We’ve 100% not got close to replacing them either, for the last 10/15 years we nurtured some great defenders on and this current crop I can’t see where the next big sale will come from
I’m gonna go against the grain here and say that the last formation should be the more succesful out the three. The reason that it’s not is the great big dirty hole in front of the defence, Connell is too far forward, coupled with the Wingbacks being slightly too high it leaves the defence very vulnerable. One or the other works but not both, either drop Connell back or the Wingbacks slightly.
Correct. The data said our most used shape was 3-1-4-2 in season one, 3-5-2 in season two, and 3-4-1-2 this season. It told me the players who'd played most in the games where that shape was used. And then I created the graphics. I interpreted the data to suit my own agenda. Then posted without any real comment. It's a scary world we live in.
Season one formation was a touch more attacking as you had the quality in defence to mop up any balls or pressure fairly comfortably. After that, our defence drop in quality and we’ve had to play slightly more conservative game. I feel that’s why Collins had them more reigned in - just no quality at the back to rely on.
All the best teams have a solid defence upon which everything else is built. Always have always will.