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TALKING TACTICS
PETERBOROUGH UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH
Ian Gill, 27 Nov 2009
The words of Eric Paylor are worth noting.
"Against Forest, Boro started like a house on fire, with both Adam Johnson and Julio [Arca] causing problems on the flanks, and it was their combined efforts which led to Lita's goal.
Ironically, Johnson and Arca then switched positions from left to right and right to left respectively for the remainder of the game, and were nowhere near as effective."
Column Continues Below...
This tells us that Johnson is the best winger in the league and that Arca isn't. So no surprise there.
It was a game of two halves, with Forest watching our neat over-elaborate passing whilst giving us the freedom of the Riverside.
A half time rollicking saw them up the tempo and simplify their game.
The end result was exactly as expected - a hard fought draw as we hung on for a point.
Why are we in mid-table? Lies, damned lies and match statistics might provide an answer.
To show no bias I have used the match day stats from MFC.
When Gate left, we had enjoyed, on average, less than 50% possession in all our games. We had averaged around 11 shots a game, as had the opposition.
We had played largely lower half teams and been found wanting when we played the better sides; the well-organised teams with a bit of skill.
So we were one point off the top but it was not from a fair sample. It was skewed in favour of MFC. It was like asking members of the Royal British Legion if people should wear poppies on Remembrance Sunday.
Oddly, the stats are slightly better since Gate left, with possession up to 53% and shots for and against 11.5 and 9.5 respectively.
However, the results have not improved. We are still in the same slide and if it doesn't stop, we will be further off the pace by Christmas.
It all seems to boil down to the fact that we cannot control the football. When we have it, we attack but don't keep possession. We tend to give it away.
Against a number of sides, our attacking quality will work. Against the better organised teams, we struggle.
It was the same last season and it isn't just at home. Think of that long run of away defeats in front of the ultra-loyal travelling Parmo Army.
Something had to be done - my hope is that GS2 is the man to do it.
So the major issue facing Gordon Strachan this week is the simple one of controlling the football.
The issue is simple but the solution is certainly not. How we could do with a footballer who can put his foot on the ball and look around for options, someone who is always available and who can pick a pass but is also an athlete.
It is not just a holding/destroying midfielder we need but someone who pulls the team together. But where on earth do we get one?
The closest is probably Arca but he hasn't got the legs or physique for it.
Are Digard and Walker capable of the role? One is never fit and the other keeps being abducted by aliens.
O'Neil? He is a workaholic who will run all day and, like many of our players, he would be ideal alongside the man we need.
Williams is a right-back despite his valiant efforts.
The problem is that most clubs need someone to be that man in midfield. I wonder if Fabregas likes parmos...
It is an away visit to Peterborough United next. They are yet another club that has recently parted with their manager, this time following two successive promotions but an unfortunate start to this season.
They lie bottom of the table with only two wins so far. I wonder if they have sofas in the away end for the travelling fans to hide behind?
Their home games tend to have plenty of goals, 26 of them in eight games, equally spread between the home and away sides.
Posh play some decent football and were unlucky to lose last time out at the Blades in front of their new manager, Mark Cooper. They played well, with Toumani Diagouraga and Lee Frecklington combining well in central midfield.
It was up front where they were let down, with Craig Mackail-Smith, George Boyd, Aaron McLean and Chris Whelpdale all missing chances.
Posh are not a big physical side so we should get a chance to play some football without being bullied. However, the new boss has a reputation for wanting defensive discipline whilst maintaining attacking flair.
In attack, they are positively full of goals compared to us, with Boyd on seven league goals and Mackail-Smith and McLean on five each.
They are a side we should be seeing off on our way to a comfortable away win though.
Corporal Jones has done nothing wrong and was largely responsible for our point against Forest so deservedly should keep his place between the sticks.
I would expect just the one change to the defence and this is enforced by the suspension to Williams, with Tony McMahon coming in at right-back.
The rest of the back four will be Wheater, St Ledger and Pogo.
The make-up of the midfield is still an issue. I wonder if there was a clue in Digard just getting 45 minutes for the reserves. If he does get the nod, I would be tempted to partner him with Osbourne, with O'Neil on the right and Johnson on the left.
Right side, however, I would maybe fancy a punt on Emnes following his two goals for the reserves. His pace would terrify the Posh defenders, who have struggled home and away this season.
Another possibility is Arca playing either in the centre or on the right. My preference is the bench for our little land crab but I don't pick the team.
The final option is Yeates who needs to play to get a run of games.
Whatever the line up, one must heed the words of Uncle Eric quoted above and play Johnno largely on the left.
Up front it is Kitson and Lita. Both have some pace and should have a field day against one of the weakest defences in the league.
This is a match we should win with a bit to spare and get the first three pointer for our new boss.
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