The Importance of Width in League Two

Sean Rigg
Picture by Jon Whiles Photography

At the top level of the game the debate continues to rage about whether the traditional winger as we know it is dead. The success of Spain at international level with their unorthodox and much-vaunted 4-6-0 approach and the increasing popularity of the narrow 4-2-3-1 among Europe's top clubs have combined to push the old tried-and-true 4-4-2 well and truly out of favour – and with it everyone's favourite player: the winger.

But Oxford don't play at the top level of the game and they aren't one of Europe's top clubs (yet!), so emulating Barcelona isn't necessarily likely to bring results in League Two. Having won promotion from the Conference by utilising a direct approach that involved getting the ball up to the front three of James Constable, Jack Midson and Matt Green as quickly as possible, Chris Wilder jettisoned this approach upon the club's return to the Football League. Overhauling the squad in the summer of 2010, Oxford were set up with a continental narrow 4-3-3 formation and an emphasis on passing football and ball retention. The result was a side which played some beautiful football and finished 12^th. Clearly a rethink was needed.

The sad fact is that at our level of football the players are too limited to make such a fluid approach work successfully. Instead the 4-4-2, for all its faults, is a system which all the players are used to and comfortable with and as a result they perform better. The intervening years between those early League Two lessons and now have seen a lot of tinkering and experimenting as Wilder has tried to hit upon the magic formula for success, and although there probably is no single approach that guarantees promotion one thing that has stood out in recent seasons is that good wing play can be a major factor in a side's success at League Two level.

Take Port Vale last season as a notable example. Lots of people pinpointed the impressive goalscoring form of Tom Pope as the reason for Vale's unexpectedly successful season, but he was only able to find the net so often because there was a steady supply of chances landing at his feet (or on his head or anywhere else really), most of which came from the wingers. Ashley Vincent and Jennison Myrie-Williams were a devastating force last season, as demonstrated when they were allowed to roam free during the 3-0 demolition they inflicted on us at Vale Park.

The importance of quality wide players was emphasised again on Saturday when Chesterfield ended our unbeaten start to the season. Of course, when you've assembled a squad like theirs it's easy to look good but as we're discussing style of play rather than personnel I think they still serve as a very strong example of how to play at this level. Chesterfield constantly look to stretch the play and get their wide players on the ball and as a result Gary Roberts and Tendayi Darikwa gave our full-backs trouble all afternoon. Most Oxford fans agreed that Chesterfield were the best side we're likely to come up against this season and part of the reason for that success is the way they use the flanks. Their goal on Saturday, for example, came from a ball in from the left.

Alfie Potter
Picture by Jon Whiles Photography

And then, of course, there's us. With Alfie Potter and Sean Rigg we have two of the best wingers in League Two within our ranks. When both are fit and we really utilise the width they offer they can be unstoppable – as they were at Portsmouth on the opening day of the season. Rigg's injury perhaps highlighted how fundamental the wingers are to our chances this season, with just one win from the four matches he missed (not including Torquay and Chesterfield, both of which he played some part in). We've already touched on this point when discussing Oxford's younger players, but by replacing Rigg with the naturally central Asa Hall our attacking potential was considerably reduced.

This lack of cover out wide – particularly if O'Dowda isn't considered ready for first-team football yet – is possibly my biggest concern about the team at the moment. Rigg and Potter won't play every match this season, and being wingers they won't necessarily play brilliantly in every match either, so we need more options that can come on and deputise to ensure that we maintain a wide threat. That could be the difference between the flashes of brilliance we've seen so far and a consistently strong season.

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Where Did It All Go Right?

As usual at this time of year, with no football to watch and comment on, our footballing attentions tend to be divided between two activities: transfer gossip and deconstructing the season just gone. It's popularly agreed that our season was undone by a quite ridiculous injury list which ruled out key players for much of the season, leaving us woefully undermanned for the rigours of a 46-game season.

That's probably quite a decent starting place to begin analysing where things went wrong for Oxford last season, but what about those sides who are now preparing for life in League One? Where did it all go right for them? Each of the four promoted sides last season – Gillingham, Rotherham, Port Vale and Bradford – are clubs of a similar size to Oxford and all had been in League Two at least as long as us but none seemed to be able to find that winning formula until striking gold this last term. In this post we'll take a quick look at what made each of these sides successful last term in the hope it will reveal some of the secrets to League Two success.

Champions Gillingham are an interesting place to start our analysis, because they finished the 2011-12 season a very similar position to ourselves. Like us, they finished the 2011-12 season in poor shape, dropping out of the play-off race late in the season and finishing just two points and one place above us in eighth. Unlike us, Gillingham then took the decision to change manager with the incoming Martin Allen pinpointing Gillingham's defence as the area to strengthen. In 11-12 the Gills conceded 62 goals; this year they reduced that to a miserly 39 – easily to best record in League Two. In addition, Gillingham kept an impressive 18 clean sheets this season.

The sale of Paulo Gazzaniga and sell-on clauses for Matt Jarvis and Ryan Bertrand provided Allen with some cash to play with prior to the start of the season and he spent it well, bringing in Stuart Nelson, Adam Bartlett and Leon Legge to shore up the defence. Between them the Gills defence were able to reduce their opponents' goalscoring opportunities, leaving them to face hopeful potshots – the Gills conceded just once for every 12 shots they faced last season, an impressive figure (by way of comparison, our defence needed an average of just seven shots to be breached).

By contrast, Port Vale's approach focused on improving their attack. Again, Vale finished the 2011-12 season in a similar position to us and would have finished one point ahead of us if not for a points deduction. With the prolific Marc Richards leaving before the start of the season there was some concern about whether Vale would be able to replace his goals, but Tom Pope unexpectedly discovered where the net is and scored a quite incredible 31 goals as part of the 'best strikeforce in the league' as Vale finished the season as the league's top scorers, with 87.

This was due in large part to the impressive wingers Ashley Vincent and Jennison Myrie-Williams who supplied a steady stream of balls across the face of goal for Vale's strikers to latch onto. Vale's attack was by far the most clinical in the division, requiring less than five shots to find the net on average (by comparison, Oxford averaged more than seven shots per goal scored).

Rotherham, with 74 goals scored, appeared to take a similar approach to Vale, though their situation is probably the least relatable for Oxford. The positive momentum created by their move to the New York Stadium and the piles of cash handed to manager Steve Evans to assemble an abnormally strong squad are unlikely to be recreated here at any point in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, they do provide an important example of the importance of building a head of steam and finishing the season with momentum behind them.

At one point the Millers appeared to be out of the automatic promotion race after a poor run of form, but as the season neared its end they found the form they had been threatening (effectively beginning with their 4-0 demolition job at the Kassam at the start of March). Rotherham finished the season with six wins from their last eight games to pip Port Vale for second place. But who knows, if they hadn't had that confidence-boosting win over us at just the right time, they might well have found themselves in League Two next season as well. There is definitely a lesson to learn there about using the momentum gained from those kind of results to build up a head of steam – something Oxford notably failed to do last season.

Like Rotherham, Bradford also spent money this season – money which hadn't been made available in previous seasons – but it was a gamble which ultimately paid off with two Wembley appearances helping to pay off any shortfall they may otherwise have had. However, that is a gamble that Oxford seem unlikely to make this season after posting some big losses in previous years, but there are still lessons to be learned about reversing a team's fortunes and building a winning mentality.

Bradford had been trapped in League Two for six years without really looking like getting out of it and after an 18th-place finish in 2012 it needed something drastic for them to turn it around this time out. Manager Phil Parkinson cleared out a lot of deadwood, building the side around important senior pros such as Gary Jones and supplementing them with young, hungry players. Like Port Vale, Bradford uncovered a goalscoring gem in Nahki Wells this season, whose goals have been indispensable to the Bantams' promotion campaign. To what extent is it luck that these players performed this season and what are Oxford's chances of replicating that?

So have we learned anything from this exercise? Clearly each of the sides who promotion this season have done so in their own way and there is not one simple formula for winning promotion from League Two. But as the club seeks to move away from its previous policy of making big-name injury-prone signings like Michael Duberry and Peter Leven, the above examples do at least show how it can be done. The question now is can Oxford emulate that success?

Many thanks to the excellent statistical website Experimental 3-6-1 for their League Two attack and defence stats, which proved invaluable for this article.

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MATCH REPORT: Oxford United 2-1 Port Vale

By Youcef El-Barhdadi,

What is it with home games against Port Vale, eh? From half-way line strikes to conceding an equalizer in the 92nd minute to scoring the winner in the 93rd minute, when Oxford United and Port Vale meet at the Kassam Stadium, the neutral is rarely left unsatisfied.

Oxford went into the game today with seven points from a possible nine, with the two wins being away from home to Plymouth and top-of-the-tableGillingham. The recent upturn in form has somewhat altered the complexion of Oxford’s season. The club have been struggling in mid-table for the majority of the season, but today’s hard-earned three points has put Oxford in a position to surge towards a play-off place by the end of the season.

Alfie Potter got the scoring underway as he latched on to former U’s centre back Darren Purse’s poor backpass before opening up his body and slotting the ball coolly past Chris Neal into the far corner to make it two in two against the top two for Alfie. An excellent finish that set the tone for the remainder of the game. Despite being a superb game of football, there were countless mistakes made by both sides.

It took Port Vale just a minute to react with a Doug Loft effort from 20 yards going just wide of Oxford goalkeeper Luke McCormick’s right-hand post. But, five minutes later Loft had re-calibrated his right foot sufficiently to guide Tom Pope’s knock-down just inside that right-hand post from 25 yards for 1-1.

Vale almost took the lead in spectacular fashion as Calvin Andrew attempted an overhead kick from the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Vale fans, he is Calvin Andrew and it rolled out harmlessly for a goal kick.

Oxford themselves could have taken the lead just before half time but Sean Rigg could not direct Liam Davis’ cross on target.

As the half time whistle went, United walked off to a ripple of applause and then a chorus of boos as the matchday officials came into view. The U’s supporters clearly upset with the referee’s decision not to award a penalty for what looked a blatant push on Alfie Potter.

The Yellows came out pumped for the second half and appeared to have been suitably motivated by the coaching staff during the break. Deane Smalley continued his tireless work rate up front, Damian Batt carried on providing an option of an overlap on the right and Josh Parker even won a header. Oxford were pushing for a goal with a barrage of corners, free-kicks and throw-ins from the feet (and hands) of stand-in central midfielder Tony Capaldi. In fact, the Vale left back was doing his level best to push Josh Parker with a barrage of shirt pulls, head-locks and even a UFC move that ended in the pair of them going into the referee's book.

Port Vale probed and Ryan Burge saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar after Jake Wright over-played, but it was Oxford that got the winner. James Constable accelerated down the right and provided a cross that Vale’s top goal-scorer Tom Pope almost turned into his own net. From the resulting corner, the ball wasn’t cleared properly by the Vale defence and the ball fell fortunately to Deane Smalley who slammed the ball between the keeper’s legs for his fourth goal of the season and what turned out to be the winner.

Oxford pressed to make the game safe and Liam Davis burst into the box after clever play from Sean Rigg only to be tripped by Ryan Burge. This time the referee pointed to the spot and Oxford had the chance to make the game safe. Sean Rigg took responsibility in the absence of first-choice penalty taker Peter Leven. He smashed the ball hard and low to Chris Neal’s right, but the Vale stopper anticipated and saved well. It wasn’t necessarily a bad penalty, it was just a saved one.

Fortunately, the penalty miss was not to prove costly as United hung on to record their first win at home since Cheltenham Town on New Years Day.

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PREVIEW: Port Vale Home (02/03/13)

It's difficult to know which Oxford side will turn up against Port Vale: the diabolical one we've seen in such recent games as against Fleetwood, or the one capable of beating league leaders Gillingham away from home. The venue for the match might give us some indication of what to expect – we've not won at home since New Year's Day, picking up just two points from a possible 12, while away from home we've won five of our last seven.

Port Vale appear to be flying, second in the league and looking highly likely to be promoted automatically this season. But they're not currently in a rich vein of form, winning just one of their last four matches. Unfortunately Port Vale are another of those sides who are better on the road and remarkably haven't been beaten away in League Two since October, picking up 21 points from a possible 27 during that run.

Port Vale manager Mickey Adams is expected to make changes to his side after they were comfortably beaten 2-0 at home to Exeter on Tuesday. The previously free-scoring Valiants have now scored just once in their last four games, which has led to some uncertainty as to who should lead the line for them this weekend.

As for ourselves, Chris Wilder is expected to make minimal changes to the side which won so impressively last time out, but there could be some changes in the midfield. Lewis Montrose available for selection after having to miss out against his parent club and Andy Whing should have recovered from the illness which ruled him out on Tuesday. New signing Scott Davies could also make an appearance after joining the club on Friday.

Our recent form against Port Vale is mixed, with dramatic 2-1 wins the last two times Vale visited the Kassam being offset by some disappointing defeats. A 3-0 defeat on the final day of last season was matched by an equally depressing 3-0 defeat when we visited earlier this season, the latter of those games being played in front of the Sky cameras.

There are several links between the two sides, the most obvious being Sean Rigg who joined Oxford in the summer from Port Vale. Several members of the current Vale side have had stints with Oxford, including Ryan Burge who spent a brief spell on loan at the Kassam in the 2009-10 season. Darren Purse is perhaps a more familiar name to long-standing Oxford fans after featuring for Oxford in the Championship in the late 90s. After a long career in football the veteran centre-back signed for Port Vale in January. And a more obscure link is Jennison Myrie-Williams, who has drawn many plaudits for his performances on the Vale wing this season. His signing was announced by Oxford in January 2011, but fell through because he had already played for two clubs earlier that season. Finally, youth team manager Chrissy Allen made five appearances for Port Vale in 1999.

FURTHER READING: Let's not go thinking it's just at Oxford where fans aren't happy. As this article shows, even fans of promotion-chasing sides like to have a good moan from time to time.

From the Vaults

Oxford United v Port Vale, 5^th April 1997

The last time Port Vale won in Oxford they arrived chasing promotion to the Premier League while for us the season had petered out to nothing, so it was perhaps unsurprising that the visitors cantered to a straightforward 2-0 win. It was, however, a particularly miserable afternoon for Darren Purse, who saw red for a ridiculous elbow to the face of Port Vale's Lee Mills.

Also This Weekend

The ladies team, fresh from their incredible victory over Newcastle last weekend, are in cup action once again. This time it's the League Cup and local rivals Swindon are in town. They've already beaten Swindon once this season, 3-0 in a league match away from home, but Swindon come into the match on the back of an impressive 6-1 win over Gloucester City last weekend and will be no pushovers. The match kicks off at 2PM on Sunday at Abingdon United's Northcourt Road and entry is free of charge.

Another match you should be aware of this weekend is the U17 girls Academy side, who face Aston Villa in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. That match kicks off at 11AM on Saturday and, again, entry is free.

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MATCH REPORT: Port Vale 3-0 Oxford United

Hopes of an Oxford resurgence were cruelly dashed last night as the league's best attack unsurprisingly overcame one the of the league's worst defences by three goals to nil with the nation watching on through their TVs.

PREVIEW: Port Vale Away (15/10/12)

Oxford travel to Port Vale for an unusual Monday night match against the league's second-placed side, just over a week after facing leaders Gillingham in our last league match. An impressive victory away at Cheltenham in the JPT has renewed a sense of optimism about this side, but Vale have only lost twice so far this season and will present a stern test.

What the Stats Say...Port Vale

So this is the big one. Everything is riding on this weekend's clash with Port Vale – fail to win and our season is over; even a win won't be enough if Aldershot fail to get anything from Crewe (who are currently unbeaten in 15 games). And yet there's still that chance. Here's Matt Peck to preview the match that will decide our fate.

On Perry Deakin, Port Vale and Firoz Kassam

The recent reports that former Port Vale CEO Perry Deakin has been appointed as the new 'Stadium Manager' at the Kassam seems to have brought Vale's frenzied war between fans and directors to our doorstep. Vale fans are, understandably, indignant that the despised Deakin has been given another job after leaving Port Vale in administration. A look at the relevant thread on their One Vale Fan forum is revealing, including comments such as:

“Just as Vale, Oxford have not done their homework before they employed him”

“That'll be admin for Oxford next year then”

“I am pretty sure that the powers that be at Oxford have and will be brought up to date with Deakin's antics. It's then their call whether they want to risk employing someone of his calibre.”

Cult Hero: Martin Foyle

With Port Vale the next visitors to Grenoble Road this Saturday, we turn our attention to a well-known veteran of both clubs: Martin Foyle. Foyle is a legendary figure at Port Vale (he is their post-war record goalscorer and later went on to manage the club), but he also made over 150 appearances and scored 44 goals for Oxford before he was sold to Port Vale. More recently he was manager of York City on that fateful day at Wembley last May, at the same time creating an unusual space for himself in the history books of Oxford United.

Tim Russon's Greatest Moments

As Oxford prepare to make the relatively short hop to Hereford tomorrow, we thought we'd pay homage to Hereford's vice-chairman Tim Russon, who is now into his second year as a club director after taking over in June of last year. Perhaps a director of an opposing team is an odd choice of subject matter for a blog to choose, but Oxford fans will be familiar with Russon from the many years he spent as the face of Central South TV sports round-ups throughout the 1990s. With reports characterised by elaborate and frankly ridiculous metaphors and cheesy puns, Tim Russon provided the voice to some of the most hilarious football highlights packages ever to grace local news.

2011-12 League Two Season Preview (Part 2)

Following on from part 1 published yesterday, here is part two of our League Two season preview, featuring Aldershot Town, Southend United, Plymouth Argyle, Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, Rotherham United, Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City. If you haven't yet read part 1, featuring previews of Crawley, Northampton, Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, Swindon, Oxford, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon you can do so here.