Hello all, long time watcher of the forum but first time posting (so please go easy on me). Hoop since 79, so seen lots of ups & downs over the years. Decided to post as I'm very concerned about the new formation being tried out - very trendy & understand that when it works it can be really good to watch but in my (humble) opinion you need really good quality players in all areas of the park to play this system. All well & good Holland/Germany et al playing it at the World Cup but I feel that we only have 3 outfield players that are good enough to play this system - Caulker, Yun & Remy. To play 3-5-2 you need 3 x quick central defenders, 2 x up & down wing backs that have the ability to both tackle & run with the ball, 2 quality midfielders who can run a game from the centre of the park (a la Gerry Francis) & 2 strikers that can run into the channels with pace. I think that we have a decent group of players in the squad that could revert to 4-2-3-1 which worked OK last season or even go 4-4-2 & have cover/depth in all areas. First choice defence (back 4) for me is Simpson - Caulker - Onuoha - Yun with plenty of rotation/injury cover from Isla, Ferdinand, Dunne, Hill & Traore: holding midfielders from Barton, Faurlin, Mutch & Henry : creative midfielders from Fer, Phillips, Hoillet, Petrasso & Adel (!) & striking options with Remy (if he stays), Austin, Vargas & OBZ. I don't think we need to add many more - just need to find a system that suits what we have. Agree with lots of previous posters that we should make the new signings work for their place in team. Live down on the South Coast now so only get to 5 or 6 home games a season but do a few away ones visiting family/friends so already looking at away days to Saints, Everton, Villa, Leicester. Here's hoping we can start picking up some points.
Welcome De la Warr From a fellow Sussex poster Do you know Three Cups Corner? Near Punnets Town ? ... My home for many years
Good post Bexhill, welcome. The 352 looked pretty good Vs Hull, so it's 1 out of 2 so far. I'll reserve judgement for a few games to give it time. 4231 worked for us last season though, so I see where you're coming from. We're not a big enough club to dispense with 13/14's good performers for the sake of a funky new system
3-5-2 is not a new system , in fact HR was using this system when Portsmouth had their success . A new left sided cb and a new left wing back and we are sorted . In the coming days I think these positions will be sorted . As cruel as it is , and football can be a cruel game as they say , I think we will be seeing very little of Dunne and Simpson and possibly Traore . Served us well last season but no room for sentiment if we are to compete with the big boys .
Welcome Bexhill, I think that most R's fans are currently slightly concerned about the effectiveness of our new system, but I will give it a bit more time to before I pass judgement. In today's modern game the key is flexibility and adaptability, and I envisage that we could play a combination of formations, but the key is to find the correct one for the specific game and get the players to appropiate to the tactics - and get the anticiapted results. I sincerely look forward to your insights.
In reply: I think the system needs time, but with Hoddle's guidance we should do well with it. Ned, Isla, Fer should definitely be on your list of players who can work in the system.
How very dare you, marching in here and making valid points! You're going to stick out like a sore thumb.
We spent £5m on Phllips last year and now he cant fit into our system. Short term approach from Redknapp causing all sorts of problems. We need a victory quick to take the pressure off Personally think if we persist with 3-5-2 we’ll be relegated
Welcome Bexhill, good comments. If Hull can play this formation effectively with Chester, Bruce and Davies, and change it when necessary for different opposition, I can't see why we shouldn't be able to.
Hello again all - many thanks for the very warm welcome last night. Robina - I realise 3-5-2 is not a new system - just pointing out that it seems to be very vogue again at the moment & think that players need to be very tuned into this system to make it work. Hopefully your comment about LCB & LWB will ease our fears in defence. Totallyqpr - I concede your point that Isla, Ned & Fer are probably good/flexible enough for the system. DT - yes, I know Three Cups Corner - I drive through there quite often on my way home - do you drink in that little boozer there?
Welcome Bexhill! I share your concerns about making this big change at the same time ae we step up a League, and with most of the players not used to it. I like the theory of it, but in practice I'm worried it will take longer to get it to work than we can afford. I also feel we should be about done with bringing in players, as it would be good to keep as many as possible of our existing better players - but now we really need to replace Cesar, and probably Remy and Adel, so 3 more in their roles are probably needed. As Col keeps saying we probably need another DCM too- one that gives what we lack there quality, speed and toughness all in one, surely very expensive!
Welcome and hello. Funny enough Holland only played this system because they felt they were weak at the back, Harry is playing it because he thinks we are week up front . I'm not against it but there is a possibility that we don't have the players that fit (though at this level they should be able to adapt pretty quickly) for me it's a case of how long he persist, 2 game not enough but is 5 games too late ? Van Gaal said it could take United until October to adjust so how long for us !!!!!
My family's old farm is 300 yards from it Rigford Farm now a stud I think Haven't been in the pub for 20 years but used to go in the Old Star in ild Heathfield ... Spent a year there 6 years ago restoring Sir John Gielgud old place as my mate brought it and I was involved in the redesign Miss my home To think I used to play football with the Porters ( gypsy family ) on that road Great to have a Bexhill poster as really do miss the area as live in London and France now Swords the old manhole wasn't far from the truth for the old pub Bexhill is on about as my roots say They all sisters when you turn them over xx
