According to the ‘Erald we started in yet another formation yesterday: this time 4:1:4:1. Szucs is presumably not fit as he’s been pretty solid as an individual and he didn’t drop to the bench: he doesn’t seem even to have travelled. However, Palsson played - out of position as a FB in a back 4 when we could have stuck with a three. We played a back 3 with wingbacks against Norwich and had a terrible result - I know that - but how much of our problem is a need to find a magic formation that works and how much is the constant fiddling itself? To me, the facts are simple. Due to previous playing styles and recruitment to match, we really have only one player who can play a traditional full back role. He’s injured and his name is Joe Edwards. Therefore, we have to play 3 centre backs, of which when are all fit we have a couple to spare, with wingbacks. Similarly, we have a few of those to spare, including Joe Edwards. I appreciate Rooney’s trying to solve a problem but the trouble with repeatedly changing several things at once is that you can never really tell what worked and what didn’t.
Though he set you up well at the start, and in the first half, and we (City) created little of quality in the final third. Things changed straight away after half time, and it did seem a matter of time. I must say i agree with Rooney comments about the players - after the first goal they capitulated (of course that could be more about lack of confidence than anything else). I thought your left back (No 3) played well - in contrast to No 44 on the right (who seemed in constant arguments with the coaches about his positioning) Oh - and its not a Derby!
No3 is Ogbeta and No 44 is Palsson. Missing yesterday........Hazard, Szucs, Edwards, Galloway, Cissoko, Whittaker, Tijani.
Palsson has mentioned several times that he started his career in midfield although he’s also played at CB and FB. The Championship is a ferocious league, far more physically demanding than the Premier League I think, which is more a battle of brain cells than brawn. I suspect it’s a culture shock for Palsson. We lack FBs for a back 4 which is why we should play a 3, but we are hamstrung without Szucs (an ever-present this season) and Galloway (who’s excellent when fit). Gibson’s fitness is a worry too given he’s missed the last two (?).
Oh - and its not a Derby! Argyle fans don’t think it’s a derby either but we can’t be held responsible for the media! Exeter think we’re their derby but I think our real rivalry is with Portsmouth because of the naval connection. Back in the bad old days. I remember a fight between Argyle and Portsmouth fans spreading from what was then terracing up into grandstand. But then, at that time, Saturday night on Union Street usually included a fight between the Navy and the Marines too.
Just on that point, I saw this: https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/punches-thrown-staff-assaulted-worst-9758621 I know these damn Class 220 trains from commuting into London. They come in 4 coach sets with a cab at either end but on busy routes, two sets can be coupled together and can be controlled from the front cab. Usually, on a busy route, such as an early evening departure from central London (or you'd think a service likely to be carrying football fans in addition to the normal load), it will be eight carriages, but just occasionally, they'll only send 4. You can imagine the carnage. What's worse, when this happens, neither reservations nor First Class ticketing is enforced, so no matter how prepared you are, you're buggered. I'm not surprised trouble broke out, if you could find the energy in the appalling heat.
