Carrick Annoyed......

[Ipad1977]

That’s the first time I’ve seen McNair taking the goal kicks by passing it to Steffen, wonder why we decided to do that?

I imagine because one thing Burnley seemed to excel at the most was reducing passing options by clever positioning. More than any other side I've watched this season.

Normally we can pass it out from the back easier as most sides either A) Try and let the pass be played then use physical force to bully players off the ball, often dealt with by anticipating the challenge coming and seeing and getting the next pass away earlier B) Sit deep and use numbers to crowd a smaller area, meaning that the initial passes out are more than available.

Burnley have players with the skill and nous to not resort to doing either of those things, reasoning that if a keeper can't pass out effectively from a goal kick then there's far less of any kind of forward progression to worry about. And they're good at applying this logic.

Us starting with McNair for the kick meant that they effectively had to concentrate on his pass-lines to players further forward. If none were on, he'd then pass it to Steffen, changing those lines, so trying to open one up.

 

[changingman]

Noticed Carricks gesture first half as well. Definitely aimed towards the support as he half turned his back on the pitch whilst doing so.

As I mentioned on here a few weeks back I do wonder how much elite level football our average fan watches (European leagues etc) as they certainly seem almost completely unaware of how modern football is played.

 

[Diego]

Yep, we’ve been found out and the wheels are starting to come off. Won’t be a good place if we don’t beat Bristol City on Monday.

I said after the Huddersfield game that we don’t have a plan B, other than throwing a midfielder on to play up front.

Jesus Christ was a miserable sod. Wheels starting to come off give it a rest

 

[Willow]

Jesus Christ was a miserable sod.

Hardly surprising, he was nailed to a cross yesterday.

 

[Transitarmy]

At one time, Steff knocked the ball to Howson, he passes wide to Giles and between Giles, Hackney and Ramsey, a few short passes, eventually losing possession and Burnley nearly score. Of course its Steff's fault, according to the woman behind me, and we should get rid, the sooner the better.

 

[Hazzinho]

I think a lot of our fans just want to ball pumped up the pitch even if it comes to nothing. I see the runaway leaders like to play from the back and take chances too, maybe there's something in this?

Can't believe all the moaning after the last few months, it's been great to watch.

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

“Get rid”

”Faster”

Time after time. The edginess with Stefan and our distribution strategy in the fans everywhere last night was palpable. And yet when in the one or two occasions we hoofed it up field we lost possession. We will never educate amateur football minds to accept it it seems.

Oh and by the way Burnleys keeper was the same and on one or two occasions got into trouble but in the main they kept possession.

 

[Chutney]

Burnley weren't really getting drawn onto Steffan last night. They were standing 30 or 40 meters off him, forcing him to go long.

Exactly this. He waits for them to pressure him then passes through to take them out the game.

Except Burnley didn't fall for it.

 

[Teesste]

Not read the entire thread so it may already have been mentioned.


Criticising ZS for his general goalkeeping ability, or shot stopping, commanding his box etc is one thing but he can’t be criticised for simply playing his part in the way Carrick wants us to play.

A large portion of our fans absolutely do need educating that the way we play out is very deliberate and they need to stop screaming every time we invite pressure in the box.

We are 6 months in to playing this way and as a team and individuals we will mistakes but we will get better at it. The long term benefit will outweigh the short term set backs.

Alternatively we could go back to Pulis ball if you prefer?

 

[dribble]

Burnley weren't really getting drawn onto Steffan last night. They were standing 30 or 40 meters off him, forcing him to go long.

Exactly this. He waits for them to pressure him then passes through to take them out the game.

Except Burnley didn't fall for it.

Burnley didn’t have to press, they were 1-0 up, they would have let Steffen stand with the ball for the rest of the match.It works when you’re winning and the opposition is trying to get back into the game but when you’re behind they can just sit back .

 

[locomansimon]

Very few.

Could probably count the goals he's responsible for on one hand.

A very poor shot to save ratio I would think, we don't keep many clean sheets.

 

[locomansimon]

So you can recall one. Now count how many moves he’s started from which we’ve scored.

Count how many saves he should have comfortably made, poor keeper!

 

[HolgateCorner]

I imagine because one thing Burnley seemed to excel at the most was reducing passing options by clever positioning. More than any other side I've watched this season.

Normally we can pass it out from the back easier as most sides either A) Try and let the pass be played then use physical force to bully players off the ball, often dealt with by anticipating the challenge coming and seeing and getting the next pass away earlier B) Sit deep and use numbers to crowd a smaller area, meaning that the initial passes out are more than available.

Burnley have players with the skill and nous to not resort to doing either of those things, reasoning that if a keeper can't pass out effectively from a goal kick then there's far less of any kind of forward progression to worry about. And they're good at applying this logic.

Us starting with McNair for the kick meant that they effectively had to concentrate on his pass-lines to players further forward. If none were on, he'd then pass it to Steffen, changing those lines, so trying to open one up.

Plus McNair is not the most confident of players in that situation, he’s not known for being a ‘playmaker’ for want of an old fashioned expression, he can’t pick out a pass particularly well.

 

[locomansimon]

And how many games of professional football have these fans played or managed in?

I trust the judgement of Carrick over them. We have been one of the most in form teams in the country recently so it’s clearly working.

But yes let’s listen to the fans and ask the keeper to hoof it to our under 6 foot striker. Sure that will work

Should he start consulting the fans on what the line up should be for the next game, or what formation we should start using?

Why do you have to have been a professional footballer to have a legitimate opinion on a game or player, I've watched us since 1967, I think I may have picked up a little knowledge in that time !

 

[Philly-Red]

Why do you have to have been a professional footballer to have a legitimate opinion on a game or player, I've watched us since 1967, I think I may have picked up a little knowledge in that time !

Not necessarily, judging by some of the comments I hear at the ground.

 

[locomansimon]

“Get rid”

”Faster”

Time after time. The edginess with Stefan and our distribution strategy in the fans everywhere last night was palpable. And yet when in the one or two occasions we hoofed it up field we lost possession. We will never educate amateur football minds to accept it it seems.

Oh and by the way Burnleys keeper was the same and on one or two occasions got into trouble but in the main they kept possession.

If the passing out from the back isn't working or is slow and predictable as last night why not try the long ball to turn the defenders, we have pacey players that can run on to a ball.

 

[Chutney]

Burnley didn’t have to press, they were 1-0 up, they would have let Steffen stand with the ball for the rest of the match.It works when you’re winning and the opposition is trying to get back into the game but when you’re behind they can just sit back .

That was happening at 0-0 as well though.

 

[Otto42]

I thought Burnley pressed at the right times, rather than to our advantage, similar to Brighton, it’s what the better teams do and we are still a work in progress. Kompany had a full pre season to get Burnley playing how he wants, judge Carrick after the summer and another transfer window.

We created half chances first half when we kept the ball and at the start of the second, once Crooks came on and we started going longer we only created the one chance at the end. It is what it is, as Mowbray says, we struggle against the better sides, which is to be expected and we are learning.

 

[Centralscrutinizer]

Honestly, I do think some of our fans are especially bad when it comes to whinging constantly about players and the team. Like just negative to the point of parody sometimes, moaning on constantly, historically had a thing with singling out specific players to target and moan about constantly. It's very strange. By and large for the last, what, 6-7 months, we've had very little to moan about but still people find a way to go way over the top when there's even the slightest blip.

It's been a very frustrating period for some of our fellow supporters with hardly anything to whine about so lots of pent up energy when there is a blip

 

[Bristol-boro]

Some people will not realise what Steffen brings to this team until he is not here. Because of the style that we play you will always get the moments like QPR like West Brom. But how many times does his calmness on the ball take 3 or 4 attackers out the game and puts us onto the front foot? I wouldn't swap him for any other keeper in the championship for our style of play. The ball to Forss towards the end of the game was absolutely sublime as well and could have easily ended in an equaliser for us.