The reason we played well against Coventry.

Having studied our tactics recently, I have noticed two things that seem to be critical to us playing well. Firstly playing the players in their normal positions makes a massive difference but more importantly, we always do well against teams who sit back and allow us to play. All the teams we have played this year who have marked us tightly further up the field have done well against us such as Forest and Swansea and although we played very well yesterday, I am not yet convinced that we have the gameplan to deal with teams who employ these tactics against us. Does anyone else agree with this analysis ?

Agree with the first bit, playing in there correct position. Look what happened when DJ changed things v Swansea, had a de-stableing effect on the whole team.

Having studied our tactics recently, I have noticed two things that seem to be critical to us playing well. Firstly playing the players in their normal positions makes a massive difference but more importantly, we always do well against teams who sit back and allow us to play. All the teams we have played this year who have marked us tightly further up the field have done well against us such as Forest and Swansea and although we played very well yesterday, I am not yet convinced that we have the gameplan to deal with teams who employ these tactics against us. Does anyone else agree with this analysis ?

Totally agree.

Having studied our tactics recently, I have noticed two things that seem to be critical to us playing well. Firstly playing the players in their normal positions makes a massive difference but more importantly, we always do well against teams who sit back and allow us to play. All the teams we have played this year who have marked us tightly further up the field have done well against us such as Forest and Swansea and although we played very well yesterday, I am not yet convinced that we have the gameplan to deal with teams who employ these tactics against us. Does anyone else agree with this analysis ?

spot on

I fully agree with everything you have said. However, Westwood apart, I and all around me thought Coventry were shite. One of the poorest teams we have played over the last 18 months or so. Even poor teams can press. Either Cov didn't do their homework (unlikely) or they are a poor team.

I agree and would also like to add that I think we played better without Bothroyd and Burke. Although these are 2 key players for us, having Whittingham on the right and drifting inside gave us a third central midfielder in a way and this allowed us to control the midfield. Also, McPhail was outstanding, he always makes himself available for the ball and having class passers in McPhail and Whittingham, with Oli behind holding, winning the ball and giving it simple and Bellamy terrorising them out left allowed us to dominate. I rate Burke highly but he isn't a very good passer of the ball and if we want to outpass teams, we need both Whittingham and McPhail on the pitch, especially with no Bothroyd up front to lump the ball up to.

Also, Keogh was incredible, his touch was class, his passing and link up play was perfect and he works his nuts off. It was his quick thinking that made the first goal with the free kick. I was undecided about him until yesterday, but yesterday Keogh showed he's an outstanding footballer. If we play to Keogh's strengths and play the ball on the deck to him, I don't think we will miss Jay too much.

Also, Riggott is not only a good defender, but also class footballer, and his class passing allowed us to build from the back instead of hoofing it. I also think the fact the midfield and attack had more confidence in the defense behind them with Riggott there allowed them to express theirselves and play free flowing football. If everyone is fit tomorrow, we must play the same starting 11, even if Bothroyd and Burke are fit in my opinion.

I agree and would also like to add that I think we played better without Bothroyd and Burke. Although these are 2 key players for us, having Whittingham on the right and drifting inside gave us a third central midfielder in a way and this allowed us to control the midfield. Also, McPhail was outstanding, he always makes himself available for the ball and having class passers in McPhail and Whittingham, with Oli behind holding, winning the ball and giving it simple and Bellamy terrorising them out left allowed us to dominate. I rate Burke highly but he isn't a very good passer of the ball and if we want to outpass teams, we need both Whittingham and McPhail on the pitch, especially with no Bothroyd up front to lump the ball up to.

Also, Keogh was incredible, his touch was class, his passing and link up play was perfect and he works his nuts off. It was his quick thinking that made the first goal with the free kick. I was undecided about him until yesterday, but yesterday Keogh showed he's an outstanding footballer. If we play to Keogh's strengths and play the ball on the deck to him, I don't think we will miss Jay too much.

Also, Riggott is not only a good defender, but also class footballer, and his class passing allowed us to build from the back instead of hoofing it. I also think the fact the midfield and attack had more confidence in the defense behind them with Riggott there allowed them to express theirselves and play free flowing football. If everyone is fit tomorrow, we must play the same starting 11, even if Bothroyd and Burke are fit in my opinion.

I fully agree about Keogh having a good game and the passing to feet was a joy to watch but I would have thought that because Keogh is not very tall then we still lack the ability to dominate teams in the air when he plays.I am still quite concerned that when teams mark us closely further up the pitch, we appear to be unable to deal with these tactics.What concerns me here is when these tactics are deployed against us then Jones seems clueless and unable to alter our way of playing to combat this. The teams deploying these tactics have completely stopped us from playing and have cruely exposed us and I am not confident we can deal with such situations.

I agree and would also like to add that I think we played better without Bothroyd and Burke. Although these are 2 key players for us, having Whittingham on the right and drifting inside gave us a third central midfielder in a way and this allowed us to control the midfield. Also, McPhail was outstanding, he always makes himself available for the ball and having class passers in McPhail and Whittingham, with Oli behind holding, winning the ball and giving it simple and Bellamy terrorising them out left allowed us to dominate. I rate Burke highly but he isn't a very good passer of the ball and if we want to outpass teams, we need both Whittingham and McPhail on the pitch, especially with no Bothroyd up front to lump the ball up to.

Also, Keogh was incredible, his touch was class, his passing and link up play was perfect and he works his nuts off. It was his quick thinking that made the first goal with the free kick. I was undecided about him until yesterday, but yesterday Keogh showed he's an outstanding footballer. If we play to Keogh's strengths and play the ball on the deck to him, I don't think we will miss Jay too much.

Also, Riggott is not only a good defender, but also class footballer, and his class passing allowed us to build from the back instead of hoofing it. I also think the fact the midfield and attack had more confidence in the defense behind them with Riggott there allowed them to express theirselves and play free flowing football. If everyone is fit tomorrow, we must play the same starting 11, even if Bothroyd and Burke are fit in my opinion.

I fully agree about Keogh having a good game and the passing to feet was a joy to watch but I would have thought that because Keogh is not very tall then we still lack the ability to dominate teams in the air when he plays.I am still quite concerned that when teams mark us closely further up the pitch, we appear to be unable to deal with these tactics.What concerns me here is when these tactics are deployed against us then Jones seems clueless and unable to alter our way of playing to combat this. The teams deploying these tactics have completely stopped us from playing and have cruely exposed us and I am not confident we can deal with such situations.