SLAVISA'S TACTICAL ACUMEN

Yesterday saw the White's notch up their first post-Christmas win, in what is a tough period of games. A first away win at Ipswich for 53 years was an excellent way to begin this run of games, and in a manner where the home side had no shots on target, other than an own goal attempt by Tim Ream. We shouldn't underestimate the gaffer's role in this victory, even though Ipswich are hardly setting the division on fire. But we should applaud Slavisa's tactical changes.

So where did Slavisa change things? Two teams playing 4-5-1 could have meant a first half of cancelling each other out, but the fluidity of the Fulham players meant that we totally dominated possession in the first half, apart from a short spell at the end of the half. With Odoi and Malone pushing forward it meant that the two Ipswich wide men were being dragged back. At half time McCarthy made two changes, going with two up front, which meant that Odoi and Malone had to be more defensive. Within 10 minutes Slav subbed Aluko for Sigurdsson which could be seen as protecting the lead. But, in reality it was clever tactics from the Boss. It allowed us to switch to 3 at the back to combat their two strikers, which in turn allowed Odoi and Malone to play as wing backs, again dragging the two Ipswich wide men back. The tactic worked immediately and once again the Whites were in control of the game. 
There also seems to be another tactical change, whereby Cairney is dropping a little deeper to pick up the ball. This is down to the eternal stamina of Johansen who has blossomed into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Championship. With Cairney dropping deeper, at times, it not only allows Johansen to roam more freely, it means that Cairney is harder to pick up. This in turn drags the opposition's defensive midfielder out leaving gaps between the lines for Ayite, Aluko, and our two wing backs, to exploit. 
With no disrespect to Kit Symonds, we would not have seen so many little details being employed to combat changes made by the opposition. Slavisa has always said that we are a work in progress, but now the new players are bedding in, and blending, all those hours spent at Motspur Park, are starting to reap dividends. I am certain that Slavisa believes there is more work to do, but we can already see the vast improvement in the team. As the gaffer said after the game "But in the end we scored this goal to close the game out. We changed the system when we started to have some kind of problem, and it’s a great day for us." .This result is as much down to the tactical changes made by Slavisa as by the excellence, and intelligence shown by the lads on the pitch. Khan and co. need to tie up Slavisa to a long term contract soon , as I truly believe he is the best coach at the Cottage since Tigana.

IN SLAVISA WE TRUST
COYWs

© Nic Smith