Blimey you sleep less than I do . I think Cellino is trying to dictate formation, though would probably call it "philosophy' of the club. Some owners do but you have to supply the coach with top quality to make it work, like at chelski. I agree that the coaches tried different players to try to make the system work, all similar type players because that's the system Cellino wants. However if Cellino wants it to work he needs to dig into his pocket further to buy players good enough to make it work. Like you here's hoping
Josh. I think my point is that it seems odd that every coach employed last season all played the same system regardless of changing the players, that's why it seems that they were being dictated to on formation. Yes they 'pick' any player they wanted for the team so long as the set up and tactics didn't alter, again regardless of whether we had the type of player to match the system. Hopefully that makes sense. Have had a few beers now
To be honest, I think the consistency of formation was more of a by-product of Cellino's recruitment strategy rather than him directly interfering with the managers. He obviously likes the diamond himself - I vaguely remember him saying he suggested it to McDermott, (as well as suggesting playing Murphy further forward, vs Blackpool, if memory serves me correctly?) but that doesn't necessarily mean he writes it into a manager's contract that he must play a diamond. He neglected to sign wingers and overloaded our team with central midfield players (15, again if memory serves me correctly!). I think all the coaches realised that the diamond was, realistically, the only formation that made sense: up until Redfearn stumbled upon a 4-5-1/4-2-3-1 (whatever you want to call it) in a blind panic in a dead rubber vs Sunderland in the cup, and even then that formation was reliant on two natural full backs on the wings, a right back filling in at left back and a centre half covering right back. Hardly ideal. I think there are types of players Cellino either likes or is drawn too, and not being a manager himself, he doesn't seem to understand that a manager needs a variety of options in his squad to approach games in different ways, or change the momentum during a game. You can sign 10 great midfield playmakers but if the game is crying out for some width, they're not going to help. Not signing a single winger in a squad bereft of any width - Byram's rejuvenation at RM aside - borders on lunacy.
Kiwi. Fair comment, you could be right, it does make sense. The flip side is, are we happy for Cellino to have that much control over transfer policy?
Yea this is pretty much what I've been attempting to say Everything you have written here I agree with
If we can get a settled back 4 we stand a slight chance of raising our game the back four I would like is Beradi/Darikwa Bamba Cooper Taylor
I don't like Cooper, think he is a liability. Would actually prefer Bellusci to be honest. Also think we need a left back in case Taylor gets an injury/suspension or something.
You think Bellusci isn't a hot headed liability that suffers imaginary injuries when he don't get his own way?
Thats exactly what I think Bellusci is, couldn't have worded it better myself. Just think Cooper for some reason escapes blame when whenever I have seen him he has been a complete liability who always has a mistake in him, he hasn't deserved to wear the white shirt. We shall see how he does in the new season but I don't want us to pin our hopes on him.
Got to disagree with you on this Josh I think he will be fine a class act for me as I have said on numerous occasions he reminds me of our Mr Ed and you can't get better than that!
Josh, you've mentioned your dislike of Cooper a few times now, but let's have a look at the evidence before us: For the Prosecution: You've watched him a few times on the telly & have made your decision on that, based on what the tv people want to show you in the match (no criticism meant, btw, I know you have no other option & you'd rather be there in the flesh). For the defence: Cooper is retained and is played despite a megalomaniac President who has a very obvious habit of getting rid of non-performers. Four coaches have played him regularly, and have done so based on his match performances & his performances on the training ground. Hmm. Who to listen to? A bunch of professionals or a guy that watches the team on the telly. Toughie.
Oh dear, it was supposed to be witty, but with a point. I'm sure I'd come to the same conclusion as Josh if I was restricted to whatever the tv producer shows you. I hate watching Leeds on the tv, myself, as I'm used to watching the whole field for movement (us & them), shape, passing opportunities etc., so I can have a wider appreciation. Watching the tv is like tunnel vision to me & I can't make assessments that I'd normally make. A (probably poor) example might be seeing a CB being skinned 'cos he's been out of position. That's how it might come over on the tv, but in actual fact, it could be that the the LB or DM or someone was actually covering the striker, but went AWOL, and the CB has to try to cover his team mate's mistake. Now watching the match you'd probably see that, but on the tv, the production crew are playing catchup & give you the wrong impression completely. Don't know if I'm managing to get my point over here, but at least I know what I mean!
Agree with you about seeing the wider issues of what is happening across the pitch, you also don't have to put up with biased commentarys from the football "pundit". But tv is better than nothing for those that can't go. Irony of it is though, without the "armchair" fan, the premier league wouldn't be rolling in money.
