I think we are at the point where there aren't many stupid suggestions because it cant really get any worse than what we have been doing. Whether it is 442, 4321 or something else, Still simply has to change from how we have set up in the past few games. If we line up with 3 CBs again in the same style then the atmosphere will be toxic before we even kick off.
Oh I don't like it at all, he's so much worse at 9 But we don't have any options who are good at 9! I don't mind the 4-4-2 or even a Ralph style 4-2-2-2. But who are you taking out to play the extra striker? Azaz?
It's the point I raised the other day. Getting two of Fellows, Armstrong and Azaz into the XI (without playing Armstrong as no.9) should be easy enough, but all three is more problematic (without playing Armstrong as no.9). So which option is the least worst? Leaving out Fellows. Leaving out Armstrong. Leaving out Azaz. Playing Armstrong as no.9. For me, it's either leaving out Azaz (which would lend itself towards playing 4-4-2) or leaving out Fellows (which would lend itself towards playing 4-2-3-1). I'm assuming of course that Scienza starts.
I'd be ok with Armstrong up front as long as he had a strike partner, so in a 4-4-2 for example. We could also play all 3 of Armstrong, Azaz and Fellows.
Why have we just written off the idea that Armstrong can't play as a striker? Yes he was awful in his first season with us through the middle but he was just as bad from the right last season. Prior to joining Saints he has played as a striker his entire career. If played with a strike partner, or in a system that aims to get the ball in behind (Azaz!!) rather than into the strikers feet, he might do well. I'd like 4231 but don't just lump it up to the forward like we did with Archer against Pompey.
I don’t love it, but am fine with Arma at 9 if he has a floating 10 (Azaz, which is what we bought him for) to thread balls into the channels for him to run on to. Where he’s a total flop at 9 is if we try and use him in that physical role, or try and cross it in to him. Pointless.
Probably because it's never once worked throughout his time at the club? I'd love a bit of 4-4-2 tbh. Though I'm not sure Archer and Arma make a good combination though as too similar. As you say though nothing is a terrible idea at this point as we've been so bad. Maybe Aribo as one of the 2? I do think our problems run much deeper than formation/line up though.
I’ve got a good feeling, predicting a 1-1 draw. McCarty Mads Edwards wood manning Downes Jander Fellows Armstrong scienza Azaz no striker because we don’t have one.
But it was only ever tried regularly in the PL, and he (and mostly everyone) was just as bad in the PL. He was a striker at Blackburn and was class there. Top scorer in the league I think.
I'm sure Martin tried it a few times in the championship as well? Plus every time he's gone there this season we've looked awful. Did he play with a strike partner at Blackburn do you know?
Neither based on what happened on Saturday. It will be Armstrong through the middle and Fraser on the right.
I tried to find out how Blackburn set up when he was there but couldn't find anything. But it would be interesting to know as he was fantastic there for a couple of seasons
Feels a bit like an episode of sesame street in here today - 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.... (showing my age perhaps). Anyway heres my 4-2-3-1 McCarthy jelert* edwards wood manning* jander charles fellows azaz scienza Armstrong* * mads if jelert is injured * only due to wellington's red * Armstrong is scoring unlike the rest but I'd actually throw Oyekunle in the mixer and see what he can do. Going to blindly hope that charles is fine as Downes is not..
Was he fantastic there? In terms of number of goals sure. And we’d obviously absolutely take those numbers. But I don’t think he was any more efficient with his shooting there then he is now. I remember someone on this board looking into his stats, and he essentially just took a ridiculous number of shots on goal while at Blackburn. Bit like what people have been frustrated with him for recently where whenever he gets the ball he just shoots regardless of angle, other players being better placed or whatever. He’ll get goals, and nice finishes every now and then like his goal at Bristol City. But how many 1v1s and other very presentable chances has he missed already this season. Not trying to **** on Adarma, as limited as I think he is as player, he brings a lot to the table that we need and can score goals unlike most of the rest of the team. We’ll get more out of him if we feed him enough of the right kind of chances of course and that’s probably enough for right now, but he’s not suddenly going to become a good finisher.
