I agree with most of what has been said on this thread. We are basically playing a way that completely stops us scoring goals just to fit in Koren. If our game plan is simply to hope for a Koren wonder goal then there is something wrong. I think we have to try something else now, a proper 4-4-2 would be nice. Fryatt just has way too much ground to cover at times. If you compare this team to the one we were promoted with we have better players now, but do they do a better job? I'd say Evans is better than Marney was but he doesn't get forward like Marney did. Stewart is better than Garcia but he doesn't attack the byline like Dicky did. Fryatt and McLean are good enough to get goals but do they get enough support? Definitely not. Our 4 attackers simply will not get past a defensive 6 and score a goal. We have to be brave and get men forward. I'd try something like: Brady McKenna Evans Koren McLean Fryatt That system wouldn't even require a change of personnel (apart from Brady for Stewart obviously which is like for like). People say Koren has to be in the middle but what are we achieveing with him playing there? He's done well for us on the wing before. I think we have to use two strikers and give Fryatt some help. If we want this system to work in the future we need better wingers, but for now it simply isn't happening.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide1/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/12/03/06/SOCCER_Hull_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1&BID=360 "It (a lack of goals) might be a concern for everyone else, but it isn't for me," Barmby said. "I believe in the lads - the forwards and midfielders - and I believe we'll come good." ffs Barmby.
Yeah course it will Nick, like it was going to come good after Derby, and after Donny, and after Brighton, and no doubt after we draw 0-0 with Ipswich it'll be all in place to improve the next game after that...
The main reason the back 4 is doing so well is that Evans and McKenna mop up most of what comes their way. McKenna is streets ahead of any defensive midfielder I've ever seen play for us. Evans has the potential to be that box to box midfielder but i get the feeling Mckenna wants that role too and on the occasions tonight where we were counter attacked it was as a result of both going forward. Barmby needs to tell one of them to sit. It doesn't matter which, but I'd prefer McKenna to do it. The formation works as a defensive unit but it needs to be more effective when in possession. When we have the ball on the flank the opposite winger needs to step up to a centre forward role and allow his full back to provide the width. It the ball switches to his side then he drifts out wide with the opposite winger moving more central and his full back providing width. Add in Koren in a free role and Evans pushing to control that area between the centre circle and the oppositions box we have all we need. Unfortunately, McLean is not a winger. Based on touch he is not an NPC player but he does provide an outlet with his aerial presence. When he has to think he struggles as his forte seems to be a snapshot. Personally I would try to look for a fit Garcia and Brady at this moment with Stewart as an impact player from the bench. Garcia, for all his faults provides that aerial outlet and has the ability to play out wide and move more central. Brady has all the talent but appears a little dim as his choice of distribution is always wrong. He can provide width though and with his Man U upbringing he should be able to move inside when required. I think NB makes the wide players stay wide thus not allowing them to mould from this static 4231 to a 442 or even a 433 when required. Tonight I noted when McLean moved up front in the first half for periods we looked to have more opportunities available. Teams know we play 4231 - surely a more fluid formation would counter this?
I'd also consider giving Cairney a game. We could do with something extra in midfield. Evans obviously works hard and tackles very well but what use is having the ball if no one can break the defence down. Cairney has a kind of Koren-like ability to create something from nothing.
From what is being said on here are people looking at: Mannone Rosenior Chester Hobbs Dawson Stewart McKenna Koren Evans McLean Fryatt or is it Mannone Rosenior Chester Hobbs Dawson McKenna Evans Koren Simpson Fryatt King I think Barmby is going to have to take a gamble from here on in.
I have said for a couple of weeks now that we need to go 442. Personally, i'd go for: Stewart McKenna Evans Brady -------Mclean - Fryatt ------ (Though i'm easy about the strikers). It's not that I don't think Koren can play in a 4, it's just that I think McKenna and Evans would work better in it. It's a shame because that midfield 3 have been amongst our best players this season, but you can't keep blaming bad luck week after week, something has to change.
I'd be more inclined to go 532A. The wingers are doing **** all between them anyway. You get two up front, and then you get to keep Koren and McKenna in place, and Evans shouldn't feel so penned back. Dudgeon and Rosenior being given more freedom to get forward as wing backs than they do as full backs shoulld stop the strikers running out to the corner flags a bit. The only problem we'd have is we'd be relying on Cooper every game, and wouldn't have any cover for any of the defenders (Rosenior we don't regardless, all 3 CBs would be starting, and Dawson coming in for Dudgeon would lose the pace so we'd have to switch formation anyway). I suppose the alternative to that is to go 352 rather than 532A, and having McKenna and Evans still sat in front of the three CBs and proper wingers with Koren playing behind the 2, but then you're dropping Rosenior as he's not a centre back.
I like Nick, but this blind faith in a failing front line really isn't working. Time to get head out of the sand methinks.
Personally I am getting sick and tired of listening to Barmbys post match interviews. Blunderside might as well not bother getting him out the dressing room anymore and just play a recording of one of our previous games weâve failed to score. He comes out with the same **** every week: âI believe in this group of ladsâ âTheyâre a great bunch of ladsâ âThis bunch of lads have got great abilityâ âI know what this bunch of lads is capable ofâ âWe just need a bit of luckâ âWe were unlucky tonightâ âIt was just one of those gamesâ Etc etc etc etc. Then he has the nerve to turn round to Burnsie last night and basically said he doesnât care what anyone else thinks or if anyone else is unhappy with what we have to watch week in week out. There was one bloke who came on last night who said he didnât think Barmby was the man for the job and that his lack of experience is really starting to show through. Iâm inclined to agree with him.
Although i'm advocating a change in formation, i'm certainly not remotely questioning Barmby's position. Even if we finish mid-table, i'd still be fully behind Barmby as manager going into next season.
Then you're both flapping when flapping is not called for. Surely you've seen enough evidence from Barmby's short reign to see that there are lots to be positive about, even if there are some things for him to sort out.
Personally formation wise I think in situations like last night go for more of a 4-3-1-2 to attack more, also allowing two strikers. ---------------Mannone Rosie Chester Hobbs Dawson -------Evans Mckenna Cairney ----------------Koren -------------Fryatt King/Mclean It's narrow but we do bugger all down the wings at the minute anyway, especially with Stewart playing a bloody game of his own. I think he attempted one cross in yesterday.
Don't all managers stick the same spiel time and time again? Nothing new here at all. You have to make mistakes/ have setbacks to learn and he's pretty much still a novice at this management lark.
I've said it many times recently, but what the hell, I'll say it again anyway. Either Nick needs to bring in a couple of players who suit the system he wants to play, or he needs to play a system that suits the players we've already got. Fryatt was scoring plenty in a 4-4-2 and other than Koren, no-one else is chipping in with any goals at all, it definitely needs to change.
Have a word with him OLM! If he does nothing we won't finish in the top 6 this season. His blind faith is ridiculous.
I agree with Boothferry legend that NB's disdainful attitude to the concerns of the fans is getting a bit irritating. It's almost like siege mentallity in that he puts up an identical defence to block even fair questions that deserve answers. I have no problem with managers who stonewall the sensationalist press, but a manager shouldn't ignore the supporters.
If NP had played Fryatt up front on his own, he would have got slated the first game in which we failed to score. I believe NB is the right man for the job but he needs to realise (I think he may already have but refuses to admit it) that this formation with our current squad is not going to get us a top 6 finish
