Hi All. Been reading for ages and posted a couple of replies recently but this is my first post so go easy on me I've seen numerous posts about which is the best formation and which players should play each game so just wanted to add my opinion..... 4-4-2 seems to be the formation of choice when a team is struggling as a way if going back to basics but it doesn't seem to address the shortcomings of our early season performance or lend itself to the players that are at our disposal, let me explain my thinking. Our weaknesses, plain to see, tend to be in the defensive third. Week after week goals are scored by cutting straight through the defence, perhaps with the exception of Wigan who scored from frailties at right back (that's a whole different debate). Now it strikes me that if the players available are being exposed and beaten in a certain position then they either need to be changed for other players or given a bit more protection. I don't think we have the options to drop any of our back 4 (even Kennedy) so for me it's a case of providing them with more protection. 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 They are all workable with the squad we have. I would desperately like DW to give me some comfort that he isn't a one trick pony and try something new because our current formation and choice of players is so easy to exploit and we are seeing this each week. I'll bear my back side if Billy Davies doesn't do the same on Saturday. Soooooo, after a bit of rambling I'd like to see the following: Steele or Turner in goal, back 4 of Hunt, Cranie, Ramage, Kennedy, 2 sat in front Frimpong, Dawson, 3 attacking midfielders Jennings, Mellis, Cywka with O'Grady up top. Subs to include McCourt, O'Brien and Digby plus any other 4 and go he'll for leather at Forest. I think that formation and team gives us width, pace, energy, cover across the back four and some attacking intent. When Mellis tires (as usual) at 60 mins then throw on Paddy, get O'Brien on for Cywka and keep up the pressure. Simples!! What do you guys feel generally about 4-4-2 and how would you use our squad to its best potential ?
Wouldn't mind a 5-3-2 system , whatever system tho we need to play positively and quicker more decisive attacks . Be nice to see paddy in team and bobby if fit too, we have got the players to get us out of relegation trouble as long as they work hard and are positive
I' think we are more suited to playing with wing backs and I would drop Kennedy for RNL who has played left wing back well in the past. I'm not sure Danny trust the team we have to play in anything bother than a rigid formation but it's time to be brave IMO.
I think it's time he moved on too, I'm sick of him coming on here spouting **** about how great Keith F.ucking Hill is
Agree although I've not read all your post. It's simple - stop doing summat that is obviously not working and do summat else, whatever it is. Oh, and put Paddy in. And tell him NOT to track back. If he's going to track anywhere it should be FORWARD, not back.
We should fine Paddy if he tries to track back and if he enters our half at any point when we are trying to defend. We've got donkeys to do the donkey work and to be fair he's a chuffing liability.
You make some good points. I think the current problem with our 4-4-2 is not just the defence but the wingers. They need to be braver, wider and further forward. That's, for me, what would make the system work. On Saturday Jennings was too deep and too central. Lawrence was pretty awful. They overran us in midfield. I agree that 4-2-3-1 suits us and could give Paddy a free role too. Danny did use that system early on and got some flak re only playing one striker. The system debate is a little overdone these days. Any system works if you have a decent plan and decent players.
