Tactics Formations & Team Selections Etc

[Plymouth red]

The plan worked well last year because we had incredible pace, an emphasis on hard work (ie zinc, davis and grabban all worked their nut off up front when they played), and good distribution and decision making , particularly from Garner from midfield.

Do we have these players in current squad?

[wassy04]

The plan worked well last year because we had incredible pace, an emphasis on hard work (ie zinc, davis and grabban all worked their nut off up front when they played), and good distribution and decision making , particularly from Garner from midfield.

Do we have these players in current squad?

I think Taiwo is the only one close to Davis (admittedly not really seen much of Dennis). MGW could be what Zinc was and surely one of the CMs we signed can be a similar level to Garner?

Maybe Mangala will come back in soon, still not been given any hint of how long he's out for.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Brighton play 352

Just saying what it can be like if you get it right.

[Georgecloney]

This should be a hot thread today because there is plenty to discuss.

Personally I have seen enough and I would like to see us drop the three at the back and go with a 433, we have the players for the system although Bowler would have been handy.

Got to agree with this. Spence’s pace to run past defenders either with or without the ball was a big factor in making Wing backs work. Last season we were a massive threat on transition. Williams is a better full back but not Wing back. He can’t go past a defender so we either go backwards or across the pitch giving the opposition to get behind the ball. It doesn’t help that our defence is slow and has to play deep because it leaves a massive gap between them and the front three resulting in the midfield two having too much ground to cover. It ends with us getting pegged in in our defensive third and as I said less threat on the counter. I also think we have missed a trick not keeping Bowler. He would have suited us in a four like Lolley did during the Sabri season.

[wassy04]

Brighton play 352

Just saying what it can be like if you get it right.

Yeah they do look good. Actually pretty much playing the same tactics as us except they have caicedo/Mwepu in front of a pure DM. 

This would be the option I'd go for, rather than playing Lingard as almost a forward.

[Georgecloney]

What do people think about changing to a flat back 4 and playing with a diamond in midfield. With everybody fit and available how about this starting 11.
                                                               Hendo
                                                 Williams Boly Nikhate Lodl
                                                              Freuler
                                                    Mangal            O,Brien
                                                               MGW
                                                         Johnson    Taiwo

[Marinakis Red]

Right now I think a flat back 4 is the way to go, we need to start having better control in midfield so an extra body would be great. Helps with our lack of pace/speed of thought when sensing danger with the current back 3 too.

[Reds73]

The biggest problem at present is Cooper trying to fit Johnson, MGW and Lingard into the team.
It’s evident that it’s not likely to work, and leaves you with huge spaces in central midfield for other teams to exploit.

If we are going to continue with a back 3, then can only prob play with one out of the 3, as we need to play a number 9.

If we play 4 at the back, then we can play 2 out of the 3, in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3

There is no way he’s going to leave MGW out given what we have spent. Lingard is a difficult one, because although he isn’t producing at the moment, we need him to produce as arguably he our best attacking player in terms of pedigree.

Coops needs to be prepared to make tough decisions, as at present I think he is trying to keep those 3 happy

[wassy04]

The biggest problem at present is Cooper trying to fit Johnson, MGW and Lingard into the team.
It’s evident that it’s not likely to work, and leaves you with huge spaces in central midfield for other teams to exploit.

If we are going to continue with a back 3, then can only prob play with one out of the 3, as we need to play a number 9.

If we play 4 at the back, then we can play 2 out of the 3, in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3

There is no way he’s going to leave MGW out given what we have spent. Lingard is a difficult one, because although he isn’t producing at the moment, we need him to produce as arguably he our best attacking player in terms of pedigree.

Coops needs to be prepared to make tough decisions, as at present I think he is trying to keep those 3 happy

It feels like you could get all three in the team if you played 4231 surely? 

I'm not suggesting I think we should do that mind, although if that's the issue then this is the obvious solution. 

I also don't see why we can't play with two of them in a back 3 still and adding in Taiwo? Seems the easiest way to keep our current tactics together.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

What do people think about changing to a flat back 4 and playing with a diamond in midfield. With everybody fit and available how about this starting 11.
                                                               Hendo
                                                 Williams Boly Nikhate Lodl
                                                              Freuler
                                                    Mangal            O,Brien
                                                               MGW
                                                         Johnson    Taiwo

Works for me George count me in.

[Sausage Roll]

The biggest problem at present is Cooper trying to fit Johnson, MGW and Lingard into the team.
It’s evident that it’s not likely to work, and leaves you with huge spaces in central midfield for other teams to exploit.

If we are going to continue with a back 3, then can only prob play with one out of the 3, as we need to play a number 9.

If we play 4 at the back, then we can play 2 out of the 3, in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3

There is no way he’s going to leave MGW out given what we have spent. Lingard is a difficult one, because although he isn’t producing at the moment, we need him to produce as arguably he our best attacking player in terms of pedigree.

Coops needs to be prepared to make tough decisions, as at present I think he is trying to keep those 3 happy

It feels like you could get all three in the team if you played 4231 surely? 

I'm not suggesting I think we should do that mind, although if that's the issue then this is the obvious solution. 

I also don't see why we can't play with two of them in a back 3 still and adding in Taiwo? Seems the easiest way to keep our current tactics together.

Plus we've now got Kouyate who has that versatility to drop into the back four if we're under pressure. So, when all fit, you could do something like:

---------------------------------Henderson----------------------------
Williams-----------Niakhate----------------McKenna----------Lodi
------------Kouyate----------------------------------Mangala--------
Johnson-----------------------MGW--------------------------Lingard
--------------------------------Awoniyi---------------------------------

If Niakhate's left-footed (I can't remember) then you move him and bring in Worrall or Boly or whoever.

[Redreg]

What do people think about changing to a flat back 4 and playing with a diamond in midfield. With everybody fit and available how about this starting 11.
                                                               Hendo
                                                 Williams Boly Nikhate Lodl
                                                              Freuler
                                                    Mangal            O,Brien
                                                               MGW
                                                         Johnson    Taiwo

Works for me George count me in.

Would even go Dennis for tiawo . But 4 at back is a MUST i have also had enough of a back 3 . Why he didn’t take a defender off Saturday os still doing my head in !!!