One Up Front podcast - Colchester review

[dannyboy]

This episode includes:

Analysis of why the team got off to such a slow start in the game

A look at the 2-4-4 and 4-2-1-3 formations Salford used in the game

A comparison between Neil Wood's footballing priorities and those of Karl Robinson

Discussion of Karl Robinson and Danny Cowley's post match interviews

Fan contributions from Faith Brooks and Martin@CitizenOneill

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

Here’s the link:

open.spotify.com/episode/4y5P1tyNTAGN2OB61WbU5z?si=3e7lvHuCQEeG8x_uY6NMLg

[je85]

You’ve had a nightmare here Danny… lol I am only joking it’s not that bad, they could’ve done their own research tbf it’s not hard to look at the investment firms website and see how this might play out. You did sound very Scooby Doo bad guy though when explaining the below, to the point I was expecting a ‘pesky kids twisting my words…’ to close the segment.

www.salfordnow.co.uk/2024/02/27/i-dont-understand-why-anybody-would-want-to-invest-in-salford-fans-react-to-salford-citys-plans-for-external-investment/

Whilst listening to the pod my overarching thought was - is this the most compromised an eleven we have seen all season? If not ever during our time in the EFL. I am not 100% on what our strongest XI is anymore or what more can be done in the current situation - it’s tough to keep up with who is and isn’t available. Appreciate injuries, suspensions and heart conditions were a Wood issue as much as Robinson is facing, but I think there is an argument to say it’s worse today than at any point previous.

Must admit playing Hendry and or McAleny left of centre but not quite out wide is a clever work around to make us more compact centrally because we have no midfielders that are fully fit beyond Watt and Watson. We only really have true width on the left with N’Mai. I like Declan John but I watch him sometimes usually when Garbutt has gone off and he is too knackered to run the overlaps on our left and it just seems like a massive waste against a tiring RB with Matt Smith centrally. It’s the same on the right with Luamba or Malcolm as of last night, the focus was to tuck in as opposed to stay high up for the Smith flick on. It feels cautious and necessary which for many who want to see a positive brand of football must be irritating.

I think the slightly more compact shape and being higher up the pitch is contributing to us lumping the ball around but it feels natural in the current predicament. Personally I have abandoned my tactical preferences with Salford since KR said he was going to change it up every week to get the points required to stay in the league. Beyond that I am intrigued to see how Robinson goes into next season. I am expecting a 4-3-3 with Luamba right, N’Mai left and Callum Hendry as a False9/deep lying striker type role dropping into the middle to set balls into midfield to then ping over to the wide men so they can run in behind. This would be similar to what Arteta is doing with Martinelli and Saka, whilst deploying Harvertz and Odergaard as False 9s supported by Ben White inverting off the RB position. Arsenal then can get +1 against back fours in transition or when applying a press to pin the opposition back line. Was really effective against both Liverpool and Newcastle.

Anyway on to Gillingham, Only 13 games to go then we are free of this wretched season.

[chipbarm]

Feb 28, 2024 23:27:47 GMT je85 said:

You’ve had a nightmare here Danny… lol I am only joking it’s not that bad, they could’ve done their own research tbf it’s not hard to look at the investment firms website and see how this might play out. You did sound very Scooby Doo bad guy though when explaining the below, to the point I was expecting a ‘pesky kids twisting my words…’ to close the segment.

www.salfordnow.co.uk/2024/02/27/i-dont-understand-why-anybody-would-want-to-invest-in-salford-fans-react-to-salford-citys-plans-for-external-investment/

Whilst listening to the pod my overarching thought was - is this the most compromised an eleven we have seen all season? If not ever during our time in the EFL. I am not 100% on what our strongest XI is anymore or what more can be done in the current situation - it’s tough to keep up with who is and isn’t available. Appreciate injuries, suspensions and heart conditions were a Wood issue as much as Robinson is facing, but I think there is an argument to say it’s worse today than at any point previous.

Must admit playing Hendry and or McAleny left of centre but not quite out wide is a clever work around to make us more compact centrally because we have no midfielders that are fully fit beyond Watt and Watson. We only really have true width on the left with N’Mai. I like Declan John but I watch him sometimes usually when Garbutt has gone off and he is too knackered to run the overlaps on our left and it just seems like a massive waste against a tiring RB with Matt Smith centrally. It’s the same on the right with Luamba or Malcolm as of last night, the focus was to tuck in as opposed to stay high up for the Smith flick on. It feels cautious and necessary which for many who want to see a positive brand of football must be irritating.

I think the slightly more compact shape and being higher up the pitch is contributing to us lumping the ball around but it feels natural in the current predicament. Personally I have abandoned my tactical preferences with Salford since KR said he was going to change it up every week to get the points required to stay in the league. Beyond that I am intrigued to see how Robinson goes into next season. I am expecting a 4-3-3 with Luamba right, N’Mai left and Callum Hendry as a False9/deep lying striker type role dropping into the middle to set balls into midfield to then ping over to the wide men so they can run in behind. This would be similar to what Arteta is doing with Martinelli and Saka, whilst deploying Harvertz and Odergaard as False 9s supported by Ben White inverting off the RB position. Arsenal then can get +1 against back fours in transition or when applying a press to pin the opposition back line. Was really effective against both Liverpool and Newcastle.

Anyway on to Gillingham, Only 13 games to go then we are free of this wretched season.

Even better news for you, there's only 11 left now 😉

[je85]

Good point chip