brb - thank you for the 'bait.' .....I don't profess to being an expert football manager - but can give my opinion - based on much observation.
Over its' entire history, Gills have had little ( only modest ) success. Financial constraints have dictated the quality of player recruitment. The outcome is that - invariably, Gills have attracted players who ( for the most part ), are not going to excel and elevate the Club into the upper reaches of the football pyramid....... Too many teams have players that are better than Gills............... so - how do we compete ? - Well, before we discuss tactics, I will remind everyone that - because of the quality of our recruitment, Gills probably won't be able to compete at anything more than League 1 --- or for not very long in the Championship.
Tactics - I am unsure if any manager - or their tactics, will achieve much with the 'quality' of our squad. Tactics will have to be deployed according to the relative ability of the players - if we have any hope of gaining a point(s) from matches.
For several years - and far too often ( for my liking ), Gills have played 'hoofball' - usually to a lone striker- whereby the midfield is 'bypassed.' It is awful to watch - and seldom successful. I believe that 'hoofball' invites the opposition to have three centre backs - who can easily deal with our lone striker......which is why we don't score often when we use a 4-5-1 formation... This allows the opposition greater possession and to have the luxury of extra midfielders - to deploy in their 'passing' game - thus put our defence under pressure. Eventually the lack of possession, and constant defending, will lead to concession of a goal..... So, 4-5-1, whilst useful in certain individual situations - such as defending a lead with a few minutes to go - is not a tactic that is to be trusted if we hope to not lose - let alone win many games
When Gills set up as 4-4-2, it gives the team a better chance to score ! The extra man upfront doubles this chance ! Scoring goals will still be dependant on player ability - so I still never expect miracles... 4-4-2 also means that the opposition ( usually ), have to adapt - probably by also using an extra defender - at the expense of a midfielder - thus reducing their effectiveness in that area of the pitch...... which gives Gills a better chance to compete in midfield - and - (hopefully), relieving some pressure on the defence if we have more possession of the ball.....Over the years, I believe that a 4-4-2 formation has given Gills more success than any other set up......... and, of course, the success of any formation is still dependant on the overall ability of the players --- so, whilst I don't expect huge success with any formation, I believe that 4-4-2 gives Gills a better chance of not losing. ..... And, of course, 4-4-2 surely is a better set up if all we're going to do is lump the ball !.... (( perhaps we should give 4-2-4 a go ))
Currently, Steve Evans has often started with 3 centre backs. This is not working ! Our wing backs have not got the quality or pace to be effective when going forward - and when possession is lost, they ( especially Jackson - the well known 'fart-in-a-trance' ), are unable ( or unwilling ) to get back to defend. I understand that 3 centre backs will allow for more personnel in midfield - but - why do we than still hoof the ball, instead of passing it ?? -- Is it because the midfielders are not good enough ? Is Evans relying on quantity of numbers in midfield - rather than quality ? - but - strangely enough, Gills seem to become a little more competitive in games when Evans changes to a 4-4-2 formation ---- mind you, by then, too often. we may be chasing the game............ So - it greatly saddens me every time we start with 3 centre backs, or with just 1 upfront - because the same scenario evolves - inasmuch that we look too vulnerable at the back - a situation that doesn't get addressed until we are losing.
I continue to remind you that any formation is dependant on the limited ability of our players. I can understand and appreciate that - according to the prevailing circumstances, the formation may need to be different - but -I believe that Evans is using (( often starting with )), a formation that is not best suited to the limited abilities of the players, and the team as a whole........
.... Like I said - I am no expert - but - all of the above is mu opinion.
