What has happened to our early season style of play?

[North Cardiff Blue]

Yes, we're top of the league, and the games have been pretty entertaining, but there is a worrying trend in recent home games that shouldn't be ignored even though we find ourselves top

Our last 4 home games we've lost 2 and won 2 (not including Newport in the trophy).

Lost 3-1 to Bradford (being 3-0 down at home)
Lost 1-0 to Burton
Won a crazy game against Orient 4-3 and
Won against Reading 2-1

Bradford aside this should have been a fairly easy run of games going by the league table, but we lost 2 and could very easliy have lost the other two on another night.
Granted we had enough chances against Burton to have got something from that game, but Reading can feel particularly aggrieved to have not got anything from the game, and Orient were in control for long periods of their match too - it was no surprise when they took the lead.

In all the games, and probably progressively more with each game the opposition has been able to peg us back into our own half for long periods, meaning we are playing our passing game in an area of the pitch that can't hurt the opposition, and with twice the number of players cramped into half of the pitch, making it far easier to press us and force errors (like we need any help - I'm looking at you Osho) and each time it has taken falling behind to change anything.

If you look at the average player positions from the last few games, the opposition are more advanced than us - which is really unusual for a top of the league team that likes to play a passing game with lots of possession against teams (Bradford aside) that probably won't be threatening the playoffs even this season.

I tihnk we've got away with it a bit in the last couple of games, and while we have the quality to snatch a result in this level it's going to be hit and miss if we let teams get on top of us like they have.

I think we need to mix it up a bit - get the ball forward quickly on occasion from the start of games, so the opposition can't push their defence as high. that should give our midfield more space to be able to pass through teams and play the game in their half ideally, not our own.

How many of those games have involved Lawlor, how many Osho, and how many assists has Osho made (to opposing teams)?

[Rjk]

How many of those games have involved Lawlor, how many Osho, and how many assists has Osho made (to opposing teams)?

2 with Osho one we won and won we lost.
1 with Lawlor that we lost.
and one with both that we won.

Osho 2 PPG, Lawlor 1.5 PPG

I don't think we can read much into that though because Lawlor scored a crucial goal and Osho has clearly been in a bad run of form.

I think the problem is more tactical than with individual's performances though.

[North Cardiff Blue]

He doesn't seem to suit BBM's style of play; he's more of a Warock centre half. He's not bad, he just can't handle pressure when playing it out from the back, at the moment.

If BBM thinks he can get it, fair enough, he knows what he's like in training and what he can do, but he's making the whole back line and keeper nervous as things stand.

[Rjk]

He doesn't seem to suit BBM's style of play; he's more of a Warock centre half. He's not bad, he just can't handle pressure when playing it out from the back, at the moment.

If BBM thinks he can get it, fair enough, he knows what he's like in training and what he can do, but he's making the whole back line and keeper nervous as things stand.

I can remember Warnock saying something along the lines of Sol Bamba being someone who if he just focussed on defending was one of the best around - I can't remmeber the exact wording but he was saying that him thinking he was there to play the ball and not just defend had held him back in his career.

There could well be a similar benefit to be seen with Osho if he's instructed to keep his game simple, as he generally does well with one on ones and positioning I feel.
However BBM has his way that he wants to play so you can't blame him for trying to get it to work.

[Henry Hill]

I can remember Warnock saying something along the lines of Sol Bamba being someone who if he just focussed on defending was one of the best around - I can't remmeber the exact wording but he was saying that him thinking he was there to play the ball and not just defend had held him back in his career.

There could well be a similar benefit to be seen with Osho if he's instructed to keep his game simple, as he generally does well with one on ones and positioning I feel.
However BBM has his way that he wants to play so you can't blame him for trying to get it to work.

You don’t half talk some pony. BBM and Colin are chalk and cheese in their views of the game.

[Rjk]

You don’t half talk some pony. BBM and Colin are chalk and cheese in their views of the game.

Yes I'm quite aware of that

[Henry Hill]

Yes I'm quite aware of that

Then why the hell would you suggest BBM gives Osho a Warnock style instruction?

[Rjk]

Then why the hell would you suggest BBM gives Osho a Warnock style instruction?

I wasn't

[Henry Hill]

I wasn't

There could well be a similar benefit to be seen with Osho if he's instructed to keep his game simple,

[Rjk]

There could well be a similar benefit to be seen with Osho if he's instructed to keep his game simple,

and there could be - I don't expect BBM will be trying it though.

[Underhill1980]

A season has ups and downs and so does the team. To play our high tempo pressing game takes a lot of energy and we have a small squad.

To not be playing our best and still being top of the league is a great achievement. Teams rarely storm the league. Man City’s few season domination of the premier league has given people unrealistic expectations.

As far as our fans being negative, both the boards are a nightmare for it. Fans that seem much happier when we are losing and theyÂ’re moaning. Whether thatÂ’s Cardiff fans or fans in general I donÂ’t know.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

A season has ups and downs and so does the team. To play our high tempo pressing game takes a lot of energy and we have a small squad.

To not be playing our best and still being top of the league is a great achievement. Teams rarely storm the league. Man City’s few season domination of the premier league has given people unrealistic expectations.

As far as our fans being negative, both the boards are a nightmare for it. Fans that seem much happier when we are losing and theyÂ’re moaning. Whether thatÂ’s Cardiff fans or fans in general I donÂ’t know.

This negativity label...when I posted the OP..there was no negativity, just a question that's been on my mind since we stopped playing the good stuff.
Are we all.meant to be happy clappers?