I think it’s about playing the cards you are dealt. The cards he has right now in his first eleven definitely aren’t the ones he’d have chosen given a blank piece of paper. So I’m happy that the “stumbled upon” is accurate.
But he’s playing those cards beautifully and the environment he seems to have created amongst this group of players is phenomenal.
And there have been some brilliant mangers who have done very similar things. We were heading home in the first round of Mexico ‘86 until Robson (shoulder) and Wilkins (suspended) had to be replaced by Hodge and Reid whereupon we suddenly looked the best side in the tournament.
Alex Ferguson owes his longevity at Man Utd to back ups players Mark Robins and Lee Martin. Villa probably won the European Cup because Jimmy Rimmer got injured. Etc etc.
I’m fine with stumbling upon a winning formula and I’m ecstatic that our manager has created an environment where he’s playing this hand fantastically well. Virtually perfectly in fact. And it’s nice to hear that those who listen to games on ifollow suggest that whoever is on co comms (think it was DD yesterday) underscore what a super atmosphere there is around the place.
I saw two comments from Donny fans about the possession. One said that it is literally our game plan to let them have the ball. The other commented on the fact that we didn’t press their defenders on short goal kicks so they couldn’t give the ball to the midfielder who would dictate the play which in turn wrecked their gameplan. They were complimentary with the discipline of our strikers not to get drawn in to it. Sounds like we worked them out a treat.
He’s doing a lot right , no doubt about it and hats off to him , it’s turning into an extremely impressive first season in charge .
But that doesn’t preclude the possibility that he might have stumbled upon his best starting eleven through unforeseen circumstances ( ie injuries ) and also this recent more fluid style of play which the new back 3 has aided .
From what I’ve seen Ken he’s tried to play a 3-5-2 system with an energetic press. Some games he’s had to adapt that either during a game where we were being overwhelmed, or because of injuries.
I’m no expert on the nuances of the modern game, but that’s how it has appeared to me.
Yes, possibly. I can see that, but then look at the defender marking Faal.
Don’t know how the linesman could be so confident is all I’m saying and I thought the benefit of the doubt went to the attacking team (or have I imagined that?)
Still buzzing after yesterday - a few more thoughts:
Waddock in particular seems more involved now - shouting instructions from the bench.
One the Donny players seemed to leave an elbow in on Liam Gordon at the end to the match. Liam went down briefly - but immediately sprang back up - looked like he was going to retaliate against the Donny player. Jack Earing pushed/wrestled him away. Great to see that togetherness with the team all looking out for one another.
We’re still got a big injury list. DD, Farq, DJ, Osh and I think HW and Oteh. 4 of those are big,or should be big first team players - makes this run even more remarkable.
Big credit to Trivela. In previous seasons I think the club would have off loaded Jamma in Jan. We kept him on and he’s repaying our faith - some top draw performances recently - though of the 5 wins I think Donny was possibly Jamma’s worst match for us. Still think he should start though - what a player - credit to Trivela and him.
It would also suggest then, that he has stumbled on it twice in 3 months.
In December/ New Year we beat Notts county and Grimsby away, and Tranmere, Wrexham and Crewe at home, losing away to Accrington during that run. It could be argued that those results were at least as impressive as the recent ones ( bar accy) and that it was the start of something good, which has been built on.
In those games, we had DD, The Priest, Oisin, Freddie and Ryan Stirk all featuring.
My impression is that Sadler puts thought into the opposition, how to stop them playing the way they want to and it has worked in several matches. We don’t notice it much as supporters because we do not usually know the strengths of the other team.
In addition, our discipline is excellent - we are getting far fewer yellow cards - even Knowles has had a few games without one - and the way Liam Gordon was held back by his team-mates yesterday (instead of them piling in on his side) was a very good sign.
By the way, Doncaster did get a bit narked towards the end and the foul on Gordon was only one of several that went beyond the normal rough and tumble.
Sadler has done what I suggested (obviously not personally) - but more what I wanted to see.
Told ya
Very happy chappy. I personally didn’t think Sadler would have changed it, but the injuries have forced him into this way of playing; but importantly the shift mid December (post Alfreton) to Earing and Hutch has been the game changer for me.
That’s not true though is it. You were banging on about more possession earlier in the season yet we’ve won the last 5 with less possession than the other team in each game.
You mocked me when I suggested we were trying to implement a style winning the ball high up the pitch, yet how did our first goal arise yesterday? Yep. Liam Gordon winning the ball high up the pitch.
Shame you can’t admit you were wrong. Might help make yourself looking less silly in the future.
I do agree though that Earing and Hutchinson have been very influential in our good run; with Comley they have been outstanding.
We disagree about McEntee in midfield but, when he did play there, he was far from being defensive and was a goal threat. I don’t think Sadler would have played Comley and Kinsella together and certainly not with a back 3.
Somehow he has managed to make our defence stronger while increasing our goal threat. I don’t buy that he was forced by injuries into his best team but I do wonder if having such young players makes it easier to get them to play as you want them to.
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