Dougie Freedman - New Manager

[a1]

knight always seems to me like the last line of defence, so when it goes wrong it looks his fault , whether it is or not..

.. he's ok.

think the other one's timothy ream, so...

[SmokinFrazier]

Our defence is still worrying at times. I think we defend too deep and invite pressure

Exactly. I can understand us defending deep when we're up against speedy forwards that are looking to get in-behind, but we go deep against pretty much anyone.

Yeah, I agree. Against fast attackers, sitting back is fine because you don't want to allow them space to get in behind your defence. However, I think we give the opposition too much respect at times and allow them to boss us around, which just doesn't work.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Alerted by dear old Athers on Twitter to this Express interview with Lennie Lawrence. As Athers correctly notes, having a wise old sidekick might have helped Coyle.

[BWFC_Insane]

Alerted by dear old Athers on Twitter to this Express interview with Lennie Lawrence. As Athers correctly notes, having a wise old sidekick might have helped Coyle.

Equally it says everything you need to know about Coyle and Freedman, that when Dougie started out in management he actively looked for an experienced old timer to work with, and didn't pick someone he knew either.

Whereas Coyle positively bristled at the fans forum when it was asked "what he might have learned from the season we'd just had".

Freedman is clearly open to suggestions and ideas and is happy to evolve.

Coyle thought he knew it all, and he certainly wasn't up for being questioned.

Like in a lot of situations who you surround yourself with is vitally important. I think Freedman is smart enough to realise that.

[Ianmooreslovechild]

Nice that he seems to be doing quite well and we might get near the playoffs if we can put in a late run.Seems to have made some useful signings and as has been said a few times listens to others and works on basic stuff. Ok maybe he's been a bit negative at times but coyle was always too far the other way.I do keep an eye on here but just prefer not to get too involved.BLT appears to have gone missing now they're doing well.Perhaps he's on holiday or something.
Anyway COYWM and that sort of thing

[Enoch]

Two weeks ago it was all doom and gloom, relegation battles and should we sack the manager. Three wins on the spin and it's playoffs and a bright future.

I don't see that we're much different now than when Freedman came in. Better organised I would say, more aware of what's required and seemingly having more belief. Largely though, still the same personnel with the same limitations.

Accepting it's a possibility, I don't see us catching any of the top six; for that to happen, one of them would need to collapse. I wouldn't be surprised if we finished seventh, but neither would I be surprised if we finished sixteenth.

We have Dawson and Spearing, two of our best performers of late, going back to their clubs. With Alonso likely off to sunnier climes (Stoke!) and maybe one or two others with an eye on the exit, we will need a good trip to market in the summer. This however, is an area in which Freedman has shown decent form, long may it continue.

I remain optimistic.

Hold on to your hats!

[seanworth]

Two weeks ago it was all doom and gloom, relegation battles and should we sack the manager. Three wins on the spin and it's playoffs and a bright future.

I don't see that we're much different now than when Freedman came in. Better organised I would say, more aware of what's required and seemingly having more belief. Largely though, still the same personnel with the same limitations.

Accepting it's a possibility, I don't see us catching any of the top six; for that to happen, one of them would need to collapse. I wouldn't be surprised if we finished seventh, but neither would I be surprised if we finished sixteenth.

We have Dawson and Spearing, two of our best performers of late, going back to their clubs. With Alonso likely off to sunnier climes (Stoke!) and maybe one or two others with an eye on the exit, we will need a good trip to market in the summer. This however, is an area in which Freedman has shown decent form, long may it continue.

I remain optimistic.

Hold on to your hats!

I've noticed.

[SmokinFrazier]

Accepting it's a possibility, I don't see us catching any of the top six; for that to happen, one of them would need to collapse.

I can see Leicester collapsing. They only have four points in their last 5 games, so their form has gone well off. They have a pretty healthy lead over teams outside the play off spots, but that'll be a close fought battle, I think. I wouldn't be shocked if they were to blow it.

These things are very unpredictable though, as Cardiff have shown recently.

[BWFC_Insane]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... s/10266240._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting interview re tactics. Can't say I've ever been a massive fan of 3 at the back. Rarely, if ever seen it work for clubs in England, especially over an extended period.

My chief problem with it is that unless you have two or three very mobile, very talented centre backs you're putting usually lumbering slightly slow centre halves into areas they usually don't want to be in. Dragging them out wide to cover or into channels where their pace is tested and also then asking them to do more on the ball.

It also hangs on your wing backs doing a credible job. Alonso I can see suiting the role apart from his appalling lack of pace, but on the right? Who would play that role? LCY? I'm not sure Mears has shown enough to do it since he's been here, and Ricketts is NEVER a right wing back anymore as he's definitely not as quick as he once was, and isn't great on the ball.

[bobo the clown]

Accepting it's a possibility, I don't see us catching any of the top six; for that to happen, one of them would need to collapse.

I can see Leicester collapsing. They only have four points in their last 5 games, so their form has gone well off. They have a pretty healthy lead over teams outside the play off spots, but that'll be a close fought battle, I think. I wouldn't be shocked if they were to blow it.

These things are very unpredictable though, as Cardiff have shown recently.

It requires a team to collapse though AND us to keep going AND none of the teams between us not have a strong run. Highly unlikely. Especially as teams have to play each other so SOMEONE'S going to pick up points.

Just took far too long to turn around the Cptn's Chaos.

[Enoch]

It requires a team to collapse though AND us to keep going AND none of the teams between us not have a strong run. Highly unlikely. Especially as teams have to play each other so SOMEONE'S going to pick up points.

Indeed, apparently all the planets line up now and again, just not very often.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... s/10266240._/ Interesting interview re tactics.

It's not - that's a Medo interview You mean http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... sive_trio/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; – but I can't really pick at the rest of what you say, although you might dismiss Mears a little too easily.

Interesting to hear Freedman say "We are short of wingers at the club because I don’t see Chris Eagles or Chungy as wingers" – and to hear his rationale for subbing Eagles (for Medo) at Barnsley:

Like most players, I felt Chris did very well in the first half but Barnsley changed their shape after half time and credit to them, because they caught me on the hop a little. That meant I had to respond by taking Chris off and it was a tactical change rather than anything to do with how he played. I will not shy away from making tactical changes and substitutions to help us.

[BWFC_Insane]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... s/10266240._/ Interesting interview re tactics.

It's not - that's a Medo interview You mean http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... sive_trio/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; – but I can't really pick at the rest of what you say, although you might dismiss Mears a little too easily.

Interesting to hear Freedman say "We are short of wingers at the club because I don’t see Chris Eagles or Chungy as wingers" – and to hear his rationale for subbing Eagles (for Medo) at Barnsley:

Like most players, I felt Chris did very well in the first half but Barnsley changed their shape after half time and credit to them, because they caught me on the hop a little. That meant I had to respond by taking Chris off and it was a tactical change rather than anything to do with how he played. I will not shy away from making tactical changes and substitutions to help us.

Cheers, mixed my links up!

I quite like Mears but I haven't seen evidence of him being a wing back since he's been here, although you'd think he'd be well suited to it. Certainly wouldn't dismiss him but there is a big responsibility on wing backs in that system and Mears has not exactly looked comfortable on the ball since he's been here.

Personally I think the 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 or whatever would be a mistake in general, but hey whadda I know?

[mrkint]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... s/10266240._/ Interesting interview re tactics.

It's not - that's a Medo interview You mean http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... sive_trio/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; – but I can't really pick at the rest of what you say, although you might dismiss Mears a little too easily.

Interesting to hear Freedman say "We are short of wingers at the club because I don’t see Chris Eagles or Chungy as wingers" – and to hear his rationale for subbing Eagles (for Medo) at Barnsley:

Like most players, I felt Chris did very well in the first half but Barnsley changed their shape after half time and credit to them, because they caught me on the hop a little. That meant I had to respond by taking Chris off and it was a tactical change rather than anything to do with how he played. I will not shy away from making tactical changes and substitutions to help us.

He keeps playing Chungy on the left, dunt he? I guess he prefers wide players cutting inside rather than your traditional, touchline-hugging winger. Which I think in some respects does suit LCY though he still seems like he's adjusting to it.

This is probably going to be an incredibly boring hunt but it'd be interesting (and I use that word very loosely) to compare the number of crosses delivered in games under Freedman with his predecessors. I might do that later on when I've finished itemising my bus ticket collection.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

...my bus ticket collection.

[Sponge]

He keeps playing Chungy on the left, dunt he? I guess he prefers wide players cutting inside rather than your traditional, touchline-hugging winger. Which I think in some respects does suit LCY though he still seems like he's adjusting to it.

This is probably going to be an incredibly boring hunt but it'd be interesting (and I use that word very loosely) to compare the number of crosses delivered in games under Freedman with his predecessors. I might do that later on when I've finished itemising my bus ticket collection.

I reckon you and I should go on a date.

[a1]

#dougiecool

proper

[CAPSLOCK]

Accepting it's a possibility, I don't see us catching any of the top six; for that to happen, one of them would need to collapse.

I can see Leicester collapsing. They only have four points in their last 5 games, so their form has gone well off. They have a pretty healthy lead over teams outside the play off spots, but that'll be a close fought battle, I think. I wouldn't be shocked if they were to blow it.

These things are very unpredictable though, as Cardiff have shown recently.

It requires a team to collapse though AND us to keep going AND none of the teams between us not have a strong run. Highly unlikely. Especially as teams have to play each other so SOMEONE'S going to pick up points.

Just took far too long to turn around the Cptn's Chaos.

It doesn't require a collapse though, does it

If 5th and 6th continue at just below their current ppg through to the end, its very possible for us to catch one of them, especially if we were to beat them when we play them

We'd need 22/24 points...very possible, if not very likely

[Harry Genshaw]

If you ask me, now would be a good time to bring Mick McCarthy in

[CAPSLOCK]

We'd need 22/24 points...very possible, if not very likely

Ooops, didn't realise the table hadn't been updated

Its even more likely than I thought