Adkins' style of play

[NickG]

Heard him when he joined us talking about playing with real width.

 

He seemed to keep moaning to Harding that he was not sticking to the line enough.

 

He then subbed him, bought on Dickson and Holmes - there always seemed to be one of them standing literally on the line.

 

Hopefully we will see some good wide playing from his team

[saintscottofthenortham]

He got Scunny playing fantastic football, but getting results whilst they are at it. If we can play anything like Scunny did down here a few years ago when they smashed us to pieces at SMS (despite us somehow coming away with a 1-0 win) then I will be a happy chappy. I cannot express enough how much I full blown f*cking hated AP's "Style" of hoof-it-and-hope and 4-5-1, until its the 80th/85th minute and you have been losing since the 30th minute so lets change it when it's all too late.

 

Looking forward to Adkins reign. I have alot of faith in him. The changes he made today on 70 minutes made a significant difference, something we havn't seen for a while bar the usual "Chuck Waigo or Antonio on and tell em' to run at the left back and scare the living's out of him" which to be honest, i could tell them to do that.

[RobM]

He then subbed him, bought on Dickson and Holmes - there always seemed to be one of them standing literally on the line.

 

Is this the fabled 'Plan B' I've been hearing people talk about?

 

Seems like we have a manager who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to change things, or change people, in order to get it. Good on him!

 

I said when we were in the process of bringing NA in that I wasn't particularly excited, but would wait to be convinced. I'm starting to be

[manji]

I was a bit hmmmmm about Adkins taking over but a few things I noticed today have made me feel a lot better about the appointment..............

[S-Clarke]

We played some nice football in the 2nd half, really controlled possession from the back to the front.

 

We still didn't work the keeper enough, but the days of a long punt by davis may be over.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Yes he definately did not like the way the left side had shaped up hence removing Puncheon and Harding.

Thought Schneiderlin was awful today. He looks elegant on the ball but some of this free kicks and all round play was very poor.

[NickG]

Think defence and forwards are pretty much there - when midfield is working better they will do fine.

 

Will be good for someone to have a fresh look at CM pairing.

[harvey]

I was a bit hmmmmm about Adkins taking over but a few things I noticed today have made me feel a lot better about the appointment..............

 

Yeah, we didn't lose.

[John McGrath's Jockstrap]

Very apparent that Dickson and Holmes played to Adkins orders when they came on in contrast to who they replaced. Agree with harvey - I too was hmmm but I sense Adkins is a "do you want to be part of the steamroller or part of the road" manager. Col U fans I met today really rate Adkins - they said they will be amazed if we don't go up based on what they saw today !!!?.

[S-Clarke]

Very apparent that Dickson and Holmes played to Adkins orders when they came on in contrast to who they replaced. Agree with harvey - I too was hmmm but I sense Adkins is a "do you want to be part of the steamroller or part of the road" manager. Col U fans I met today really rate Adkins - they said they will be amazed if we don't go up based on what they saw today !!!?.

 

We did walk all over them tbf, they couldn't get the ball. They were very lucky and should be thankful to their GK. We just lack a cutting edge at the moment, that's all. On today's 2nd half there really isn't too much to worry about.

[harvey]

We did walk all over them tbf, they couldn't get the ball. They were very lucky and should be thankful to their GK. We just lack a cutting edge at the moment, that's all. On today's 2nd half there really isn't too much to worry about.

 

When you say 'their GK', do you mean that midget between the posts who didn't have too much to do today?

[S-Clarke]

When you say 'their GK', do you mean that midget between the posts who didn't have too much to do today?

 

i guess you missed his point blank save early in the 2nd half?

 

and then also his 2 quick fire saves in the last 4 mins?

[beatlesaint]

We did walk all over them tbf, they couldn't get the ball. They were very lucky and should be thankful to their GK. We just lack a cutting edge at the moment, that's all. On today's 2nd half there really isn't too much to worry about.

 

To be honest their goalkeeper could have sat on his goal line drinking tea and eating sandwiches in the first half.

It was only the last 25 mins or so that we really started to put pressure on them.

[harvey]

i guess you missed his point blank save early in the 2nd half?

 

and then also his 2 quick fire saves in the last 4 mins?

 

No I didn't, but I don't think we tested him that much..........not as much as we should have done anyway.

[Andy_Porter]

 

I said when we were in the process of bringing NA in that I wasn't particularly excited, but would wait to be convinced. I'm starting to be

 

Jesus you must be easily pleased after that result and the performance against MK.

[Andy_Porter]

We did walk all over them tbf, they couldn't get the ball. They were very lucky and should be thankful to their GK. We just lack a cutting edge at the moment, that's all. On today's 2nd half there really isn't too much to worry about.

 

Bossing games and not scoring is a worry, was under Pardew at the start of the season and still is now under Adkins.

[Saint Garrett]

Yes he definately did not like the way the left side had shaped up hence removing Puncheon and Harding.

Thought Schneiderlin was awful today. He looks elegant on the ball but some of this free kicks and all round play was very poor.

Strange isn't it...I thought that Schneiderlin was our best player today by some distance! He is class...admittably he isn't the finished article...but if he was, he wouldn't be playing at this level !

[MorningtonCrescent]

Strange isn't it...I thought that Schneiderlin was our best player today by some distance! He is class...admittably he isn't the finished article...but if he was, he wouldn't be playing at this level !

 

hear hear! +1

[Saint_lambden]

Schneiderlin's free kicks were poor , but maybe the staff think he can take them because he is one the better technical gifted players in our team.

 

I'd rather have him on the edge of the box so that if balls are cleared away - someone is there to get a shot in - something that didn't happen today.

 

You can tell Adkins' style of play is to keep it on the floor as much as possible , hence why Davis wasn't kicking it long so much and rolling/throwing it out to the defence.

 

Defence looked more composed today - Fonte was good.

 

The two subs were a great touch IMO , Holmes looked bright - a little rusty at times maybe but gave us a burst of energy down the left we were lacking in the first half.

 

If Lallana is running in training now - he should be back for the start of October hopefully.

 

Honestly think Adkins will be brilliant for us , just give him time.

[harvey]

Strange isn't it...I thought that Schneiderlin was our best player today by some distance! He is class...admittably he isn't the finished article...but if he was, he wouldn't be playing at this level !

 

That's the beauty of a forum like this, differing opinions.

 

I think Schneiderlin is overated tbh.

[Jeff Le Taxi]

I took a lot of pluses from todays game, especially in the second half and really like Adkins style, matter of time if you ask me!

[BadgerBadger]

Struggled in the centre midfield today, I'm all for wing play but not at the expense of a solid centre midfield.

 

We we're as unlucky not to to win as we were lucky not to lose. Good effort to the lads and patience will prevail.

[Lets B Avenue]

Strange isn't it...I thought that Schneiderlin was our best player today by some distance! He is class...admittably he isn't the finished article...but if he was, he wouldn't be playing at this level !

 

62 appearances plus 10 as sub.

1 goal

Hardly any assists.

 

I fully agree he isn't the finished article. I just wish his "article" had started. Why the love affair with a non-delivering luxury? Seaborne provided more incisive passes today.

[woodsaint]

Back to adkins style of play....i remember reading what he said when he took over about making the pitch as small as possible when defending but to make it as big as possible when attacking, everyones an attacker when we have it he said....would explain wingers 'hugging' the sideline. Football is simple basics apparently.

[Thripp87]

schneiderlin is ****e end of rele. as the above poster comments he offers no creativity an no goal threat. Can someone please tell me one telling assist in the two and a bit years hes been at the club?

If a team is going to get promoted I reckon u need a good 15-20 goals from centre mid, with him an hammond (the terrible twosome) we will get nowhere near this. His delivery was also appauling today.

[Joensuu]

What do either Schneiderlin or Hammond offer?

 

Neither are attacking. Neither make runs into the box. Neither are good at long shots. Neither seem to flourish at set pieces. Neither are defensive. Neither take control of the centre. Neither put in enough tackles.

 

Both do frequently disappear, forcing Lambert and Lee to move back into midfield. Both also have brilliant sideways passes. Both are better than Pulis and Wotton.

[shurlock]

Schneiderlin has ability to step up - remember when he was first brought here, the Dutch duo thought he could play in the hole. Yesterday he made a couple of powerful breaks into the box (esp 2nd half)- likewise he was willing to take a shot on against MK Dons. I think this is one area in which Adkins impact has been immediate - i only expect Schneiderlin to become more and more comfortable going forward.

 

Its a legacy of Pards tactics, not arguably the personnel.

[up and away]

Yes he definately did not like the way the left side had shaped up hence removing Puncheon and Harding.

Thought Schneiderlin was awful today. He looks elegant on the ball but some of this free kicks and all round play was very poor.

 

Yep, this was not a plan B, this was get players on who could follow plan A. I always felt Schneiderlin flatters to deceive but the problem is compounded by Hammond going completely off the boil. I would like to see both central midfielders changed out for a game or two, but who with? I can't see the players in the squad capable of changing that around.

[iansums]

I was lucky enough to go to the game yesterday as a guest in hospitality. Adkins came up for an interview after the game. I've been to hospitality a fair few times now and this was the first time I'd seen the manager interviewed. He came across very well and interestingly made a pointed remark about moving away from AP's style of play. Had to laugh at the other interviews, Martin and Oxo. Both of them when asked what the new manager was like replied 'He's nice'.

 

Very impressed with the two subs, I hope they both start the next game. Something has to be done about Hammond, he offers nothing to the side.

[MarkSFC]

It was interesting today. Under Pardew this season the first 20 odd minutes were played at ultra high tempo and then we petered out to nothing.

Today I though in the first half we played some ok stuff on two or three occassions but at a much slower tempo.

 

In the 2nd half though I noticed a completely different team. They appeared to step up the pace and seemed more confident - I wonder if it was coincidence or magic words from Adkins - they played the simple ball quicker and the team seemed to move as a unit up and down the pitch better. Width was utilised whenever possible but there were also lots of balls in to the feet of mainly Barnard but also Rickie. When Holmes and Dickson came on we looked very potent down the left and it was great to see a double substitution, very positive stuff.

 

Of course the quality of play is no where neat but it was a bit Spainesque stylee.

 

Hammond although better in 2nd half is the weak link. An average tackler at best and an average passer at best. Seems to me he's never worked out whether he's a sitter or a runner, neither of which he's good enough at.

 

For me although the quality and consistancy is lacking I think Morgan showed glimpses of being very good. Got his foot in s few times and made (or looked to produce) some very good clever passes.

 

For me it's going to be fascinating how Adkins fits Lallana back in because so far he has put round pegs in round holes. Lallana playing left mid/winger is not that!!

 

After today though I am extremely confident that we have a clever manager in place, someone who plays football in a positive exciting way and is focussed on results.

 

We still need two or three more loanees but we will be right up there come May I have no doubt

 

excited again........

[JustMike]

i guess you missed his point blank save early in the 2nd half?

 

and then also his 2 quick fire saves in the last 4 mins?

 

he made 3 saves, the 1st wasnt until Holmes came on and almost scored with his 1st touch. That, for a team that scored for fun last season isnt enough

[St.JonB]

I would drop Hammond and play Puncheon as an attacking midfield player with Dickson on the left. I know Puncheon in inconsistant, but he gets involved and can be dangerous.

[Kingsland Red]

What was good after half time was that with width there were greater spaces opening up down the middle. Unfortunately Lambert kept going wide himself so it was left to Barnard to exploit them.

It may well be that individual flair players (eg Puncheon) are replaced by players who carry out instructions for the benefit of the team under NA and players like Puncheon are used as impact players late on.

 

I thought it was a much better approach to a 'park the bus' team than either Burley or Pardew managed as we were finding ways through, but just not finishing.

Keep up the good work NA.

[latter day saint]

I would drop Hammond and play Puncheon as an attacking midfield player with Dickson on the left. I know Puncheon in inconsistant, but he gets involved and can be dangerous.

been thinking along those lines as well.didn't he mostly play in that position for MK Dons before we signed him?

would also mean the left hand side would have a better balance to it with Dickson (or Holmes) hugging the line & allowing Harding to forge forward as well.

[ART]

There is an old saying that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. I believe this is very true in football with players. This is a major reason clubs have to go out and spend big money to get the type of player who fits into the mold a manager wants. This is a team built by Pardew, as the previous one was built by Burley, and so on. We spent a lot of money to get players who'd play the Pardew way. We now have to either play that way, and tinker about in small ways. Or, take the players who'll play the Adkins way and ship out the others. Looks to me from afar as if we're going to see a lot of unhappy bunnies, despite was Deano tells us on Saints Player.

Harry failed because Lowe wouldn't let him build his own team, now I fear Adkins is going to be up against the same thing with Cortese.

[Clifford Nelson]

Forgive me for believing that Puncheon is not the answer to our problems, he is one of the causes: He reduces the tempo by always wanting to take players on before he does anything with the ball, and if he still has got hold of it he hasn't got a clear idea what to do. Attacking midfielders needs to arrive late into the box with pace and clarity about what he is doing there. None of that seems to apply to Puncheon, so the reason for why he would suit that role escapes me totally.

 

Lallana scored his goals from coming in from the left with the ball at his right foot. He has got more attributes for playing the offensive midfield role because is is much more uncomplicated when he gets in the box. In any case I don't think NA is worrying too much about what to do with Lallana at the moment, but rather at what to do with the team right now. Adam is still a month away from returning to playing. Having found a way for how to create width to the left of the pitch, I'm sure that he is delighted. He is also smart enough to have spotted the obvious solution so quickly. A number of posters have been on about it for the best part of a year, but AP was dead set against the idea, and DW couldn't quite understand the problem. I will, sadly, always remember his solution of putting Guly, a right footed offensive midfielder, in that position as being an exceptionally inept solution.

 

Apart from the obivous difference of Morgan's skill with the 60 yard pass, both him and Hammond are very similar. Whether we are to persevere with 4-4-2 or hopefully becoming a bit more modern in our approach, we must change our approach in centre midfield. We have an offensive midfielder sitting on the bench with a record of 9 goals in 39 appearances in Serie B behind him. I would have thought that such a record was good enough for the third division here. Put him on and then assign either of the other two as a defensive partner to him if we want to carry on with the current formation.

 

However, I remember that the debate about the goal scoring midfielder has been going on in this club for many years. As soon as we buy them they stop scoring, somehow. Or we play them wide (Svensson), or leave them on the bench. It is strange that Hammond, with a reputation for goal scoring at Colchester, has dried up, so what have we done to restrict him? The other two we can hardly blame. Morgan has never scored, and Guly? Well, he's on the bench, of course.

[Turkish]

There is an old saying that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. I believe this is very true in football with players. This is a major reason clubs have to go out and spend big money to get the type of player who fits into the mold a manager wants. This is a team built by Pardew, as the previous one was built by Burley, and so on. We spent a lot of money to get players who'd play the Pardew way. We now have to either play that way, and tinker about in small ways. Or, take the players who'll play the Adkins way and ship out the others. Looks to me from afar as if we're going to see a lot of unhappy bunnies, despite was Deano tells us on Saints Player.

Harry failed because Lowe wouldn't let him build his own team, now I fear Adkins is going to be up against the same thing with Cortese.

 

I dont agree, i think Cortese will back Adkins, he is his manager, soley his decision to appoint him and i think he'll give him his full support.

[shurlock]

There is an old saying that you can't teach old dogs new tricks. I believe this is very true in football with players. This is a major reason clubs have to go out and spend big money to get the type of player who fits into the mold a manager wants. This is a team built by Pardew, as the previous one was built by Burley, and so on. We spent a lot of money to get players who'd play the Pardew way. We now have to either play that way, and tinker about in small ways. Or, take the players who'll play the Adkins way and ship out the others. Looks to me from afar as if we're going to see a lot of unhappy bunnies, despite was Deano tells us on Saints Player.

Harry failed because Lowe wouldn't let him build his own team, now I fear Adkins is going to be up against the same thing with Cortese.

 

Agree with the sentiment - once a system is fixed, its difficult for players to think or play outside it - easier to tweak it, rather than start afresh. still i would give the players a bit more credit - many have only been with the club since January -so the Pardew effect doesnt run that deep- while others played under different formations and styles at other clubs - take Lambert who was one of Pardew's first signings and turned into a big target man but was used to having the ball played into him on the ground at Brizzle.

 

Finally, its easy to overplay the difference between Pardew and Adkins - for instance, both believed/believe in getting the ball to the wings, even though Pardew used some odd personnel to fill those spots that left us quite narrow in reality.

Edited 19 September, 2010 by shurlock

[Clifford Nelson]

its easy to overplay the difference between Pardew and Adkins - for instance, both believed/believe in getting the ball to the wings, even though Pardew used some odd personnel to fill those spots that left us quite narrow in reality.

 

The word "quite" is probably an understatement, but you are right about Adkins and Pardew: Both english and schooled at english clubs. But it seems to me that Adkins is not quite as wed to a singular way of playing, and what is probably even more important here is that he doesn't seem to have any hang-ups about working in partnership with other people at the club, plus appreciating that his relationship with the boss is the most important relationship he has got. As we all know, p*ss off the boss and our days are likely to be numbered.

 

Pardew was an odd bird in that he introduces 4-5-1/4-3-3 as a way of playing, which was a major success, only to abandon it as soon as he got himself a second striker and only ever use it again as some kind of plan B until he abandoned it altogether. Odd!