I'll clarify my point a bit - On paper at the start of the season, with absolutely no form to go by, I would choose the current formation. But form calls for change. Yes, our defensive record is fantastic, but I don't totally agree on the point that the extra central midfield contributes a lot to that. So, based on our current form and desperate need for frequently picking up 3 points, I say we drop a central midfielder (At this moment in time, Evans) and put in Simpson or McLean, to play where they belong rather than being shoved on the wing where they aren't even half as effective. So no, I don't have a problem with the current formation, I just have a problem with it when it's clearly not working - we're not scoring enough goals and with 4 decent stirkers I see it as foolish to only play 1, especially with Evans slowly dropping in form. If the four in midfield (other than Koren) could contribute to goalscoring more often then I'm sure this formation would work. As they do not, however, things need to be changed.
I don't think we have four decent strikers though. By decent I mean having enough goals to get us promoted
I think they're all better than they're given credit for. Fryatt could still bag a few more if he keeps in form, taking his tally anywhere between 12-15. If any Hull manager (other than Pearson when we very first signed him) would give Simpson half a damn chance then he could get 10-12 in a full season (he scored 4 in 11 at Millwall. McLean bagged 8 for Peterborough in a relegation season, so if he doesn't spend 95% of his time on the wing I'd hope he could chip in 8-10. If King had come to us not totally raw then I think he would have been a totally different story. I may be overestimating our strikers, I don't know, but having Fryatt play every game regardless of form, (giving him no extra motivation to play well as he knows he's playing almost regardless) Playing McLean on the wing, and not even giving Simpson a place on the bench behind a ridiculously raw King (who doesn't even come on, may I add) is bordering on plain foolishness.
You would think, but my point was that the reason Simpson should be given a chance should not be just because our other options are dead on their feet Wow that's a terrible sentence, but you get the point
'Everyone' was an exaggeration, but my point wasn't relating to this thread in particular anyway, just something I've noticed on several occasions in the past - reading a few of the comments was just a bit of deja vu.
I quite like it, it happens to me quite a lot and it's got to the point where it amuses me. Our lack of squad depth is the main one for me this season. Other teams' fans can be good for it as well. I'm usually quite good at spotting tactical weaknesses in sides from watching 1 game impartially where fans can be watching the side for 20 odd games without noticing. I even managed to watch Huddersfield win 6-0 in October or November a few years ago and predicted then exactly how the opposition would score against them in the playoffs.
But don't you think when a cross flashes across the area and Koren and Fryatt aren't quite near enough to it, we could possible do with a third body in there? That role has to be Evans for me. Dean Marney scored a few goals in our promotion season playing in Evans' role. I'm not for a minute suggesting Marney is a better player but that's what you need from a box to box midfielder if you're going to get promoted. Especially if you're playing with 1 striker anyway.
I think 4-4-2 would be a neat 2nd option to use at times. I think our squad suits our current 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 system. But variety is the spice of life, and sometimes you need to change. A burst downs the wings, followed by cross dropped right on the bonce of one of the stikers would be a beautiful thing to see. Let's add it to our game.
We need to attack more though. 4-2-3-1 is a decent system for us but we hardly ever get enough men forward to score. Once we actually tried to attack a bit today we pinned them into their own box and eventually scored, if you just watched that 10 minutes you'd wonder how we were ever behind. If we showed that bravery all game we'd win a lot more. It doesn't explain all the missed chances but it definitely offers an explanation as to why so many decent positions come to nothing and more often result in conceding a goal than scoring. For example our wingers hit the byline 3 or 4 times today. From that position we should really be scoring but each one didn't even result in a shot. We have to consider getting more men forward and playing with 2 or more strikers when we need a goal.
I'm sure we all would like Barmby to play 4-4-2. But the problem is where would we play Koren, if we can't play him on the wing?
I wouldn't like him to play 442. I am more than happy with 4231. I think people show their tactical naivety by this mindless clamour for 442. All we need is one position sorting and we would be top of this league.
Great, another thread about playing 442! Try reading what's already been posted before filling the board with the same stuff!
