Formations and lineups

[Tom B]

First thing to say here is that for a lot of the first half (at least) on Saturday, Charlie seemed to be coming to the left wing to get the ball meaning there was him, Westwood and Shorrock all on the left; thought that was extremely odd, but to be fair we didn't get hit down our right until the second half when I think it was a more normal setup.

In a more general sense I do wonder if Bren might be overthinking things a bit at the minute? I know we've had some enforced changes through injury but we've chopped and changed a LOT and had nearly half the team 'out of position' at times. I think his track record with converting Josh Q and Jacko is a credit to his methods, but there's been multiple times that players haven't looked comfortable in an unusual role since the opening day. It's also a little frustrating that right-back has carried on being an issue...that was the one position almost everyone looked at last season and thought it should be a priority for the transfer 'window' over summer.

Am also aware that people do get sensitive about criticising a manager who's done everything Bren has...believe me I don't want to go overboard with it but bear in mind, one of his own strengths is that he doesn't give any player special treatment based on past achievements for us!

This is only a tiny slump at the moment & we've been playing some very strong sides (based on last season's league positions and summer transfer activity), had one great result & been competitive in all but one match. So it's a million miles from panic stations. But just some thoughts of mine.

[benteke]

Aside from all the team/formation issues the main factor is chances created against chances scored.

Last season we were creating 8/10 good chances a game and converting 2/3 on average.
This season created chances are about 4/5 a game and we are not converting on a regular basis.

Teams we play are probably having fewer chances than us but are converting more than we are.

Saturday summed this up perfectly.

[MonkeySpanker]

Very much agree with Benteke.

The level we have stepped up this season will see the opposition being a much tougher test than the previous years, sides will be more savvy, bigger, stronger and more clinical. So for me I fully expect us to be playing catch up for the first few months of the season. Saturday showed that we can match or be better than sides in terms of desire and effort, we just need that little bit more guile and sometimes luck.

Our game plan certainly for the last 18 months have been a solid defence, dogged midfielders complimented by some flair players and probably the best strike partnership in levels Step 5 through to Step 3 so a with opposition being a higher quality, our top player moving on, we need sometimes have that Plan B and that will take some time for players to become used to & adapt their own games to.

I noticed in the post match summary that Bren is looking to strengthen, for me a couple of defenders are required (still not sure if Kyle Lincoln is with the club), a midfielder that can control games, keep and distribute the ball well, and then an addition to the frontline as I don't think Cameron Peters has developed as we might have wanted …. & for me, and this is just an opinion Gregs, who is in no doubt a 25 goal striker and this level, is a better player when he plays off someone who can feed him (Like he proved with JC) I don't think Shaq is that type of player so I am not sure that they are the best pairing, Pezza is a nuisance for anyone that he comes up against and I am guessing great to have amongst the players with all his experience, so a new face to perhaps help Gregs might be a call and will add some great competition for places.

I think what has surprised me is not just the skill level being greater from opposition but also the physicality and size, I also think a few of our players have found their level and will struggle at Step 3, but love them to prove me wrong

Words are simple from supporters and I know we don't have a real insight into how things are done or how difficult they are, but firmly believe this season will be a good learning curve for players, management and supporters as, yes we would love to be challenging come May … but I would take a mid table finish and the Sporting juggernaut refuelling and then going again

We seem great at putting pressure on ourselves and the team (including myself in that assumption) when sometimes we should just think of how far and quick we have come and enjoy our ourselves

Up the Rouslers

[STH BHAM GREENS]

Good discussion...…………..

My observations would be

1) I said as soon as JC left you never really appreciate someone till there gone!! (although he was adored by the fans - he was absolutely key to almost everything we did)

2) The step up doesn't surprise me one bit, I said many a time that our Level 4 last season all bar 3 to 4 teams was not must stronger than the step 5 division we had come from IMO - based on my belief that the midlands area is far stronger than the east/southern sides at steps 4 and 5...

3) As I have seen several times already I agree IMO don't over complicate things or over think - we know our strengths and back to basics - easy for me to say I know just looking from afar from a fans point of view

4) Its a learning curve for all (again as stated by others) no need to over react to victories or defeats at this early stage - although I championed us as world beaters after the Tamworth game......

5) Stick together and we will be fine, I have faith in the management team and players to give us a decent season

6) this is just me but I hate the attitude of 'lets consolidate' I think its a get out of jail card for second best/happy with what we have - but I know that's maybe just me!!!! And I do appreciate the line of lets be realistic

7) come what may I have supported this club from the first season to this, enjoyed everyone and that will continue whatever our league position

8) Why was our mascot wearing green on Saturday - we are at home and our home club colours are RED - LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom B]

Our game plan certainly for the last 18 months have been a solid defence, dogged midfielders complimented by some flair players and probably the best strike partnership in levels Step 5 through to Step 3

That just sounds like "being massively better than most teams around us" to me...haha

Not sure our defence have been *that* solid in all the time I've been back (just under a year), we conceded five in the two playoff games and tended to allow plenty of chances to the better sides. Jono was forever having to pull off great saves to get us over the line!
Jacko in particular is a fantastic asset going forward & it means we get countered on down his side sometimes, that's just how it is.
Even with a natural rb and legend in Azza playing well a few months ago, we simply push forward so much that we're always bound to concede a few.

I think Taylor and Hull will be a fine partnership at cb, Lincoln is another perfectly good option if he stays, Jacko's done alright in two positions so far at this level, and the jury's still out on Spink as an rb - I would still strongly lean towards signing a specialist in the position.
Hopefully it's just that injuries have kept them from being a settled back 4 so far - we can hardly have had the same defensive line up in any two matches so far iirc?

Up front, to restate what others have said, we've lost someone good enough that you could almost base your whole gameplan around him. Shaq is doing well but it would be a miracle if he hit quite the same heights.

[Tom B]

Can I also say I think Tony Breeden will be our most important player this year & I hope to god he stays for a while.

Probably the least English English keeper I've ever seen - it will be fascinating to see if the team evolves its overall style, to suit having someone who backs himself to take control of literally half the pitch. How high of a defensive line will we play? Will a defender always be on standby to fall back if he decides to sprint past halfway??

[STH BHAM GREENS]

That just sounds like "being massively better than most teams around us" to me...haha

Not sure our defence have been *that* solid in all the time I've been back (just under a year), we conceded five in the two playoff games and tended to allow plenty of chances to the better sides. Jono was forever having to pull off great saves to get us over the line!
Jacko in particular is a fantastic asset going forward & it means we get countered on down his side sometimes, that's just how it is.
Even with a natural rb and legend in Azza playing well a few months ago, we simply push forward so much that we're always bound to concede a few.

I think Taylor and Hull will be a fine partnership at cb, Lincoln is another perfectly good option if he stays, Jacko's done alright in two positions so far at this level, and the jury's still out on Spink as an rb - I would still strongly lean towards signing a specialist in the position.
Hopefully it's just that injuries have kept them from being a settled back 4 so far - we can hardly have had the same defensive line up in any two matches so far iirc?

Up front, to restate what others have said, we've lost someone good enough that you could almost base your whole gameplan around him. Shaq is doing well but it would be a miracle if he hit quite the same heights.

Alright Tom B - one thing mate Jack Wilson has always played left back as long as I have watched sporting he wasn't converted their by Bren (if I am understanding your interpretation correctly?) Josh though you are right he was moved to Cm from full back by brendon.

Also just want to make the point (to my knowledge) Liam has never been a natural full back - he has always been a central midfield player (always) from his days at school boy football (tommies) to now. He has played at full back under Brendon and is doing his best and has never let us down with application and effort

Liam played for us in midfield in our invincible season and has played at centre midfield for other step 3 sides successfully in the past i.e reddicth and rushall Olympic. He also sustained a very serious injury playing for us - an injury many players would never have come back from...……..Liam is playing and doing his best for us in a position that isn't his natural one, he has filled in their to the best of his ability.

[Tom B]

Alright Tom B - one thing mate Jack Wilson has always played left back as long as I have watched sporting he wasn't converted their by Bren (if I am understanding your interpretation correctly?) Josh though you are right he was moved to Cm from full back by brendon.

Also just want to make the point (to my knowledge) Liam has never been a natural full back - he has always been a central midfield player (always) from his days at school boy football (tommies) to now. He has played at full back under Brendon and is doing his best and has never let us down with application and effort

Liam played for us in midfield in our invincible season and has played at centre midfield for other step 3 sides successfully in the past i.e reddicth and rushall Olympic. He also sustained a very serious injury playing for us - an injury many players would never have come back from...……..Liam is playing and doing his best for us in a position that isn't his natural one, he has filled in their to the best of his ability.

Ta SBG, I know about most of that but I thought Jacko had moved back into defence from the left wing at some point? Again I wasn't here for any of it so just hearsay, maybe I misremembered.

I totally appreciate the whole situation with Spink & it's not a personal thing, I do think he's getting better at rb as well - getting forward and making the cross for Gregs's goal on opening day is one example. (Massey also played a big part in that goal, thought we might have seen more of him since then, hopefully soon)
Liam also does sound like a classy midfielder, people have said he's all about the footwork and unlocking defences if that sounds about right? Weird that I've never seen him there!
That's the whole point really, it just feels odd to have him playing where he is. Great to know he can do a job there but he doesn't look as if he wants it to be his whole future...

[STH BHAM GREENS]

Ta SBG, I know about most of that but I thought Jacko had moved back into defence from the left wing at some point? Again I wasn't here for any of it so just hearsay, maybe I misremembered.

I totally appreciate the whole situation with Spink & it's not a personal thing, I do think he's getting better at rb as well - getting forward and making the cross for Gregs's goal on opening day is one example. (Massey also played a big part in that goal, thought we might have seen more of him since then, hopefully soon)
Liam also does sound like a classy midfielder, people have said he's all about the footwork and unlocking defences if that sounds about right? Weird that I've never seen him there!
That's the whole point really, it just feels odd to have him playing where he is. Great to know he can do a job there but he doesn't look as if he wants it to be his whole future...

Cheers Tom B - point about spink was just a general one, not directed at you per say. Massey to the best of my knowledge is also not a full time full back to the best of my knowledge although I stand to be corrected, he to is a midfield player. Liam is a very capable centre mid player iMO and is doing extremely well to recover from a very serious 'football career' threatening injury.

[Tom B]

Cheers Tom B - point about spink was just a general one, not directed at you per say. Massey to the best of my knowledge is also not a full time full back to the best of my knowledge although I stand to be corrected, he to is a midfield player. Liam is a very capable centre mid player iMO and is doing extremely well to recover from a very serious 'football career' threatening injury.

Yep as I understand it Massey is also centre mid, he only went to rb against Biggleswade cause with Spink going off there was no other cover on the bench.
He looked very accomplished in the middle of the park, not much sign of nerves at all, and he's a bigger physical presence than either JQ or NH (in an overall fairly short team) - probably not set for a run of starts any time soon, but you never know.
Unsure where Rankin is at the moment? Still at the club?? Maybe injured, as it's not ideal setting up with Jacko on the wrong side and KW filling in at left back rather than on the wing.