2013 Pre-season Mega Thread

  • Thread starter Thread starter JKCanary
  • Start date Start date
  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
DHCanary said:
Yeah, have to say it's not really total football, although I suppose if you were to say the aim was to have a front 4 playing in that way, you'd be closer to the mark. That link led me onto Catenaccio, and then Zona Mista though, which I thought looked interesting:
You must log in or register to see images


I think we've actually got players who'd fit that kind of system, particularly if we were to sign someone like Quagliarella as the second striker, who may have played in this predominately Italian system.
Click to expand...


This system might work with:

________________RvW_____________
_____Pilkington____________________
________________________Snodgrass
_______Surman_______Fer__________
Olsson_________Johnson____________
_______Bassong_Bennett_Turner______
_______________Ruddy_____________




Though I'd worry it would leave Snodgrass very exposed
 
For me it would have been more like:

________________RvW_____________
_____Hoolahan____________________
________________________Snodgrass
_______Surman_______Fer__________
Olsson_________Johnson____________
_______Bennett_Bassong_Martin______
_______________Ruddy_____________

But I think it's still got a bit of potential. My logic on the defence is that Martin can cover RB comfortably, and Bennett has filled in as an emergency LB so might be more suited to that side when Olsson leaves him exposed.
 
Canary Rob said:
This system might work with:

________________RvW_____________
_____Pilkington____________________
________________________Snodgrass
_______Surman_______Fer__________
Olsson_________Johnson____________
_______Bassong_Bennett_Turner______
_______________Ruddy_____________




Though I'd worry it would leave Snodgrass very exposed
Click to expand...

Particularly with a playmaker beside him, where does the Snodgrass go when Fer goes forward?
 
carrabuh said:
Look at the people your blaming for last season, Ruddy injured, confidence, fans leaping on the backs of players, lack of depth. Yet not the slightest single hint of the manager being to blame. I mean what do you think he does at the club if he bares no responsibility to how the players react to games?

You cannot just pick the good things out and apply them to Hughton just as I cannot just pick out the bad things and do the same.
Click to expand...

The trouble is that this is exactly what you do. If you want Hughton to take more responsibility for the performances in supporters' eyes then you also need to give him more credit when we play well, which you have steadfastly refused to do. You can't have your cake and eat it, I'm afraid.


FWIW, I think Hughton's attitude after January was very poor, he struggled to cope with not getting his primary transfer target and couldn't turn the team round when confidence was sapped. He failed to have a plan B and allowed the players to play more and more defensively. The play was not exciting throughout the season and progressively got worse. His biggest mistake was to say how little faith he had in the players (or words to that effect). Nonetheless, when push came to shove, Hughton managed to pull himself together and really galvanised the team in the last two/three games. Credit where it's due, he got it right. Particularly against City who, even playing badly, should thrash us.

So Hughton is very much on last chance saloon with me - if the style doesn't pick up significantly, I'm going to be calling for him to go. I like his work in the transfer market, I like what he has done with the defence (I think Martin in particular has really benefited from his instruction), and I think I can see what he's trying to do. He picked up a club in a tricky situation and steadied the ship - now he's got his chance to really take us to the next level. I'll give him that chance.
 
carrabuh said:
Particularly with a playmaker beside him, where does the Snodgrass go when Fer goes forward?
Click to expand...

I can only assume he moves right out wide and forward. The front five look like they should work in a rotating wheel. The formation doesn't really suit Snodgrass because it looks to me like the wide midfielder should stay very wide and run up and down the length of the pitch, not cut in. Maybe Bennett would be better suited.
 
DHCanary said:
For me it would have been more like:

________________RvW_____________
_____Hoolahan____________________
________________________Snodgrass
_______Surman_______Fer__________
Olsson_________Johnson____________
_______Bennett_Bassong_Martin______
_______________Ruddy_____________

But I think it's still got a bit of potential. My logic on the defence is that Martin can cover RB comfortably, and Bennett has filled in as an emergency LB so might be more suited to that side when Olsson leaves him exposed.
Click to expand...

I like Martin there. I wanted R Bennett for his extra pace at sweeper, though Bassong works fine in the middle.

I initially put Howson in Hoolahan's position, actually, but that would definitely be the substitution option with any one of the three of them going there, or even Pilks for Surman. Could alternatively put Snodders there and have E Bennett out wide. I also like the idea of putting Whittaker out wide because I believe he can play further up the pitch.

This formation is made for us! Someone get Hughton on the phone!
 
The middle centre back is supposed to act as Sweeper, I remember Culverhouse being amazing playing in that position. I'd probably choose Bennett because he reads the game so well. Not so sure we could start attacks however, particularly with Johnson in front of them. I'd be more inclined to have Fer there with Hoolahan as the playmaker.
 
carrabuh said:
The middle centre back is supposed to act as Sweeper, I remember Culverhouse being amazing playing in that position. I'd probably choose Bennett because he reads the game so well. Not so sure we could start attacks however, particularly with Johnson in front of them. I'd be more inclined to have Fer there with Hoolahan as the playmaker.
Click to expand...

Good point.

Maybe:

________________RvW_____________
_____Snodgrass___________________
_________________________E Bennett
_______Pilkington_____Howson_______
Olsson___________Fer______________
_______Bassong_Bennett_Martin______
_______________Ruddy_____________


Howson offers a bit more than Hoolahan that deep. I know you might object to Elliott, but he is our only out-and-out right winger and if he stays very wide you might not have to see him get the ball too often other than running onto it behind the fullback...
 
On a lighter note, I know footballer's aren't always the brightest, but apparently Wessi got bored in an airport, so resorting to colouring within the lines.
You must log in or register to see images


And Rob, you appear to have solved several problems in that formation, but Snoddy on the left doesn't seem like the best of ideas. I think that spot would be ideal for someone like Quagliarella to come in. To throw another name into the ring, I'd love someone like Insigne who could play there perfectly.
 
Beefforhire-NCFC said:
Hughton Out
Click to expand...

Sometimes you have a point with the excessive Hoots-hate, but can we just give it a rest for a bit? I was enjoying this discussion with a critique of whether our team would fit that formation.

Ps, love the picture DH. Saw it earlier and it confirms yet again that the squad genuinely have good banter and enjoy having a laugh together - particularly encouraging that the pic was posted by Becchio as it suggests he's managing to integrate finally.
 
Luton 2-0 Villa was a full-time score as well by the way.
 
I'd love to stick with Hoolahan and Surman but even I could see possible trouble playing away and and they are two of my favourites. Surman is much better when central than Pilkington.

Pilkington needs space to run into, Surman needs space to pass into, he's lovely to watch when running with the ball which glides with him like Gareth Bale (although about 20 mph slower).

I'd probably have Tettey, Fer and Hoolahan for away games.
 
carrabuh said:
I'd love to stick with Hoolahan and Surman but even I could see possible trouble playing away and and they are two of my favourites. Surman is much better when central than Pilkington.

Pilkington needs space to run into, Surman needs space to pass into, he's lovely to watch when running with the ball which glides with him like Gareth Bale (although about 20 mph slower).

I'd probably have Tettey, Fer and Hoolahan for away games.
Click to expand...

Is this on the basis of us signing a second striker? I struggle to believe we would play Hoolahoops and two strikers for an away game. I would see those central three midfielders being a combo of any of Tettey, Fer, Johnson, Howson and Surman (could have Fox at the bottom if we were being really aggressive), depending on the strength of the opposition. Hoolahan is better further forward - the playmaker in the diagram looks to be more one who collects it from deep as well as moving forward, which is why I initially put Fer there.
 
I think Tettey and Fer in the same team is ample coverage, both have good acceleration which you need when your exposed for space.

It does say the playmaker pulls back to defend so perhaps Fer would be the better choice.

Also forgot about Redmond with Tettey and Fer and an advanced Snodgrass who would'nt have to catch up on the right would be very quick indeed. Not my cup of tea but it seems doable.
 
Are you suggesting Redmond wide right? Not sure he could play that left central midfield position. also, I think he is one for the future and won't be fully ready this season, unless Hughton's braver than I think he is.

Your formation now leaves a missing DM. I think Fox could work very well there just behind Tettey and Fer, given you're not keen on Johnson there as he can't start play.
 
Going into next season I would go:

-------Ruddy
Martin--Bennett-- Bassong-- Olsson
--------Fer---- Johnson
Snodgrass---Wes----Pilk/Redmond
---------RVW


The next piece of the jigsaw is a Attacking Midfielder/ Striker, means we can be more dynamic in attack. We can change to 2 forwards if we need to, plus a Toivonen type player will have confidence to time a run forward to support RVW. I think that can be Wes's issue sometimes, for an attacking midfielder he plays deep and you rarely see him with the ball in the box.
 
carrabuh said:
I'd love to stick with Hoolahan and Surman but even I could see possible trouble playing away and and they are two of my favourites. Surman is much better when central than Pilkington.

Pilkington needs space to run into, Surman needs space to pass into, he's lovely to watch when running with the ball which glides with him like Gareth Bale (although about 20 mph slower).

I'd probably have Tettey, Fer and Hoolahan for away games.
Click to expand...

Pilkington needs players who can spot him, I lost count how many times I've seen him standing there shouting for the ball unmarked last season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back