Today methinks argyle got taught a lesson today in klopps "heavy metal football" style. High pressing, counter pressing, quick
passing and a ferocious work ethic. It was all there in barnsleys play. They even had a german manager making them typically
more efficient at it too. Both teams used 4231 and i reckon DA is trying to emulate with us a similar heavy metal counter
attacking style. Unfortunately today we were miles behind barnsley in achieving it. TBF to DA the 4231 was getting the results
post xmas that took us out of the bottom 4 but over recent games and especially after todays performance maybe its time
to look elsewhere instead?
Thats why i was so disappointed he took so long to make a formation change. Finally a switch to the 4141/433 (with 3 subs).
But only for 10 minutes at the end? He could have given it some time for it to bed in again and maybe even cause a fightback.
0-3 down at ht and yet he let the game meander on for 35 minutes? Simply not good enough for me DA. No instead we had to sit
there and watch barnsley dominate to such an extent that they could have easily added another 3 or 4 more in that 2nd half.
I expected to lose today but not in that manner.
As for why our 4231 was walloped by theirs today. Lack of pace throughout the team, especially CB, has been a big problem all
season. The high press, which we started off well in the game with, meant a high def line and poor old eddys lack of pace was
exposed by a simple long ball over the top for their first. A second soon followed as a quick cross from the left went right
across the area for another pacy clinical finish. Their third was a well taken FK into the top corner. Bam, bam, bam and
game over seemingly. Argyle boys tried hard to press and get their game going but barnsley simply outpressed and overpowered
them. It was sad to watch at times as i dont think barnsley had more skilful players than us. Just that they seemed much better
drilled in their roles in the team. When ruben and GC10 were on the ball, they were immediately surrounded by 3/4 opponents
snapping at their heels, being one example. Other games and its more like 2/3 on them and usually they get much more respect
on the ball.
I thought keeper kyle had a good game and kept the scoreline down in the end. Both FBs did ok and tried to get forward when
they could. At CB eddy struggled at times whereas Lloyd impressed me. Lloyd and niall my preferred pairing. Lloyd strong and
composed. Also looked comfortable on the ball and looks the quickest of the three. Niall is a leftie so a nice right/left
partnership. Tough call though.
Foxy in centre mid not able to dictate play as we had no control in the game. Also lacks pace to be effective in a high press
style. Unlike yanner(MOM) alongside him though. He was typically non stop in their faces and showed his pirlo pretend side
at times too when on the ball. Olay! Yanner the pretend pirlo janner.
All our 4 main attacking players were pressed out of the game and contributed very little which was extremely disappointing.
Ruben and GC10 were constantly overwhelmed by numbers and with sarce won very few turnovers in our attempts at a high press.
Lone ranger ryan suffered from some very poor service to him. Head high aimless hoofing in the main.
Boos at the end for DA and rightly so. His teams performance was nowhere near good enough today. It was far too easy for BFC.
The formation we finished with today 4141/433. Thats our best bet now imho. Yanner sitting for accy game and foxy for scunny.
Nailbiting time unfortunately. Really will be glad when this season is over. All squished, sardine like, in the horseshoe seats
all season and having to endure way too many heavy defeats like this one today. And now weve got possible 4th tier relegation
to contend with as well.
Sigh! :sad:
Roll on the summer and a nice stress free break. Until the the ashes of course.
