Moofar

I am just before the August season start, so hard to compare completely. Rotherham is currently in 2nd, and looking good for a promotion to League 1.

My Board is giving me pressure to cut the wage budget down, so one defender who is old, slow, and out of shape while being the 2nd highest paid player is on my list to transfer out. He is still there in RL(Hurst). They have added 2 goalies (1 on loan) , bringing them to 4 on the Senior roster, no idea why. Starter is not the greatest, but he is still the starter in RL anyway. They have added 2 midfielders, at least 1 who was on loan, but now purchased by the club. I added two midfielders, both on free loans, one who I probably won't be able to ever afford from West Ham, Kyel Reid. I am hoping 3 months of training will bring the one on contract up a notch, but will probably be trolling the higher league clubs for another loaner left midfielder come late November if I can't extend one of the two loans.

Biggest difference is the coaching staff, which I purged except for the Asst. Manager, because he is marginally competent and on a long-term contract. I also kept a Magic Water Bottle Guy (physio) who is even less competent and on an even longer contract.

Biggest problem heading in to the league opener vs. Stockport is truly awful time of possession, even against inferior teams. I just don't know how to fix that except by holding onto the ball with a short passing game, which the talent base can't support. I have to figure out how to play more of the game in the midfield, but am probably headed for disaster at present. I would be tempted to go for more long shots other than the fact that almost no one has any real accuracy with them.

Moofar

League opener at home against Stockport , but before play found my Carling draw was League One Leeds. That puts me likely to not meet Board expectations right out of the gate, and as they are a rival the fans won't be happy.

Decided to play the best available team, rather than rest any key players for the game against Leeds, because Leeds is a heavy favorite. I am unlikely to beat them, and starting at the bottom of the league and an early exit from the League Cup would put me under very early pressure. Next league game is a road game, so the risk is significant. I decided I needed that home win to get me through the beating that Leeds is likely to inflict.

However, at this point in the season, conditioning is a problem, only my best striker appears to be capable of going a whole game, and two of the more skilled midfielders were also not in match condition. However, with better overall depth midfield, in the 2nd half I planned to switch to a 4-5-1 from a 4-4-2.


I had hoped to get a 1st half goal and then play a more possession-oriented game, but the one goal I did get was called back. Despite holding the ball much more than in the preseason games (in part adjustments, in part simply more quality on the field), I was outshot 6-2 in the first half. Two of their shots hit the post too, so not a recipe for confidence.

The lack of competent long shooters is a chronic weakness, and in the short term there is very little I can do about that. Zero transfer budget, and I am still over my allowed wage budget. My forays into the loan market were not successful in addressing that weakness (needed midfield depth and speed more, especially on the left side). I have picked up an undervalued Scottish technical coach to focus on shooting, but that is a long term thing (I really don't know how long term). I would dearly love to add another technique coach, but have had contract offers cancelled by the Board (they suggest 3 coaches, I now have 8 - I fired some high paid but mediocre English coaches and went hunting little known cheap coaches in Scotland).

In any case, going to a 4-5-1 with a defensive orientation started breaking up their attack in the midfield (1 shot in the 2nd half), though not producing many shots. With 10 minutes left, they subbed their center midfielder who had been causing lots of problems for me, I subbed for one last set of fresh legs in the midfield, and went over to an attacking posture (go for the win at home, tie on the road) - to my amazement, produced a goal in 3 minutes. Went back over to the defensive posture, and closed out a 1-0 win in front of the home fans. Rotherham sits at 6th in League 2, on goal differential (over half of the games were draws), 1-0-0.

On to face Leeds - at least it is a home game.

Moofar

I am starting to get a reasonable feel for the club and the league. Doing the best I can to tune the team up for a stronger opponent.

My guess is that Stockport will be one of the weaker teams over the season. I have a poor scout (but on a 3 year contract...), and there were no prior games to observe other than friendlys, so I had less information to plan with than would be the norm. But my observation was that they were generally weaker, built around a dangerous centre midfielder and striker combination. I have a center fullback with a few seasons of Premiership experience, and keyed the defense to shut down the striker aggressively. I never really had a solution for the midfielder, but despite being outshot 6-2 in the first half, led in time of possession. I will have to go back to look (much better roster info on them having played them), but I would guess they have more long shooting skill.

Poor conditioning forced me to field a weaker than normal roster, so the teams on the field may have been more level. Nonetheless, overall the defensive game plan appeared to work, they did not string much dangerous activity close to the net together, and never had any breaks. The offensive game plan didn't work quite as well, but considering how often that damn midfielder blew up plays or gained possession off a header, the fact that possession was not in their favour suggests it was working well too. The fundamental problem is that my best scoring comes off the break, so a lot of 18 yard box pressure never turned into a threat. Frankly, I have little clue of how to fix that with the talent at hand, I have maxed my loan players.

I don't really use the long ball, the most likely time it comes about is a quick release to set up a counterattack break. My best striker is reasonably quick, but I think normally I will be better off trying to play it forward a little more patiently with direct passes, but avoiding the one-touch short pass game - with the skill levels in hand, that would produce a lot of turnovers. I have one player who just moved up from the Youth program who has genuine speed to be a long ball threat, but just doesn't have the skills yet to be a real threat - and has terrible Stamina.

So - take a detailed look at Leeds (having scouted many of them in prep)

Oooh boy - much more solid talent top to bottom than Rotherham.

GK is solid, weak punching but very athletic in the air. His weakest point is one on one, and is not particularly fast. Suggests that breaks will be the best way to attack him.

Defense

DR is better than any player I have seen yet. He is faster as a defender than anyone on my team, and overall is very skilled with no real weaknesses. Maybe just maybe he will tire out, but I have players who will be tired first. Basically, I won't be coming down this side of the field much.

DL is significantly weaker - still solid, but nothing really daunting.

DC-R is somewhat slow, but really strong in the air and solid overall. That pretty much clinches the closed door on the right side of the defense - he will close down the chip-ins over the DR.

DC-L is less skilled, but quicker than DC-R and also good in air. Crossing attacks will be tough in general. My attack will have to focus on attacking the left side in general.

Midfield

One lucky break - their most dangerous midfielder (2 goals last game) is ineligible, 2nd string MR will be a guy named Prutton who I have incomplete info on. Overall, he is very solid, would easily start on my team. but nothing really really dangerous.

MC-R is a relatively weak shooter, good dribbler, good header, good tackling - I don't know how fast he is, but the right side is looking less and less appealing.

MC-L is the scariest shooter I have seen, he curves the ball, he shoots well from range, and he is notably accurate. He is also faster than anyone on my team, and has generally excellent skills - enough quality to be playing in the Chamionship. He will be breaking up any midfield play forward I have. Team will have instructions to keep on him at all times, and close on him when he has the ball as fast as possible. If given time to shoot, he will simply cut through my defence with long shots. Attacking up the left side will at least wear him out.

ML - solid skills, but the only really threatening is a high Premiership level freekick ability, and mediocre tackling.

Striker

Very skilled and polished strikers, both with good aerial attack - the one saving grace is that they are not that fast. Faster than me, but not by a large enough margin to make breaks a huge threat.

Overall, this looks like a beating. No glaring weaknesses, their left defence combo is comparable to my best inside-outside combination, their right better. I would consider trading their DR for my DC Captain - though a big difference in leadership skills. Even without their star midfielder, they are much stronger in the midfield, and will take the ball from me repeatedly. No matter what, most of the game will be played in my half. If I let them set up a patient passing offense, they will hammer from outside and their strikers will pounce on opportunities that creates. Just to make it especially nasty, freekicks will be very dangerous.

My depth is still weak at Striker because of conditioning, and given I won't be able to hold the ball long, my 'strength' style Striker won't be very useful anyway. I probably cannot beat this team until they are tired - this will be a rope-a-dope match. I am going to play a 4-5-1 until about the 75th minute, and then switch to a 4-4-2 to attack in hopes of stealing a win. For most of the game, I will just to clog up the middle with the fifth (defensive) midfielder, fight for possession and shut down the Leeds threats quickly to prevent them from setting up. I will start with stronger defensive midfielders, and bring on fresh players in the second half - 1 at the half, then probably 2 more attack-oriented at 60 and 75 minutes.

If nothing else, the offense will be reasonably fresh for the league game in 3 days. I probably won't have much at all in the way of offence in the first half, but I will put out my best ST as long as possible and hope I get lucky on a counter punch break - I still only have 2 I can get a whole half from reliably, and one is just not that fast. I will play it down my right, though relatively I have more talent on the left of my midfield. Tempo will be quick, to force them to tire and to increase the chances of one-on-one breaks right after gaining possession. I don't really have a game plan to come from behind.

Moofar

I guess because of the rivalry and the higher status of the opponent, the crowd is big, near capacity. Bookies have us as 3-1 underdogs. I made one modification to last night's plan, a bit of a potential gamble. To increase 2nd half flexibility, I am not going to dress a second GK (5 subs dressed, 3 allowed).

Their MR is indeed Prutton, so I am at least facing the team I expected.

Game starts off as expected, we are having a very hard time sustaining possession, particularly in their defensive end. Our lone striker isn't getting much at all, and their 'power' oriented game means that the defense is not out of position much at all. The good news is that most of the game is being played with them in possession in the ball in the midfield. Leeds keep pumping it into the 18 yard area, and time after time the DC's turn it back. Probably a positive sign in the game - Coughlin, the DC anchor of my team, is winning everything and I keep seeing messages about him being really pumped for the game, and encouraging the rest of the team. He is also getting the crowd going (not something he normally does)

30 mins

Leeds has continued to break everything up, and O'Grady the lone striker isn't able to develop anything like a break - most of the time he either passes back to an open midfielder or just loses the ball. Their possessions are getting longer and longer, and you can feel the pressure building. The defence is still closing down quickly and preventing shots, but it is getting a little ragged. At 37 minutes, the DL, Brogan gets a yellow card, and the first truly dangerous FK happens.

On the ensuing play, a scramble develops and Leeds gets a shot from about 7 yards - GK turns it aside with an amazing save, but it is the first really close chance, and it sets up a corner. At 40 minutes, I just want to get to the half unscathed, which will be tough as the last 5 minutes have been largely played in my defensive zone. Another dangerous shot, though further out, at 43 minutes, and it hits the post, and Coughlin jumps on the ball and pounds it all the way to the Leeds GK. The Millmoor crowd is roaring. Manage to keep play in the midfield until the whistle. I have the impression that Leeds might have become more aggressive in the last 10-15 minutes of the game, but their defense wasn't pinching forward, which is what needs to happen to have a decent shot at a counter punch break.

Half

Still, I got to the half, and despite being down 59-41% in terms of possession, was only outshot 4-2. I don't recall one of my shots, but 2 of theirs weren't particularly dangerous. I'll take my ML off to keep that position fresh, the 2nd string is faster (both Loan players) and his much weaker Crossing is probably not relevant. With his higher speed and fresh legs, he might be able to put pressure on their right, where the DR looked like he might tire, and their midfield is already playing their second string. At a minimum, I need to keep disrupting their right wing attack to prevent them setting up that deadly center inside-outside combo, which is more or less what was happening to finish the half. So far, the game plan has held up, just got very tense at the end of the half.

2nd half

Play begins similarly, but Leeds is not able to immediately re-establish the pressure they finished the 1st half with. Still in their favour, but have taken the ball over to their half once or twice. Compton, the new ML has produced some runs down that side and stretched before putting into the middle, and Leeds is having no more luck cracking the defence when they do break it up the midfield.

57 minutes

ML Compton runs up the side again, then centers it back to the playmaking MC Holmes, touch to Todd the MR - who finds Hudson, the other MC in the open at about 20 yards out - and the one guy on the team with a green light for long shots (13 of possible 20 skill), who pounds it into the left corner of the net!!!! Crowd explodes, 1-0!. That may have been my first shot of the half. Time to change the game plan, no attack at 75 minutes, just keep playing the 4-5-1. MC Holmes comes off for fresh legs, and we change the tempo down to normal - reduced chance of breaks, but haven't had any from the striker anyway, and keeping the ball longer is now more important. Also set time-wasting to High.

60 minutes

Leeds has clearly become more offensive, they are still being kept at arm's length but are establishing longer and longer possessions, and have produced some shots from outside. Actually quite similar feel to the escalating pressure of 1st half - so much so that Bean, the Defensive Midfielder also gets a yellow card at 65 minutes, and another dangerous freekick - shot goes off the wall and deflects off a Leeds player for a goal kick. They are still not getting either runs in on the goalie or second chances, and while they still hold the advantage with the ball, our midfield is carrying it to them more than in the first half.

73 minutes

Leeds drives forward in the first dangerous break of the game, but Coughlin tackles it clear back to their dangerous who puts it back in again - header to one of their wingers, winger passes it to their pinching DR, who passes it to their dangerous MC - and Bean, the DMC closes him down immediately, flicking the ball to our ML - who is behind the DR!! and the fastest player on the Rotherham team. He tears down the left side with the DR in pursuit, the DC-R closes, on him, and he passes into the center for O'Grady the ST who sees ball and net together for the first time and makes no mistake! 2-0 on a clinical shot with the goalie out of position! Could this be the Miracle at Millmoor?

75 minutes

Leeds has gone over to a 4-2-4 and attacking recklessly off the kickoff, but the defence is still rock solid. Coughlin is still showing the 'pumped' and 'encouraging team' messages, and shuts down a volley in with a clearance to Tonge, the MC who came after the first goal, give and go with Todd the MR, and suddenly Tonge is behind the DL for another goal!!! 3-0 Rotherham with 15 minutes to play! Keeping the 4-5-1, but I switch STs to have fresh (though slower) legs to disrupt the Leeds defence as they bring it up.

78 minutes

The pressure from Leeds is building, with 4 attackers they are producing a flurry of shots and for the first time, second chance possessions. At 78 minutes, one of these becomes a cross into the goal box, and Leeds scores, 3-1. Coughlin works the crowd off the kickoff, it is still very tense, if we score 2 goals in 2 minutes, they certainly can. They have used all their subs now too, and are playing the aggressive 4-2-4, defenders pinching up. When it gets into the Rotherham defensive zone, it is very dangerous now, but the corollary is that with 5 midfielders versus 2, their attack is breaking up more, and Coughlin and Co. are having none of the long ball along the back line. I recall wondering what the value of those leadership scores really was last night, but I think I am seeing it. A couple of sustained possessions don't produce any sort of threat on the Leeds goal, but kill valuable time.

86 minutes

Crap - 4 minutes of injury time, which will mean at least 5 actual minutes. Leeds is really playing forward, and have had a couple of flurries - they ahve probably had more shots this half than last by a margin, but have mounted a couple of sieges on the net. Their defense is now just pumping the ball right back in as quickly as possible, and their GK is coming out of the box to pick up the long clearances from the Rotherham defenders.

90 minutes

Another long clearance, the Leeds GK comes up, chips it forward to the DL at the half line...and Todd the MR with 2 assists already bursts into intercept and chips the ball forward from the half line....and the GK is running back toward the box!! 4-1, on a very very weird goal! The crowd is through the roof now!

Injury time produces one more Leeds outside shot, and a sustained Rotherham midfield possession closes out the last minute of play in front of the thunderous crowd. Against the odds, Rotherham is through to the 2nd round of the League Cup, knocking off a heavily favoured regional rival to get there!

Final possession was 55-45 in favour of Leeds, which means that the second half must have been 51-49. Shots were 9-7, so even in the 2nd half. But the striking number is 22% of the game was played in the Rotherham defensive zone with Leeds in possession, versus just 10% vice versa. Only 1 Leeds shot was on net (which doesn't count the post hit) versus 5 Rotherham shots on net. Todd with 1 goal and 2 assists gets man of the match, but it might as well have been Coughlin.

Didn't realize there was a 40k purse for making the 2nd round, that is a nice add-on, though no idea if I will be able to use it. The home win should also bring in bigger crowds. Team morale is over the moon, there appears to be a huge lift across the whole team, and the players who were on the field are at what I think is the highest. I will have met expectations from the Board in one category too, where I figured I was going to fail unfairly.

Rotherham was the only League 2 team to survive the 1st round, with only one able to take the game to penalties before getting crushed (I knew that penalties would be very grim going 5 deep for that skill, their first 3 weren't going to miss). Media commentary: 'media pundits are claiming a triumph of tactics for the Rotherham manager as Rotherham won comfortably despite not enjoying as much of the ball.

On the downside, the fans still seem to resent the opening 1-0 friendly loss to a semi-pro club (Netwon)

walkinshaw

Nice stuff mate, keep it up. Maybe shorten it a bit though or add soem screenies to show soem the match results with mayeb just a paragraph explaining?

Cheers Liveru