What style of football should we play?

[Baby Ate My Eight Ball]

The style of football under Warnock has achieved us incredible results. It’s also far more direct than we’ve played for a long time. What would everyone like to see next season?

I don’t really like to watch long balls sailing over midfield. But I think the principle behind getting the ball forward quicker is something we should retain from the Warnock style.

Reading lost yesterday because they were trying to pass it across their 6 yard line and their players weren’t good enough to do it. To play that endless possession based football, you need to have really good players, and leave yourself open to a counter attack. The margins are too tight at this level to be giving away the initiative with risky passes in your own half.

I’d like to see us passing it forward quicker, better movement from the strikers taking them into the channels or dropping short to link up play. Being prepared to lose the ball further up the pitch in non-dangerous areas to try and get the ball nearer their goal. Looking to attack the goal to get a shot away rather than keeping possession to create the perfect opportunity.

[CurlyWurly]

Some Warnock games were appalling e.g Blackburn, in others I thought we really struck the right balance and played some ok stuff. The Sunderland game was probably the "nicest" and quite enjoyable to watch

[CurlyWurly]

May 9, 2023 14:08:32 GMT 1 CurlyWurly said:

Some Warnock games were appalling e.g Blackburn, in others I thought we really struck the right balance and played some ok stuff. The Sunderland game was probably the "nicest" and quite enjoyable to watch

P.s give me long ball over Fotheringhamball

[terrierZed]

As long as it’s not playing out from the back that’ll do me. Our defenders, as good as they are, just aren’t that comfortable doing it.

The most noticeable thing Warnock changed in his first game was this, and getting the ball forward as quickly as possible, either to feet of the midfielders or strikers, or knocked down the channels to gain ground.

No point passing the ball around the back for ages and letting the opposition resettle and press us into either making a mistake or eventually having to hoof it from the goalkeeper anyway!
All depends as to who we get as manager though I guess, a lot of the younger, more progressive managers tend to favour the tippy tappy football of playing out from the back unfortunately…if we have the players for it then great, but if the squad is similar to this year then best stick to NW’s tactics!

[kennyk2]

Ger it for'ard! This dick-dancing around at the back annoys me.

[sabailand]

Honestly dont care if we're regularly picking up points.

[Mastercracker]

Whilst I'd always favour something towards the passing/possession end of the 'scale', most of all I want a team that gets stuck in and isn't passive.

Wherever the press starts tactically, once it starts do it properly, get stuck in and leave it all out on the pitch. For a start, it doesn't half bring the crowd into the game when they feel the team is properly representing them.

[allan 1958 (OAF-WROY)(SSLFF)]

May 9, 2023 15:27:22 GMT 1 Mastercracker said:

Whilst I'd always favour something towards the passing/possession end of the 'scale', most of all I want a team that gets stuck in and isn't passive.

Wherever the press starts tactically, once it starts do it properly, get stuck in and leave it all out on the pitch. For a start, it doesn't half bring the crowd into the game when they feel the team is properly representing them.

I think that sums up what I want from my team, I don't want a city or chealea
Much prefer a Newcastle or Man u where they play attacking committed football and entertain. Promotion for me is a less lowwer priority

[midge]

May 9, 2023 15:49:52 GMT 1 allan 1958 (OAF-WROY)(SSLFF) said:

May 9, 2023 15:27:22 GMT 1 Mastercracker said:

Whilst I'd always favour something towards the passing/possession end of the 'scale', most of all I want a team that gets stuck in and isn't passive.

Wherever the press starts tactically, once it starts do it properly, get stuck in and leave it all out on the pitch. For a start, it doesn't half bring the crowd into the game when they feel the team is properly representing them.

I think that sums up what I want from my team, I don't want a city or chealea
Much prefer a Newcastle or Man u where they play attacking committed football and entertain. Promotion for me is a less lowwer priority

Love watching Newcastle- Man U are a terrible watch!

[allan 1958 (OAF-WROY)(SSLFF)]

May 9, 2023 15:58:56 GMT 1 midge said:

May 9, 2023 15:49:52 GMT 1 allan 1958 (OAF-WROY)(SSLFF) said:

I think that sums up what I want from my team, I don't want a city or chealea
Much prefer a Newcastle or Man u where they play attacking committed football and entertain. Promotion for me is a less lowwer priority

Love watching Newcastle- Man U are a terrible watch!

In their prime non better including Barcelona, city, juve et al. Not a red but when they were good they were very good

[upthetown]

A style of football that isn’t based around 70% of the game being spent passing between our centre backs, Hogg and then losing possession.

A style of football in which we create more chances (like we did in the second half a number of times).

A mix of pressing and standing off when out of possession - not just letting their centre backs walk the ball to the middle of our half, but, not always over pressing and leaving ourselves exposed.

I would like us to control the ball a bit better, a bit more possession, but not needless possession of sideways and backwards with little attacking intent. Look to play the ball forwards, pass and move. Give the player in possession options. Etc.

[themanfromatlantis]

Strangely enough, pretty much the same defence coped with playing it out from the back in the 21/22 season.

The problem this season was the midfield conceding too much possession and loading the pressure on the defence. We then concede goals which decimated the confidence.

NW and Jepson brought that confidence back to a large degree, but did take pressure off the defence by making sure a large percentage of the game was played 50yds from our back 4.

When the better teams pressed us, the fact the back 4 had that relief valve meant they were able to repel most of the attacks (thinking mainly of Boro and Blackburn here).

Quite basic but effective for us in our situation. If we can bolster the midfield next season, get the confidence of those lads built up a bit more, we might see more of a tactical mix.

It’s hard to underestimate what O’ Brien brought to the team. He didn’t concede a great deal of possession and was great at winning FK’s, with the occasional bit of shithousing to do that. If we can get the likes of Rudoni, Kasumu and Camara doing similar then I think we’ll be OK. Just the striker to sort.

If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

[Christ in Shades (art)]

A lot of people criticise Warnock as being a dinosaur, which is unfair because his teams can mix it, as we have shown, he had them playing with a lot of desire, graft and fire but with a bit of football thrown in, nothing wrong with being more direct.

We'd like to see the retaining of the desire, graft and fire next season coupled with a bit more panache, not like Swansea, who are, in reality absolutely so boring to watch. So a bit of everything, I do think it's better to move the ball forward quickly though, it was refreshing to see.

[detox]

I never, ever want to see us faffing around at the back again.

And I don't much like the 'block defence' that NW applied, although I understand the need for it at the time.

Some have said NW played the long ball game but but I don't see that at all..it's merely playing safe at the back when the opponents are playing a high press..and besides if you've got some pace in the team,why not ?

I've enjoyed our higher energy game, especially from midfield who have worked really hard, plus we've been able to string a few passes together in tight corners too which has been refreshing.

I suppose I'm looking for an attack minded team, with some good energy in the middle and a solid no nonsense defence who don't fart around. If we could add a genuine striker up top, and a 'general' in midfield I'd be happy with the teams NW has been putting out...

[ACW]

As long as you have a midfield prepared to move, find space and receive the ball, you can play passing football out from the back without playing too many passes in your own half.

And the defenders don't have to be great passers either. Jon Dyson and Kevin Gray both played in our great attacking team that passed the ball out from the back in 1999-2000. As did Chris Lucketti. None were very good on the ball, but they had a very good midfield infront of them that was prepared to receive the ball from them and make things happen further up the pitch.

Some Town fans are very blinkered when it comes to passing out from the back. They think it's always "pissing about" when it can launch attacks quickly and effectively when done correctly. It only becomes "pissing about" when the defenders have no out ball.

What I will say though, is that I'm not a fan of these short passes in the box. When I talk about playing out from the back I mean the goalie passing/throwing the ball out to players in space who can receive the ball and move forward.

[Million Dollar Babies]

Like Coventry would do nicely

[jqhtfc]

To play any sort of decent football will need a midfielder in who’s decent on the ball

[ACW]

May 9, 2023 20:45:19 GMT 1 Million Dollar Babies said:

Like Coventry would do nicely

Yes, Robins seems to have got them playing decent passing football without the endless, pointless possession you see from teams like Swansea.

[Million Dollar Babies]

May 9, 2023 20:45:43 GMT 1 jqhtfc said:

To play any sort of decent football will need a midfielder in who’s decent on the ball

Scott High

[harrychrishner]

May 9, 2023 15:11:25 GMT 1 sabailand said:

Honestly dont care if we're regularly picking up points.

honestly have to agree with this. Otherwise Brazil style 1970 would be ok

[philstarbuckscoffee]

May 9, 2023 13:53:05 GMT 1 Baby Ate My Eight Ball said:

The style of football under Warnock has achieved us incredible results. It’s also far more direct than we’ve played for a long time. What would everyone like to see next season?

I don’t really like to watch long balls sailing over midfield. But I think the principle behind getting the ball forward quicker is something we should retain from the Warnock style.

Reading lost yesterday because they were trying to pass it across their 6 yard line and their players weren’t good enough to do it. To play that endless possession based football, you need to have really good players, and leave yourself open to a counter attack. The margins are too tight at this level to be giving away the initiative with risky passes in your own half.

I’d like to see us passing it forward quicker, better movement from the strikers taking them into the channels or dropping short to link up play. Being prepared to lose the ball further up the pitch in non-dangerous areas to try and get the ball nearer their goal. Looking to attack the goal to get a shot away rather than keeping possession to create the perfect opportunity.

Great topic to debate. I agree with the not playing out from the back. I’m too nervous whenever I see Town do it! Seriously though I like getting the ball forward quickly and it doesn’t have to be a lump forward, just hitting wide players early so they can beat their man rather than getting the ball wide when the opposition have had chance to get everyone back.

I think a lot of next seasons tactics/approach will be influenced by who we have up top to lead the line. Someone with more pace or physicality than what we have had this season could help facilitate a change in style.

I’m always one to be excited in the pre season but find the prospect of the new regime as a very exciting time for us fans. UTT

[htafc]

style of football i think it depends on how comfortable the players are with the ball at their feet and end product so it depends on the players that we have

[Baby Ate My Eight Ball]

May 9, 2023 20:58:13 GMT 1 philstarbuckscoffee said:

May 9, 2023 13:53:05 GMT 1 Baby Ate My Eight Ball said:

The style of football under Warnock has achieved us incredible results. It’s also far more direct than we’ve played for a long time. What would everyone like to see next season?

I don’t really like to watch long balls sailing over midfield. But I think the principle behind getting the ball forward quicker is something we should retain from the Warnock style.

Reading lost yesterday because they were trying to pass it across their 6 yard line and their players weren’t good enough to do it. To play that endless possession based football, you need to have really good players, and leave yourself open to a counter attack. The margins are too tight at this level to be giving away the initiative with risky passes in your own half.

I’d like to see us passing it forward quicker, better movement from the strikers taking them into the channels or dropping short to link up play. Being prepared to lose the ball further up the pitch in non-dangerous areas to try and get the ball nearer their goal. Looking to attack the goal to get a shot away rather than keeping possession to create the perfect opportunity.

Great topic to debate. I agree with the not playing out from the back. I’m too nervous whenever I see Town do it! Seriously though I like getting the ball forward quickly and it doesn’t have to be a lump forward, just hitting wide players early so they can beat their man rather than getting the ball wide when the opposition have had chance to get everyone back.

I think a lot of next seasons tactics/approach will be influenced by who we have up top to lead the line. Someone with more pace or physicality than what we have had this season could help facilitate a change in style.

I’m always one to be excited in the pre season but find the prospect of the new regime as a very exciting time for us fans. UTT

You point on the striker is a good one. Would like to see us spend good money, whatever that is for the new owner, on a proper number 9.

Like Gyokeres for Cov or when Wilson signed for Bournemouth - can run the channels, hold it up and give the defence a physical battle as well as score goals.

[KingNeil]

Winning football

Whatever gets us 3 points

[omegasupreme]

May 9, 2023 13:53:05 GMT 1 Baby Ate My Eight Ball said:

The style of football under Warnock has achieved us incredible results. It’s also far more direct than we’ve played for a long time. What would everyone like to see next season?

I don’t really like to watch long balls sailing over midfield. But I think the principle behind getting the ball forward quicker is something we should retain from the Warnock style.

Reading lost yesterday because they were trying to pass it across their 6 yard line and their players weren’t good enough to do it. To play that endless possession based football, you need to have really good players, and leave yourself open to a counter attack. The margins are too tight at this level to be giving away the initiative with risky passes in your own half.

I’d like to see us passing it forward quicker, better movement from the strikers taking them into the channels or dropping short to link up play. Being prepared to lose the ball further up the pitch in non-dangerous areas to try and get the ball nearer their goal. Looking to attack the goal to get a shot away rather than keeping possession to create the perfect opportunity.

Too many managers nowadays think that anything other than pissing about at the back is long ball.

Couldn’t care less how we play so long as it compliments the team to get the best results possible.

[alfredsterrier]

Most fans only complain about the style of football when the team is losing.
Surely no one minds if the team wins more than it loses or draws?
Pass and move and at a pace that means the opposition don’t have all the time in the world to get back in formation.
There is also a snobbery about style.
Critics will call Warnock for example a long ball merchant but when Pep gets his team knocking it long it’s classed as a long pass and everyone says it’s the best thing in the world.

[ebargum]

OMG. Surely a poll would be better?...

[isitjustme]

A style suited to the players we have. No point trying to play attractive passing football if the players we have can't pass water....!!!

[Gag_N_Bone_Man]

Quick one and two touch football with natural width by default, with at least one midfielder capable of occasionally mixing the pace up by putting their foot on the ball and changing the tempo.

[k1man999]

Winning football