Jordan Bowery

[Gareth]

I might be in the minority here but I thought Bowery did well yesterday...faded in the 2nd half as most would on debut...felt like the first time this season that either full back had any active cover in front of them...I think Lowton benefitted from this and is something that I hope continues.  Would be nice if Gabby could be trusted to a) defend as well as sttack and b) stay wide.

I genuinely have a bit of hope following that performance, there was shape and organisation from the start, they actually strove to earn a foothold in the game rather than some of the gung ho nonsense we have seen recently, that allowed us to bring on the likes of Dawkins and Bent to try and open up later on.

[PeterWithesShin]

Hutton & Heskey on the wing was a tactic I still have nightmares about.

[chrisf]

TBF, a strange one to pick when all three goals were gifted to some degree, although they certianly did play better.

You're right. I didn't watch that game and have no idea whether tactics affected the outcome (don't tell pestria) but I'd be pretty sure they did.

[pestria]

I've answered most that you asked. The only ones I haven't answered are about Bowery as it has already been explained more than once, which you acknowledge. So I can only assume you are trolling to keep wanting it repeated yet again.
And the wider concept of tactics which when you said you can only think of one in 45 years that determined a result indicates it would have to be an indepth explanation which I can't be arsed to spend time writing.

And I probably have been. Sorry if I have but it's hard to be honest and not be blunt.

You haven't answered a single question I've asked of you.  You have suggested that i should read what others have said and that it's a waste of your time having to explain to simpletons like me YOUR views on the tactical rational re. Bowery.

To me that makes you look a fuckwit.  Sorry if that's uncalled for 'but it's hard to be honest and not be blunt.'

[pestria]

TBF, a strange one to pick when all three goals were gifted to some degree, although they certianly did play better.

You're right. I didn't watch that game and have no idea whether tactics affected the outcome (don't tell pestria) but I'd be pretty sure they did.

Lol

Good one to end on.

Goodnight.
Good health.
UTV

[PeterWithesShin]

I've answered most that you asked. The only ones I haven't answered are about Bowery as it has already been explained more than once, which you acknowledge. So I can only assume you are trolling to keep wanting it repeated yet again.
And the wider concept of tactics which when you said you can only think of one in 45 years that determined a result indicates it would have to be an indepth explanation which I can't be arsed to spend time writing.

And I probably have been. Sorry if I have but it's hard to be honest and not be blunt.

You haven't answered a single question I've asked of you.  You have suggested that i should read what others have said and that it's a waste of your time having to explain to simpletons like me YOUR views on the tactical rational re. Bowery.

To me that makes you look a fuckwit.  Sorry if that's uncalled for 'but it's hard to be honest and not be blunt.'

“As regards the specific comments made by Mr Pestria, I have tried but can’t seem to come up with a response that reflects terribly well on me.”

[Pete3206]

You have to admit, it's been entertaining.

[adrenachrome]

I might be in the minority here but I thought Bowery did well yesterday...faded in the 2nd half as most would on debut...felt like the first time this season that either full back had any active cover in front of them...I think Lowton benefitted from this and is something that I hope continues.  Would be nice if Gabby could be trusted to a) defend as well as sttack and b) stay wide.

I genuinely have a bit of hope following that performance, there was shape and organisation from the start, they actually strove to earn a foothold in the game rather than some of the gung ho nonsense we have seen recently, that allowed us to bring on the likes of Dawkins and Bent to try and open up later on.

He got a generous round of applause from those sitting around me in P6.

Good point about shape and organization also. Let's hope this change has not come too late.

[Dave Cooper please]

I think I get it:

When we lose it's because of Lambert's team choice and tactics and when we win it's despite Lambert's team choice and tactics.

Is that it?

[Clampy]

Another tactic from Saturday was playing Baker at left back instead of Bennett because of his height i presume.

I'm not so sure playing Bowery was that tactical if i'm honest. Would he have played had Gabby been fit?

[rob_bridge]

Hutton & Heskey on the wing was a tactic I still have nightmares about.

Shudder!

[Summers]

Bowery was totally tactical. Height at setpieces and someone to work hard on the wing. He tracked back well and won the ball a few times to set us up on attacks. He probably saw too much of the ball out wide, and had little option with what to do with it - also looked nervous and cautious in possession. Didn't do badly by any means, though.

[Jockey Randall]

I maintain it is vanishingly rare that a manager totally out thinks his opposite number and a lesser team wins by dint of formation, asking players to adopt unfamiliar roles and change their general way of play.  The team that wins the league generally has the best 11 players (or squad these days).

Some cracking debate on this thread. Although I disagree with you on the Bowery situation, I think you've touched upon a great point here.

In my opinion, tactics are overrated by fans. The amount of information and statistics available to each managment staff makes it increasingly hard for any chinks in tactics and formations to be found out. I would say that over the course of a season roughly 80% of the season is determined by who has the best players, while the rest can be attributed to the managers tactics/formations/not picking the strongest XI when available and of course some teams may always be slightly more lucky to gain those few extras points that might see them a couple of places higher than their true ability should see them. I'd point to Newcastle last season as a good example here -  their overall goal difference highlights this.

So basically, I believe it all boils down to the fact that the better the players you have, the higher the likelihood that you'll be higher up the league. The reason we've struggled this season can be put slightly down to the fact we've missed first team players such as Dunne all season and Vlaar in a very hectic Xmas period but mainly to the fact we have a lot of young players, who fast forward 5 years down the line will most probably be an 8th-12th standard side. At the moment as they are virtually all still learning the game, which has consequently led us to being a bottom 5 side.

[JUAN PABLO]

I think the kid was alright , did ok at times , gave the ball away at other times  . Would I play against Arsenal away , not in a million years .

[Irish villain]

Hutton & Heskey on the wing was a tactic I still have nightmares about.

Shudder!

Remember that noise Sideshow Bob made in the Simpsons episode where he kept getting hit on the head by a garden rake? I just made that noise.