for the full back to overlap and suppose should then be delivering the crosses. A cut back possibly works better if that RW has moved into the half space to the left of the goal. Maybe

Still not a big fan of it

[MR. CYNICAL]

He's been playing LB in the first team for three seasons and he's got 61 first team starts in League 1, almost all at LB. He's not a CB filling in at LB any more, hasn't been for quite some time. And when he has played CB, he's had much the same issues as at LB.

He's 23 and has over 100 professional appearances, I'm afraid for me the patience and excuses have run out. He's no better now than he was two seasons ago.

Decent LBs since Nicky Shorey?
Chris Armstrong
Ian Harte
Ryan Bertrand
Omar Richards

Andre Garcia's done ok for himself.

I mentioned Richards, forgot and agree about Armstrong and Bertrand, although he was on loan. Harte was past his sale by date when he left and Garcia had his critics, although I'd Liked him to have stayed.
Disagree about Dorsett, think he's done ok seeing he was chucked in the deep end.

Maybe he was chucked in at the deep end... three seasons ago. But that's ancient history

He started to feature more in the first team 3 seasons ago but not always at left back, Clinton Mola and Yiadom IIRC played there a lot in our first season in league one and last season, Garcia was playing at left back and Dorsett had a few injuries so didn't play that many games.
It is only this season he's had a prolonged spell at left back and that was after Jacobs failed to impress there.

[From Despair To Where?]

Wasn't Bowler subject of a statement from his manager that suggested he needed to pull his head out of his arse?

Given his alleged demands, a bullet well dodged.

[West F]

Inverted wingers seems to be the modern way. Must say I’m not a huge fan, esp when you have a 6ft3 target in the middle to aim for

There must be some reasoning behind it that I’m not totally aware of. I get the concept at times, - maybe if you have a Yakou Meite and a great shooting left foot, otherwise not really

One school of thought i heard years ago is that your 6'3" target doesn't have to generate as much power or guidance on an in-swinging cross so it's easier to score.

Yes possibly

Thinking about it, I think it’s also part of trying to fill those 5 lanes in attack, I guess the winger coming more central gives the space for the full back to overlap and suppose should then be delivering the crosses. A cut back possibly works better if that RW has moved into the half space to the left of the goal. Maybe

Still not a big fan of it

The two schools of thought with inverted wingers are:
Pep - Congest the middle of the pitch where your technical ability and speed of passing will create opportunities and pin in the opposition. This also developed into full backs and centre backs also coming into the middle to increase the headcount in there. Outnumbering in midfield is, and always has been Pep’s modus operandi.

Klopp - Create space in the wing final wing thirds for attacking wing backs to exploit with natural width. Allied to this is the fact that pressing the opposition is more effective with inverted wide players than without. Where cutting out midfield lanes is easier on their natural side. The idea of Salah or Mane cutting in and driving at goal is utilising their strengths as individual players, not the fact they are inverted.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Wasn't Bowler subject of a statement from his manager that suggested he needed to pull his head out of his arse?

Given his alleged demands, a bullet well dodged.

Where is he now anyway?

[WestYorksRoyal]

One school of thought i heard years ago is that your 6'3" target doesn't have to generate as much power or guidance on an in-swinging cross so it's easier to score.

Yes possibly

Thinking about it, I think it’s also part of trying to fill those 5 lanes in attack, I guess the winger coming more central gives the space for the full back to overlap and suppose should then be delivering the crosses. A cut back possibly works better if that RW has moved into the half space to the left of the goal. Maybe

Still not a big fan of it

The two schools of thought with inverted wingers are:
Pep - Congest the middle of the pitch where your technical ability and speed of passing will create opportunities and pin in the opposition. This also developed into full backs and centre backs also coming into the middle to increase the headcount in there. Outnumbering in midfield is, and always has been Pep’s modus operandi.

Klopp - Create space in the wing final wing thirds for attacking wing backs to exploit with natural width. Allied to this is the fact that pressing the opposition is more effective with inverted wide players than without. Where cutting out midfield lanes is easier on their natural side. The idea of Salah or Mane cutting in and driving at goal is utilising their strengths as individual players, not the fact they are inverted.

I'd choose to support a team playing Klopp ball over Pep ball every day of the week. Dominating possession and patiently probing is impressive, but also sometimes quite boring.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Blackpool

[SouthDownsRoyal]

League table from the day he took over

https://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/co ... -and-away/

How dare you post facts!

[Snowflake Royal]

I mentioned Richards, forgot and agree about Armstrong and Bertrand, although he was on loan. Harte was past his sale by date when he left and Garcia had his critics, although I'd Liked him to have stayed.
Disagree about Dorsett, think he's done ok seeing he was chucked in the deep end.

Maybe he was chucked in at the deep end... three seasons ago. But that's ancient history

He started to feature more in the first team 3 seasons ago but not always at left back, Clinton Mola and Yiadom IIRC played there a lot in our first season in league one and last season, Garcia was playing at left back and Dorsett had a few injuries so didn't play that many games.
It is only this season he's had a prolonged spell at left back and that was after Jacobs failed to impress there.

He mostly played LB. Whoscored.com season archive shows the most used XI. Yiadom RB, Bindon CB, Abbey CB, Dorsett LB. I can't be arsed to check every match centre. But he's absolutely been playing mostly LB for three years.

[Getthebeerens]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

[Orion1871]

League table from the day he took over

https://www.twtd.co.uk/league-tables/co ... -and-away/

Form table getting a bit tight for the Leam lovers now too.

[Brogue]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

+1 that’s what I’m cross about. Hunt should have gone. But to replace him with this clown? Should have just kept him.

[Millsy]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

Conversely had Marriott not been injured and /or had we not conceded freak late goals in crucial matches we’d have been comfortably in the playoffs. A huge success after Hunt’s abysmal start. I liked and backed Hunt but he’s nowhere near the manger Leam is.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

+1 that’s what I’m cross about. Hunt should have gone. But to replace him with this clown? Should have just kept him.

I was shocked to see Richardsons' name come up amongst the potential new managers being touted. Couldn't believe it when he got appointed.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

Conversely had Marriott not been injured and /or had we not conceded freak late goals in crucial matches we’d have been comfortably in the playoffs. A huge success after Hunt’s abysmal start. I liked and backed Hunt but he’s nowhere near the manger Leam is.

Yeah, Leam is much worse.

[stealthpapes]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

+1 that’s what I’m cross about. Hunt should have gone. But to replace him with this clown? Should have just kept him.

Most of what’s happened would have happened under any managerial change. Right?

Our form would have still likely improved but not quite by enough.
We’d have still had a poor summer, and long term issues from that.
We’d have still had the new manager bringing in their new players - for Will Keane, try Billy Bodin.

There’s some Leam specific issues but even the late goals were an aspect of Hunt’s team last season.

The issue was pushing to change managers when there’s much to be said for growing a squad. And when we’re growing from such a reduced base.

This is what you want, this is what you get
This is what you want, this is what you get
This is what you want, this is what you get

[stealthpapes]

Time to go Leam, we are now seeing the results the pathetic performances have deserved. God knows what it would look like if we didn’t have Marriott or Wing. It doesn’t matter if we play teams at the top or bottom of the league it’s the same poor performances every week.

What are they doing in training as I don’t think I have seen the slightest suggestion that we have tried to improve the attack since he arrived.

What a waste of a season , we should have stuck with Hunt and actually backed him. At least he would have a further year of experience under his belt.

+1 that’s what I’m cross about. Hunt should have gone. But to replace him with this clown? Should have just kept him.

I was shocked to see Richardsons' name come up amongst the potential new managers being touted. Couldn't believe it when he got appointed.

95% of people here had barely heard of him. I can probably pick out the posts when it became clear he was favourite.

Odd that a club that had such success with McGhee, Pardew and McDermott would be quite so sniffy. Imagine if we’d gone for Skurbura - place would have kicked off!

A fucking PE teacher??!?