Back from Germany!
First off, after completely BALLSING up the train and not buying in advance from Stuttgart to Mainz in advance ( I didn't think every country was like Germany where a day before or on the day they become a joke ) meaning I didn't end up going as I'm not paying 80 euros for a 2 hour train return - shame! My own fault.
Anyway, onto us. I got back into my room and saw us 3-0 up h/t. Couldn't believe it! 3-0, became 4-0, a nervy 5 @ 4-2 then game over. Woohoo!
Now I haven't read through everything, but can i assume with the front 3/ midfield 3 we did indeed play a variation of 4-3-3 ?
" Bruuuuu pure quality, i know Westy dont rate him but he is the bit of quality we had been missing!! "
Spanish the thing is, I DO rate Bru - In a 4-3-3. Technically he's very good. Nice touches, passer etc. Problem Bru has in a Mick 4-4-2 ( and with the wide guys as proper wingers this season ) is Mick prefers an in theory FIRM base - letting the wide boys play and push on. Bru's positional sense is bloody awful, so I stick by a 4-4-2 Bru in the middle - not a massive fan of.
I would also say 4-3-3 - Douglas in the middle = absolutely fine!
Problem with 4-4-2 ( I M O ) = CM is a bloody disaster with what we have. Skuse plays, but then if he's alongside Douglas they don't seem to click - and how I've mentioned the above, I don't see Bru playing a lot in a Mick 4-4-2 @ Cm for the reasons stated.
I also think Niles in a 4-4-2 isn't disciplined enough to do the job asked.
Solution to everything? We HAVE to play a variation of 4-3-3 this season. With Fraser / Bishop to come back, the international break has come at a decent point for us.
So that wins nicely got us back into the mix, only 4 points off the play offs. Mick's a better manager than often given credit, it's alright a forum going into absolute meltdown on a bad run, but people need to be a little balanced. So credit must go to Mick for these past two victories - sure it's vs two of the poorest five sides this league has to offer, but it's 6 much needed points. 8 points from the past 4 is much more like it.
Also fantastic that Murphy's back amongst the goals.
McGoldrick does seem damn injury prone. Would love him to have a properly fit season for us. Bring on the Wolves!