I'm not the manager but as an interested party, I would for once like to see the same team run out, injuries permitting, for a number of games. I hesitate to criticise the management in any way but I just think the tinkering has gone too far at times. I know nobody is guaranteed a start but can the guys get some partnerships going. Bennet/Whitbread, Fox/Howson/Bennet, Holt/Jackson until the end of the season perhaps?
I think you'll find that in his own mind, Lambert realises we're safe, so is using some of these remaining games to trial different formations and tactics. Plus it doesn't matter who you pick, but if every single cross is going to drift harmlessly into the keepers arms, as they did on Saturday, we may as well give Holt, Morison and Wilbers the rest of the season off!
It would be nice. I understand why Lambert does it, but it is perhaps a sign that the squad is too big in terms of similar players.
It worked for a while but it isn't anymore. Its nothing to do with adapting. If we're that good then other teams can worry about us, particularly at home. So three at the back is not adapting, its trying something we haven't before.
Who is to say had PL had in mind a best starting XI and stuck with it, we may have had more success or not? As shrewd as PL is, he has got it wrong on several occasions this season (more so in recent games) and has not always acted quickly enough to make changes to alter the pattern of the game. I put this largely down the number of changes EVERY WEEK. 4 changes again on Saturday, although 1 was enforced with Holty's red card last week. Without getting all nostalgic, the late 80's & early 90's 'success' was based on a regular starting line up. You can argue that football has changed since that time but I do not believe it has changed that much. 11 players on the pitch, week after week can only be a good thing as the players get a better understanding of each other in 'game mode', they know where each other is likely to be and what they are likely to do. That does not exist when players are moved around the pitch to accommodate ever changing formations. Nothing is likely to change my point of view on this topic, unless by some miracle we finish top 6 or 8 in the next few seasons which in my opinion will not happen with the current, constant rotation of the team.
There's certainly some puzzling formations at the moment, and I tend to agree it's taking longer than we're used to for changes to be made when it's not working out. I'm loathe to criticise the Manager but it is a tad worrying. ILD OTBC
