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I have a feeling that last season he just couldn't get to grips with the pace of the game in the Championship, and was having difficulty 'learning on the job'.
This had several results:
1) he was never really where he should be in order to receive the ball, making it look like he was hiding a lot of the time 2) Didn't trust himself to tackle because he new he was fractionally off with his timing due to the speed that the game was being played at. 3) he often looked like he was in no mans's land defensively, as believing he was a liability in the tackle, would try to mark space but was again off the pace.
The pick up in his performances towards the end of last season, and the last three games have shown, not only has he got his timing in synch with the rhythm of championship pace, but he's really been working on the defensive side of his game. Some of his tackles yesterday were very much like some of Varan's, and showed impeccable timing, and it looks like he's also been working with Field on his heading.
Its still early days but yesterday's performance shows he pretty much has everything he needs to become a top player if he continues to improve on these aspects of the game to augment what is a fantastic passing game.
I have a feeling that last season he just couldn't get to grips with the pace of the game in the Championship, and was having difficulty 'learning on the job'.
This had several results:
1) he was never really where he should be in order to receive the ball, making it look like he was hiding a lot of the time 2) Didn't trust himself to tackle because he new he was fractionally off with his timing due to the speed that the game was being played at. 3) he often looked like he was in no mans's land defensively, as believing he was a liability in the tackle, would try to mark space but was again off the pace.
The pick up in his performances towards the end of last season, and the last three games have shown, not only has he got his timing in synch with the rhythm of championship pace, but he's really been working on the defensive side of his game. Some of his tackles yesterday were very much like some of Varan's, and showed impeccable timing, and it looks like he's also been working with Field on his heading.
Its still early days but yesterday's performance shows he pretty much has everything he needs to become a top player if he continues to improve on these aspects of the game to augment what is a fantastic passing game.
I have a feeling that last season he just couldn't get to grips with the pace of the game in the Championship, and was having difficulty 'learning on the job'.
This had several results:
1) he was never really where he should be in order to receive the ball, making it look like he was hiding a lot of the time 2) Didn't trust himself to tackle because he new he was fractionally off with his timing due to the speed that the game was being played at. 3) he often looked like he was in no mans's land defensively, as believing he was a liability in the tackle, would try to mark space but was again off the pace.
The pick up in his performances towards the end of last season, and the last three games have shown, not only has he got his timing in synch with the rhythm of championship pace, but he's really been working on the defensive side of his game. Some of his tackles yesterday were very much like some of Varan's, and showed impeccable timing, and it looks like he's also been working with Field on his heading.
Its still early days but yesterday's performance shows he pretty much has everything he needs to become a top player if he continues to improve on these aspects of the game to augment what is a fantastic passing game.
They've definitely been working on his game. His body shape is completely different when he challenges for a header and as you say his positioning/speed of response has improved. It also took Varane some time to adapt but he had better defensive technique to start with.
I’m sure Madsen has received plenty of coaching and has got used to the style/pace of Championship football but I think maybe, more than anything else, he’s just very much a confidence player. You could see from his pre season interview that he’s a bit of a sensitive soul and self critical; a dangerous combination. Add that to the level of criticism he must have known he was getting and it’s hardly surprising he was struggling. I’ve always liked technically gifted players over tryers and so I never gave up on him although I admit I was at breaking point with him in the latter point of the season. I’m really pleased we’re now seeing the player I always wanted him to be. I might even buy a ‘Madsen’ shirt.
I’m sure Madsen has received plenty of coaching and has got used to the style/pace of Championship football but I think maybe, more than anything else, he’s just very much a confidence player. You could see from his pre season interview that he’s a bit of a sensitive soul and self critical; a dangerous combination. Add that to the level of criticism he must have known he was getting and it’s hardly surprising he was struggling. I’ve always liked technically gifted players over tryers and so I never gave up on him although I admit I was at breaking point with him in the latter point of the season. I’m really pleased we’re now seeing the player I always wanted him to be. I might even buy a ‘Madsen’ shirt.
I think there’s a bucket load of Madsen scarves going cheap - based on the modelling work we saw last year outside the ground !
Think big, start small.
Those possessed by devils, try and keep them under control a bit, can't you ?
They've definitely been working on his game. His body shape is completely different when he challenges for a header and as you say his positioning/speed of response has improved. It also took Varane some time to adapt but he had better defensive technique to start with.
if this is all true, and I can certainly believe that it is, it does make you wonder why the last coaching and management team didn't take the same approach. Presumably the club saw value in him or they wouldn't have splashed out the transfer fee, so you'd think a decent coach/manager (which I definitely thought Cifuentes was) would've made the effort to get more out of him.
Perhaps Julien is a better coach or maybe it's something esle. Whatever it is, it's great to see.
Feel good factor around the club is immense right now. And as a previously harsh critic of Nourry, I'm already happy to say I may have been wrong.
if this is all true, and I can certainly believe that it is, it does make you wonder why the last coaching and management team didn't take the same approach. Presumably the club saw value in him or they wouldn't have splashed out the transfer fee, so you'd think a decent coach/manager (which I definitely thought Cifuentes was) would've made the effort to get more out of him.
Perhaps Julien is a better coach or maybe it's something esle. Whatever it is, it's great to see.
Feel good factor around the club is immense right now. And as a previously harsh critic of Nourry, I'm already happy to say I may have been wrong.
You love to see it
He has better options ahead of him this year, but has also been improved.
Also, does anyone really think Saito came back a better player or he's just being utilised better?
I think there are a few other things that help Madsen now.
Lots of players making forward runs and taking up good positions means he can lay if off quickly to someone in space / moving into space, which then also leads to a good attack - playing with Saito, Vale, Kone and Burrell must be a dream compared to before in terms of attacking play.
As NewYorkRanger says, defensive side (and I think also attacking wise as a team) has been worked on - some of that in fairness will have been him getting used to the league, but some will be coaching. Our manager has a reputation for developing players, so it would make sense if Madsen has improved with his arrival. It's pretty exciooting actually to think we have a manager who can improve a lof of our players.
So I think a combination of style of play changing, players around him, coaching and in fairness to him putting a lot of work in himself to get better.
if this is all true, and I can certainly believe that it is, it does make you wonder why the last coaching and management team didn't take the same approach. Presumably the club saw value in him or they wouldn't have splashed out the transfer fee, so you'd think a decent coach/manager (which I definitely thought Cifuentes was) would've made the effort to get more out of him.
Perhaps Julien is a better coach or maybe it's something esle. Whatever it is, it's great to see.
Feel good factor around the club is immense right now. And as a previously harsh critic of Nourry, I'm already happy to say I may have been wrong.
You love to see it
In fairness I think they did. He looked better towards the end of last season - certainly Oxford onwards. But I've noticed technical improvements this season which could be down to JS/Bould?/the coaching staff.
I'm not sure Marti made massive improvements technically in any of our players? But would be interested in people's views?
As for Nourry I prefer not to judge his performance on a match by match basis: it becomes exhausting the MB lurching between hero and villain.
In fairness I think they did. He looked better towards the end of last season - certainly Oxford onwards. But I've noticed technical improvements this season which could be down to JS/Bould?/the coaching staff.
I'm not sure Marti made massive improvements technically in any of our players? But would be interested in people's views?
As for Nourry I prefer not to judge his performance on a match by match basis: it becomes exhausting the MB lurching between hero and villain.
I think that's fair re judgement on a match by match basis - long term will be the key. But the turnaround in atmosphere in a few short weeks is quite remarkable.
I now really look forward to going to games, and am even excited, whereas that was not the case at the start of the season.
His one touch passing today was the highlight of his game........it gives the receiving player much needed time on the ball.
This for me. Nobody better than Madsen at one touch, accurate passing. Getting better at the physical stuff, but his touch is first class and he is capable of opening opportunities and space in tight spaces.
Have been sat on the fence for a while with him, but the improvement is there for all to see. Keep going young man, the fans are turning 💪🏻
Reading through this thread , I can’t help but smile at the praise he is now getting . It’s genuinely heart warming and pleasing for the lad.
I do think his improvement is down to many things . He has acclimatised and adjusted to the physicality and pace of the championship . The coaching staff and head coach are certainly using him better and have coached him very well. That doesn’t have to be a criticism of Cifuentes either. Marti had a lot of plates to spin ( JS does also of course ) and maybe his priorities laid elsewhere ? It reminds me of Gravenberch at Liverpool . His first season under Klopp was not great at all . Yet under Slott he has been a different player. Some players just suit different coaches and styles.
Whatever the reason, he is starting to show us that he is a very good player .
We have to credit the individual the most for turning it around , so good on him.
Reading through this thread , I can’t help but smile at the praise he is now getting . It’s genuinely heart warming and pleasing for the lad.
I do think his improvement is down to many things . He has acclimatised and adjusted to the physicality and pace of the championship . The coaching staff and head coach are certainly using him better and have coached him very well. That doesn’t have to be a criticism of Cifuentes either. Marti had a lot of plates to spin ( JS does also of course ) and maybe his priorities laid elsewhere ? It reminds me of Gravenberch at Liverpool . His first season under Klopp was not great at all . Yet under Slott he has been a different player. Some players just suit different coaches and styles.
Whatever the reason, he is starting to show us that he is a very good player .
We have to credit the individual the most for turning it around , so good on him.
Agreed.
I think he's also - very simply - working harder. And it's paying off very nicely.
"The opposite of love, after all, is not hate, but indifference."
I believe, Madsen's improvement is a combination of factors and a gradual process which continues.
The main thing is time. It took him six months to get to a reasonable level under Marti with coaching, experience and confidence building. That has continued with Julien and accelerated recently mainly due to better players and massively improved linking up and teamwork on the pitch.
I think he's also - very simply - working harder. And it's paying off very nicely.
Would love to see the running stats suspect they are not much different as in the current role he does not have to press in the way he had to when as the 10 or in a midfield 3.
I also wonder whether what we have seen in the defensive side is the first Steve Bould impact
Would love to see the running stats suspect they are not much different as in the current role he does not have to press in the way he had to when as the 10 or in a midfield 3.
I also wonder whether what we have seen in the defensive side is the first Steve Bould impact
"Would love to see the running stats suspect they are not much different as in the current role he does not have to press in the way he had to when as the 10 or in a midfield 3."
Ya, that could well be right, baz. Sounds right anyway.
He's definitely working harder, though. That first half yesterday was damn good - tackling hard, competing hard for headers, closing down quickly...and then showing for the ball constantly and quickly.
"The opposite of love, after all, is not hate, but indifference."
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