I really don't know what to think of our team any more.. When Derek came in and we went 4-5-1 it paid off, we kept it tight at the back and scored the odd goal too. Now playing it in the last 4 games we've conceeded 11 and only scored 2 after going with 2 up top. We're going to need to score goals to stay in this league and the only way I can see that happening is Wood and Pitman up top together from the start. Wood wins so much in the air but as a lone striker it's pointless because he has noone near him to knock it down to. Albert and Bolasie can't deliver a good enough ball reliably for him to score headers in the area with any regularity on his own either. We really aren't good enough for two out and out wingers currently, should be a middle four in my opinion but Cisse and Marv keeping tight in the centre, Albert as the winger on the right then Pearson just as a wider left midfielder doing a more disciplined job but getting forward when possible.
Trouble is, neither is really what I would call a proper winger and I will explain why (and I really do hope that they read this). Simple reason is that for all their exciting runs and play, there is little DANGEROUS end product. Now I am the first to admit that this is quite probably because we rarely have midfielders or strikers attacking the ball/box so I can quite understand why they try to cut inside and score and I don't have a problem with that, I don't care who scores and right now, I'm all in favour BUT... The main purpose of a winger is to take the ball to the line, beat the defender and then be in a position to TO LOOK UP and to find an on rushing colleague to put the ball in the back of the net. The thing that really concerned me recently was the comment about Nicky and Albert working together more on finding each other. EXCUSE ME...?!!! Shouldn't this be second nature for a winger. Lots of work to be done in the summer, LOTS....
I think Del has brought in good players (I don't care where they come from) Pearson, Wood, McManus and Foster all better than what we had. The tactics (4-5-1) worked when he first arrived but we are struggling to score using that now and we aren't exactly keeping it tight in defence so I think he now needs to find a way of playing 2 up front (maybe 3 at the back?)
