Flat back 4 - The old new way forward

Time to scrap the back 3 & wing backs, & revert to a flat back 4. Defensively we have been a shambles this season so far, & in my opinion its partly down to the formation we play. A centre back pairing of Sheperd & De Gevincy/Lopata would make us more solid at the back, with Williams back in his proper position at full back, Cadden or Dodgson on the left.

We don't have any traditional wingers on the books, so i would go 4-3-3 similar to how Stendel set up, with two inside forwards. Cosgrove leading the line when back fit, with Jalo & Cole out wide, with a high press.

Anything is worth a try over this current setup surely!!

 

Suggested this weeks back because we keep shipping goals against the better teams in the division.

Someone’s responded and said it was rediculous idea, so probably best not to mention it (despite us conceding 3 goals again today).

 

Can't abide by sticking our leading goalscorer and only threat at the minute out on the wing.

If we were to go this way, it might be Cotter who gets the call. Attacking wise he can be a real threat and paying right wing means he's relieved of a lot of his defensive duties.

But ultimately the problem with playing a system for so long is that when it's time to change, we dont have the players for the job. Jalo is too young and lightweight to be consistently starting for us right now, Cosgrove has shown us nothing to suggest he should be starting as the lone striker and Cotter flips a coin before every game to decide whether he's a footballer or not.

 

I’ve been a firm believer in sticking to the 3-5-2 as I think it best suits the make up of the squad but both O’Keefe & Cotter have been that dreadful defensively that I think a four at the back is the way to go. I appreciate Cadden isn't a natural full back but I’d give it a go.

 

Can we get one from IKEA?

 

Roberts

Williams De Givegny Lopata Dodgeson

Kane Russell Connell

Jalo Cole Styles

Killip
O Keefe
Cadden
Shepherd
Phillips
Cosgrove
Watters

 

I'm just not convinced we have two good enough centre backs to play the system.
Nor do we have good enough full backs to play the system (they can't defend).
I'd stick with 5 (3) at the back...we need an upgrade back there....I think the club thought our Rotherham loanee would provide the experience but he's pretty average at best.
So we will have to wait until Jan for an upgrade im afraid.
Its not the only upgrade we need of course.The better clubs and others have worked out how slow, obvious and ponderous we are in and out of possession in midfield.
That leaves the strikers and only Coley can come out smiling.
In short too many players not performing well enough and we need to be so much sharper..the system imho has to stay but we are definitely getting undone most weeks.....Roberts is a big miss and plugged the holes with two very good saves per match and his presence.
I'm still hoping Cozgrove can come in and hold the ball up but he would need to do that a long time to get our slow midfield up in support.

 

Surely McCarthy can't be far off now? Maybe he could be the experience we need at the back alongside the french kid, or Lopata.