 | Forum
Thread | Couple of early StephanBall observations/musings/kneejerks
at 09:57 10 Aug 2025
1)Playing out from the back. Madsen at 6.
Our old favourite. Looked to have a bit more coaching/development about it. Obviously playing Madsen as the 6 and keeping Field further away was a big move. But there were a couple of movement plans I hadn't seen before. One was Field's speedy dash out wide as the ball went to Morgan creating space in field for Morgan to drive into or play that crossfield ball that found Esquadinha in space to start an attack on the left.
Also a bit more dynamic movement from the wide players, sometimes cheating infield to create different angles as their 8's moved out wide. More give and goes from the full backs rather than remaining static. And earlier long balls.
All seemed to add up to less passages ending up playing back to the keeper without ever really having risked trying to progress the ball upfield. And the wide players not constantly receiving the ball charging back towards their own goal, with a defender right up their arse, with no other option than to play it straight back from where it came.
But a huge Preston shaped caveat with all that. That was the least Preston I've ever seen from Preston, especially in the 1st half. They were a team coming off a bad season, with four new players, still in pre season gear. No intensity at all, the contrast between that and the Rugby League game that was Birmingham v Ipswich on Friday was night and day.
There are plenty of teams in this league who won't let us get away with Madsen at 6, but good to see us using him deep when we can. Some lovely passes.
There's a plan, I like that, but we know what Mike Tyson said about plans.
2) Chair as an 8.
Much called for and good to see. Surely he can affect a game more not wedded to the sideline where obviously he was still good but his lack of pace to go outside made him very predictable. Has more freedom of movement and can pop up in different places. Could develop a very nice understanding with Dembele and the young LB.
Loves a good press.
3) Field at 8.
We all (mostly) love Sammy and his defensive work/leadership is unmatched but his technical deficiencies may come nder more scrutiny under Stephanball.
Twice, close together, in the 1st half he received lovely little inside balls from the wide men that he arrived onto in really dangerous positions in the box . His 1st touch was so bad he didn't get a 2nd. Happened again in the 2nd half after a great Poku run. Never looked in control of the ball, never was. Got to make more of those.
I'm sure, like Marti, Stephan will come to realise that the reality of Championship
football means there are games when you have to have Field in your team protecting the back 4, but maybe not ones where you are expecting more of the ball. We'll see.
4) Any other business.
M & M could be a mustard CB pairing. Good in the air, a speedy one, comfortable on the ball, good passers. Some firming up on marking on crosses needed but looking good.
Esquadinha was better than I expected. Faded, they all did. But doesn't mind a tackle, looked up for the physical part of the game and a lot of attacking potential. May still not be ready to be a season long 1st choice but fantastic potential.
Looking forward to a season of Poku and Dembele, get them a CF with a bit more about them than Celar and there is some real danger there.
Don't leave Madsen back to defend counter attacks when we have a corner. Not just his fault but bad choice.
Won't be the last time we see Morgan filling in at RB. Did a great job considering.
|
| Forum
Thread | To those who went to Sunderland yesterday
at 09:19 4 May 2025
Firstly. Nice one, really pleased for the day out you lot must have had after the last couple of weeks.
Second. What was the general vibe re Marti and such? Was his song getting a good airing etc?
Thirdly. I didn't get to see anything after the game. Were there any players obviously saying/waving goodbye? How did it all feel at the end? |
| Forum
Thread | Bits and Pieces I loved yesterday
at 08:24 15 Feb 2025
1) Koki's 1st touch for his goal. Oooh, World class! 49 times out of 50, even at the top level of football, the player would just smash it and more than likely hit one of the 3 defenders or keeper stood in front of him. Not our Koki. That simple, perfectly executed, cool as absolute f**k, precisely controlled half a yard touch sidewards took out all 4 of the oppo and left him an empty net to thunder it into. Beautiful.
Honourable mentions also for his gravity defying leap and stay in mid air to win the header and Yang's 1st touch in the lead up to Chair's 2nd.
2) The press in the 4141 formation, particularly 2nd half. Terrorised Derby as they tried to play out from the back. Field moved up to flank Frey with Chair and they pressed brilliantly as a unit whilst Varane owned the space behind them. Glorious front foot defending. Our number 1 strength right now.
3) Varane's little flashes with the ball. He actually has the ball control and physicality to be able beat the 1st man or 2 and move away up the pitch just with his big stride, without needing any particular tricks or moves. Showed that more than once yesterday. Pinged a couple of nice longer passes too.
I'm hoping that we are seeing the gradual chipping away of his fear based hiding, backwards, sidewards stuff as he clearly as some ability on the ball. Feels like a confidence/mentality thing but there is a lot more potential growth there. Already nailing the defensive side of the game for me.
4) Chair 'arriving' in the box. That lung bursting, get in there ahead of your marker and expect the ball type. Seems to rarely do it much when playing out wide. Delightful to see him do it yesterday for his 2nd. More please.
5) Morrison getting back on the pitch. He's ours, he's 21, he never loses, he has huge potential and he's 1 of only 2 defenders definitely here next year.
He needs to be playing.
6) QPR playing with a proper number 10. |
| | 1BobbyHazell
|
Site Scores| Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 0 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.