04-02-2016, 09:40
Momentum Still Forward
There are mixed views on whether this is a point gained or two lost. In my opinion, this is a better point than the one at Reading.
CC went back to his most successful formation with Hooper & FF behind Nuhiu. Unfortunately we gave away an early goal. Loovens tried to nick the ball off Voakes from a throw but got turned, leaving him the simple task of squaring to the perfectly positioned Gray, five yards out. The other thing that seemed to hamstring us for the opening half hour was that FF seemed to sit out on the left and didn't get involved from an attacking perspective. About 30 minutes in, FF moved to a more free role, which gave us some domination.
When we play the 4321, teams don't know how to defend. The CBs have to stay to mark Nuhiu & don't know how to cover FF & Hooper who will drop deep, play the channels, spin off defenders and run at them. Wallace got increasing space on the right and Bannan & Lee got a grip on midfield.
We equalised quickly in the second half. Bannan floated the ball perfectly to Nuhiu, who had a free header & guided it beautifully into the path of Lee, who poked it cleverly home from ten yards.
After that, we were the better team, dominating the play & creating more chances although Burnley were always dangerous on the break. As we increased the intensity of our play, Burnley started to tire and CC's choice to rest players at the weekend appeared to be vindicated. Unfortunately, a winner didn't come & we had to settle for a point. Joao & McGeady came on but not in enough time to win it.
Westwood - 7 - couple of smart saves
Hunt - 7 - solid, couple of runs
Loovens - 7 - early slip but a rock after that
Hutchinson - 8 - outstanding against tricky opponent
Pudil - 7 - bright, couple of runs
Wallace - 7 - lively & inventive
Lee - 7 - linked play well, good finish
Bannan - 7 - great intensity
FF - 6 - quiet until he moved more central
Hooper - 6 - lacked the spark, a bit jaded
Nuhiu - 7 - good second half, looked great in 4321 formation
......................................................
Joao - 5 - off the pace
McGeady - hardly involved
Stat Attack:
Goals: 1 - Lee
Assists: 1 - Nuhiu
Tackles: 3 - Hunt, Bannan, Nuhiu, 2 - Hutchinson, Loovens, Pudil, 1 - Wallace, Lee, Hooper, McGeady
Interceptions: 8 - Loovens, 7 - Hutchinson, 3 - Pudil, 2 - Hunt, Bannan, Lee, 1 - Wallace, FF
Clearances: 7 - Hutchinson, 6 - Loovens, 4 - Pudil, 2 - Westwood, 1 - Hunt, Bannan
Attempts: 4 - FF, 3 - Wallace, Nuhiu, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Lee, Hooper
Attempts On Target: 2 - Wallace, FF, 1 - Lee
Key Passes: 3 - Wallace, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Hunt, Lee, FF, Nuhiu
Dribbles: None
Dispossessed: 3 - Nuhiu, 2 - FF, Hooper, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Lee
Bad Control: 4 - FF, 1 - Hunt, Pudil, Lee, Hooper
Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 13 - Wallace (3), 3 - Hunt (0), 1 - Pudil (0), Bannan (0), Lee (0)
Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):
Loovens - 87% (37)
Hooper - 86% (42)
Pudil - 82% (34)
Lee - 79% (61)
Hutchinson - 78% (37)
FF - 76% (38)
Bannan - 76% (84)
Hunt - 75% (60)
Nuhiu - 67% (36)
Wallace - 65% (34)
Westwood - 55% (38)
Joao - 0% (1)
If you take out the opening five minutes, we played a pretty much perfect game. Unfortunately we started slowly again. CC picked the correct starting eleven but he needs to get FF playing a freer role from the get go rather than sitting too wide. Burnley are definitely one of the top three sides and we won't face tougher opponents again at S6 this season.
There was nothing to get depressed about here. We outplayed a team that will probably be back in the PL next season and had them more than happy to hang on for a point. Hutchinson was outstanding again and CC has big decisions on how best to use him with Loovens solid after his early error.
The stats show that we completed more passes than normal with Lee getting his highest total of the season, although still well behind Bannan.
The key to our success this season is the 4321 formation which should be our default formation for just about every match. CC's decision to rest players was vindicated as we grew stronger & Burnley tired in the second half. Maybe making substitutions earlier might have accentuated this edge. Hooper (who played Saturday) was the player who lacked the spark compared to normal so maybe if he had been rested.........
We are still on a great run of results in the league and although it is largely about wins, I think this is maybe a good draw in the big picture. Saturday will be tough as Brum are on top form at the moment but if CC goes with the same eleven (plus Lees if fit) then we can get a win.
There are mixed views on whether this is a point gained or two lost. In my opinion, this is a better point than the one at Reading.
CC went back to his most successful formation with Hooper & FF behind Nuhiu. Unfortunately we gave away an early goal. Loovens tried to nick the ball off Voakes from a throw but got turned, leaving him the simple task of squaring to the perfectly positioned Gray, five yards out. The other thing that seemed to hamstring us for the opening half hour was that FF seemed to sit out on the left and didn't get involved from an attacking perspective. About 30 minutes in, FF moved to a more free role, which gave us some domination.
When we play the 4321, teams don't know how to defend. The CBs have to stay to mark Nuhiu & don't know how to cover FF & Hooper who will drop deep, play the channels, spin off defenders and run at them. Wallace got increasing space on the right and Bannan & Lee got a grip on midfield.
We equalised quickly in the second half. Bannan floated the ball perfectly to Nuhiu, who had a free header & guided it beautifully into the path of Lee, who poked it cleverly home from ten yards.
After that, we were the better team, dominating the play & creating more chances although Burnley were always dangerous on the break. As we increased the intensity of our play, Burnley started to tire and CC's choice to rest players at the weekend appeared to be vindicated. Unfortunately, a winner didn't come & we had to settle for a point. Joao & McGeady came on but not in enough time to win it.
Westwood - 7 - couple of smart saves
Hunt - 7 - solid, couple of runs
Loovens - 7 - early slip but a rock after that
Hutchinson - 8 - outstanding against tricky opponent
Pudil - 7 - bright, couple of runs
Wallace - 7 - lively & inventive
Lee - 7 - linked play well, good finish
Bannan - 7 - great intensity
FF - 6 - quiet until he moved more central
Hooper - 6 - lacked the spark, a bit jaded
Nuhiu - 7 - good second half, looked great in 4321 formation
......................................................
Joao - 5 - off the pace
McGeady - hardly involved
Stat Attack:
Goals: 1 - Lee
Assists: 1 - Nuhiu
Tackles: 3 - Hunt, Bannan, Nuhiu, 2 - Hutchinson, Loovens, Pudil, 1 - Wallace, Lee, Hooper, McGeady
Interceptions: 8 - Loovens, 7 - Hutchinson, 3 - Pudil, 2 - Hunt, Bannan, Lee, 1 - Wallace, FF
Clearances: 7 - Hutchinson, 6 - Loovens, 4 - Pudil, 2 - Westwood, 1 - Hunt, Bannan
Attempts: 4 - FF, 3 - Wallace, Nuhiu, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Lee, Hooper
Attempts On Target: 2 - Wallace, FF, 1 - Lee
Key Passes: 3 - Wallace, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Hunt, Lee, FF, Nuhiu
Dribbles: None
Dispossessed: 3 - Nuhiu, 2 - FF, Hooper, 1 - Pudil, Bannan, Lee
Bad Control: 4 - FF, 1 - Hunt, Pudil, Lee, Hooper
Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 13 - Wallace (3), 3 - Hunt (0), 1 - Pudil (0), Bannan (0), Lee (0)
Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):
Loovens - 87% (37)
Hooper - 86% (42)
Pudil - 82% (34)
Lee - 79% (61)
Hutchinson - 78% (37)
FF - 76% (38)
Bannan - 76% (84)
Hunt - 75% (60)
Nuhiu - 67% (36)
Wallace - 65% (34)
Westwood - 55% (38)
Joao - 0% (1)
If you take out the opening five minutes, we played a pretty much perfect game. Unfortunately we started slowly again. CC picked the correct starting eleven but he needs to get FF playing a freer role from the get go rather than sitting too wide. Burnley are definitely one of the top three sides and we won't face tougher opponents again at S6 this season.
There was nothing to get depressed about here. We outplayed a team that will probably be back in the PL next season and had them more than happy to hang on for a point. Hutchinson was outstanding again and CC has big decisions on how best to use him with Loovens solid after his early error.
The stats show that we completed more passes than normal with Lee getting his highest total of the season, although still well behind Bannan.
The key to our success this season is the 4321 formation which should be our default formation for just about every match. CC's decision to rest players was vindicated as we grew stronger & Burnley tired in the second half. Maybe making substitutions earlier might have accentuated this edge. Hooper (who played Saturday) was the player who lacked the spark compared to normal so maybe if he had been rested.........
We are still on a great run of results in the league and although it is largely about wins, I think this is maybe a good draw in the big picture. Saturday will be tough as Brum are on top form at the moment but if CC goes with the same eleven (plus Lees if fit) then we can get a win.
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.