06-11-2022, 13:25
(This post was last modified: 06-11-2022, 13:26 by Slick_Footwork.)
Missed yesterday's game but it was a much needed win on the road.
I'll not comment on the performance because you can't see much from the highlights, but credit to Corberan for quickly recognising some of the problems from Richard Beale's team selections which filtered into his woeful selection in his first game against Sheffield United. The changes have resulted in 2 wins from 2. Scrappy wins, yes, but wins nontheless.
Firstly, dropping the woeful back 3 and returning to a back 4 with players playing in their proper positions has resulted in 2 clean sheets.
Reinstalling Bartley, for all his faults, means we have a centre half at centre half rather than a full back there. This at least gives us aerial presence in both boxes as Barts has always chipped in with goals. We've won 2 games from set plays which is vitally important when you're not creating anything from open play. Under Bruce and Beale in particular, we had no set play threat from defence.
He was brave enough to drop Townsend for Pieters, despite us winning in the week, which I respect as Townsend has been woeful for about a year now.
Finally, I think the decision to start Phillips up top was a good one. He's not a forward, but he's the one fit player we have with the power and touch to actually hold the ball up top. You don't get that with Grant or Thomas Asante. Fair play to Corberan for quickly seeing we need a presence up there and at least picking the best option from what little we have. If Phillips is going to play out of position, I'd much rather see him up top than at right back or wing back.
I appreciate a lot of fans will be disappointed with Corberan dropping Gardner Hickman, but my personal opinion is you need 2 sitters when you're starting with a forward and 3 attacking midfielders. I see Gardner Hickman more as someone who will be competing with Rogic / Swift for that position at the head of the diamond. So while it's sad to see him dropped, I understand it and think the signs are that Corberan is starting to get the basics in place and focusing on strengthening the spine of the team.
If Ajayi and Dike come back and stay fit, that will make a big difference as both offer strength in the air which will give us added impetus from set plays. Arguably, Dike should improve us from open play 2, but we've seen so little of him that's purely speculation.
I'll not comment on the performance because you can't see much from the highlights, but credit to Corberan for quickly recognising some of the problems from Richard Beale's team selections which filtered into his woeful selection in his first game against Sheffield United. The changes have resulted in 2 wins from 2. Scrappy wins, yes, but wins nontheless.
Firstly, dropping the woeful back 3 and returning to a back 4 with players playing in their proper positions has resulted in 2 clean sheets.
Reinstalling Bartley, for all his faults, means we have a centre half at centre half rather than a full back there. This at least gives us aerial presence in both boxes as Barts has always chipped in with goals. We've won 2 games from set plays which is vitally important when you're not creating anything from open play. Under Bruce and Beale in particular, we had no set play threat from defence.
He was brave enough to drop Townsend for Pieters, despite us winning in the week, which I respect as Townsend has been woeful for about a year now.
Finally, I think the decision to start Phillips up top was a good one. He's not a forward, but he's the one fit player we have with the power and touch to actually hold the ball up top. You don't get that with Grant or Thomas Asante. Fair play to Corberan for quickly seeing we need a presence up there and at least picking the best option from what little we have. If Phillips is going to play out of position, I'd much rather see him up top than at right back or wing back.
I appreciate a lot of fans will be disappointed with Corberan dropping Gardner Hickman, but my personal opinion is you need 2 sitters when you're starting with a forward and 3 attacking midfielders. I see Gardner Hickman more as someone who will be competing with Rogic / Swift for that position at the head of the diamond. So while it's sad to see him dropped, I understand it and think the signs are that Corberan is starting to get the basics in place and focusing on strengthening the spine of the team.
If Ajayi and Dike come back and stay fit, that will make a big difference as both offer strength in the air which will give us added impetus from set plays. Arguably, Dike should improve us from open play 2, but we've seen so little of him that's purely speculation.