First half we played 4-3-3 and we absolutely hammered Fulham, they couldn't get the ball and we were playing some great stuff. Then at half time for some bizarre reason Pardew changed it to 4-4-2! What the **** for?! Fulham found it easier to play against our 4-4-2 and we found it harder to play and the Fulham thrashed us with the assistance of the ref. I'm sorry but is it not common sense that if it isn't broken you don't try and ****ing fix it?!! Why would Pardew even consider changing our tactics when we were dominating. Ever since Pardew has joined us he's been fantastic and this one match won't change that opinion of him however it just seems very bizarre that he would even contemplate completely changing out tactics when it was going so well. We've got to keep playing 4-3-3 our players are clearly more suited to it and Jonas is fantastic in the CM 3 role. 4-4-2 is outdated now and it's to easy for the opposition to play against, I will be thoroughly disappointed if we ever try and play 4-4-2 again.
There isn't really a lot of difference between the style of 4-3-3 we were playing and the style of 4-5-1 that I think you mean, there pretty much the same formation. They way I saw it was: ------Guthrie Jonas Cabaye BenAfa--------------------Best --------------Shola Just depend is you class Best and BenArfa as midfielders or attackers. But as you say whatever we want to call it, it is suited to our players.
That first half we had more creativity and possession than I'd seen for a fair few games. If Pardew doesn't see that it works for us and we should play it for 90 minutes, then it's time to start questioning him.
I am just completely baffled as to why Pardew felt the need to change it. We looked great with the ball, a threat going forward, and, Davide Santon's rugby tackle aside, solid at the back. Made no sense!
