Interchanging and pace of front four

[parmoboy]

This really impressed me today. West Brom defenders didn't know who to mark, and I particularly enjoyed how Silvera kept dropping deep to receive the ball.

The pace of our front four players also meant we were able to press them high up the field. They struggled to get out of their own half at times during the 2nd half.

 

[Diego]

This really impressed me today. West Brom defenders didn't know who to mark, and I particularly enjoyed how Silvera kept dropping deep to receive the ball.

The pace of our front four players also meant we were able to press them high up the field. They struggled to get out of their own half at times during the 2nd half.

Good post. Having Silvera in that position did allow a lot of fluidity and I think it caught WBA off guard and in turn worked very well. I’d stick with it for the next game.

 

[Hap]

I don’t remember us playing like that ever before. The false 9 and interchangeable forwards definitely caught them out

 

[Estonboy]

Pre-Match I wasn't particularly hopeful of a win. Then I saw the team and again it didn't make me any more positive, but clearly because of players available MC had Silvera, Rogers, Greenwood and Jones across the front. As previous posters have pointed we made an established WBA formation look static and average. Some of our interchanging didn't always work out, but it was at pace and very mobile. Loved it, well done guys and MC for his brave formation (it could have backfired).

 

[r00fie1]

Movement on and off the ball was great to watch today.
VDB and Fry looked like they'd played together all season.
Some of those slide rule passes for Jones and others to run on to were excellent.
The sort of balls that Hackney would set up for Archer.
But we did it equally well today without either.
They expected to bully us today and couldn't find a way through.
Our defending was excellent and the more the game went on, the more frustrated the WBA players looked - as every one of their corners met a Boro head or foot, which kept their chances of a goal to a minimum.
Great Christmas present.

 

[parmoboy]

Good post. Having Silvera in that position did allow a lot of fluidity and I think it caught WBA off guard and in turn worked very well. I’d stick with it for the next game.

I'd be tempted to as well, although Coburn looked sharp when he came on, and ideally we want a natural striker playing up front.

I'm certain Crooks will be back in the side for Rotherham, so it will be interesting to see whether he'll start Rogers out wide.

 

[Paulroddam7]

I don’t remember us playing like that ever before. The false 9 and interchangeable forwards definitely caught them out

We have been trying to play like that for a fair bit now but the personnel haven’t made it work like it did today.

 

[Glover_elbow]

We have been trying to play like that for a fair bit now but the personnel haven’t made it work like it did today.

This really impressed me today. West Brom defenders didn't know who to mark, and I particularly enjoyed how Silvera kept dropping deep to receive the ball.

The pace of our front four players also meant we were able to press them high up the field. They struggled to get out of their own half at times during the 2nd half.

Crooks is far too pedestrian and slows attacks down all too often. His absence was the main reason we were much quicker today

 

[Nano]

We created plenty of chances but they are all awful finishers. Finishing is Greenwood's only strength but today he was atrocious. Jones frustrates the hell out of me with his back passes to the keeper; needs to put his laces through it and get some power on his shots. Rogers took the goal really well but then wasted other opportunities and Silvera takes an age to get a shot off. Crooks McGree, Coburn, Lath, Forss etc are all much more reliable in front of goal.

 

[parmoboy]

Crooks is far too pedestrian and slows attacks down all too often. His absence was the main reason we were much quicker today

I'd mentioned recently that if we can find a no 10 who chalks up the sort of numbers Crooks does in terms of goals and assists, but is more mobile, we'll be laughing.

Could that player have been here under our noses this whole time (Morgan Rogers)?

 

[Zanzibobs]

Absolutely loved our attacking play today. Fluid, rapid and didn’t know what was going to happen next but knew it would be exciting. Best home performance this season in the attacking third. Would have been happy for a draw before the game but delighted with a win, even more so the performance.

 

[indeedido]

Absolutely loved our attacking play today. Fluid, rapid and didn’t know what was going to happen next but knew it would be exciting. Best home performance this season in the attacking third. Would have been happy for a draw before the game but delighted with a win, even more so the performance.

Missed the Preston match?
Beating Leicester was also bettter.

It was an excellent performance and win today but that is not even nearly our best front 4-6.

 

[Nobby_Barnes]

I'd be tempted to as well, although Coburn looked sharp when he came on, and ideally we want a natural striker playing up front.

I'm certain Crooks will be back in the side for Rotherham, so it will be interesting to see whether he'll start Rogers out wide.

Agreed, Coburn immediately started to hold the ball when he came on....

 

[Zanzibobs]

The fluidity of interchange between the front four today was exceptional. Greenwood should have had at least three, Jones a couple, but the quality in the final third was brilliant, especially considering defensive frailties, midfield immobility and injuries. Loved it. Utb.

 

[indeedido]

I think the Gazette ratings are pretty mean.
Not one of the players deserved just a 6 today.
The front 4 wouldn't be my choice but they did play well today. I'd have given both Silvera and Greenwood 7.
I also thought Dijksteel, Van De Berg, Glover and Howson warranted 8's.
The man of the match out of Barlaser/Rogers/Fry at least should have got a 9, for being MoM in such an impressive performance.
I personally would have given it to Barlaser yersterday. I'm not remotely his biggest fan, but he played superbly yesterday.

 

[Diego]

I think the Gazette ratings are pretty mean.
Not one of the players deserved just a 6 today.
The front 4 wouldn't be my choice but they did play well today. I'd have given both Silvera and Greenwood 7.
I also thought Dijksteel, Van De Berg, Glover and Howson warranted 8's.
The man of the match out of Barlaser/Rogers/Fry at least should have got a 9, for being MoM in such an impressive performance.
I personally would have given it to Barlaser yersterday. I'm not remotely his biggest fan, but he played superbly yesterday.

Fair assessment. Silvera looked a threat as a false 9. No one deserves a 6.

 

[Fattyfoggon]

Best seen Silvera play he has improved a lot lately fair play to him and the coaching team

 

[Nero]

At times, I thought the four were a little too similar. All looking to drop and play little one two and flicks (which is great). From about 70 minutes I was hoping Coburn would come on, as he is a physical presence and offers something different.

I can’t see us adopted those tactics too often once Coburn and LL are back.

 

[Diego]

I think the Gazette ratings are pretty mean.
Not one of the players deserved just a 6 today.
The front 4 wouldn't be my choice but they did play well today. I'd have given both Silvera and Greenwood 7.
I also thought Dijksteel, Van De Berg, Glover and Howson warranted 8's.
The man of the match out of Barlaser/Rogers/Fry at least should have got a 9, for being MoM in such an impressive performance.
I personally would have given it to Barlaser yersterday. I'm not remotely his biggest fan, but he played superbly yesterday.

I would add Engel to the 8 list too. Some real moments of quality from Left back.

 

[Nero]

I would add Engel to the 8 list too. Some real moments of quality from Left back.

Him and Barlarser the best yesterday for Boro.