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Anthony David Junior Elanga

M

MaxiRobriguez

Bob McKinlay
Red Echo said:
It's hard to overstate how important he is to this Forest side being decent, in my opinion, solely because his pace demands the other team's attention, which gives Hudson-Odoi the occasional extra yard of space on the other side to cause damage. He's relentless.
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Not just CHO it provides space to.

You get an opposition full back who drops deep so as to not have to be in a foot race with him then it forces the rest of the defence deeper in order to retain the shape and offside line. That usually brings the midfield back a few yards as well which gives Forest the chance to dominate the ball in the middle. If the midfield don't drop back it gives MGW all the space in the world to do what he does best.

All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.
 
Gyros Peter

Gyros Peter

Sauce salad?
My Elanga highlight yesterday was watching him and Robinson in a foot race. You don't see two players that quick going he'll for leather very often. Insane!

(And while I'm at it I'd love Robinson down our left - he's not got the best final ball but he makes up for that in drive and pace. He'd really balance us out.)
 
B

Berkshire Red

Jack Armstrong
MaxiRobriguez said:
All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.
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Which begs the question of why Origi started ahead of him recently? Unless Elanga hasn't been 100% fit perhaps, we will probably never know.

He wasn't at his best last night, should have scored what would have been a marvellous team goal to make it 3-0, but as said, his mere presence worries the opposition.
 
M

MaxiRobriguez

Bob McKinlay
Berkshire Red said:
Which begs the question of why Origi started ahead of him recently?
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I think Origi's being shoehorned in as an means to play direct from defence (Murillo) to someone who can hold it up. Wood isn't a hold-up player, none of the attacking players have the strength/height to do it. He's been playing Origi wide right because he often comes up against a full back who's half a foot shorter than the centre back.

Simple as that. Unfrtounately the reality has been that Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.

Hasn't helped our central midfield has struggled to progress the ball as well, which forced the Origi out-ball more. Danilo yesterday was excellent at bringing the ball out of central midfield, so direct out-ball wasn't as necessary, and you could see it in how much play went through MGW in central areas.
 
Redemption

Redemption

Agenda Benda
MaxiRobriguez said:
Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.
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But it does release the pressure, momentarily. Which, given our record, is better respite than none.
 
FLC

FLC

First Team Squad
Gyros Peter said:
My Elanga highlight yesterday was watching him and Robinson in a foot race. You don't see two players that quick going he'll for leather very often. Insane!

(And while I'm at it I'd love Robinson down our left - he's not got the best final ball but he makes up for that in drive and pace. He'd really balance us out.)
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Looking forward to a potential foot race between him and Brennan on Sunday.
 
T

Timothy Pope

I know that Nuno that I know that Nuno that I know
Notcher

Notcher

Stuart Pearce
MaxiRobriguez said:
I think Origi's being shoehorned in as an means to play direct from defence (Murillo) to someone who can hold it up. Wood isn't a hold-up player, none of the attacking players have the strength/height to do it. He's been playing Origi wide right because he often comes up against a full back who's half a foot shorter than the centre back.

Simple as that. Unfrtounately the reality has been that Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.

Hasn't helped our central midfield has struggled to progress the ball as well, which forced the Origi out-ball more. Danilo yesterday was excellent at bringing the ball out of central midfield, so direct out-ball wasn't as necessary, and you could see it in how much play went through MGW in central areas.
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Spot on. It was noticeable that the tactic from goal kicks was for sels to play out to Murillo who then went long into Origi and we looked to picked up the second ball off him. That's fine for when we need to get out and hold onto the ball higher up whilst seeing out a game but it doesn't work as starting game plan.
 
Red Echo

Red Echo

Youth Team
MaxiRobriguez said:
Not just CHO it provides space to.

You get an opposition full back who drops deep so as to not have to be in a foot race with him then it forces the rest of the defence deeper in order to retain the shape and offside line. That usually brings the midfield back a few yards as well which gives Forest the chance to dominate the ball in the middle. If the midfield don't drop back it gives MGW all the space in the world to do what he does best.

All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.
Click to expand...
Indeed - and what do defenders dislike more than anything? Having to turn around and run back towards their own goal. It all adds up in the psychological battle. His work rate is the secret sauce that makes it so effective.

His runs tend to give the Forest full-back on his side a safer outlet too, as when he's not playing there's more of a chance that the ball will be played into a higher-risk situation in the middle of the park.

Hopefully he stays healthy becuase if Elanga and Hudson-Odoi play in all of the remaining games, Forest are as good as safe.
 
Red Ray's Redlist

Red Ray's Redlist

Viv Anderson
Notcher said:
I've got a feeling that Elanga is playing through some sort of pain barrier. He hasn't looked right since his injury but I think we're still wheeling him out to occupy and keep the opposition honest and for the odd occasion he can still get in behind. As you say, it's quite noticeable how sparingly we use him to spearhead the attack
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Grabbed from the CHO thread, but I agree.

He's been a fantastic signing, and I have to be honest in that I didn’t think he would be. Yes he's raw, can run up blind alleys and also not lift his head up. And he does often play a careless ball, especially from the fullback position. But all of those things will improve with game time, maturity, and good coaching.

But for a flair player he has bags of workrate, grit and determination. Its brilliant to see. And he's obviously willing to push himself through a considerable amount of pain to support his teammates. Add to that lot that much like Taiwo he plays with a big smile on his face and you can't help but root for him to be a massive success.
 
Des Walker Texas Ranger

Des Walker Texas Ranger

First Team Squad
Why on earth do we insist on dragging Elanga back to defend corners?! We quite literally bring everyone back into our own box to invite the usual levels of pressure and chaos

Surely we could leave Elanga as the outball somewhere near half way. Opposition would have to leave at least one player back to deal with his pace - not to mention he’s about as much use as the proverbial nutella fire safety device on any sort of defensive duty!

He’s been a great signing overall. Been a bit “Alex Mighten” since his injury (which is a concern) but hoping he’s got a couple of strong outings left to finish the season on a high
 
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J

JonnoSnr

Youth Team
Des Walker Texas Ranger said:
Why on earth do we insist on dragging Elanga back to defend corners?! We quite literally bring everyone back into our own box to invite the usual levels of pressure and chaos
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It's a real pet hate of mine. So many managers bring everyone back too so I've always wondered if they're working off some sort of stat that says the defensive benefits outweigh the potential attacking ones if you don’t leave anyone up.

But yeah, Elanga would surely occupy at least 2 defenders. In fact I'd throw Hudson-Odoi up there too. That would really freak out the opposition.
 
FBS

FBS

Steve Chettle
Larry Lansbury said:
Thought he was poor yesterday but lots of mitigating factors including recent injuries. Touch was off and it seems Utd kept tight on him which didn’t suit him. However played a key role in Yates goal and as game went on was more of threat. Think he has bright future at forest-but we need depth to allow him to develop.
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My thoughts too about the performance against Sheff U. Looked to be struggling to beat his man. He also seemed to lack confidence. When he burst through and was bearing down on goal, instead of shooting from in the box he cut it back to MGW but the ball was cut out. MGW told him he should have shot.
He just needs to have more confidence in himself. He is an exciting player and has a turn of pace that very few can keep up with.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk
 
A

ARedChester

First Team Squad
JonnoSnr said:
It's a real pet hate of mine. So many managers bring everyone back too so I've always wondered if they're working off some sort of stat that says the defensive benefits outweigh the potential attacking ones if you don’t leave anyone up.

But yeah, Elanga would surely occupy at least 2 defenders. In fact I'd throw Hudson-Odoi up there too. That would really freak out the opposition.
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I believe the theory is "deal with the immediate threat (the corer) with everyone". Bit Like you, I believe a crowded area of 20ish players is to no one's advantage. Crowded for shooting, crowded for clearing. Leave 2 up and have faith in defending (flaw in Forest's plan right there) but there is a better opportunity to move and get to the opposition with more space.

Not to mention a quick clearance could present all sorts of options.
 
C

Cloughie1975

John Robertson
JonnoSnr said:
It's a real pet hate of mine. So many managers bring everyone back too so I've always wondered if they're working off some sort of stat that says the defensive benefits outweigh the potential attacking ones if you don’t leave anyone up.

But yeah, Elanga would surely occupy at least 2 defenders. In fact I'd throw Hudson-Odoi up there too. That would really freak out the opposition.
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It’s the modern way and a pet hate of mine too.
Brian Clough often left a couple of players towards the halfway line when the opposition
were taking corners.
 
B

Bohinens_chip

A. Trialist
FBS said:
My thoughts too about the performance against Sheff U. Looked to be struggling to beat his man. He also seemed to lack confidence. When he burst through and was bearing down on goal, instead of shooting from in the box he cut it back to MGW but the ball was cut out. MGW told him he should have shot.
He just needs to have more confidence in himself. He is an exciting player and has a turn of pace that very few can keep up with.

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk
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I think our job as fans is to provide him with unrelenting support. Same for CHO, wingers need confidence and both these guys have the ability and attributes to scare most defenders in this league. Just need them to keep trying it and they'll play themselves into form soon enough. He seems very level headed and professional as well which helps
 
Gyros Peter

Gyros Peter

Sauce salad?
Surely it's as simple as 'we've conceded way too many from corners this season so better pack the box with as much as we have?'

While I prefer having a man up too I can see why we wouldn't recently - how many from set pieces is it? Over 20 iirc.
 
Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
Gyros Peter said:
Surely it's as simple as 'we've conceded way too many from corners this season so better pack the box with as much as we have?'

While I prefer having a man up too I can see why we wouldn't recently - how many from set pieces is it? Over 20 iirc.
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23, I think?

It’s an appalling statistic whichever way you look at it, and clearly points out fundamental issues with the way Forest collectively defend (or try to) against set pieces.
 
Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
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