[Zigsuk]

All this talk of plan B etc what exactly is it? Football is a still essentially a simple game (hence its popularity) made overcomplicated by those trying to justify their coaching credentials, but there are essentially only a limited number of ways of playing. Posession, tippy tappy play out from the back, which is Cook's preferred method, or long ball get it forrard. There are a few variations such as soak up pressure and hit them on the break, rely on creating from dead ball situations (as I believe has been successful for Wrexham), or the increasingly popular 'game management', spoiling time wasting style of try to snatch a goal and then frustrate after you have taken the lead.
I know which I prefer as anyone who appreciates the game should and that is the first style. Having said that we definitely need to move the ball faster preferably in a more purposeful forward direction even if it means risking losing posession, and cut out the tippy tappy, slow it down, don't take risks, in our own third of the field stuff which is time wasting in its own way - especially if you have fallen behind.

[Sammy Spireite]

If you need a Plan B then your Plan A isn?t good enough.

[CFC91]

Had a chat about this on Saturday and I do think our ability to mix it up is quite limited. Our bench is usually strong, our depth you can't really argue with but a lot of the changes are like for like replacements, not necessarily something different, e.g. Coco for Dobra, Berry for Markanday, Madden for Grigg, etc they are generally similar - ish players. I wasn't a Quigley fan, but he certainly was a different option and allowed us to mix it up a bit.

Probably more topical given Acccrington, Salford and Swindon managers have all said they know how we play, know how to stop us, come with a plan etc so the need for a Plan B is perhaps even more important, or a change up of Plan A maybe

This post has been edited by CFC91: 18 November 2024 - 11:27 AM

[lindo-spireite]

Cook typically doesn?t use a plan b as his plan a usually works, back in the day it was put armand up front and it was rubbish

Good managers usually don?t bother with a plan b as they trust their plan a, unfortunately we?re a team in transition and we as fans should be patient and accept challenging play offs this season is an alright season.

[Jud]

 lindo-spireite, on 18 November 2024 - 12:11 PM, said:

Cook typically doesn?t use a plan b as his plan a usually works, back in the day it was put armand up front and it was rubbish

Good managers usually don?t bother with a plan b as they trust their plan a, unfortunately we?re a team in transition and we as fans should be patient and accept challenging play offs this season is an alright season.

A wise post, this.

[Osborne again]

lindo-spireite, on 18 November 2024 - 12:11 PM, said:

Cook typically doesn?t use a plan b as his plan a usually works, back in the day it was put armand up front and it was rubbish

Good managers usually don?t bother with a plan b as they trust their plan a, unfortunately we?re a team in transition and we as fans should be patient and accept challenging play offs this season is an alright season.

Exactly mate. I think some expected us to wipe the floor with this league, but I was always happy with either consolidation or the playoffs. We've had numerous injuries, loss of form for some players and, as yet, we haven't got the young talent who can bolster the squad.

[lindo-spireite]

Osborne again, on 19 November 2024 - 06:21 AM, said:

Exactly mate. I think some expected us to wipe the floor with this league, but I was always happy with either consolidation or the playoffs. We've had numerous injuries, loss of form for some players and, as yet, we haven't got the young talent who can bolster the squad.

Being honest I thought we?d challenge top 3, but thought the squad players like boot, grimes, banks, Mandeville, Colclough etc would be just fine, but they haven?t really been pulling up trees, and am happy to alter my expectations. After half a dozen years in the conference I?m happy with mid table, which i don?t think has ever happened in all my years supporting town, it?s either challenging for promotion/play offs or a relegation fight

[Osborne again]

lindo-spireite, on 19 November 2024 - 06:33 AM, said:

Being honest I thought we?d challenge top 3, but thought the squad players like boot, grimes, banks, Mandeville, Colclough etc would be just fine, but they haven?t really been pulling up trees, and am happy to alter my expectations. After half a dozen years in the conference I?m happy with mid table, which i don?t think has ever happened in all my years supporting town, it?s either challenging for promotion/play offs or a relegation fight

Yes mate, having six years in the cesspit of the National League hasn't been fun. Grimes is good enough for League two but he needs to be in a team that plays a lower game, or besides a rocket of a centre back. Colclough has his mind on other things, and Mandy has played bits of games allover the park. We need a settled team, and Naylor back in front of the centre backs. One players we're missing is Mike Jones, he reads the game so well.

[DerbySpireite59]

Sammy Spireite, on 17 November 2024 - 09:30 PM, said:

If you need a Plan B then your Plan A isn?t good enough.

Injuries, suspensions and form of individuals all affect the execution of a plan.

Our best 11 playing week in, week out and somewhere near their best, and to Cookie's Plan A could well be good enough.

[DerbySpireite59]

.

This post has been edited by DerbySpireite59: 19 November 2024 - 09:18 AM

[DerbySpireite59]

I think Plan B is what i wanted to happen whenever i come away from a game unhappy.

[Sammy Spireite]

DerbySpireite59, on 19 November 2024 - 08:23 AM, said:

Injuries, suspensions and form of individuals all affect the execution of a plan.

Our best 11 playing week in, week out and somewhere near their best, and to Cookie's Plan A could well be good enough.

I don't think Cookie (nor anyone else for that matter) know what our best XI actually is though?

At this level players are rarely skillful AND consistent, (if they are then they aren't around for long).

I think we could honestly perm any 11 from 16 for or 'best' starting XI, and I'm so glad I don't have the job of picking that XI week in week out lol

[jack bauer]

Sammy Spireite, on 19 November 2024 - 04:57 PM, said:

I don't think Cookie (nor anyone else for that matter) know what our best XI actually is though?

At this level players are rarely skillful AND consistent, (if they are then they aren't around for long).

I think we could honestly perm any 11 from 16 for or 'best' starting XI, and I'm so glad I don't have the job of picking that XI week in week out lol

with 7 player benches (9 in top league) and 5 subs possible in a game, are the days of best 11's behind us? just a thought really, i wonder if modern managers look at it differently to the days when it used to be 1 or 2 subs allowed.

[Wooden Spoon]

Zigsuk, on 17 November 2024 - 07:48 PM, said:

All this talk of plan B etc what exactly is it? Football is a still essentially a simple game (hence its popularity) made overcomplicated by those trying to justify their coaching credentials, but there are essentially only a limited number of ways of playing. Posession, tippy tappy play out from the back, which is Cook's preferred method, or long ball get it forrard. There are a few variations such as soak up pressure and hit them on the break, rely on creating from dead ball situations (as I believe has been successful for Wrexham), or the increasingly popular 'game management', spoiling time wasting style of try to snatch a goal and then frustrate after you have taken the lead.
I know which I prefer as anyone who appreciates the game should and that is the first style. Having said that we definitely need to move the ball faster preferably in a more purposeful forward direction even if it means risking losing posession, and cut out the tippy tappy, slow it down, don't take risks, in our own third of the field stuff which is time wasting in its own way - especially if you have fallen behind.

Plan B is to change players, and up the intensity of plan a for the last half hour or so

[Johnnyspireite7]

jack bauer, on 19 November 2024 - 05:15 PM, said:

with 7 player benches (9 in top league) and 5 subs possible in a game, are the days of best 11's behind us? just a thought really, i wonder if modern managers look at it differently to the days when it used to be 1 or 2 subs allowed.

The best 11 should always be the starting line up, injuries (or compassionate/paternal leave) permitting

[Mr Mercury]

Johnnyspireite7, on 19 November 2024 - 06:54 PM, said:

The best 11 should always be the starting line up, injuries (or compassionate/paternal leave) permitting

I agree that the chopping and changing for games, particularly midweek ones, can sometimes seem like change for changes sake, yep understand the need for partial rotation due to unlit in depth but sometimes just pick a winning team.

[azul]

Accrington comfortably beating Wimbledon away at the moment. Another team without a Plan B?

This post has been edited by azul: 19 November 2024 - 09:22 PM

[JonB]

azul, on 19 November 2024 - 09:19 PM, said:

Accrington comfortably beating Wimbledon away at the moment. Another team without a Plan B?

Saw some of the first half and Accrington weren?t great and hadn?t had a shot on target by half time!

[JonB]

2-2 now, two goals late on to draw level. Poor keeping for first.

[60s 70s Spireite]

azul, on 19 November 2024 - 09:19 PM, said:

Accrington comfortably beating Wimbledon away at the moment. Another team without a Plan B?

Plan B in operation?