Some things remain the same

[Shabby Russian]

despite who the manager is.

A propensity to throw away points late in the game. I might be wrong and mis remembering a game or two, but since the start of last season, there have been 7 games where the result of the game changed in injury time...all changing negatively from our perspective. I can't remember the last time we scored in injury time to positively alter a result.

Also we are under performing on xg, both for goals scored and conceeded. I know loads of fans hate xg stats  but over a period of time they do inform on a teams strengths and weaknesses. Successful teams usually out perform their xg stats because they have players who can provide quality when it matters.We seem to fold when it matters .

Have no idea what the solution is....other than get better players.

[Lurker#3]

The solution is better coaching over a period of time. In his first interviews Ramsay was informed that our squad has ran more than any other in the league this year and whilst saying it was a good place to start, he quickly changed his narrative towards 'efficiency'.

I have posted a lot about our chances this year often coming after moments of individual quality and/or after somebody has ran 40/50 yards. This isn't optimal condition for a player to execute a final pass or finish. The same happens in defence. If your disorganised have too much space between the lines, regardless of how high or deep your block is, you have to use too much energy to press and also to recover and close down space and passing lanes so when the team has to perform a defensive action they are often shattered.

We need to get back to being meticulously coached, compact and efficient in both sides of the game. That's why we had such a good record later in games under CC and why those fishy cunts down the road are so good as games wear on. Top class coaching and organisation.

[CIM]

Early days but it felt very similar. Play poorly for 60 mins. Forced into charges. Play well for 30 mins. Concede late goal.
Some red flags. The ultra negative set up in the first half where we sat far too deep and invited them on. If nothing else this side have shown that we are far better when on the front foot rather than when we sit back. Maybe it's a coaching exercise to learn the art of effective counter attack. Do we have the players for that? Not sure over the long term fans will appreciate the set up we had in the first half. Felt very Pulis-like.
What's the future for arguably our 2 best players this season, Johnston and Grant? Neither wing backs. And Grant never looks right when he plays centrally.
Difficult to judge too much at this stage though as he's only been here a few days.

[Johnny akes]

Just said on another thread that maybe Grant could be tried in the RWB position, he’s right footed and has the engine for it. Takes away some of his attacking potential but he hasn’t exactly been prolific in either the goals or assists departments this season.

[CIM]

Should we shoe horn players into a 5 at the back system if we don't have those players? Would hope the manager was flexible enough to play a system to suit the players.

[Lurker#3]

Should we shoe horn players into a 5 at the back system if we don't have those players? Would hope the manager was flexible enough to play a system to suit the players.

He went to a back 4 at HT for 20 or so minutes. 

Formation does not matter as much as having the right balance of player profiles on the pitch. 

For the most part we had that balance yesterday. Whether the players really executed things properly or the tactics were spot on is obviously another discussion. 

The most enjoyable thing was the way he tried to alter things tactically throughout the game and was both proactive and also reactive in a timely manner.

[Josh1873]

I've no issues with the 3-5-2 formation.

I'd possibly start with the same XI, but replace MJ with Wallace, on Tuesday. Fitness and injuries permitting.

Maybe replace Mepham for Campbell, too?

So I wouldn't start with the same XI. But you know what I mean!

[Old Fart]

not trying to be a know-all but I said many times that the amount of energy we expended in playing tippy-tappy in our own half for extended periods under Mason was ridiculous.

Added to that we used to do a high press with just  Hegge alone in their half was a total waste of time and effort. 

You either all press or retreat to your own half and stay compact which is what we did last night.  It saves a lot of energy.

[Lurker#3]

not trying to be a know-all but I said many times that the amount of energy we expended in playing tippy-tappy in our own half for extended periods under Mason was ridiculous.

Added to that we used to do a high press with just  Hegge alone in their half was a total waste of time and effort. 

You either all press or retreat to your own half and stay compact which is what we did last night.  It saves a lot of energy.

Spot on mate.

[EastMidsBaggie]

despite who the manager is.

A propensity to throw away points late in the game. I might be wrong and mis remembering a game or two, but since the start of last season, there have been 7 games where the result of the game changed in injury time...all changing negatively from our perspective. I can't remember the last time we scored in injury time to positively alter a result.

Also we are under performing on xg, both for goals scored and conceeded. I know loads of fans hate xg stats  but over a period of time they do inform on a teams strengths and weaknesses. Successful teams usually out perform their xg stats because they have players who can provide quality when it matters.We seem to fold when it matters .

Have no idea what the solution is....other than get better players.

Maybe the one positive is that ER has saw a microcosm of our season; good, bad, indifferent and late collapses!