4-3-3 / 4-1-2-1-2 (1 Viewer)

McSheffrey was AMC behind the strikers, Bell was CML - swap them on your diagram and you've got it! It was a tight diamond - Bell and Gunnarsson were more central than a wide diamond where they would be more like 'wingers'/wide midfielders. They weren't rigid either [like AB's tactics] - McSheffrey, Gunnarsson and Bell all had licence to roam. The key for me was Sammy, who read the game superbly.

I agree. I liked how Clingan just sat and protected the back 4 and pinged passes all over the shop!

I agree with Scam - almost more important than the formation itself was the fluidity of the way it was played. We've been used to a VERY rigid set up with players seemingly unable to drift away from their allotted few yards of turf.

On Saturday, the movement was better than I can remember for a long while. That meant the quick short passes were much easier to make and suddenly we're playing possession football. Long may it continue!

It was a well worked plan but for this game only. I hope (and I'm sure he does) have other plans for other games.

If we stuck to that we would soon be exposed from wide areas because there is a lot of pressure on the full backs to get up and down and fill in the gaps. If any team plays with pace wide or double up on one side we would have to shift to a more rigid formation or we would quickly become very unbalanced.

Probably better for at home when teams often come with only one or two playing up top.

However, its nice to let other teams worry about us and not us about their move for a change. Our subs were made when we felt they were right and not reacting to what the other bench did. Maybe we got away with it and some raw niavity from Thorn surprised the opposition? I'm not tactically aware enough to have noticed that, but I do think it can become too much like a game of chess sometimes where people are waiting for someone to make a mistake rather than forcing them into one at the risk of losing yourself. I lik eit, very fresh, new ideas, players looked confidenty and it reminds me so much of when we played under Eric black. I hope we don't make the same mistake at the end of this season.

Agree with some of what rob said although a 433 that can become 451 would help protect the wing when we're under pressure. Or playing a 433 where 2 of your cm's are sitting like Germany did in the world cup. top class teams like chelsea under mourinho played 433 but again with two defensive midfielders when they had the ball which then dropped into a 451 when not in possession. Whether we have got the players to play that way i don't know.

The diamond worked on Saturday as Watford also played very narrow, which allowed the two fullbacks to get forward.

What I can say is this - 442 doesn't work for us we get exposed over run in midfield far too easily. And even at the beginning of the season when we were on our good run we were often dominated in midfield.

Only thing I was unsure of at times was that we tried to play it out of our box, when a good hoof would've been a more sensible option. Having said that our Counter Attacks were impressive.

beduffrich said:

Only thing I was unsure of at times was that we tried to play it out of our box, when a good hoof would've been a more sensible option. Having said that our Counter Attacks were impressive.

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Sorry mate, totally disagree with this (I guess that's what forums are for ).

I thought it was impressive to see people in the position we are in, being brave enough to hold onto the ball and play it out of our box. I would even accept the odd mistake without booing or bellowing abuse to see more of the same. A lump forward to clear the lines is the easy option and invites pressure. That also puts pay to any chance of the counter attacks that you enjoyed.

Football imo should be played from back to front like Saturday and I have always believed that we have players capable of doing that, nice to see them givin the freedom to prove it.

rob9872 said:

Sorry mate, totally disagree with this (I guess that's what forums are for ).

I thought it was impressive to see people in the position we are in, being brave enough to hold onto the ball and play it out of our box. I would even accept the odd mistake without booing or bellowing abuse to see more of the same. A lump forward to clear the lines is the easy option and invites pressure. That also puts pay to any chance of the counter attacks that you enjoyed.

Football imo should be played from back to front like Saturday and I have always believed that we have players capable of doing that, nice to see them givin the freedom to prove it.

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Sorry I didn't mean all the time just hoof like AB used to employ. I thought a couple of times and no more, that the pressure that we were taking would've been hoof and chase situations. I think that they were under no circumstances hoofing when one or two occasions it'd be the best option.

I do hope Thorn gets the job now though and can show us what this team can do with a full pre-season of decent tactics under them.

It almost became a 4-3-3 at times when we were on the attack- McSheffrey would push forward, and Marlon ended up right out on the right at times. They all seemed to have a fair amount of freedom which was good to see.
Clingan spreading the ball around was great too. Bell did a good job of this at times too!

I simply think that this formation suits our players better than the old hoofroyd tactics.

Clingan has space and movement to spray the ball out and break up the opposition's attacks.
Bell and macca can express themselves with freedom and creativity, King and Juke recieve better service to feet which allows marlon to show his class.

LETS HOPE IT WORKS AT DERBY!!!

I don't think its a case he's a tactical genius (considering Harrison is supposed to be in charge of tactics) but I Think its the fact he knows the players best positions, as he was the one who scouted them! Either way, it worked wonders on Saturday and long may it continue imo!

The only time the hoof was really needed was the time keogh decided to pass it to the leagues top scorer for a free run on goal.

The quick throw out to feet really set the tone for trying to play nice football

It worked, however and there has to be one, its so reliant on players being able to move into space, we struggled ever so slightly at times on Saturday as there simply was not enough movement, in fact there was pretty much only McSheff or King who would make runs, this obviously improved as game went on, confidence levels got higher, Juke's introduction also meant we had more movement, I have been a big fan of Juke all season as he makes runs that benefit the whole team.

ccfc luke said:

I simply think that this formation suits our players better than the old hoofroyd tactics.

Clingan has space and movement to spray the ball out and break up the opposition's attacks.
Bell and macca can express themselves with freedom and creativity, King and Juke recieve better service to feet which allows marlon to show his class.

LETS HOPE IT WORKS AT DERBY!!!

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Couldnt agree more, cant remember a time this season wanting Satuday to come round sooner, feel like a kid again!:thinking about: