Challenging time ahead for Neil Adams

[SussexYellow]

Neil has gone through two phases as manager. The end of last season, impossible games in which he did not stand a chance. Then a honeymoon start to this season - top of the league.

However look below the surface and perhaps all is not how it might seem. Yes we are top but in there have been some poor first halves that we have been able to recover from. The last 4 home games have delivered performances but not results. Just 4 goals scored. Its all very well saying the performances are OK, chances are being created but over 4 games it should have been sorted. So we are top but hardly dominant, and with our squad we should be more dominant.

Now over the next phase of games, the next 6 to 10, we will find out a lot more about Neil's qualities as a manager. Can he shake it up to find a way to break down park the bus defences. Will he change up formations and keep the opposition managers guessing. 442 has delivered good performances but not results as a starting formation. Have we become too predictable? We are well able to play 4231 or even the diamond. Time to give it a go? A number of challenges for our intrepid manager!

The next phase of games will be intriguing. Will we find the winning formula and consolidate a lead at the top or fall back into the pack. This will be the period where we could well find out if we have a promotion winning manager. Obviously we all hope we do, but having a manager with green and yellow blood make the grade could be seriously good news for the long term.

OTBC

 

[Salopian]

Our squad is almost unanimously agreed to be one of the strongest, so we are clearly under-achieving at the moment.

There are some good points:

• Redmond has clearly had some coaching on crossing, and will be more of a threat. Johno started the season shooting in a controlled way, although recently has been at his "blast and and hope" method.
• We still have to see a fully-fit Hooper, and we still have to see other players such as a a fully fit Vadis. 
• We lately have had some disappointing refereeing decisions, to put it mildly.
• We have two fast, strong strikers in Grabban and Jerome, although strangely they do not seem to perform well at the same time. Grabban has room to improve, especially in shot consistency, so there is potential there.
• Howson is back, and after a few games should be at his best.

These are all good, and there is a good contingent of back-up players, except possibly at fullback.

There is a problem, as Sussex points out, however, of consistency. We seem to be able to play teams off the pitch, but only in the second half when we are behind. This must be down to the manager, in terms of tactics and confidence, but he is learning the job still.  They must learn how to deal with teams who visit CR determined on defence. Possession and slow attacks are not the answer. There has to be better supply down the wings and through the centre, and it must be quick, or the defence will be back in numbers.

 

[mustard gas]

Unfortunately NA has an apparent soft spot for Wes and Jonno. They are certain starters in every match at the moment, no matter the opposition or the formation. Wes needs to be rotated and one of Tetty and Johnson, with Tetty my preference. Vadis has to be integrated as soon as possible with Hooper also needing playing time, probably from the bench.

 

[eatonparkboy]

While I wouldn't call the above posts negative, I do feel NA has not really had any control over the recent home games. I do agree we are nowhere close to being the finished product but the players picked have managed to create numerous chances and haven't taken them. A wee bit more composure and concentration and we might have been clear of the pack. But I guess Binner supporters are saying "if we had just beaten Norwich" and Forest fans are wondering why the wins have stopped.

 

[SussexYellow]

While I wouldn't call the above posts negative, I do feel NA has not really had any control over the recent home games. I do agree we are nowhere close to being the finished product but the players picked have managed to create numerous chances and haven't taken them. A wee bit more composure and concentration and we might have been clear of the pack. But I guess Binner supporters are saying "if we had just beaten Norwich" and Forest fans are wondering why the wins have stopped.

NA not really getting control of home games sort of sums it up nicely. We need to have control of them and dominate them. That is one of the challenges for our Neil.

Not sure it is down to composure and concentration, or fortune for that matter. Yes it can be said we have created numerous chances, we have had the ball flashing across the box, but how many really good chances have we created each game.

For me part of the problem of playing a predictable 442 is that it lets the opposing CB's know exactly what their task is. So whilst the ball may go into the box our strikers will have a defender in close attendance and the chance becomes a hard one rather than a clear one. Somebody "ghosting in" Lampard style would give the opposing defence a whole different set of problems to think about. Maybe worth sacrificing a striker to play somebody in that role - but do we have anybody who could play it?

 

[eatonparkboy]

NA not really getting control of home games sort of sums it up nicely. We need to have control of them and dominate them. That is one of the challenges for our Neil.

Not sure it is down to composure and concentration, or fortune for that matter. Yes it can be said we have created numerous chances, we have had the ball flashing across the box, but how many really good chances have we created each game.

For me part of the problem of playing a predictable 442 is that it lets the opposing CB's know exactly what their task is. So whilst the ball may go into the box our strikers will have a defender in close attendance and the chance becomes a hard one rather than a clear one. Somebody "ghosting in" Lampard style would give the opposing defence a whole different set of problems to think about. Maybe worth sacrificing a striker to play somebody in that role - but do we have anybody who could play it?

I know what you are saying. But if 4-4-2 plays to our strength rather than the opposition then that's good but maybe predictable. I'm not against predictable if it still means we are more powerful and direct than the opposition. I'm afraid the "ghost" type player you speak of is a sought after commodity and a rare sight nowadays.

 

[SussexYellow]

Maybe Howson in place of Wes could give us that additional goal threat arriving in the box from deep.

442 may play to our strengths but the problem is that it has not delivered a result for 3 home games now. (Bournemouth my recollection is that we went with just Grabban up front). The saying goes if you keep doing the same thing do not be surprised if you get the same results.

This is a big dilemma for Neil, he has a system that delivers performances and always seems to be on the verge of delivering results - but at home at least is currently not. So does he stick with it and hope it comes good, or does he mix it up? Not an easy decision which is why I suggest this is now a challenging time for him.