Key difference from last season

In my opinion, is the style of football we are playing. When Flitcroft took over from Hill there was a lot of press about how he'd analysed what we'd been doing wrong and adapted the formation and instructions accordingly.

A big part of that was getting the ball forward much quicker and more directly. Changing to 3-5-2 allowed us to play some decent stuff at times but this was mainly in the opposition half. Gone was the infuriating passing between the centre backs and laboured build up that only served to put the defence under unnecessary pressure.

For some reason, these bad habits seem to have returned and the quick tempo and direct style seems to have been abandoned. Perhaps it's just a different mindset. We spent much of the end of last season with our backs against the wall. There's less pressure at the start of the season and I suspect Flitcroft believes he the talent in the squad to play a different way. However, I think the sooner Flitcroft and the players realise that we're back in a relegation scrap again and recreate the intensity and commitment of last season the better.

 

I think there's an element of complacency amongst 'the group' having achieved what they did last season, a few maybe think they are now established Championship players and are being treated as such, therefore dont have as much to prove. They were taught a lesson last night, completely outplayed at times, could see in the body language, other than Dawson, the fighting spirit wasnt there. My hope is that they've had a wake up call and looking in the whites of their eyes, Flitcroft can find 11 that are prepared to go back to work and have the hunger to fight.

Changing that attitude is Flitcrofts challenge, dont think the formation or tactics have been changed hugely from last season, just that the players in the main havent achieved the level required. The tempo comes with desire and commitment, his favourite buzz words, so Im hoping/expecting to see a reaction on Saturday. With a two week break ahead, this game is vital, a draw wont be a disaster, a heavy defeat would be, but its here where Flitcroft will learn a lot about 'the group', going forward.

 

Yeah, agree about complacency setting in. Still think we could mix up the playing style a little bit though. We've been crying out for a good target man for years, we finally have one and don't seem to be using him enough in my opinion. I can handle a more direct style if it means we're putting teams under pressure.

The level of intensity of last season was always going to be difficult to maintain. There was the odd hiccup last season (Charlton and home for example) However, we've gone 5 or 6 games now at a level not high enough to compete.

I don't think diluting the squad with numerous signings has actually helped either. We needed to strengthen in certain areas (centre half and up front) but he's ended up bringing in a number of players without an apparent position. Worryingly similar to the Spackman days.

 

The intensity has gone. We are trying to be more "attritional" as it is a full season and we have to keep players as fresh as possible but I saw it from the off agazinst Wigan. Pressing gone, silly slow passing back.

 

All that, and the tactics are ****.

 

My worry is this as I was reading the MOTD Magazine the 1st Footy Mag I've bought in a long time only bought it because we were Flying back from an Holiday in Benidorm and this was the Cheapest one there was in the Rip off Airport !

The worrying fact brought to my Attention was the fact how many Championship have adopted the 4-2-3-1 Formation which is used by most of the top 10 Premier League Teams use which for me most of the time will Dominate this 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 the Formation we had so much success with last Season as the 2 Attacking Wingers / Forwards at the Side of The main Striker , These 2 Players will always find the Space in behind our Wingbacks if the Play far enough up the Pitch regardless to who the Personnel would be for us at Wingback just because these Teams Sit in Soak up our Pressure and Hit long Diagonals in the Space to these 2 Attacking Wide Players which is causing massive concern to all of us !!

The main Striker Role in this 4-2-3-1 Formation which for us O'Grady would suit really well IMHO with 3 from Jennings / RNL / JOB / Cywka / McCourt / Pederson / Scotland but having been on holiday.and missing the Blackburn and Saints games cannot comment on the Qualities of this new Striker Pederson so cannot put him into my current 11 with a change in Formation would someone kindly put me in the picture with wot they've seen in the early days of him ??

I would go with this with the Present Squad availability if all Fit and Raring to go in this 4-2-3-1 Formation (By the way not found this easy with the Size of the Current Squad so god knows how Flicker does and then to try and keep these players out of the Team Happy) .

.......................Pollitt.......................
WisemanM'votoCraineyGolbourne
...............Digby...Etuhu..................
.....RNL.........Cywka.......Jennings
....................O'Grady.....................

Subs
Steele
Nyatanga
Perkins
JOB
McCourt
Pederson
Scotland

Would like Danny Rose to get game time but cannot him to this Formation but I'm sure Flicker said at the end of last Season that he was excited about the Season ahead for him in the.1st Team but I find him further away than last season Baffled !!