Time to ditch the back 3

And play 4-2-3-1

 

I'm not sure it matters. I know I'm in a minority here but I do think Clarke (or any other Coach) is really just moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic.

I don't doubt there may be a Coach who could get a marginally better tune out of these players but I suspect that tune would be 'Nearer my God to Thee.'

 

I agree. One problem though……we don’t have any full backs that can defend.

 

Totally agree...so I'm in the minority too.
I think Stockport showed us we just don't have defenders who can play a four. I get that having two insurance policies in front of them may create a back 6 but we just don't have the personnel.
Our defenders just cant defend (maybe Roberts is probably our best stopper) but realistically, until better players hopefully arrive in the summer we are stuck with what we have....high ball, long ball, ball in behind or taken at pace, it doesn't matter we look very poor defending as a collective.
Wish it was different....and we could alter the formation.

 

Am I being old skool/naive/over demanding to expect very well paid athletes whose position is limited to being a "defender", to be able to adjust to varying formations, whilst still being a "defender".

 

The more I think about it, the more I think this all comes down to poor coaching.

At the end of the day, a footballer has a level of technique, physical attributes and the choices they make. Deployed in a system and guided to undertake certain functions for the team.

A lot of our frailties come from poor choices. Yes, we're not blessed with pace, but not many players are. We give the ball away a lot, we play hopeful balls a lot. We're static a lot. We empty midfield a lot.

A lot of that can be improved by coaching. That our players seem to be getting worse should be ringing alarm bells.

 

Andy Richie said twenty years ago that you only play 3 center halfs when 2 aren't good enough.
Jeez we can't defend with 3 never mind 2. Not about numbers but the standard of player, that's the problem.

 

MDG naturally wants to step up at times and play often carrying the ball into higher areas, we looked exposed at Stockport when this happened, as much as I hate the back 3 system and would love us to go 4231, but like others have said I just don't think we have the players to be able to do it and get results, come the summer if we had decent defensive full backs and a full pre season to coach it then I've no issue with it.

 

For one thing Roberts needs to just be a stopper. Have a more mobile CB at the side of him, MdG. Have McCarthy at RB

 

We had an absolute maniac who refused to defend at right back in a 4-4-2 under Stendel and got promoted.

 

We also had Ethan Pinnock.

 

We did indeed, but we also had Lindsay and Pinnock as compensation.

 

Correct but we had the gazelle like pace and class of Pinnock to look after the shop...literally everyone could bomb on and you could leave just him to mop up and do the housework.

 

Very true.

Great coaching by Daniel.

 

A bit over the top but I hear you. Ridiculous talent who was brilliantly recruited by the club.

 

Instead of Pinnock and Lindsey we've now got Pillock and Flimsy (copyright Revvie P)

 

Lofthouse, Shepherd, Lopata and Gent.

 

I also think a flat back 4 needs looking at. Each one picking up their man. Not ball chasing. Neither wing backs have a clue where the wide player is. Chosing to drift into the middle focusing on the ball. I like full backs that can defend first and make that their priority.
Talking to my Rovrum mate this morning. He says they are basically crap but harass and press. I genuinely fear the worst as we cannot compete when that happens. The last few games have proved that.

 

I’d love a back four - except for a couple of very minor issues.

We have no two centre backs I’d trust to play in a pair.

We have no full backs who can defend.

Apart from that…

 

I can't remember Pinnock wearing a pinnie...