Shrimpsvoices

Would we get more of a chance of winning games if we were that bit more expansive?

I’m thinking of the first part of last season before Derek left. We were not overly more expansive, but boy it got us results. Just that willingness to commit more players forward.

I look at this season and it isn’t until we have gone behind that we open up a bit.

I know the young lads on loan were from teams in higher leagues last year but they haven’t really kicked on since they went back. They are having game time and that’s great for them but was it that they were just too good for League Two?

I see Derek has tried a few different formations and in the main they have resulted in goodish performances but it is all based on being defensive minded, not enough players get in the box.

We have a fantastic crosser of the ball let’s utilise that great commodity by committing more players trying to get on the end of them.

Just a thought.

Billy bodger wrote:We have a fantastic crosser of the ball let’s utilise that great commodity by committing more players trying to get on the end of them.

Just a thought.

The opposition quickly realise the threat, and counter it. Sounds simple, and that's the way it is.

I think we’ve been worked out already. Adam Lewis gets the ball out wide and immediately puts in what looks like a quality cross. Trouble is we don’t have the quality forwards to get on the end of them (Barrow excepted). The other issue is defenders know what’s happening and pack out the six yard box just waiting to clear it which they invariably do. We need some variety from Adam to keep defenders guessing.

More goals are scored from fast breaks 18% but crossing of the ball produces around 15% of goals.

90% of goals are scored from inside of the box.

Open play goals are up to just about 70% which includes fast breaks/ counter attacks, through balls and crosses.

Set peace goals have recently come down to about 22% including free kicks and corners.

Penalties scored are about 7% of all goals.

Successful passing, 78%m in the Premiership helps, but it’s about keeping possession in the modern game. (Not many end to end games!). [for example teams will defend with 9 players in front of the goalkeeper with a back five and four players in front of them, all in a bid to stop Man City scoring. Then City score from a set piece!!).

All these stats, are they a waste of time? Do you believe keeping the stats actually helps clubs?

Does it all break down to committing players in the opposition box. (That can finish!!) which is what 1930s footballers could have told you. The game has changed but it’s still the same game!!!

I myself would never criticise Derek's tactics,I am fully behind him and always will be,just my opinion!

Al1 You can call it criticism, but not a slagging off! I thought it was constructive, seeing it brought success for him in the early part of last season.

Different players now compared with last season. For a start off we had a striker who could strike and some vey good loan players for League 2 standard. The present team can fight but lack the quality we had last year plus some of the ones with that bit of quality are on the long term injured list. Derek is doing the best he can with what he's got left.