One Up Front podcast - Wrexham review

[dannyboy]

In this episode i'm joined by Matt from the Racecourse Ramble Youtube channel and podcast to discuss his views on yesterdays game. We cover lots of ground including:


Salford's domination of the first half

Their use of deep corners and crosses

How Salford's squad look much more comfortable playing Robinson's direct and physical style

Wrexham's issues with keeping possession upfield due to the distances between midfield and attacking groups

Wrexham's continuing struggles away from home

Matt's pick of the the three standout performers in the Salford team

Matt's view of Wrexham's prospects for the remainder of the season

And as always, much, much more besides.......

Here’s the link:

open.spotify.com/episode/4qKccpx2RkO7Xy9cbokmXb?si=acUJRZO6TJGCw5RYc0z6uA

[je85]

Bit late to the Wrexham pod - great listen with some interesting points as ever. I must admit I wasn’t surprised the clubs preference in season was to not have the coach talk to an independent podcast over a fans forum - especially if they are filming bits for the docudrama at Christmas again. But I agree it would be great to get an explainer on what tactical shifts he has made versus the former HC.

One thing that came across not so much from yourself, but heard a few opposition contributors in various chats suggest that we are a Big Sam-esq long ball team - personally this misconception of “direct” football is becoming my biggest football irritation. I don’t do HOOFBALL! Nor do I think the direct nature of what KR has us doing is remotely accurate. Last weekend I think the main objective was around disrupting Wrexham’s rhythm and taking Elliot Lee and Evans effectiveness to work the passing circuits and off ball movement out of the game. I thought Watson’s performance against Lee was as textbook a man making job I have seen up close all season at any level.

In my mind - The game last week isn’t the best example of how we have changed under KR, but looking at the 5 games in the round the bigger changes are we want to be higher up the pitch, we get 4-6 bodies in the box in every attack, and we get the ball forward quicker. The physicality struggles Wrexham fans and especially their manager were bleating about (not a sheep sh**ger reference I promise) could only in my mind be attributed to the battles with Luamba, Watson, Tilt, Theo and N’Mai exclusively with Bolton at the end. Unlike the Wrexham consensus I don’t think that should be levelled at Smith in his aerial duels for example. It’s not like Salford went out there to top and ‘Simeone’ them - far from it.

I think it’s a false narrative to suggest we only muscle teams to stick our laces through the ball and hope - actually try doing that from the bottom of the centre circle upto an opponents box with 21 bodies in the way, we would get no where and wouldn’t be scoring the types of goals we are. Our play is more transitional now but it’s less about long balls, by being higher up the pitch territorially we can play more passes into McAleny or Smith with a back to goal and because we have willing runners in Luamba and N’Mai or John the angles of those runs open up the middle of the pitch. You teach 12-16 year olds this sort of stuff for Saturday/Sunday morning games. We have a high degree of technical ability in the group, the fact we are applying simple football concepts to get forward shouldn’t in my mind be lazily labelled direct with negative connotations.

I am looking forward to the next three games because we will have to go about each game differently. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hendry start in the week with N’Mai and Luamba across the front replacing Smith and McAleny because DRFC were soo poor against the extra man in midfield in the reverse fixture. Today and Next Saturday load up with experience over speed maybe the way to go. My point is KR is clearly going one game at a time and making each game about what’s required to beat that specific opponent to move us further away from bottom of the league. Ultimately it’s working and to suggest this brand of “direct” is negative sounds like sour grapes from opponents and isn’t accurate at all. It’s almost as reductive as blaming the pitch Phil Parkinson…

[alanb]

A great read, clearly put. Even I - as one who is useless at positioning and tactics - could follow that. And it made perfect sense.

[chipbarm]

Frankly Wrexham fans can do one. What do they want us to do, roll over and let them overrun us? We were strong and committed and as JE rightly says the biggest difference under KR is we play higher up the pitch. Our defensive line is higher which consequently pushes our midfield and attack further forward. Danny's point about regains high up is a good one too as we did it several times last week. Both our centre backs plus Watt and Smith made the L2 team of the week and KR was the TOTW coach so we are doing something right. I once heard someone say there is a world of difference between aimless hoofs upfield and controlled, direct long passing. I would say that's what we do.

Oh and Parkinson can do one too!