A Mike Wilde hattrick fired Connah’s Quay to a 4-1 win over The New Saints at Park Hall stadium.
The victory pulls The Nomads clear in a close title race. Before the game the sides level on 66 points each, with 6 games to play.
It was the perfect start to a huge week for The Nomads.
Across just seven days Connah’s Quay will have played TNS twice, with a game at 3rd placed Bala Town in midweek.
A closer look at the tactical approach from both sides shows how innovation from Nomads manager Andy Morrison proved crucial.
Here we breakdown the games tactics.
The Formations of Both Sides
TNS set up in a 4-2-3-1, with key man Brobbel(8) in attacking midfield and Robles(18) up top. TNS are specialists in attacking, possession based football. They play with midfielders often swapping positions and fluidity. New manager Limbrick has not made drastic changes since arriving. There were a few modifications to their game however.
Robles in the lone striker role is an interesting move from Limbrick. Under previous management one of Ebbe, Draper or Roscrow would lead the TNS line. All are more recognised as ‘number 9’ type players.
The versatility of Robles has so far been preferred. His hold up play caused problems and he threatened in behind in duels with Nomads captain Horan. TNS played more long balls in behind for Robles to chase than you might previously expect from them.
Another key new tactic is an emphasis on attacking through Brobbel centrally, in the classic ‘number 10’ position. Under ex-manager Scott Ruscoe a lot of their chances were created from wide men, especially Cieslewicz, starting out wide and moving into central areas. Both when carrying the ball and looking to receive passes. Here they more often stayed wide, leaving space centrally for Brobbel.
First half Connah’s Quay played Insall(10) and academy product Aron Williams as a mobile front two. Wilde(9) sat behind them, almost in a ‘head of the diamond’ type role.
Putting your tall, physical target-man-type striker back into midfield was a fascinating move from Morrison. His defensive responsibility against the TNS midfield was significant, as they make a lot of runs forward with much interchanging.
Defensively Wilde had to track these TNS runs and on one occasion he even ended up in the right back position. Wilde performed well defensively and clearly maintained his attacking threat. A deserved man of the match.
New signing Neil Danns (11), sat at the base of the diamond. He made numerous important interventions defensively, showing the quality you’d expect from a player with over 250 English Championship appearances.
Connah’s Quay looked to put crosses into the box to create scoring opportunities. Both from taking long ‘Rory Delap’ type throw-ins and crosses from set pieces and open play.
It took just 40 seconds for them to get the first ball into the box. A long throw-in almost led to a great chance at the back post.
Hat-trick
The Nomads mobile front two allowed them to pressure the TNS centre backs.
On seven minutes Aron Williams won the ball from centre back Hudson (12), high up the field. The ball was quickly passed out to Poole, supporting from his position on the right of the diamond midfield.
He expertly delayed the play for teammates to get into the box, Wilde among them, before delivering an excellent deep cross. Wilde hammered the header in from 6 yards.
Brobbel scored a great individual goal to draw level and looked dangerous all game. It is understandable that Limbrick has set up TNS to maximise Brobbel’s output.
The diamond combined again for The Nomads second. A lovely dinked ball reached left midfielder Davies who headed back across goal for Wilde to score.
The Nomads third was very similar to their first. TNS this time closed down Poole enough to stop the cross, but right back Disney got up to support and again a back post cross was thumped home by Wilde. Clearly this is a type of goal the Nomads are looking to score.
TNS Chase the Game
On 58 minutes TNS record transfer signing Rowcrow got his chance to lead the line, coming on for Robles.
Moments later Insall scored a 4th from a long ball and Limbrick immediately threw on Draper to go two up top.
Andy Morrison seemed aware this formation change from TNS was a possibility. He responded by taking off one of his front two and moving to a 3 centre backs in a 5-4-1, with Wilde now leading the line.
In interview after the game Morrison called this their ‘European Block’. It largely did its job. TNS did win a penalty as the game drew to a close. However a brilliant save from ex-Manchester United trainee Byrne capped a good day all round for Connah’s Quay.
Dominant win
A dominant win then, to start a title defining seven days for The Nomads. Innovative tactics from Andy Morrison and some excellent performances help move Connahs’s Quay back into top spot.
By the end of this week consecutive titles may feel close enough to touch for The Nomads and their fans.
(Featured Image: NCM Media)
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