I wasn't there and have only seen highlights of the goals, but I am genuinely interested to hear what people would have done differently, would you have picked a different team? Would you have played a different formation? Please discuss
I would have had Vaughan in from the start and not had MccLean in. Larsson and Johnson on the wings. But in fairness MccLean had one of his better days ( just slightly mind). Can't understand why have larsson in te middle, when you have two bone afield cm on the bench.
Agree about Larsson but the problems all stem from the formation and sess in the hole position. Gotta play sess out wide on the left in a 433 for me.
To add, he could of dropped Larsson & his replacement colback for example could if had a poor game. Unfortunately that's the way it us with this squad, he needs to move sess, that's where the problem lies.
Nothing it was always going to be a tough game to win but, yet again it took the other team to score twice before we got going. Second half was a lot better but, too little too late. Reading next on Tuesday a nailed on win for us or so many think, not so sure myself.
I would have sess on one wing johnson on the other Gardner and Vaughan in the middle and Whickham and Campbell upfront I would do this Tuesday bit if Flethcher fit i would play him and Wickham upfront
Sess on the left wing and Johnson on the right; Gardener and Vaughan in the middle; Same defence and keeper but above all Wickham and one of either Campbell, Saha or Ji (or any ****ing forward available) up front. 1 up front on Tuesday may well see any faith from many fans still left in the manager totally disappear.
This.... If the short-term perspective wins this war, I will be hanging up my boots and watching the club from afar.
I haven't posted for a while, but have watched all the matches from the comfort of the Fountain Bar in Baku (for those who know it). My view on this most crucial of games is........... ming gardner o'shea killa colback AJ vaughn rose sess Ji Whickham RATIONALE..... Sess > big issue we've had is accomodating him. He hasn't proven himself I don't believe as a midfielder or an out & out goalscorer for us. He does look dangerous cutting in from the wide position - message from Mon should be stay wide and look to link with Rose.....also look to change regularly with AJ, get the their back 4 thinking early Two men up front > we don't play well to 1 up front. Get two big men on and look to get the ball into them soonest. This will rely on rose & Sess looking for the knockdowns but with a highline it isn't unrealistick. Colback > he isn't a midfielder (yet!) but can do a good, reliable job at LB as he's proven. It'll be a good opportunity for him to prove himself back into the team, but importantly it will free up Rose Rose > he is wasted in our team at LB, as we need him PERMANENTLY further up the pitch doing what he's been doing from the LB position, which is getting the ball and running at the opposition. I think he'll be a good "wingman" for Vaughn, with him making the creativity and Vaughn keeping the game tidy and possession up. He isn't the long term answer though as at best I think he's a good Championship player. Gardner > proven RB, great heart for the big games, but I think MoN needs make this happen to give Bardo a "rest". He had a shocker against Chelsea (he'll be the first to admit I am sure), and I don't believe he is fully match fit yet. Vaughn > he is a CM, play him there. Larsson is not, and I don't believe ever should be considered one in the premier league. Let Larson prove he's a good enough winger, and forget about being a CM. He can't tackle which should be a legitimate prerequisite for that position. Tactics........... first 10 mins is all about route 1, soften their back 4 up and get them thinking. High tempo to let them know there in a game. Play a high line with DR, AJ, Sess and let Vaughn pick up the pieces. If it goes wrong, give it until the second half but then make a change EARLY......take a defender off and add an extra forward. AIM......... win, if you can do it with style, but win you MUST. All the talk about it's a long season, game in hand, need to be calm are all very valid and noble - it's points that count. I like MoN and firmly believe he (and we) need managerial stability, but he needs to create the opportunity for Ellis to want to keep him. Otherwise the first rule of management will creep in - if things are going well, find out what the cause is and change it EARLY!
