My understanding of why Davey is playing 4-5-1

Three reasons

Firstly, he needs two in midfield that can tackle and get back to protect the defence because Davey knows the defence is weak.
Hence, Togwell and McCann in midfield
Secondly, our most creative player Howard cannot play on the wing so Davey has to accomadate Howard by bringing him in field
Hence the 3 midfielders, Togwell, McCann and Howard
Thirdly, he plays two others up front with Ferenzi but because we have 3 in the middle of the field there are gaps on the wings so 2 of the front 3 have to cover the wings when the oposition has the ball

So really its a 4-3-3 formation when we have the ball and a 4-5-1 formation when the oposition has the ball

 

But its not working!

 

It's a nice idea on paper eh?

But it doesn't bloody work does it?

The midfield is NOT 'protecting' the defence as shown by the goals conceded.

The wide players are NOT supporting the forward to make it 4-3-3. Therefore, it is a 4-5-1. If that team has been playing 4-3-3, then my new name is Jimmy Coachman

The system is NOT working. I personally believe that is becasue the players are not suited to the position or (shock horror) not being coached well enough in how to play there. It's a shame SD has been unable to spot this earlier, and appears to still be blind given his comments after Saturday.

 

If its not working - what is the solution

Leave Howard out ?
Or
Leave Howard in and leave the defence vulnerable

The problem lies with how to play Howard

 

RE: If its not working - what is the solution

Defence is no more vulnerable than it has been for the past two years. i.e. we look like shipping a shed-load every single time we try to play defensively.I'd stop being so negative and actually try to win the game - the teams in this division are all beatable and apart from Sunderland I ain't seen a good team at Oakwell this season. We always looked capable of beating anyone under Ritchie even if at times we ended up losing. Under this guy - once we let a goal in, it's game over.

 

I'm not sure if it's a tactical problem as such

We just aren't good enough. How can Davey legislate for the individual errors we are making?

Overall, we did as well as we could have hoped against Derby - but the goals they scored were largely "un-earned". Likewise, we were caught cold at Ipswich and then got picked off trying to chase the game late on. This has been a pretty common theme throughout the season, and it's not going to change much now.

Bearing in mind the post match "lock in" at Ipswich, I'm guessing that the payers are just not carrying out the managers instructions properly.

My guess is that he'll be asking for a disciplined performance this afternoon - in the hope that we can stay in the game long enough to snatch a late winner. Don't be surprised if we get caught on the break trying - and lose a late goal!

Sephen

 

right about they players

Neither the 1st X1 or the squad is good enough to compete at Championship level. The inquest into whose fault that is will continue for a long time yet, my gut feeling is that at least under AR it looked as though the 1st team could give anyone a game, now it looks like we don't even know what our best team is. There are other teams in this league with as little quality as us though, and they're all looking like making a better stab at staying up than us.

With regards to the tactics and coaching employed, naturally you can only work with what you have. if your players are poor you have to make the most of the basics and play to the strengths you have. We are not doing simple things well and are nullifying the effect of the one single player that was in-form prior to the change to 5-4-1 (Steve), whilst failing to give any chance to the great big hope identified by SD (Rajczi - why else sign him?). All in the name of protecting a defence that seems to have made more and more mistakes as the season has gone on.

For me, much of the difference is tactical. We changed to 5-4-1 at Plymouth and it worked a treat - full credit must go to SD for that. However, the teams at this level will scout and adapt to their opponents better than at a lower level, and we discovered just days later at Coventry that they were ready for it. As were Derby and Ipswich. As will Birmingham. Expect big CB to mark Steve out of the game and 2 central midfield players to get to 75% of the 2nd balls against our 3 'protecting' midfielders. Expect 2 wide players for us that run down blind alleys and fail to deliver a cross to the no-one that is waiting in the middle.

You've got to admit mate, he's being a little on the slow side to adapt?

 

McCann protects the defence? Really?

 

We need to start getting at teams from the off. Get the opposition on the back foot rather than letting them take control of the game. Only way to do this is to play 4-4-2 with the players in familiar positions. Howard and Togwell were doing well in the middle together at the start of the season.

 

RE: right about the players

Plymouth were well below par after their cup exploits - and don't forget that they still scored two goals that night.

I don't necesarily think it was the tactics that got us that win. Unfortunately, Davey thinks that it was and hence he has stuck with "one up front" - which the public will latch onto and claim is negative (irrespective of whether it is or not).

I fully agree with you that he needs to pick a system that suits the players (rather than the other way around).

He also needs to pick a formation that suits the supporters - as they will hopefully get behind the team a little more. Maybe he will surprise Birmingham (and their scouts) by playing 4-4-2! We can only hope ...

Try and enjoy the game!


Stephen

 

It was McCann who ducked out of that challenge with Macken when Derby got their first goal.

 

but that was under a different manager, one the players would run through a wall for, one that wanted to win AND entertain. There is no reason why the same players cannot do this again, but they seem to have had it knocked out of them.

 

i cant understand why colgan was dropped last game... i know he let in 4 the game b4 but lucas is unexperienced and to put him against top of league isnt fair