Change of structure of team?

Danny had a reputation for building a team around a specific 5-3-2 formation from the promotion season 1996/7, bringing in Thompson as left wing-back and developing Eaden on the right side, as well as getting Appleby as sweeper between two centre halves. I liked that formation and he scouted and recruited players to fit that structure. At the start of this season, he seemed to be doing the same, but with a different formation, which was 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond, so that we had Bailey brought in as defensive midfield (base of the diamond), Berry right midfield and Hourihane left, added to later by Williams as top of the diamond. No doubt in my mind that he scouted and recruited well again. He also said that, if you scored goals in this league, you would succeed, maybe being the reason for the emphasis on players who could score, rather than players who could defend well. Our major weakness in the first half of the season has been poor performance when we don't have the ball and vulnerability down the flanks because the midfield is too compressed. Maybe he realises that the system isn't bringing success and looks unlikely to, so do I detect a switch in structure to 4-5-1? He has brought in Waring and is looking (maybe) at Pope as target man, also bringing in wide players with pace who can hit the target in Lalkovic and Kiwomya, plus a couple of defensive midfielders in Pearson and Scowen to boss the centre and protect our leaky, but improving, defence. Do folks agree that this is the switch being made and is it a good idea to change formation half way through a season. We don't seem good at changing formations within a game and Danny has had his best results with a definite team structure and payers recruited to fit that structure.

 

I'm afraid that I do not agree with your initial analysis.

The wing back system was instigated during Viv Anderson year at Oakwell. In initially, it was brought in to combat a lack of pace at the heart of our defence (Taggart and Anderson) and I think that we utilised the pace of Gary Fleming in the role. Crucially, we converted Nicky Eaden from being an average defensive midfield player to a brilliant wing back. Your playing system should reflect the individual strengths and weaknesses of the team, and nothing illustrates that principal better than the recognition of the quality of Nicky Eaden and the building of a team and a system around this quality. I should also emphasise that with Neil Redfern in the team, our 3 man midfield was able to dominate many a 4 man midfield when defending.

There was evidence before the start of this season that Danny intended to rely upon wide players more. He brought in Keith Treacey and already had Dale Jennings, which pointed towards 4-4-2. However, our winger turned out to be well past their best, Brown turned out to be useless at right full back and our loanee left back seemed not to have recovered from his injury problems. Had all these signings come off, then that is the system I would have expected to see. The fact that it did not meant that, even at that early stage, Danny was fire fighting.

He brought in Cole and Williams and realised that Williams' pace and energy could be use in a diamond formation. It meant that there was someone to do the fetching and carrying for Hourihane who found extra space because Williams sucked the opposition midfield towards his ball carrying forays, and Hourihane made full use of the space. Cole provided pace ahead, and there is nothing more concerning for a defense than a team with lots of pace.

Things looked rosey. but the whole thing relied upon Williams, and the system crashed around us with Williams injury. So it was back to the drawing board, and Danny's recent loan signings reflect the desperate nature of his signings. Trotta was a mistake, and although I have seen him just once, I think the same could be said of Waring. It is just not clear at the moment where his long term thoughts lie. It is not clear what Lalkovic's best position will be after he settles in. Kiwomya is quick, but is he effective. In my opinion, Pearson was generally overrated in his first game and we have now brought in Scowen, who seems to do the same job, so Pearson may well leave at the end of his month. George Williams seems to be the future at right back, but is George Smith ready yet to be considered first choice left back. The alternative seems to be a back four of 4 centre backs, which will not be conducive to a quick attacking game. In short, only Danny knows what his long term intentions are.

 

I'd go with 3-5-2 with Cranie as the sweeper behind Ramage & Nyatanga (Holgate in reserve) Bree & Smith as wing backs Bailey Berry & Hourihane in the middle Winnall & Target man up front

Sorted.............easy this management lark..............