Positives from Cheltenham Game

[Jack_Tinn]

Really disappointing result and a pretty drab performance from Pompey as the team 'huffed and puffed' to break down Cheltenham's tactics of a low block. Ultimately not enough quality in the last ball and the attacking third from Pompey (and poor finishing from Cheltenham) resulted in a 0-0 draw.

However there were some positives from the game:

~ Paddy Lane was fit enough for the subs bench and came on as a late 2nd half sub. Good to see him back: Whyte now has competition.
~ Third clean sheet for Pompey in the league from four games;
~ Unbeaten run continues. now 15 games unbeaten over the last two seasons:
~ Peterborough, Stevenage and Bolton all lost. Proving two pts dropped is better than dropping all three!
~ Pompey still picked up 7pts from nine on offer during the week;
~ Pompey can now go away and work over the next few weeks on how the team will approach teams coming to FP and using the low block:
~ Over the next run of games Pompey are unlikely to see teams employ the low block against them: Peterborough, Stevenage etc will take Pompey on
like Exeter did last Tuesday;
~ It probably doesn't hurt to dampen expectations a little:
~ Should now see up to 11 changes for the EFL Trophy game and a chance for others to press for first team playing time.

[Jack_Tinn]

For those interested in an article about the tactics Cheltenham were using and how to defeat it:

https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/low-blo ... -mourinho/

the images in the above article for Conte's Spurs and Simeone's Athletico should resonate with anyone at the Cheltenham game.

https://footballbunsekicom.com/tactics- ... explained/

[Pompey1984+1]

I think against teams sitting in to defend we would be better playing a forward who is a bit more back to goal type target man so he can lay the ball off and bring others into play, and if they drop a bit deeper it draws one of the centre backs out making space for Robertson to exploit.

For this reason, I'd like to see Saydee and Robertson given some minutes together in these sorts of low block games.

[New Forester]

Err. what’s a low block game?

[New Forester]

OK so:

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

Thanks Google.

[Pompey1984+1]

OK so:

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

Thanks Google.

Parking the bus, in ye olde language.

[Mr Dee]

We also learned that half cut fans can officiate as well as the pro’s

[Jack_Tinn]

OK so:

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

Thanks Google.

Parking the bus, in ye olde language.

yes - but the bus can be parked in three zones: low (back 4/5 are at their deepest on the edge of the penalty area), mid or high.

Cheltenham went with a low block and started 4-3-1-1 in that defensive shell and when Pompey were attacking (mostly down the flanks) they would shift into a 5-4-1 formation meaning they were able to always have two central defenders watching Colby Bishop and also have two defenders push out to make the wingers come back inside ....where there would be 2/3 defensive midfielders to crowd out attacks. Rinse and repeat for the whole game.

Pompey did better in the 2nd half when Robertson pushed up almost alongside Bishop and Morrell pushed up a lot further forward too to make it more difficult for Cheltenham to double up on the wide players but not enough movement up front or forward runs from midfield runners or from wingers taking on their defenders and winning in a 1-1 situation meant a frustrating afternoon for Pompey.

[Sam_Brown]

Just realised I prefer playing with a “low block” as it means I don’t have to run as much lol.

[BlueinPLtwenty]

We are one of only three sides in the Division that are undefeated this season. That is without the 11 game sequence carrying over from last season

[jam tomorrow]

OK so:

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

Thanks Google.

Parking the bus, in ye olde language.

yes - but the bus can be parked in three zones: low (back 4/5 are at their deepest on the edge of the penalty area), mid or high.

Cheltenham went with a low block and started 4-3-1-1 in that defensive shell and when Pompey were attacking (mostly down the flanks) they would shift into a 5-4-1 formation meaning they were able to always have two central defenders watching Colby Bishop and also have two defenders push out to make the wingers come back inside ....where there would be 2/3 defensive midfielders to crowd out attacks. Rinse and repeat for the whole game.

Pompey did better in the 2nd half when Robertson pushed up almost alongside Bishop and Morrell pushed up a lot further forward too to make it more difficult for Cheltenham to double up on the wide players but not enough movement up front or forward runs from midfield runners or from wingers taking on their defenders and winning in a 1-1 situation meant a frustrating afternoon for Pompey.

The solution to all these type of tactics is to have a player or players that are pacey and can beat their man, I think Kamara has that in his locker Robertson, Scully and Whyte should be capable of that too?

[Pompey1984+1]

OK so:

The term 'low block' refers to the defensive strategy for teams that sit back closest to their goal, as opposed to teams that use a mid-block or a high press.

Thanks Google.

Parking the bus, in ye olde language.

yes - but the bus can be parked in three zones: low (back 4/5 are at their deepest on the edge of the penalty area), mid or high.

Cheltenham went with a low block and started 4-3-1-1 in that defensive shell and when Pompey were attacking (mostly down the flanks) they would shift into a 5-4-1 formation meaning they were able to always have two central defenders watching Colby Bishop and also have two defenders push out to make the wingers come back inside ....where there would be 2/3 defensive midfielders to crowd out attacks. Rinse and repeat for the whole game.

Pompey did better in the 2nd half when Robertson pushed up almost alongside Bishop and Morrell pushed up a lot further forward too to make it more difficult for Cheltenham to double up on the wide players but not enough movement up front or forward runs from midfield runners or from wingers taking on their defenders and winning in a 1-1 situation meant a frustrating afternoon for Pompey.

The solution to all these type of tactics is to have a player or players that are pacey and can beat their man, I think Kamara has that in his locker Robertson, Scully and Whyte should be capable of that too?

I'd like to think so. I think it was a case of Pompey being a bit off it, and Cheltenham being right at it. I think the fact they hadn't picked up any points, bit of an injury crisis really galvanised them for a backs against the wall display.

They drew with Ipswich twice last season 1-1 both games, and drew with Wednesday at home.

[Dinksy]

Also, it didn't rain!

[Jack_Tinn]

Also, it didn't rain!

hahaha I almost added that to the list.

[Dinksy]

I try to be a glass half-full guy but when I do, it's usually half-full of rain!