All very valid comment! I thnk that partially happened at least. When we had no choice but to chase a result especially at home to Qarabag i dont think that its a coincidence that that was the best 45 minutes of any of the games. Im sure the coaches would say that in the away leg in Baku it was game management - keep it tight knowing that Qarabag fade in the last quarter. It was probably the sensible approach but in hindsight an the way the game ended up maybe the right tactic was to take the game to them rather than fear being carved open. Away in Slovan I still feel was a lost opportunity and that they were vulberable enough to be more adventerous. I also thought we played each game as too much seperate rather than seeing opposition as more or less the same over 180mins. Previous years, home or away, tactics were very similar with trying to play on the front foot regardless. I actually think the Larnaca experience has lingered more than it should, as much with Perth as the players. Kenny would have been more steadfast in his belief and set up as he always did, to a fault even. But that is the sort of thing a manager gains with experience if its learnt from. Fenlon is an example of a coach, especially in Europe, that stuck to the defensive methodolgy and nick something, and never evolved in that regard over his coaching career.
For those interested here are highlights of the Linfield v Qarabag game this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi74J-5H1Nk
Just watched the highlights myself and a couple of observations. It was workman like by Linfield. First goal the defender should probably have done better and not let the attacker outmuscle him to goalside. Absolue sitter missed by Qarabag hitting the post from 6yds totally unmarked. Set pieces are essential and resulted in two Linfield goals. Qarabag didnt enjoy the spell before half time when Linfield's tails were up. Hatfull of good half chances for Qarabag and like the Dundalk it was looking ominous early on. We have spoken about the need to be more clinical with chances and Lavery's goal was a prime example of super point man play - pressuring the defender, turning him, nicking the ball and then camly cut inside and curled the ball inside the far post. Hery looked to me the main man indeed, comfortable on the ball and kept possession in tight spots well. It emphasises the loss that Benson was in being our main player for that and how key an O'Donnell type player is in central mid, calmness personified under pressure. Hery being dragged down around the neck from behind while not a red card was very cynical and if in rugby the Qarabag player would have been sinbinned. It wasnt a big surprise that the pace at with Qarabag were driving in to the box that a penalty was on the cards especially when they were looking for one - referee looked very good in that regard. Another sitter against the post and some good chances spurned by the away side or the complexion of the game would have been very different.
Linfield have a lot to do still, do they stick and sit in and look to a set piece away goal? If they try to push on they could be heavily punished and and Qarabag levelling the tie and it curtains!
Dundalk need to get back to getting goals from set pieces - Duffy has been shocking considering and those high looped balls to the back post at corners is pure waste. Murray and Flores are far better at delivering a set piece and I think it was a Murray corner that resulted in the goal in Oriel.
Super result for Linfield but generally looking at the highlights the things ye hope go your way on Euro nights did for Linfield. 2016 we werent so reliant on getting a slice of luck, time to get back to creating our own luck for the remainder of this season in all comps and improve performances in Europe next season.
A small observation - at half time v Slovan in Tallaght the Dundalk subs were just pinging shots on goal. I had thought those days had gone as under Kenny at HT subs were doing small drills with one of the coaches rather than teeing up shots. Small detail but its attention to detail that's necessary!!