Bottom line is, if you look at our fixtures and better results, they always happen when we put three in CM.
Look at the run last season - 5-3-2 was being played. We'd changed from the abominable result at Sheff U (we played 5-4-1) and put three CM's on the park. Interestingly, Shelvey was ever present in the wins. Hayden nowhere to be seen. Tellingly, neither was Lascelles.
Now if I was manager I'd look at what I have and try to replicate that. The players seem to work in it, we have enough personnel to do it, though it does rely on Howe working out that 3 CM's is critical, and dropping Lascelles is also desperately needed. I don't honestly understand how I'm in a position to even comment on it. Howe's a professional, PL football manager. I should be saying "well, I can understand why he tried this and that, as it worked previously and our personnel probably dictate that style of play, so not sure what else he could have done". Except I'm not. I don't know what he's doing, I wonder if he does? 3-4-3 was followed by 4-4-2 and a few other less recognisable efforts.
We're able to look at each game - and have said as much before many of his matches - and say with certainty why it'll fail. And we can all do it for Leeds - playing Lascelles is an error, playing 2 Cm's would be an error, persevering with 4-4-2 is an error, playing Ritchie at LB is an error. Will he learn? I don't think so. Think he's a dead man walking already.
