Tbh god knows what Bruce will do, but he won't go 4 2 3 1. He keeps talking about trying to change things, but it appears to me he just picking random systems hoping to stumble across something that works.
Good - we need to try something different. The Pointer Sisters would be better than our Centre Midfield against Wolves.
In a way it almost doesn't matter which players he selects or which formation he uses, when he's clearly discouraging them from the basics of pressing the ball when not in possession. Nobody attacks the ball or actually puts pressure to close down the opposition. I get that one or two individual players might not do it as naturally, but when the whole team sits off and simply backpedal when the oppo are attacking, then it must be something he is drumming into them - otherwise somebody would surely have the nouse to say "right, I'm going to put pressure on". One of the few who actually does is Almiron - and Bruce hardly plays him. Clark is better at it than most of our other defenders, but he doesn't get a look in. Si yes, I'd love to discuss formations, tactics and player selections. But the truth is, we dont want.possesion of the ball and dont put pressure on the opposition when they have the ball. So we dont even compete, we.just look to hit on the break. You might sneak a handful of wins using that approach, but we will most likely be skirting around the relegation zone.
I dont have a problem with them funnelling back when we dont have possession rather than a high press. I dont like the way we give it away again when we get possession though. For a high press to work the defence has to push up as well and I worry we dont have the pace at the back to counter any quick breaks that may then develop. We need to find a way to quickly turn defence into attack which doesnt involve Almiron charging forward and everyone else about 5mins behind.
I don't know, I kinda like our schoolyard british bulldogs "everyone run back" routine. There is nothing quite as heartening as young people running around aimlessly enjoying themselves.
I'm not even talking about a high press, I'm talking about when we let the opposition literally walk with the ball until they are close enough to shoot. Weve conceded so many goals recently when I've been screaming at the TV for them to attack the ball. They all run backwards and keep going until the oppo shoots and then pook forlornly at each other as if to say"Oh man, how did he manage to shoot from there?" As I said, we dont seem to want.to win the ball, or to keep when we have it. I just dont understand what his 'tactics' are.
Sky often have reruns of PL games from the 90's, and you can get footage of 80's games on youtube. This will probably explain things for you
