We looked much better when we switched, the back three were all over the place, mainly because two of them hadn't played for weeks. I wanted 3-5-2, but putting in two players who've barely played recently was a step too far.
The 352 wasn't working, it was a disorganised mess and it was a blessing when Bruce had to sack it off. Unfortunately, in reverting to 442 the players also reverted into their timid shells, standing off the opposition and choosing easy options over penetrative ones. It's only when Aluko and Diomande came on that that changed.
3-5-2 was fine, we were all over them early. The defenders struggled because they hadn't been playing. They would have settled into it if Davies had come on.
Diomande will eventually turn out to be a decent signing, unfortunately it will probably come too late for this season. If Bruce had persevered and given him game time, despite his apparent slow start, similar to what he's done with others such as Aluko and Diame, then we may be still in with a shout of autos, or at least we'd have a proper striker that is up to match speed for a crack at the play offs.
I'm hoping he starts dio for the rest of the season to take advantage of the confidence he'll hopefully have for scoring.
Well if that's what you saw then fine. But from my seat, that wasn't the case at all. Huddersfield scythed through our back three a number of times in the first half and it was only their wastefulness and a couple of good saves that kept the score down.
As I said it worked going forward, but dropping Davies for two defenders who haven't played in quite some time was the mistake.
if Davies had played instead of either Maguire or Bruce in exactly the same formation, I think the results might well have been similar. But we will never know for sure.
I think Davies and Dawson would have been fine along side Maguire, but you're right, we can't know for sure.
I haven't changed my vote because there's no point to it. If we don't go up, as looks likely, then I'll say he has to go because he has failed. But that's when it's gone. At the moment it's pointless to replace him now and also won't happen until the end of the season, when hopefully he'll walk of his own accord! If we go up, then sticking with SB will probably not be the best option, but we'll stick with him because the Allams won't really have a clue what to do & I'll back him until it looks like we're doing ****, if we're a disaster then I'll say out. Until any of those things happen he is the manager & I'll back him & Hull City & hope for the best!
Play offs 100% now as predicted weeks ago. Derby the form team now and scoring for fun. We may get lucky but need Dawson back ASAP. Anyone got a link or quote from yesterday's post match Bruce interview ?
If it's the play offs for City the squad is likely to go into them feeling completely flat. I doubt Bruce could get them fired up which is what you need for what is three Cup finals. As it turned out the man who finally got the club up to the top, after more than a hundred years, was a motivator Phil Brown, through the play offs. If I were Allam I'd roll the dice and give Phelan the job for the play offs.
Thought you were going to suggest bringing Phil Brown in then for the play offs! As it is, if we were fortunate to maintain our play off place, don't see how changing SB for them would be the answer, but yes definitely agree to bringing in another fresh voice/motivator alongside SB to help and PB would be a great shout as a short term consultant type motivator/sport psych in my opinion to get the players and Manager energised!
When you say 3-5-2 I assume you mean the 5-4-1 it always turns out to be. And when you say everyone, well not everyone, because I know sure as **** the system is ****ing abhorrent. I don't know why anyone would ever have wanted to see us play that way again.
If PB was to come he'd want theamagers job, why would he come and be number two to someone he's better than?
Amazing what a change of personel can sometimes do (Rotherham cough). Browny has had his day here,did well but moved on like they all do. Looking good for Burnley and Boro,what might have been out the window now. Not worried about play offs,if you cannot get the better of your opponents over two legs you don't deserved a day at Wembley.
