We don’t play a diamond formation. We play 3-4-1-2 effectively. The diamond is 4-1-2-1-2.
For our current formation to work you need the two deep midfielders to be defensively sound and have one of them be more box to box. That requires a lot of energy which neither Kelly or Eccles possess. That’s why I assume we bought in Ayari. At the moment the two defensive midfielders play too far apart from Palmer. As poor as he has been in recent games he does need more support from the other two. I’d like to see Wright drift into the left channel more and find space out there. At the moment he tries to drop into the hole but is closed down quickly so a loose touch is quickly anticipated by the opposition defence or midfield.
If we do revert to the box then Jamie Allen needs to come in. He’s got the energy to get around the pitch and support the main forward and is also a goal threat.
There is a lot for Robins and his team to iron out, hoping this happens sooner rather than later. I actually think Wright has a lot of ability and makes intelligent runs. The midfield just can’t seem to take advantage of this
We may see the living legend Hudlin finally grace the CBS pitch - he’s now worked his way onto a 9 man bench
I've got a funny feeling we're going to get a big win here, and everyone's going to be confused as to how to react.
Now with no recognised RWB I think going to 4 at the back just became a serious option.
With MVE out with a quad tear, this is looking increasingly worrying…
Eccles at RWB or having to switch DaSilva there (as suggested in another thread) doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.
I would happily take the most scrappy, disjointed, appalling 1-0 off Wilson’s crotch in the 93rd minute at this stage. PUSB.
Eccles at RWB or having to switch DaSilva there (as suggested in another thread) doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.
I would happily take the most scrappy, disjointed, appalling 1-0 off Wilson’s crotch in the 93rd minute at this stage. PUSB.
I think he will start Simms, Allen, Ayari and Kitching.
Allen for MVE (Eccles moves to RWB)
Kitching for Binks
Ayari for Palmer
Simms for Wright
Allen for MVE (Eccles moves to RWB)
Kitching for Binks
Ayari for Palmer
Simms for Wright
Only we can spend so much money in a transfer window and still end up with a depleted squad.
I think Robins is going to have to give up whatever hopes he had of overhauling our playing style this season and just be as pragmatic as possible. It’s a bridge year now.
In previous seasons a serious injury has forced us into a better tactical system, maybe this will do the same.
Yeah, I was gonna say, the only silver lining here is that Robins is typically very good at dealing with this stuff.
Could be out for rest of the season. You have to wonder why we keep on picking up these significant injuries. Always seems to be positions with no cover too, it's not like the 2 recent injuries could have been a CB, LWB, or forward.
He needs to reorganise to get Simms, Ayari, Allen and Sakamoto in.
And get Palmer out.
Possibly in a 4 4 2.
Never going to happen.
And get Palmer out.
Possibly in a 4 4 2.
Never going to happen.
If it's basically the same starting 11 as Cardiff because Robins gave them a kick up the arse and demanded they go again I will despair.
TBH we've generally been better when we've been pragmatic e.g. the League 1 title winning season, we were playing a 4-3-3 possession based game that was flipped to 3-5-2 at half time of the Fleetwood due to injury iirc - we never looked back and McFadz (who came on at half time that night) hasn't either.
How, realistically are all 4 of them playing in a 4-4-2? a central midfield of Allen and Ayari? Who is on each wing?
Yep - see also the L2 season where we gradually shifted from a mostly ineffective 4231 to a more pragmatic 442 after Andreu and Jones got injured.
You also have to think that to some extent the counter attacking style from last season came more out of necessity than design.
The issue here is that a Championship team shouldn’t really have to make such compromises seven games in after spending £20 million on new players
Godden - Wright/Simms
Saka
Dasilva - Kelly - Ayari - Eccles
Kitching/Binks - Fadz - Lati
Wilson
That's what I'd like to see unless MR is working on a major tactical shift in training this week (he isn't).
Saka
Dasilva - Kelly - Ayari - Eccles
Kitching/Binks - Fadz - Lati
Wilson
That's what I'd like to see unless MR is working on a major tactical shift in training this week (he isn't).
Probably just play Sakamoto as a winger and use Eccles in the 4. Or Dasila on the left, Sakamoto on the right and Bidwell cover as left back.
Can't believe we've been relegated after 7 games for the second season in a row ffs
3-0 City
3-0 City
I guess you missed the poll where, checks notes, 2 people out of 101 said we'd be relegated?
And they were probably joking.
