Problems up front??

[Dr Balls]

This lack of goals recently has also affected Wells. Remember before the 2 penalties he hadn’t scored a goal for 8 matches. With the exception of our recent run playing 4-3-3, our better runs up front since Nige has been in charge have been with 2 upfront and Weimann, playing in behind, whether the 2 were Martin and Semenyo or Wells and Conway. 

Just playing one through the middle upfront can be hard for that player, especially if the team doesn’t play to the player’s strengths. Some play better with their back to goal providing hold up play for others to run through e.g. Martin, while others benefit from through balls past the defender to chase e.g. Wells. Ask each to do the opposite and you won’t get the best from them. Whatever way that role is played, it needs some upper body strength and that’s where Sam Bell is currently lacking.

As for wide players in a front 3, they also need to act as an additional player in the middle when the ball is coming in from the other wing. That’s exactly what happened for Sykes against Birmingham. Plus I have some sympathy for Mehmeti. He could easily already have 2 goals for us. He was unlucky not to score at Sunderland with the shot that the keeper pushed into the post, and again yesterday against Cardiff.

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Dr Balls said:

This lack of goals recently has also affected Wells. Remember before the 2 penalties he hadn’t scored a goal for 8 matches. With the exception of our recent run playing 4-3-3, our better runs up front since Nige has been in charge have been with 2 upfront and Weimann, playing in behind, whether the 2 were Martin and Semenyo or Wells and Conway. 

Just playing one through the middle upfront can be hard for that player, especially if the team doesn’t play to the player’s strengths. Some play better with their back to goal providing hold up play for others to run through e.g. Martin, while others benefit from through balls past the defender to chase e.g. Wells. Ask each to do the opposite and you won’t get the best from them. Whatever way that role is played, it needs some upper body strength and that’s where Sam Bell is currently lacking.

As for wide players in a front 3, they also need to act as an additional player in the middle when the ball is coming in from the other wing. That’s exactly what happened for Sykes against Birmingham. Plus I have some sympathy for Mehmeti. He could easily already have 2 goals for us. He was unlucky not to score at Sunderland with the shot that the keeper pushed into the post, and again yesterday against Cardiff.

And this is exactly why I debated when others say we had players to play 433 all season and should’ve switched earlier.  We did and didn’t, for many reasons.  Semenyo’s return (to form) coupled with Conway’s injury, Naismith into midfield, coupled with the growing confidence of Vyner and Atkinson, etc, etc.  Lots of little nuances and dependencies.

[The Swan and Cemetery]

28 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

And this is exactly why I debated when others say we had players to play 433 all season and should’ve switched earlier.  We did and didn’t, for many reasons.  Semenyo’s return (to form) coupled with Conway’s injury, Naismith into midfield, coupled with the growing confidence of Vyner and Atkinson, etc, etc.  Lots of little nuances and dependencies.

My fumblings on Transfermarkt may have this wrong but I make it:

Naismith plays: 20 games, 32 goals

Naismith doesn’t play: 14 games, 11 goals (inc 2 penalties)

Not necessarily causal, but I’d have a suspicion that it’s a least a bit causal. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

My fumblings on Transfermarkt may have this wrong but I make it:

Naismith plays: 20 games, 32 goals

Naismith doesn’t play: 14 games, 11 goals (inc 2 penalties)

Not necessarily causal, but I’d have a suspicion that it’s a least a bit causal. 

Yep, we definitely have a small group of crucial players, who’s influence is key.

[Kid in the Riot]

2 hours ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

My fumblings on Transfermarkt may have this wrong but I make it:

Naismith plays: 20 games, 32 goals

Naismith doesn’t play: 14 games, 11 goals (inc 2 penalties)

Not necessarily causal, but I’d have a suspicion that it’s a least a bit causal. 

That doesn't surprise me. However, I'd wager we concede more goals when he plays too. 

[The Swan and Cemetery]

10 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

That doesn't surprise me. However, I'd wager we concede more goals when he plays too. 

Yep, 28 when he’s played, 15 when he hasn’t. Overall +4 GD when he’s played,-4 GD when he hasn’t. 

[ExiledAjax]

4 minutes ago, The Swan and Cemetery said:

Yep, 28 when he’s played, 15 when he hasn’t. Overall +4 GD when he’s played,-4 GD when he hasn’t. 

So a net gain of +8 goals over 34 games. +0.23 goals per game. Worth playing him imo.

[Harry]

Just over 5.5 games now. 

503 minutes without a goal from open play. 
And the only shots on target tonight were like 3 backpasses.

 

[mozo]

It's a genuine concern. 

[Harry]

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

[Rob k]

2 minutes ago, Harry said:

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

i’d be more concerned if we were not creating chances but we are, we should have had a minimum of 2 but probably 3 goals tonight 

[TheReds]

2 minutes ago, Harry said:

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

Sad situation with the stats in your post? That is how I would see it anyway. Rather than a "you're sad" type of reaction.

We created enough tonight to score a few, and I honestly reckon if the first went in we'd have won by 3 at a canter. I'd be more worried if we weren't creating anything.

[Kodjias Wrist]

15 minutes ago, Harry said:

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

Sorry mate couldn't resist .

I said in the match day thread that I dont think throwing Cornick and Annis on together at the same time helps. But then what do I know .

[wendyredredrobin]

I have not commented on this thread and having read through the entire thread, I am unable to find a comment even purporting to be from me.  4 of you have been offended by something, but the first I even knew of this thread was a notification.

Either someone has said something under my user name and it has been deleted or something odd is going on.

Can anyone clarify, what I am supposed to have said?

Edited March 7, 2023 by wendyredredrobin

[BCFCGav]

We have an enraging habit of our defence and our attack rarely both being good. If we’re finishing our chances we’re leaky. The goals dry up and we tighten up. Is it a play-style thing? Are we playing a more defensive system of late? Or mentality maybe, we do look most vulnerable when we lead. 
 

 

[tin]

Their keeper made several good saves, especially in that first half, tonight. While the goals from open play are a concern, at least we’re showing intent and creating chances.

I always look back to the dark days under Holden, when we weren’t having a single shot on goal let alone target, for reference.

[Cityboy1954]

24 minutes ago, Harry said:

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

Think Nakki misses conway that's why goals have dried up same at Sunderland lost their top scorer along with sims going back to Everton .

[Kodjias Wrist]

7 minutes ago, wendyredredrobin said:

I have not commented on this thread and having read through the entire thread, I am unable to find a comment even purporting to be from me.  4 of you have been offended by something, but the first I even knew of this thread was a notification.

Either someone has said something under my user name and it has been deleted or something odd is going on.

Can anyone clarify, what I am supposed to have said?

You put a crying face emoji on one of his posts, probably by accident but i took it as its sad that we haven't scored in over 5 games!

[Kodjias Wrist]

5 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

We have an enraging habit of our defence and our attack rarely both being good. If we’re finishing our chances we’re leaky. The goals dry up and we tighten up. Is it a play-style thing? Are we playing a more defensive system of late? Or mentality maybe, we do look most vulnerable when we lead. 
 

 

If we had a habit of having both areas good we would be top 6 I guess!

[And Its Smith]

I am interested to see if Pearson deems Wells, Conway, Cornick and Bell as a strikeforce to take us to the playoffs.  

[BCFCGav]

4 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

If we had a habit of having both areas good we would be top 6 I guess!

Yea it’s a bit of a simplification I realise for the record a point tonight is just fine with me. A patched up team against a Neil team - no mean feat. 

Edited March 7, 2023 by BCFCGav

[Furious Custard]

Tonight's game was calling out for a difficult target man like Chris Martin even if it had only been for 60 min.

[wendyredredrobin]

4 minutes ago, Kodjias Wrist said:

You put a crying face emoji on one of his posts, probably by accident but i took it as its sad that we haven't scored in over 5 games!

You are correct.  Not me though as I have not been on the forum all day.

My apologies to Harry, who I find to be a sensible poster who I have never had any reason to give a sad emoji too.  In fact I hardly ever use that emoji.

[mozo]

It might be one of those where win 5-0 soon 

[Lew-T]

10 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

I am interested to see if Pearson deems Wells, Conway, Cornick and Bell as a strikeforce to take us to the playoffs.  

We need a Micheal Smith type IMO.

[Slippin cider]

The final third is concerning at the moment IMO 

[Kodjias Wrist]

8 minutes ago, BCFCGav said:

Yea it’s a bit of a simplification I realise for the record a point tonight is just fine with me. A patched up team against a Neil team - no mean feat. 

Yeah i know a bit pedantic of me and i expected better from a NW side.

[mozo]

14 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

I am interested to see if Pearson deems Wells, Conway, Cornick and Bell as a strikeforce to take...

Do we turn Cornick into a 9? 

Does Pearson rate Wells as more than a fringe player for next season?

Can Conway pick back up his early season form?

Can Bell add goals to his pace and energy?

Or does Nige go out and sign a spearhead for our attack?

Tune in next season to find out...

[BarnzFM]

48 minutes ago, Harry said:

@wendyredredrobin

Not sure why you deemed my post to be ‘sad’. 
I actually started this thread as a bit of a joke, but it’s now turned into more of a slightly concerning observation. 
Not sure why that’s ‘sad’? 

Because it is sad? Not sure the point your making - it’s not a good stat so crying face is the right emoji to use

[Kodjias Wrist]

2 minutes ago, Lew-T said:

We need a Micheal Smith type IMO.

Pearson said a while back that the top sides in championship don't utilise that sort of player. When you look over the last couple of seasons I can't think of many.