Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading are among a number of EFL clubs eyeing a move for Wrexham defender Dan Scarr before the close of the transfer window. #readingfc #WxmAFC

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Doc wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:25

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Leaving aside the whole spectrum of play between tika taka centre backs and what you describe, the key part of what you wrote is “push forward”. The biggest problem with O’Connor’s slowness is that he stays deep to protect himself when we’re attacking instead of pushing up the defensive line, meaning that the midfield have a larger area to cover when we lose the ball and makes us easier to play through on the counter attack. It also exposes Wing’s only significant weakness, his lack of athleticism (which makes it more likely that he will sit on the centre backs’ toes to protect himself).
Whether the centre back that is setting the defensive line is fast or average paced doesn’t matter too much as long as they move that defensive line with play correctly, something O’Connor doesn’t do because he is too slow.

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:48

Doc wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:25

linkenholtroyal wrote: ↑21 Aug 2026 19:07 Happy with that if it is the case as I have said I am morethan happy with less mobile centre backs in the more traditional way of clearing balls and put in blocks in. If Rino and wing drop back to pick the scraps up and push the ball forward. Passing out from centre backs is a new thing and usually leaves the backline exposed when they push the ball forward.
Simple block or tackle, pass to midfielder, push forward, pass to wingers or 10 and leave it to them.

All this ticky tacky and pushing players forward out of position doesn’t work at this level.

Leaving aside the whole spectrum of play between tika taka centre backs and what you describe, the key part of what you wrote is “push forward”. The biggest problem with O’Connor’s slowness is that he stays deep to protect himself when we’re attacking instead of pushing up the defensive line, meaning that the midfield have a larger area to cover when we lose the ball and makes us easier to play through on the counter attack. It also exposes Wing’s only significant weakness, his lack of athleticism (which makes it more likely that he will sit on the centre backs’ toes to protect himself).
Whether the centre back that is setting the defensive line is fast or average paced doesn’t matter too much as long as they move that defensive line with play correctly, something O’Connor doesn’t do because he is too slow.

I do agree but even if rino dropped deeper and pushed the ball forward would help to get the ball up the field. Would you play Scarr and Ward then over Scarr and Oconner if this is the signing?