Due to injuries and a complete lack of cohesion I think the 4-4-2 diamond used against Stoke is a no go against Southampton and there are 2/3 ways we could go. 4-5-1/4-3-3 GK: Green RB: Onuoha CB: Ferdinand/Hill/Dunne CB: Caulker LB: Yun/Traore CDM: Henry CM: Fer CAM: Kranjcar RW: Vargas/Phillips LW: Vargas/Hoilett ST: Austin Return of the 3-5-2 (I know it didn't work at all vs. Spurs, but it's what our players are meant to be suited to) GK: Green CB: Onuoha CB: Ferdinand/Hill/Dunne CB: Caulker RWB: Isla LWB: Yun/Traore CDM: Henry CM: Fer CAM: Kranjcar ST: Vargas ST: Austin The England Euro 96 (no way we should start like this, but it could be good when we're chasing the game) GK: Green CB: Onuoha CB: Ferdinand/Hill/Dunne CB: Caulker CDM: Henry CM: Fer CAM: Kranjcar RW: Isla/Phillips LW: Hoilett/Traore ST: Vargas ST: Austin I'm sure plenty will disagree with this/add their own suggestions, but I'm really stuck on the best system for this team to play, as all of these have clear weaknesses. We seem too be completely imbalanced for the more conventional systems used i.e. those with a back 4, so maybe we should persist with the back 3 idea and let the players improve at it (which is what I thought pre-season was for, but apparently not). Otherwise we're stuck we're stuck with square pegs in round holes until January.
I'd switch back to 3-5-2, with the players you've mentioned above. Be honest. On paper, that's a decent team.
Agreed, binned off because the players didn't like it, but the side doesn't work effectively in defence/attack otherwise
I would give the new goalie a run out Then ask Henry who he wants to play with him If we need a 0-0 it's now
Afternoon all we are on a good run but no easy games just look at yesterday! Can see you gwtting a point especillay if we field a strong side tomorrow.
I like the 352 - can see Ferdinand getting support from 2 quicker and younger defensive partners in Caulker and Onuoha (caulker was by far the better player on Saturday) Traore and Isla are more suited to bombing forwards, and with Henry in front of the back 3 he sits and provides cover and allows Fer to get up and support them (though he needs to get his arse back faster that he has been doing when we don't have the ball) Do you want to call Harry or shall I?
I agree re McCarthy - I've seen him earn as many points as Green in the last couple of seasons and I don't exactly go hunting for Reading games. Good comment re Henry and I sort of see your point.
It wasn't a diamond against Stoke. It was a completely open 4-4-2. Presuming that Barton is still injured and both Sandro and Yun are fit, I'd play this away at Saints: ----------------------Macarthy---------------------- Onuoha---------Caulker---------Rio---------------Yun ---------------Sandro----------Henry---------------- Hoilett-----------------Nico-------------------Traore ---------------------Austin--------------------------
I think our formation should be reflective of the Saints team and their dangers that means a solid spine of Henry Caulker Barton and Green or the new keeper ... I say again we need to stop the rot away from home ASAP
Not a million miles away from mine. Solid holding midfield and pace on the break. (Not sure Fer is a holding midfielder though?)
Did I read somewhere that he started out as defensive midfielder for Feyernord or did I imagine that?
If Barton, Sandro, Mutch and Adel are all still out we going to be thin in midfield, plus both the defensive formation and selections are difficult with Ned the obvious replacement at both RB and CB. McCarthy Ned, Caulker, Clint, Traore Fer, Henry Phillips, Nico, Vargas BZ Should make us more solid at the back and there is enough further forward to create something. Hope BZ can start because he can bring players like Vargas and Fer in on goal better than Charlie can. Phillips gave us good width and good crosses on Saturday, and he deserves another go there.
I think phillips could be a great asset to us if given his preferred role of outwide rather than striker or wing back or wherever harry employs him. When we look at recent performances, realisticly we could be slagging off the majority of the team. I have confidence that all will be well and we will be playing premiership football next season. We have the makings of a good squad and an experienced manager whom I will keep my faith with. We have been here before and got rid of the gaffer and it never did any good. Lets support harry and the team cement our place in this league.
It is very difficult to choose a team from afar for this one, as it is neccessary to know what is going on at the training ground as well as in the physio room. I am assuming that: - the following players are unfit or not match ready: Yun, Barton, Sando, Mutch and Taarabt. - that Glen Hoddle has been active in coaching the wingback system As I believe we need make our defence more robust, then I would use a 3-5-2 system and with the players available my team would be something like below: -----------------Green------------------ Isla--Caulker---Rio---Onuoha--Traore --------Fer-----Henry---Krancjar----- -----------Austin----Vargas------------ However, if we were to stick to a flat four at the back, I would go 4-2-3-1 and choose the following team: -----------------Green------------------ ---Isla---Caulker--Onuoha--Traore --------------Fer----Henry------------ ------Hoillet --Krancjar----Vargas--- -----------------Austin--------------
If we go to Soton with the same defensive tactics as at Manure, we will lose comfortably. I didn't watch Leicester-Manure, but obviously they attacked them and won because attack is the best form of defense. I am worried that HR and GH will have learnt nothing.
