Now then lads. I've let the dust settle a wee bit after the QPR game. Pretty simple tread really - we all saw the problem during the game that our tactics were all wrong in the first half. So I ask you now, if you were managing SAFC for the rest of the season, what would you do differently. Team/tactics/formations etc. Obviously providing everyone is available. at home: 4-4-2 Pants Rev -- OShea -- Wes -- PVA Avarez -- Catts -- Larsson -- Johnson Defoe -- Wickham Away id revert to 4-5-1 dropping Conor and playing Rodwell to pack the midfield. I'm not a fan of this whole 'football philosophy' thing. Play to your strengths. Just because Barcelona and Chelsea play with the holding midfielder picking the ball up from defenders doesn't mean we should if it won't benefit us. They've got Xavi and Fabregas doing it, we've got Bridcutt doing it. Speaks volumes. Keep the faith lads.
I'd like to see Pants O'Shea---------Brown Rev----------------------------------PVA Catts------Rodwell AJ----------Alvarez----------Giacc Defoe But I'd set my tactics around opponents and conditions. For example against QPR I would have protected the fullbacks obviously. But I would have started Alvarez and put him behind Defoe and fed him balls into space knowing QPR have two slow as **** centre backs who tend to sit a high line. Against bradford I'd go Pants O'Shea---------Brown Rev----------------------------------PVA Catts----Rodwell Alvarez----------------------------------AJ Defoe-----Wickham Damn we need a right footed wide man, but for Bradford, thanks to the conditions 442, playing direct, ball on the deck where possible as always, feeding the wings and putting low bouncing balls into the danger area. I don't believe one system and one style works for everybody. All teams have weaknesses and we should always be adapting and always changing and always looking to expose an achilles heel in an opponent.
I'd never use the word 'philosophy' ever again. I'd stop waving a white flag as we come out to play at home against average teams. I'd beat Newcastle, in the derby, and give the home supporters something to get excited about for once this season. (Scraping wins against the likes of Leeds & Burnley doesn't qualify.)
I'd get on with my job but be a bit more careful about what I say. Poyet's better than Di Canio, better than Bruce, better than O'Neil, better than Sbragia, better than Keane. Yes, I've seen the stats and there's an argument that O'Neil and Keane had better win ratios - anyone want either of them back? We'll scrape a win against Bradford, beat WBA 3-1, have a reasonable end to the season with a few hiccupps and this time next year there'll be a significant number of people asking whether Poyet can get us past mid-table mediocrity. You know it's all true!
Playing Johnson on the left to compliment your strikers instead of complimenting himself. Comparison matrix suggests Downing and Johnson play exactly the same style but Downing has created much more and has a lot more assists. You have a target man committed to a long term contract, plus a lethal finisher who will thrive off what Wickham will supply him. Johnson cutting inside from the right is absolutely redundant with those two guys up front. He's the most capable winger you have at the club in terms of precision crossing, that needs to be used and your 'powerhouse' striker needs to be used as one, rather than as a left winger. Larsson also has a wicked cross in his locker, stick him on the right and fire balls into Wickham and Defoe, sack the stupid 'philosophy' off and get some wins.
Got to admit the first team u picked was exactly wot i was going to put but couldnt decide between rodwell and larsson as long as the 3 behind defoe supported him it would cause alot of problems for defences
Shut the **** up for a start, before and after games. Why would I want to tell the opposition who I'm going to play where? And afterwards, don't EVER blame the fans. Also, play your players in their best positions, assuming you've got a few to pick from.
Is it the players fault Smug? It's certainly the players fault more than the fans but what if they're following Poyet's instructions perfectly? There's an Einstein quote something like "Madness is defined by doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". LVG seems to be reading from the same hymn sheet as Poyet mate, he's not blaming fans (at least not yet) but how long do these managers expect to be given to implement these ****ing philosophies, in such a cut throat industry? Risky game they're both playing in my opinion.
This is just my opinion but ......... the fans aren't moaning directly at either the players or manager or 'trying to make a point'. I was watching a stream and moaning & groaning myself. It's not to attack anyone, it's nothing but a purely natural expression of disappointment. The problem is that, if more than a few hundred people do it, at the same time, it sounds terrible. I can see how it affects the players but we're only human.
By the same logic instinctive expressions have a positive affect on the players when they do something right. As a professional footballer, you have to acknowledge this surely. As a manager, you have to remedy this when the crowd is anxious. Fergie used to be a master of controlling the crowd. If you instruct your players to get a bit more physical for a five minute spell it gets the crowd fired up, or play more direct for a few minutes. Failing to recognise a symptom usually ends up with something negative happening, in any walk of life.
I keep hearing we should play 4,4,2 or 3,5,2, or 4,3,1,2, or what ever and would just like to say that no matter what system Gus employs they are bound for failure unless he can get his players to move on and off the ball. The number of times I have watched players pass the ball and then stand like a statue thinking their job was over is incredible. De Foe appears to be the only player who has any idea of running off players. He may not get the ball every time but does create space for his team mates to play into. Stationary players are easy to mark. When we were kids we were told to play triangles always giving our mates options for a pass, this doesn't seem to happen with our lads. Next game check how many times our players are isolated with the ball, and find there is no team mate to pass too. Get the basics sorted Gus then decide on a system that will suit the players in the squad. Remember you cannot make sugar from piggs s##t.
Seems to be getting that way. He should be grateful for having such a smashing job. The fans ARE the club, they'll be there long after he's been booted out the door.
Don;t be so silly man - that makes far too much sense!! I ;like the "philosophy" ideal - but first we need points on the board in order to get the philosophy off the ground - without the points there is no point (pun intended) trying to implement something that will only work when the team are confident!! As for him "Shutting up" - he physically can;t - premier league and contractual obligation mean the manager has to provide post match and pre match conferences - I don;t expect him to "Shut up" - just choose what he says better!!
Rodwell or Larrson for me fella, it was an area which I was unsure of. Seb has played well this season but we have a 10m midfielder I really don't want to write off. If played properly I think we have a good player on our hands. But less of this box to box rubbish for him, he's better sitting imo making those late runs when the opportunity arises.
