This system is not working.

What do you suggest? For me it's obvious that PH doesn't believe that our central midfielders can compete as a two against the opposition, hence him deploying three to try and win the midfield battle. I'm all for playing two up front but only if it suits the players at PH's disposal. Gardner and Williams could be an option as a two, mind, though the former is currently injured. I think it's more about picking a formation and a style to suit the strengths of the squad.

 

My biggest concern is I think we have planned to play to this formation and this formation only. I see no back up plan which I find quite alarming.

I'd maybe go 4411? Williams and Gardner in the center with Moncur playing behind Bradshaw. Give moncur the freedom of the final 3rd and he can get the ball to bradshaws feet, I feel that would work. I don't see how pumping balls into the box for Bradshaw to challenge for is doing anything for us... 1 striker against 3CBs? Nah.

This system would be more effective with McBurnie as he's good in the air, strong and decent with both feet. I'm not saying Bradshaw isn't decent in the air, because he is but he hasn't got that physical presence that McBurnie has.

 

Two up front wouldn’t necessarily be more attacking - it might tie hammill and Barnes/Hedges/Izzy down more, shackle them into a rigid position.

4-4-2 might be the answer but this ‘one up front is the issue’ is nonsense, when it works well it’s 4-3-3 with the ball and 4-5-1 out of possession. We were always going to be struggling early doors with the amount of changes.

It might not improve and the formation might have to change - but give them chance. We’re not exactly cut adrift and the game on Tuesday is very winnable.

 

Well "he has to try something different" tends to suggest that if he doesn't, his position should be under threat.

In other words you do not agree with what he's been doing recently.

Perhaps he has to try something different, and if he doesn't then you still think he'll be the right man for the job.

 

His job shouldn't be under threat but results count, and they make for sorry reading since January. We're still in the ridiculous situation of him not even knowing what his/our best squad is yet, and thats one of the many drawbacks to us constantly having to rebuild the squad every few years.
If the new owners come in soon Im afraid they won't let sentiment get in the way and Hecky can't blame them if they do act on results this year alone.

 

Several people have already stated that we haven't got the right striker to play 1 up front. Im sure that has those who have traveled get back and comment we will see some of the same responses. I think this system will pick us up wins but i am not sure it will pick us up enough wins to keep us away from a relegation battle, at least until january comes along and we have a chance to rectify the situation. Until then he has to find a way to try and get more points than this current system might get us.
Do i think he is the right man for the job ? ofc i do
The elephant in the room is the probable takeover and whether the new owners are willing to provide funds for the manager if he doesnt find a way

 

That's a fair reply.

My own opinion is that we do not have enough upfront to sort this all out no matter what system we use.

Hecky is making the best of a bad job.

 

System working well.
Send more money.

 

I suppose the question to that is will new owners see 4th from bottom as making the best out of a bad job. Hopefully they will, but they wouldnt be the first people to takeover a club and bring their own man in at the first chance.
Reading the snippets i have about how they approached the takeover at nice would suggest they wont come in and change everything in a instance, and lets be honest the football league has quite a few clubs that have been taken over, changed their manager and had to watch it all go tits up.

 

Our goal difference wasn't that great last season but luckily we scored plenty to give us a decent league position. Agreed, clean sheets create points but scoring goals is also 50% the idea of the game. We should be scoring goals from several positions but I personally can't think of many teams that a lone striker works for. I'm sure someone will soon name loads and prove me wrong

 

It could be that we will become more adventurous when everyone is available, up to speed and fully cognisant with their jobs. It's still very early days to assume we are going to play this way all season.