How long for the club to change playing style?

[jon1959]

A lot of posters are claiming that we haven't got the players to change our style to more of a possession based game.

I'm not convinced by that.

I agree that three of our established midfielders are of a similar industrial type although all of them with flashes of creativity (Ralls, Vaulks, Bacuna) but that description doesn't fit Pack, Wintle or Bowen. I agree that the established three centre backs would struggle as imitation Beckenbauers and are more adept at blocking/clearing in our box and converting set pieces at the other end, but we don't need all three to be fizzing passes around in our half to change the style, and McGuinness seems to be very comfortable on the ball. When you look at the rest of the squad we have got players who came from Norwich, Crewe, Wolves etc who were all comfortable with a different style of play, and a growing cadre of youth players who (from all I have seen and read) have grown up with a much more technically skilled and attractive style than the first team has used in most of the recent past.

A few of our players are too limited to change much, but for the vast majority I think it is down to how the manager and coaching staff want to play, and the way they train for that.

I would like to see the style evolve and for us to hold the ball better and move oppositions around a bit, but I am happy enough most of the time if we have 40% possession, play on the counter, get the ball from back to front as quickly as possible (without turning over possession too easily) and then using power, pace and skill to score goals. That combined with a miserly defence and 100% effort. My problem is that we don't do that any more - or very rarely.

[Vindec]

Well the crowd isn't changing any time soon so that isn't going to happen.
Do you honestly think a crowd that watches a 40 yard lofted long ball in the general direction of our front men will groan if we keep it on the floor and pass short to a blue shirt? Sorry but that is nonsense.

We do not have the players to play a more passing and entertaining style you say. Why are we persisting with them then? Unless of course the club and manager are more than happy with our style.

In answer to your second paragraph there is plenty of evidence to suggest I am right. After attempts to pass the ball the crowd often urges the players to hump the ball forward. Perhaps you don't attend matches or more probably this aspect of our play has passed you by. I was in fact agreeing with a point made by an earlier poster. Call it nonsense if you like but that is what happens.

Unfortunately we are where we are. The fact it is likely that the acquisition of Collins to play alongside Moore or even act as his backup suggests there will be no change of style any time soon. We have attempted to play more attractive football. When we have adapted our style to play more attractive football the results haven't gone our way. To adapt our style will more than likely require new players and more money which we haven't got.

Arguably, the last attractive football we played was under Dave Jones and the vitriol towards him at that time was completely over the top. Perhaps supporters will have to decide whether they want to win playing hoofball or lose playing a passing game.

[The Hooded Claw]

In answer to your second paragraph there is plenty of evidence to suggest I am right. After attempts to pass the ball the crowd often urges the players to hump the ball forward. Perhaps you don't attend matches or more probably this aspect of our play has passed you by. I was in fact agreeing with a point made by an earlier poster. Call it nonsense if you like but that is what happens.

Unfortunately we are where we are. The fact it is likely that the acquisition of Collins to play alongside Moore or even act as his backup suggests there will be no change of style any time soon. We have attempted to play more attractive football. When we have adapted our style to play more attractive football the results haven't gone our way. To adapt our style will more than likely require new players and more money which we haven't got.

Arguably, the last attractive football we played was under Dave Jones and the vitriol towards him at that time was completely over the top. Perhaps supporters will have to decide whether they want to win playing hoofball or lose playing a passing game.

If you’re referring to a half dozen games under Harris as an attempt to play more attractive football, then don’t you think we should give it a bit more patience?

We’re getting left behind. Even teams in lower divisions are evolving, but it seems that Cardiff City’s board are happy with hoofball, because it represents a lower risk.

Can’t they see that it’s a short term strategy that doesn’t pay off? We’d get annihilated in the Premier League.

[dml1954]

I will say it again - if people don't like the manager, the players, team tactics, the chairman, the board, the owner or the club as a whole then why don't you all bog off and go and ‘support’ someone else. Leave the club to those people like me who love the club, enjoy supporting the team and going to games. Its not up to us to decide how the team plays. God help us if anyone like the closet Jack blue lewj ever got put in charge - team talk written on the back of a postage stamp is about his limit.

[LeningradCowboy]

If you’re referring to a half dozen games under Harris as an attempt to play more attractive football, then don’t you think we should give it a bit more patience?

We’re getting left behind. Even teams in lower divisions are evolving, but it seems that Cardiff City’s board are happy with hoofball, because it represents a lower risk.

Can’t they see that it’s a short term strategy that doesn’t pay off? We’d get annihilated in the Premier League.

I think we tried to play more passing football under Harris last season until the defeat at Coventry. We were 18th in the league with 14 points from 13 matches at that point.

[Vindec]

If you’re referring to a half dozen games under Harris as an attempt to play more attractive football, then don’t you think we should give it a bit more patience?

We’re getting left behind. Even teams in lower divisions are evolving, but it seems that Cardiff City’s board are happy with hoofball, because it represents a lower risk.

Can’t they see that it’s a short term strategy that doesn’t pay off? We’d get annihilated in the Premier League.

I was referring to those matches.Given that football is a results game any run of losses would result in fans calling for the manager's head.

[Hilts]

I was referring to those matches.Given that football is a results game any run of losses would result in fans calling for the manager's head.

Like Trollope.

[blue lewj]

Only one account i have unlike you the club basher.

The club basher. 😄

[blue lewj]

I will say it again - if people don't like the manager, the players, team tactics, the chairman, the board, the owner or the club as a whole then why don't you all bog off and go and ‘support’ someone else. Leave the club to those people like me who love the club, enjoy supporting the team and going to games. Its not up to us to decide how the team plays. God help us if anyone like the closet Jack blue lewj ever got put in charge - team talk written on the back of a postage stamp is about his limit.

That was almost spot on with my attempt at your predicted reply.
You say how you are a better supporter and call me a closet Jack.

I'm not sure what you're on about with the team talk written on a postage stamp cobblers if I'm honest.

[Des Parrot]

Minimum of 3 years or 1 rotation of players. Next?

[G rangetown Blue]

Some fans actually believe they know what they’re talking about! Most don’t have a clue…they just listen to bullsh1t on MOTD and Sky !

[Llandaff Blue]

Some fans actually believe they know what they’re talking about! Most don’t have a clue…they just listen to bullsh1t on MOTD and Sky !

great contribution

[Jimmy the Jock]

If you’re referring to a half dozen games under Harris as an attempt to play more attractive football, then don’t you think we should give it a bit more patience?

We’re getting left behind. Even teams in lower divisions are evolving, but it seems that Cardiff City’s board are happy with hoofball, because it represents a lower risk.

Can’t they see that it’s a short term strategy that doesn’t pay off? We’d get annihilated in the Premier League.

This

[Jimmy the Jock]

I will say it again - if people don't like the manager, the players, team tactics, the chairman, the board, the owner or the club as a whole then why don't you all bog off and go and ‘support’ someone else. Leave the club to those people like me who love the club, enjoy supporting the team and going to games. Its not up to us to decide how the team plays. God help us if anyone like the closet Jack blue lewj ever got put in charge - team talk written on the back of a postage stamp is about his limit.

We are all able to have an opinion . And express it .

Thats how this marvellous internet works.

Me, I would bar people who blindly follow anything from whatever they are blindly following.

For their own good .

[The Hooded Claw]

We are all able to have an opinion . And express it .

Thats how this marvellous internet works.

Me, I would bar people who blindly follow anything from whatever they are blindly following.

For their own good .

…like Brexit voters!

[olderblue]

We could change our style at Blackpool on Saturday to go with a more adventurous attacking approach, partly because of players out injured McGuinness and due to the fact that Morrison and Moore need more time to get up to speed.
A 4 5 1 with
Smithies
Sang
Flint
Nelson
Bagan
Giles
Pack
Colwill
Vaulks
Murphy
Collins

MM, won't go with an attacking line up, but I'd rather see 2 holding midfield players who break up play and let Colwill develop the number 10 role to be his own and allowing our wingers to do what they do best, run at defenders and take players on and get the ball in the box.

We've got players who are comfortable on the ball, we just need them to be given the opportunity

[AfricanBluebird]

We could change our style at Blackpool on Saturday to go with a more adventurous attacking approach, partly because of players out injured McGuinness and due to the fact that Morrison and Moore need more time to get up to speed.
A 4 5 1 with
Smithies
Sang
Flint
Nelson
Bagan
Giles
Pack
Colwill
Vaulks
Murphy
Collins

MM, won't go with an attacking line up, but I'd rather see 2 holding midfield players who break up play and let Colwill develop the number 10 role to be his own and allowing our wingers to do what they do best, run at defenders and take players on and get the ball in the box.

We've got players who are comfortable on the ball, we just need them to be given the opportunity

Based on current availability and form, I would go with this team / formation for the next few games:

Phillips

Ng Flint Nelson Giles

Sang Pack

Bacuna
Colwill Murphy

Collins

Bench: Moore, Morrison, Vaulks, Bagan, Smithies

IF everyone was fit I would go for


Phillips

Sang Flint Morrison Giles

Bacuna Pack

Colwill Tomlin Murphy

Moore


IF MM insists on the godawful wingback system then we have to forget Ng at wingback and put Sang there

Phillips

Morrison Pack(sw) Flint

Sang Giles
Bacuna Ralls (or vaulks)

Colwill Murphy

Moore

[Hilts]

I would definitely put Smithies in goal.

He played poorly a number of times 2nd half of the season but I think if hes close to his best hes better than Phillips.

[Rjk]

I would definitely put Smithies in goal.

He played poorly a number of times 2nd half of the season but I think if hes close to his best hes better than Phillips.

Smithies will be off at the end of the season though, and presumably Phillips will be our #1, so we ned to be giving him regular matches.

[Rjk]

Based on current availability and form, I would go with this team / formation for the next few games:

Phillips

Ng Flint Nelson Giles

Sang Pack

Bacuna
Colwill Murphy

Collins

Bench: Moore, Morrison, Vaulks, Bagan, Smithies

IF everyone was fit I would go for


Phillips

Sang Flint Morrison Giles

Bacuna Pack

Colwill Tomlin Murphy

Moore


IF MM insists on the godawful wingback system then we have to forget Ng at wingback and put Sang there

Phillips

Morrison Pack(sw) Flint

Sang Giles
Bacuna Ralls (or vaulks)

Colwill Murphy

Moore

I like 3-4-3 - lots of clubs are playing it at the moment.
I'm not keen on 5-2-3

I would go:

Phillips

Morisson Flint Nelson

Ng Pack Ralls Giles

Colwill Murphy
Moore

[Hilts]

I like 3-4-3 - lots of clubs are playing it at the moment.
I'm not keen on 5-2-3

I would go:

Phillips

Morisson Flint Nelson

Ng Pack Ralls Giles

Colwill Murphy
Moore

Mick would never go for it though. Its an interesting option B for a game. Think id prefer Ng as one of the 3 and Sang on the right.

[Rjk]

Mick would never go for it though. Its an interesting option B for a game. Think id prefer Ng as one of the 3 and Sang on the right.

Yeah that would be a nice one to try.

I like Sang, but I'm not 100% convinced RWB is his best position

[surge]

I like 3-4-3 - lots of clubs are playing it at the moment.
I'm not keen on 5-2-3

I would go:

Phillips

Morisson Flint Nelson

Ng Pack Ralls Giles

Colwill Murphy
Moore

Considering you've gone for Phillips over Smithies because Smithies is moving on at end of the season, what's caused you to put Murphy back in the side which has pushed Giles back to LWB and removed Bagan/Davies?

I wonder how much Mick would be up for bringing through youth if didn't have such an experienced spine? It's not the perfect formation but it's picking up results and bringing youth through.

[AfricanBluebird]

Considering you've gone for Phillips over Smithies because Smithies is moving on at end of the season, what's caused you to put Murphy back in the side which has pushed Giles back to LWB and removed Bagan/Davies?

I wonder how much Mick would be up for bringing through youth if didn't have such an experienced spine? It's not the perfect formation but it's picking up results and bringing youth through.

For me Ng has had a very poor pre season and he doesn't seem to do enough going forward at a RWB.

He would be much better as a right back in a 442

So Sang seems like a better option at RWB at the moment but I agree that his best position is centre mid. Although we are over staffed there.... Why on earth we brought in wintle, and not shifted anyone on, is beyond me.. he's literally just younger/morphed version of Ralls, pack and Vaulks. Sang on the other hand seems much more of a ball player. Wintle wasn't and isn't what we need...unless we ship out a few others.

[Hilts]

I would like to have seen Sang tried in CM pre season.

I think Mick sees him as a RWB.

Of our midfielders they are probably on too much money to move on.

I dont think weve seen enough of Wintle to write him off. I think if we had a really good attacking midfielder a midfield 2 out of Ralls/Pack/Bacuna is ok alongside work on the training ground with a better emphasis on passing the ball.