27-12-2015, 12:11
S6 Is a Bastion of Invincibility!
For far too long, we haven't been able to rack up win after win at home but now I feel confident that we will beat most sides at home this season. Birmingham are no-ones fools and came into the match with only two sides having won more away points. They did pretty much what was expected. They were well organised, they got behind the ball well and looked to steal something on the counter attack. The fact that despite these well worked plans, they largely looked inept is down to how well we played.
We looked bright from minute one and even though it was hard to create opportunities, we continued with great patience until the chances came our way. Wildsmith replaced the injured Westwood while Nuhiu replaced Joao, who wasn't considered fit enough to start. Clearly CC had seen that the 433 (4321) formation worked against Wolves & wanted to continue in the same fashion.
It was tougher without Joao because the threat of his pace forces defences deeper and the movement of FF & Hooper can exploit those spaces around the box. Interestingly, Birmingham defended zonally from open play, which meant that no-one was singled out for double marking. It did mean that we often gave the ball away with Nuhiu heading the ball on to a cluster of defenders or through to the keeper. Gradually though, we played increasingly to feet. Hooper & FF were already stretching the defence and with Hunt & Lee getting involved, opening started to appear thick & fast.
We had the ball in the net when Hooper burst clear on the right side of the box from Wallace's clever through ball but unselfishly squared to Nuhiu, who failed to get a decisive touch but the ball broke back to Hooper, who lashed it home. Unfortunately, the assistant flagged him offside. It was certainly an unlucky decision. It also reflected well on Hooper because many loan players play for themselves but Hooper always seems to go for the best option for the team.
Shortly afterwards, Hunt got behind the defence & cut the ball back for Hooper, whose shot was deflected past the post for a corner. The pressure was building and we created again from a cleverly worked corner with FF curling the ball in but Nuhiu took too long with a chance from close in. It seemed like a goal was inevitable and it soon came. Good work by Hunt and the ball fell for FF in the six yard box, who reacted quickly to poke it home courtesy of the post.
Two minutes later & it was 2-0 with Lee taking advantage of a defensive mix up and slotting the ball home easily. We won't get many easier goals than this one all season. A minute later, Nuhiu, Hooper, Bannan & Loovens all had shots in the same move but somehow the defence survived.
The match was won unless we did something stupid but we continued to press and it opened up nicely for Nuhiu but his 20 yard shot went wide. Minutes later & Hooper's super pass sent FF away down the left before he cut inside and fizzed a shot into the top corner. I was right behind the shot & it was a goal, the moment it left his foot. It is brilliant to have a player who might just score any time from any where.
After that, we relaxed and saved our energy for more important battles ahead. Helan replaced Wallace, McGugan replaced FF and late on Wiggins replaced Hutchinson.
Have to say that the CB combination of Loovens & Hutchinson was outstanding. Some might argue that they had little to do but they passed the ball around well and dictated the whole pattern of play. Also in the latter stages when Birmingham had a few attacks, Hutchinson picked up just about every loose ball.
Wildsmith - 7 - couple of good late saves
Hunt - 7 - gave the ball away less & attacked with venom
Loovens - 8 - led by example
Hutchinson - 8 - real quality, need him on a longer contract
Pudil - 6 - did what he had to do
Wallace - 6 - quiet but some top passes
Lee - 7 - steady plus a goal
Bannan - 8 - never stops & links defence with midfield & midfield with attack
FF - 9 - constant threat, two more goals
Hooper - 7 - great team ethic, stretched Birmingham defence
Nuhiu - 6 - better than recent efforts
.................................................................
Helan - 6
McGugan - 6
Wiggins - 6
Stat Attack:
Goals: 2 - FF, 1 - Lee
Assists: 2 - Hooper
Tackles: 5 - Lee, 3 - Hunt, 2 - Loovens, Pudil, FF, 1 - Hutchinson, Bannan, Hooper, Nuhiu
Interceptions: 1 - Pudil, Wallace, Bannan, Lee, McGugan
Clearances: 6 - Loovens, Hutchinson, Pudil, 5 - Nuhiu, 1 - Wildsmith, Hunt, Wallace, FF, Wiggins
Attempts: 5 - FF, 4 - Nuhiu, 3 - Bannan, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Loovens, Lee, Helan, McGugan
Attempts On Target: 4 - FF, 2 - Nuhiu, 1 - Lee, Hooper, Helan
Key Passes: 2 - Hunt, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Nuhiu, Hooper,
Dribbles: 1 - Hunt, Helan
Dispossessed: 6 - Nuhiu, 3 - FF, 2 - Hunt, Hooper, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Lee,
Bad Control: 3 - Hooper, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Hunt, Wallace, FF, Nuhiu, Helan
Crosses (Accurate in Brackets): 3 - Hunt (1), 2 - Bannan (1), 1 - Wallace (0), FF (1), Nuhiu (0), Hooper (0), Helan (0), McGugan (0)
Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):
Loovens - 95% (59)
Bannan - 86% (97)
FF - 84% (31)
Pudil - 84% (43)
Hutchinson - 82% (55)
Helan - 82% (11)
Lee - 80% (56)
Wiggins - 80% (5)
Hooper - 79% (33)
Wallace - 78% (41)
Hunt - 71% (49)
McGugan - 67% (9)
Nuhiu - 63% (30)
Wildsmith - 60% (25)
Generally pretty good statistics but Nuhiu & Hunt still tend to give ball away too often. Also CC has a formula & formation that is winning home matches. The question is can he do the same in away matches. Will he go with the 433 away or will he go for a more defensive formation?
I think that he might go more defensive against Middlesbrough because of the lack of rest after yesterday's game and the quality of the opposition. Maybe our best chance there is to keep it tight for 70 minutes then look to sneak one on the break at the death. However, at Fulham, we should play the way we played yesterday.
Another good day at the office with three points picked up in second gear against an obdurate side who should finish in the top half. Tomorrow will be far tougher but our season will probably be defined by how many away wins we get over the next four months.
For far too long, we haven't been able to rack up win after win at home but now I feel confident that we will beat most sides at home this season. Birmingham are no-ones fools and came into the match with only two sides having won more away points. They did pretty much what was expected. They were well organised, they got behind the ball well and looked to steal something on the counter attack. The fact that despite these well worked plans, they largely looked inept is down to how well we played.
We looked bright from minute one and even though it was hard to create opportunities, we continued with great patience until the chances came our way. Wildsmith replaced the injured Westwood while Nuhiu replaced Joao, who wasn't considered fit enough to start. Clearly CC had seen that the 433 (4321) formation worked against Wolves & wanted to continue in the same fashion.
It was tougher without Joao because the threat of his pace forces defences deeper and the movement of FF & Hooper can exploit those spaces around the box. Interestingly, Birmingham defended zonally from open play, which meant that no-one was singled out for double marking. It did mean that we often gave the ball away with Nuhiu heading the ball on to a cluster of defenders or through to the keeper. Gradually though, we played increasingly to feet. Hooper & FF were already stretching the defence and with Hunt & Lee getting involved, opening started to appear thick & fast.
We had the ball in the net when Hooper burst clear on the right side of the box from Wallace's clever through ball but unselfishly squared to Nuhiu, who failed to get a decisive touch but the ball broke back to Hooper, who lashed it home. Unfortunately, the assistant flagged him offside. It was certainly an unlucky decision. It also reflected well on Hooper because many loan players play for themselves but Hooper always seems to go for the best option for the team.
Shortly afterwards, Hunt got behind the defence & cut the ball back for Hooper, whose shot was deflected past the post for a corner. The pressure was building and we created again from a cleverly worked corner with FF curling the ball in but Nuhiu took too long with a chance from close in. It seemed like a goal was inevitable and it soon came. Good work by Hunt and the ball fell for FF in the six yard box, who reacted quickly to poke it home courtesy of the post.
Two minutes later & it was 2-0 with Lee taking advantage of a defensive mix up and slotting the ball home easily. We won't get many easier goals than this one all season. A minute later, Nuhiu, Hooper, Bannan & Loovens all had shots in the same move but somehow the defence survived.
The match was won unless we did something stupid but we continued to press and it opened up nicely for Nuhiu but his 20 yard shot went wide. Minutes later & Hooper's super pass sent FF away down the left before he cut inside and fizzed a shot into the top corner. I was right behind the shot & it was a goal, the moment it left his foot. It is brilliant to have a player who might just score any time from any where.
After that, we relaxed and saved our energy for more important battles ahead. Helan replaced Wallace, McGugan replaced FF and late on Wiggins replaced Hutchinson.
Have to say that the CB combination of Loovens & Hutchinson was outstanding. Some might argue that they had little to do but they passed the ball around well and dictated the whole pattern of play. Also in the latter stages when Birmingham had a few attacks, Hutchinson picked up just about every loose ball.
Wildsmith - 7 - couple of good late saves
Hunt - 7 - gave the ball away less & attacked with venom
Loovens - 8 - led by example
Hutchinson - 8 - real quality, need him on a longer contract
Pudil - 6 - did what he had to do
Wallace - 6 - quiet but some top passes
Lee - 7 - steady plus a goal
Bannan - 8 - never stops & links defence with midfield & midfield with attack
FF - 9 - constant threat, two more goals
Hooper - 7 - great team ethic, stretched Birmingham defence
Nuhiu - 6 - better than recent efforts
.................................................................
Helan - 6
McGugan - 6
Wiggins - 6
Stat Attack:
Goals: 2 - FF, 1 - Lee
Assists: 2 - Hooper
Tackles: 5 - Lee, 3 - Hunt, 2 - Loovens, Pudil, FF, 1 - Hutchinson, Bannan, Hooper, Nuhiu
Interceptions: 1 - Pudil, Wallace, Bannan, Lee, McGugan
Clearances: 6 - Loovens, Hutchinson, Pudil, 5 - Nuhiu, 1 - Wildsmith, Hunt, Wallace, FF, Wiggins
Attempts: 5 - FF, 4 - Nuhiu, 3 - Bannan, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Loovens, Lee, Helan, McGugan
Attempts On Target: 4 - FF, 2 - Nuhiu, 1 - Lee, Hooper, Helan
Key Passes: 2 - Hunt, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Nuhiu, Hooper,
Dribbles: 1 - Hunt, Helan
Dispossessed: 6 - Nuhiu, 3 - FF, 2 - Hunt, Hooper, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Lee,
Bad Control: 3 - Hooper, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Hunt, Wallace, FF, Nuhiu, Helan
Crosses (Accurate in Brackets): 3 - Hunt (1), 2 - Bannan (1), 1 - Wallace (0), FF (1), Nuhiu (0), Hooper (0), Helan (0), McGugan (0)
Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):
Loovens - 95% (59)
Bannan - 86% (97)
FF - 84% (31)
Pudil - 84% (43)
Hutchinson - 82% (55)
Helan - 82% (11)
Lee - 80% (56)
Wiggins - 80% (5)
Hooper - 79% (33)
Wallace - 78% (41)
Hunt - 71% (49)
McGugan - 67% (9)
Nuhiu - 63% (30)
Wildsmith - 60% (25)
Generally pretty good statistics but Nuhiu & Hunt still tend to give ball away too often. Also CC has a formula & formation that is winning home matches. The question is can he do the same in away matches. Will he go with the 433 away or will he go for a more defensive formation?
I think that he might go more defensive against Middlesbrough because of the lack of rest after yesterday's game and the quality of the opposition. Maybe our best chance there is to keep it tight for 70 minutes then look to sneak one on the break at the death. However, at Fulham, we should play the way we played yesterday.
Another good day at the office with three points picked up in second gear against an obdurate side who should finish in the top half. Tomorrow will be far tougher but our season will probably be defined by how many away wins we get over the next four months.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.