It’s always a 4-3-3 every game. Interestingly that formation is being used less and less by PL sides. 4-2-3-1 is now the preferred formation. We just do the same thing week in and week out. Which mostly gets us results. But when it goes wrong it goes majorly wrong. I can think of at least 3 games we have conceded 4. And implosion usually happens.
The fact they start that way makes sense because it works more often than not, but when it isn't working they never do anything to address it until it's too late. This side I'm told has character, but where are the hard earned backs to the wall draws? Where are the little tactical changes to achieve that in games? When it's not going well Newcastle lose far too often and that's because our manager and staff have something in their policy that says don't react and stick to the plan I think. Before anyone piles in I'm not being anti Howe here things are great, we've won a cup and could still land top 5, but I'm merely pointing at something that I think costs us a few point's over a season.
Maybe it’s the next step in evolution. We need to have a plan B when it isn’t working. That second half we just fell apart. We didn’t know what to do.
It's something you see other managers do isn't it. The changes come when we're losing unless they're forced and if moving Barnes out of position to the right was supposed to fix the issue we had on the right I don't think that's ever going to improve. We might get better players though. Villa were better in every area of the pitch and on set pieces, corners and ****housery, so I also want to point that out because they're a serious team... Blaming tiredness doesn't wash for me that's all. We'll have easier games...
I’ve just read a statistic that between burn Schar and Trippier we only won 1 dual out of 16. That means basically we didn’t make a tackle in 15 duals. Thats why it felt like they were cutting us open. Because we didn’t make hardly and tackles.
The issue is a bench with Wilson, Targett, Willock and Longstaff. Our first eleven on their day are better. Villa's squad though is stronger and better.
Personally think 5 at the back as a plan B would suit some of our players better. Means Schar can push forward and be covered. Tino and Hall both have wing back attributes. Tonali can sweep up. No need for out and out wingers
Schar got an early yellow so he couldn't get stuck in properly after that mind. The significance of two of our ball winners being on yellows and none of theirs being on yellows is much greater than people seem to realise. One more dive, foul or miss timed tackle and you're off. Especially in one of the toughest away fixtures you'll get... But again what was done about that? Nothing...
Gordon willock and Miley are capable players and Krafth has shown he can play well. We don't have a great bench but they can be cute. I bet ousla would at least disrupt.. We were 3-1 down give him a run out.
Anyway Chelsea and forest will hopefully slip up and if city beat villa things will look good again without even having to play.
Chelsea have a much harder run in. Villa now have a tougher one than us I'd say too. 3 of our 5 games are at home and they're all ones we are favourites in, that's all you can ask for.
They'll become harder than usual also because the heat is on. The 3 sides that grind it out will land 3rd 4th and 5th. There will be twists and turns until late on the final day I think. This is when we find out which sides have character.
No It wasn't serious foul play You have to look at positions of all the players before you can deem a red card for a DOGSO There was enough cover to suggest that this wasnt the case
It's not really the point I'm making, but he could possibly have had one yeah. I think Pope collects that anyway though..
I suppose its also worth point out that everything dropped for villa.. 2 flukey goals. We didn't even have any luck never mind anything else Yesterday. Their 2nd was key because that was Murphy distracted by seeing Gordon being readied and he didn't track his man.
