Time for change?

[eatonparkboy]

Sorry Yellow was very frustrated after last night.We know what to expects from teams at CR and have seen it in the last 4 games but we seem unable to do anything about it. Yes there were changes but these were ineffectual largely but the formation was the main issue combined with a lack of incisiveness when going forward. Some woeful passing, shooting last night and poor decision making.

I could only listen to the game last night so have no input on it. The highlights on Canaryplayer are not enough to judge anybody elses opinion. My reply is regarding your last sentence. None of the three points in that sentence have anything to do with formations.

Some say the formation is wrong and others say it is just the performance of the players. And an increasing amount say it is the manager's fault. However, the stats say we are probably dominating our games but the end product which was so readily available early season is certainly missing at the moment.

I would suggest that all the points made are valid and there is truth in them all. So ultimately it is up to the managerial staff to resolve each issue.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Sorry Yellow was very frustrated after last night.We know what to expects from teams at CR and have seen it in the last 4 games but we seem unable to do anything about it. Yes there were changes but these were ineffectual largely but the formation was the main issue combined with a lack of incisiveness when going forward. Some woeful passing, shooting last night and poor decision making.

No need to apologise, Surgeryman, we're all frustrated by these recent results. Let's hope it comes good on Saturday.

 

[Din]

I was very pleased the Adams was prepared to switch the starting 11 around a bit for the Leeds game. I didn't actually think he'd drop Johnson and Grabban, even though they were our 2 worst players against Fulham, however he did which I admired him for. However though, it didn't work and I would like to see Miquel and especially Odjidja bought in for the next game. 4-4-2 just hasn't worked since we changed to it from 4-2-3-1, and we need to switch it back to that.

 

[Surgeryman]

I think Neil needs to look at his squad and decide what is his best team.

Ruddy obviously is first choice but the defence needs a review. Why have so many CBs in the squad but play a right back there. Whittaker needs dropping and move Russell Martin to RB. I would play Hoiveld, but if not in favour Cuellar or Miquel. Olssen or Garrido is a debate to be had.

Midfield I would stick with Tettey and Howson with Vadis coming in. I would stick with Redmond and save Josh Murphy to come on from the bench. Strikers is a dilemma. Hooper should be first choice but needs fitness. Jerome was very static on Tuesday but would stick with him. Grabban on the bench.

So 4,1, 3, 2

Ruddy

R.Martin, Hoiveld, Turner, Probably Olssen

Tettey (possibly O' Neil)

Redmond Howson VOO

Hooper Jerome

If 4,2 3 1

Ruddy

Martin, Hoiveld , Turner Olssen

Tettey O' Neil

Redmond, Howson VOO

Jerome

We do need a natural left footed wide payer though.

 

[Yellow Fever]

I agree with your logic Surgeryman. I also dislike the 4-4-2 as being too predictable. My formation choice would be similar:

4-2-3-1:

Ruddy
Martin, Turner, Hooiveld, Olssen (or Garrido)

Howson, Tettey 
Redmond,  VOO, Jerome
Hooper

 

[Surgeryman]

I like 4 4 2 but only if the opposition are lined up that way. Against us, especially at home the flood the midfield, so we need to match it.

We have become very Hughtonesque in the just few games with the ball going out wide, the play slowing down, coming back, going to the other side ..etc and by then opposition are all behind the ball and the delivery ( if it gets past the first man) is often cleared.

Play it through the mile either the extra man causing triangles, then get it out wide, get to the by line and pull back for players steaming in! We need to be much so much more incisive at times.

 

[ZLF]

we started teh season well with 4231 because we attacked across the width of the pitch,  using both flanks and through the centre.    5 in the middle also means we will not be outnumbered there.

Over the last 5/6 games we have become increasingly focused on getting the ball to redmond - to the extent that it is mirroring last seasons obsession with snodgrass.     This is simply a limiting choice as it places too much emphasis on the talented redmond AND makes us easy to defend against - the doubling up we see on him makes life difficult,  especially when its taken so long to get the ball to him.

We have to revert back to making the pitch wide using both flanks and adding some central creativity.    While Wessis pirouettes can be frustrating, without him we have no central creativity; Only Wes and Redmond have more than 1 assist from midfield

Tettey and bj are enforcers,  so that means either Howson (he looks the natutral successor but its nearly 2 years since he had an assist) or VOO have to now step up to the task.     

Howson doing the box to box and VOO advanced seems the best use of their capabilities with the consistently excellent Tettey as the deep player should give us a great central traingle / platform

 

[Din]

We wanted a change, we've got one. It's the diamond for today's game.

 

[Surgeryman]

We wanted a change, we've got one. It's the diamond for today's game.

And that really improved things!!!!!

 

[ZLF]

well I hope we have finally seen the back of the woeful 442 formation.   Whether its a 4222, 41212 or straight 442 all of our poorest performances have been with a variation of it.

Yesterdays option,  with no pace in midfield and shocking passing and movement gave us the most miserable 45 mins I have seen this season.  VOO was a disappointment,   BJ back to the dismal performances of last season and howson,  while marginally best of the three,  really not kicking on and showing what talent we think he has - he remains an enigma.   That ONeil came on and outshone them all says it all.

If we are to play two up top it cant be at the expense of a midfielder - 5 centrally is a must - it has to be from the back 4.   Which means either 451 or 352.

 

[Yellow Fever]

My biggest disappointment was Odjidja-Ofoe, but it was only his first start, so let's cut him some slack. I thought Howson and Tettey did well and the diamond was certainly an improvement on the 4-4-2, but I still prefer the 4-2-3-1 with Redmond and either Grabban or Lafferty. 

 

[Din]

My biggest disappointment was Odjidja-Ofoe, but it was only his first start, so let's cut him some slack. I thought Howson and Tettey did well and the diamond was certainly an improvement on the 4-4-2, but I still prefer the 4-2-3-1 with Redmond and either Grabban or Lafferty. 

I actually didn't think Odjidja-Ofoe was that bad. Whilst he did look off the pace he did show that he has ability. He did show some nice touches and good passes. It's a shame that it looks like he might be injured because I think if he can get a run of games he could be a great asset.

 

[Salopian]

While both strikers, - Grabban and Jerome, have recently missed many goal chances, and respecting NA's view that "they both worked hard", there is great ground for improvement. Against Sheffield Wednesday, even allowing for the goal keeper heroics, chances went begging. The strikers are to be praised for working hard, but their main function is scoring.

NA seems confident that the scoring touch will return, but I am not quite sure about Grabban, whose close control is not good, and Jerome has a reputation for scoring and missing, in streaks. Is there any alternative? Yes, if Hooper can demonstrate he is fit and sharp, but so far, admittedly in brief appearances, he has not shown much to inspire. This leaves Lafferty and the youngsters. The Irishman has shown some nice touches, and has suffered some injuries since signing,but has so far failed to score. (He does not have a reputation for high scoring.)

Even when transfers or loans become available, it's difficult to see any other club lending us a clinical finisher, and despite the club announcing that there is cash available, how much would we have to pay to sign such a finisher in the January window?

I think that by and large we have what we have, and I can't see beyond NA's statement that we are creating and sooner or later we shall score again. We don't expect to meet a keeper like Wednesday's every week.

 

[ZLF]

Part of the problem remains the high dependency on goals from the striker because we get so few from the midfield,  and Russ apart,  the defenders.  It was an issue last season where only Snoddy provided any meaningful contribution.   We do need more players to contribute more often.

Hoopers application / performance remains a concern as competition for places is always good and gives us someone viable to start;   what we have seen from hooper so far is not enough to warrant that faith.

A goal and a win breeds confidence - at the moment it looks like we need a little luck to enable some progress - but we are at fingers crossed stage. 

 

[Surgeryman]

I agree with much above. We need 5 in the middle to break down teams as currently the Hughtonesque approach ( pass to wingers who don't attack the full back but pass backwards allowing teams to get 10 behind the ball) is not working.

Stop making poor choices Such as Whitaker and Russ at CB for a start. Grabban is not up to standard. Please don't leave the pace out of either!!!

Hooper to start with Jerome

Hoiveld has to start. He was superb with Fonte when Saints went up with us.

Russ to RB.

O Neil and Tettey

Howson Redmond [on the left]and Jerome ( or Laffs)

Ruddy

RM Hoiveld Turner Olssen

Tettey, O'Neil

Howson Jerome ( or Laffs) Redmond.

Hooper