Front Six versus Bournemouth

[WSXhoop]

Don't often post on here, but I it's clear we need to change the way the front six are organised.

For the Bournemouth game, there's two ways I would go. I'd forget anything physical in midfield, such as Henry, because Bournemouth aren't that sort of side, and I think Jenas needs to sit out the next game, so my front six players would be either:

Barton--Carroll/O'Neil
Phillips-Kranjcar-Hoilett/Johnson
Austin

Or if we're going 4-4-2:
Phillips-Barton-Carroll/O'Neil-Hoilett/Kranjcar
Austin-Johnson

I just think we need to be more positive and dropping one of the cm's is probably the best option, as it will allows us to have the ball higher up the pitch and hopefully fashion some chances. Personally I'm not too bothered which one of those we go for, but I think the first option is better, as having someone comfortable on the ball like Kranjcar will be important against a side who like to get it down and play like Bournemouth. However, he was pretty bad today, and that's obviously down to fitness, so if he doesn't start either put Carroll in the AM role or play 4-4-2. We need to cut out this complacency and start playing with a bit of pace and urgency. No matter how bad we perceive the opposition to be we need to stick as many past them as we can, because if the season finished tomorrow we'd be in the play-offs due to goal difference and dropping points in games we dominated possession wise. We're lucky to be 3rd really considering things haven't clicked into gear, but that means we're well placed to push on for automatic promotion should the team eventually gel, and I think a lot of credit has to go to Redknapp for being able to put together a team that haven't 'done a Wolves' considering some of the berks we had playing for us last season.

You R's!

 

[Flyer]

I've been saying it all season, one or two shots on target every game isn't good enough. We don't create enough, that has to change. As you say, either 442 from the start or a more attacking midfield is a must.

 

[Ranger4ever]

I've been saying it all season, one or two shots on target every game isn't good enough. We don't create enough, that has to change. As you say, either 442 from the start or a more attacking midfield is a must.

Don't often agree with many of your comments Flyer, but your right this time.

 

[BlindFaith]

I'd definitely drop O'Neil as well as Jenas as don't think either have been doing enough, for home games I'd prefer 4-4-2 (although think Harry will stick with 4-5-1).

 

[WSXhoop]

I think either 4-4-2 or the formation we played during Warnock's promotion, but I don't think we have a combination that would complement each other as well as Derry, Faurlin and Taarabt through the middle. I think the management and hopefully the playing staff as well are starting to realise that we can't rely on possession alone, but playing two centre mids and one holding doesn't really allow for anything other than 'keep ball' unless you have someone like Cristiano Ronaldo on the wing.

 

[qprbeth]

Do not care how it is done....but must be 4-4-2 from start
My choice

Austin/AJ
Hoillet Barton Carroll Phillips

Feel that is really attacking

I would put Henry and Oneill on when we go 3-0 up

 

[Rollercoaster Ranger]

I'm don't think that the formation is the problem, to my mind it is the intent, or really the lack of it. I don't think it matters how many strikers we put in the box if we never manage to deliver the ball with any speed or quality.

The argument that our midfield are too deep because of worries about our lack of pace in the middle of defence ring true to me. We did start the season with a 4-4-2 before Johnson got injured, but we had Ned at that point. As much as Hill and Dunne are doing a good job, perhaps that is the problem?

I fear we are on for more of the same on Tuesday night.

 

[Sooperhoop]

Harry hasn't changed this ridiculous cautious approach all season, why would he start now? So many games where we've been level or behind near the end have seen him introduce a striker for a midfielder in the latter stages of the game and we've looked much sharper for it. The penny still hasn't dropped so it's clearly his intention to carry on regardless...