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Been discussed a lot, but I don't think there is a thread on it.
I think this formation is the cause of a lot of our defensive frailties. We have changed multiple personnel and management but the issues remain.
When we had a good front 4, attack was a good form of defence and kept the pressure off.
Without a good front four we are exposed down the flanks as we don't have a set LM and RM in front of the full backs. This leads to more opportunity for accurate crosses from the opposition. Granted the CM's could have been better, but when the winger just has to beat one man then he gets to pick out a cross, it's much harder to defend.
I'd like to see a bank of 4 in front of the defence and some sort of 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1
Our big issue to me seems to be defending as a team, not just the actual defence. The amount of long rangers and crosses we concede are usually from having no protection in front of the defence.
thats my thoughts anyway. I don't believe we have the personnel to play the formation we keep persisting with
Is the solution then to have the RAM & the LAM playing wide on the flanks? Get them away from the centre altogether. Verden wide right & Obadeyi/Fraser wide left with the emphasis on wide. Cammy has an exclusive on the CAM (No 10) position. Maybe they're all stepping on each other's toes down the middle. Or howsabout 4-1-4-1 seeing Flood's off today, hopefully PC is ok. Putting 4 in your attacking mid line might widen it out a bit, 2 CAM's forcing the RAM & the LAM to the wings.
Can't believe I'm writing this cos I HATE formations, much too formal. And LAM, CAM & RAM - wtf?!
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Haha,
I agree about the formations.
You are on the same track as me though.
We are way too narrow, not just in attack but in defence as well.
Assigning defensive responsibilities to the LM and RM should help (although the player should do this themselves, but don't seem to) protect the full backs
We need to ditch the 2 holding midfielders for sure.
I'd be fine with just the one in the formation you mentioned
We shouldn't be too narrow in defence with a back line of 4 and a mid-defensive line of 2 should we?
Where's the lack of width coming from.
(I promise that's my last-ever post re formations, they are anathema to me)
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I don't think our front four do enough defensively.
This leaves the full backs exposed a lot.
That's why I think we are often exposed from crosses.
A lot of them are unchallenged crosses. These are a nightmare for the ch's to defend
We probably shouldn't be narrow, but when it is spittal or Fraser protecting the flanks, chances are, if the FB has attacked and they are covering, there will be a good cross going into the box
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I think, from what I've seen so far, the two CHs we've brought in aren't showing a lot of mental sharpness (yet, hopefully). They need to read the game better, both are competent footballers.
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Ex Houston Arab wrote:
I don't think our front four do enough defensively.
This leaves the full backs exposed a lot.
That's why I think we are often exposed from crosses.
A lot of them are unchallenged crosses. These are a nightmare for the ch's to defend
We probably shouldn't be narrow, but when it is spittal or Fraser protecting the flanks, chances are, if the FB has attacked and they are covering, there will be a good cross going into the box
Agreed.
Neither Spittal nor Fraser capable of covering, at best will get 5-10 yards from opposition and stop......needing shown how to close down properly and get a tackle in winning the ball.
Needing a good bit of battle right through the team, not just a few individuals.
Maybe today will be the day when they gel and we see the best of them.
Frank's struggled a wee bit but I'm sure he'll come good cos VdV must have given him a good reference.
Willie looks like he just needs sharpening up, remember both have been idle.
(Sorry, that was in reply to Pat's post #6. Postman Pat!)
Last edited by smedDUm (24/9/2016 12:19 pm)