Like many of you, I’m not exactly in a positive place at the moment. The man at the tiller of HMS QPR has decided we need to change direction (yet again) and seems to be having a little trouble chartering a new course. My nose tells me that Mr Fernandes isn’t finding hiring a replacement to Harry very easy and that while many of us would like a young, progressive manager with new ideas (see Mark Warburton at Brentford), we will end up with a young manager with old ideas (see Mr Sherwood). The icing on the cake is the injuries to Mr Dunne and Mr Austin, although the latter is not as bad as initially feared. Putting the turbulence to one side, I think an opportunity looms, which has given me (almost certainly false) hope. With Charlie out for a few games, I think we have a chance to try something new. Our problem so far this season is that Charlie needs someone to feed off, and for all the skills he possesses (work-rate, clinical finishing and aerial ability to name three), he has only been at his best when he has had Bobby Zamora alongside him to make space and provide lay offs. This has meant that we have not been able to play Vargas or (for the few games that he has been in favour) play Taarabt in an effective partnership. While Taarabt was very good (in my opinion) on Saturday until subbed, we looked better when he went off because Zarate played further up the field and had more of a partnership with Charlie. Taarabt and Austin looked like strangers. Here comes the opportunity; we have a number of ‘flair’ players that have not had their chance. Vargas has not had a chance up top; Zarate has not had a start; Taarabt has been out of favour; Phillips has not been given a consistent run in the team; and Fer has been played out on the left. In fact, the only ‘flair’ player given a decent chance has been Hoilett!!! I think that effective use of these players, combined with Charlie’s injury and a new coaching staff, gives us a chance to try something radically new that could surprise Sunderland and allow our players to enjoy playing football again. I’d start by playing Vargas and Zarate up top together, giving them freedom to bring some South American flair to the team. Support them with Taarabt on the left and Phillips on the right, asking them to cut in and place crosses along the ground early to utilise the pace of Zarate and Vargas. (Naturally crosses to height don’t feature in this plan!!) We would need to anchor this team with Barton and Henry to give freedom to the other four. Henry would be asked to do what he does best, and break up play, with Barton given more freedom to go box-to-box, but bearing in mind that he will need to drop back when both winders are bombing forward. Fer would be the first sub; replacing Taarabt if he’s tired, or Henry if we need to chase the game. The back four would (due to injuries) have to be Yun, Ferdinand, Caulker, Isla. Isla given the most freedom, Yun and Caulker warned about the dangers of their forays forward, especially considering Ferdinand’s lack of pace. Greeno keeps his place, despite his distribution continuing to annoy me, McCarthy hasn’t enamoured himself to me yet in the little I’ve seen from him. We would end up with the below. Thoughts? I know it’s attacking, and dangerous, but it’s not like anything else has worked so far. Green Isla, Ferdinand, Caulker, Yun Henry Barton Phillips Taarabt Vargas Zarate Fer could be used to impact the game, or change formation, in quite a number of ways. Useful sub.
Can't see it but I would love to see a front three of Taarabt, Zarate and Vargas. Potentially mouth-watering.
I like the idea Raving and a lot of positivity. The attacking intent lends itself to having a real go. Our problem is not being over-run in midfield with Taarabt and Philips not the best at tracking back (although based on Saturday's evidence, this is an area that Taarabt has improved in). I think given a strong run in the team Philips will deliver and I like the prospect of Vargas and Zarate chasing down the Sunderland defence and midfield when we don't have the ball. The only concern I have is would the defence be too exposed with only Henry as the cover? I would prefer the back four to be: Isla -----------Hill------------Caulker----------Yun Hill has a greater desire to play there albeit lacks pace, but the same could be said of Ferdinand. I personally don't think Ferdinand has done enough to justify his position in the starting line up. We definitely need to try something different and surprise the blackcats in their own back yard.
Glad to see the general idea is well received! Agree that it leaves us exposed. We would need Barton/Henry to be disciplined, and that's why I wouldn't start Fer. Actually really like the suggestion of playing Hill at CB instead of Ferdinand. Good thought Ranger4ever. It's never going to happen, but wouldn't it be great?! We would have options from the bench too, with Fer being able to make a five man midfield, and Bobby allowing for a more direct approach if needed.
Raving, you're a miracle worker! I read your post and I suddenly believe again! There is not much that needs to change for this team to put a run together. I'm grateful for the positivity which will last until 10pm tomorrow evening - and hopefully beyond..
While this may seem radical it is actually likely to be Hobson's choice on Tuesday with the possible exception of Fer who appears to continue to be in favour for reasons only fathomable to the LR back room. No reason why we can't cause them some problems if the ball is kept on the ground. Our problems are far more likely to be at the back of course where Rio is pants, Clint will be expected to go again after a mauling on Saturday and Yun's fitness is unknown. One sniff of an injury to the back four and we're done for.
I like it. Ironically, the injury to Charlie might be a blessing. I was thinking last week it might take his enforced absence for us to find a new system away from home because playing him up top on his own clearly doesn't work. And here is that opportunity! I'd like to see what Vargas can do in his favoured position upfront. Who knows, we might end up saying 'How is Charlie gonna get his place back now?' Well, we can but dream
Nice one Raving. Sadly Ramsey appears to have indicated that OBZ will get the nod tomorrow, a quick return to the lump it and hope approach after some promising signs on Saturday. I would of course go with Adel, Vargas and Zarate as a fluid front three.
I hope we mix it up a bit. 3 5 2 is beginning to look a better option with our dwindling resources at the already shakeeeee back. For example this, though Isla may work better than Phiilips, Zarate better than Vargas, Henry instead of Sandro. ------------------McCarthy--------- --------Caulker -------Rio ------ Clint Phillips -- Barton --Adel -- Sandro----Hoilett -------- Vargas ------OBZ
------------------------------Green---------------------------- Isla-------------Ferdinand---------Caulker------------Yun -------------------Barton-----------Henry-------------------- Zarate-----------------------Fer---------------------Taarabt --------------------------Vargas------------------------------- Please not a return to lump it and hope with Zamora!!
Really like your ideas Raving. Would love to see an attacking team, which attacks with the ball on the deck, instead of lumping it forward. Let's hope those in charge have similar thoughts.
The official site suggests Zamora and Ferdinand will both start/play. Hoof it up and hope that Vargas can outpace their defence to latch on to the knockdown. On the positive side as this is what this thread is all about (at last and thanks to Quite Possibly Raving), we are also including two youngsters in our trip to Sunderland. Both Michael Doughty and Reece Grego-Cox are both in the squad. Especially like the look of Grego-Cox, his ambition and pace could cause them some trouble if he comes on after 70 mins when we are cruising 2-0.
That's the problem, Ramsey has stated that will start with BZ (& Ferdinand) so as much as we'd like to see something new unless he changes his mind it probably won't happen.
He's probably damned either way if we lose. Let's say he takes up all of Raving's suggestions (which almost certainly leave us vulnerable to a Defoe led counter-attack) and we get thumped. Damned. Sticks to tried and tested (& boring) and we lose through yet another individual error. Damned. The only solution is for the lads to put in a shift and turn this around, whatever the formation. Not damned!
