What differences did we see tonight then

Closing down from front
Wing backs getting forward more
Mixture of playing out and long ball down wings

 

I thought we looked far more intense in our play. Both with and without the ball.

 

A bit more composure after we went behind.
A massive confidence boost after we went in front.
Benson adding some control.
Woodrow playing deeper.
Some luck at the end.

 

3 points.

 

A lot more intensity. Even when they scored you could see from the players reaction they were not going to lay down for this one. We weren’t brilliant but we were a lot better than of late - all over the pitch.

 

At times it was like watching a different team I thought.

 

One of the big differences that stood out for me is that we won

 

We were more compact and managed to get bodies into Box attacking,the big gaps between our players were not there and the overload down left teams have been exposing never happened

 

Only seen the first 65 mins so far, but the two main differences in setup that I could see where that the 3 centre backs covered a much wider area when we had the ball, which meant that when we lost it, one of the wing backs could easily drop back to make it a back 4. Always astounded me that we had all 3 CBs stay so narrow under Schopp.

The other thing is we don't seem to have a centre mid having to bring the ball down facing his own goal too often. Gomes would get the ball and turn occaisionally, but not as often as previously.

We could easily have gone 2 down shortly after their goal, when Helik had another off the ball foray into midfield and our defence were dragged out of position, but in general, we seemed more composed after going behind. Hopefully coming from behind to win will help stop heads dropping when we concede in future. The win away to Birmingham early in Ismael's reign did us the world of good in a similar way last season.

 

I had misgivings about Moon at the back but I thought he did very well in a much more secure back 3. The goal we conceded was down to our otherwise excellent goalie not coming for a loopy nothing of a cross.
I think that in previous games we would have capitulated in the last half an hour.

 

Round pegs in round holes' really wasn't rocket science Markus..

 

I thought Moon was growing into that role on the left of the three earlier this season, and won the man of the match award against Blackburn, the last time we kept a clean sheet, and last point we got before last night. Then the next game, Schopp shifted him to the right to accomodate Kitching and then found himself playing about three different positions against Forest, and then into midfield. Was a dreadful approach to developing a young player.

 

Still prefer Sibbick over Moon at present, his pace bails us out more often than not. However Moon is a good prospect, but had a decent game last night.

 

I thought we tried a lot harder.

Moon was back in position that imho suits him much more but we didn't play with Moon in midfield in every game we lost, most of them we didn't. Other than that very similar but the players put the effort in to make it work.

 

I think there's cases for and against all of Moon, Sibbick and Kitching to play with Andersen and Helik. Sibbick has seemed quite error prone this season, and not sure what's gone on off the field that led to him being dropped, but maybe the break will do him good. Kitching can be quite rash, and like Moon, very new to this level.

I suspect that all three will get chances without nailing down a permanent place, assuming we stick with 3 at the back.

 

Derby came out fired up for second haif and instead of conceding just after the break we went in front with some quick thinking and fine finishing.

 

Agree with all the comments about Moon, was pleased to see him have a good game last night.
He'll look back when older at his spell under Schopp as "character building" but it could have really set him back if it had carried on. He looked really comfortable last night. Fair play.

I know it is only one game but it is his position to lose now. I rate Sibbick as a footballer and as a man, but I'm not convinced about him as a CD for the simple reason that for a big man he is rubbish in the air (an accusation thrown at myself at a much lower level, so I empathise). And as for Kitching - looks like a good buy, but always looks like he could lose his rag at any given moment. If he works on that side of his game, all good, but until then let Moon have a run of games in a position that suits him. Only fair.

 

Benson and Gomes running the midfield was the most noticeable difference for me.

 

Profound analysis there @Bossman !

 

Apart from the obvious pressed harder, worked harder, tried to play with more positivity in terms of passing.

The main thing was width. Both Styles and Brittain stayed wide and helped to create some delivery into the front two.