Is it time for the Sky Blues to adopt 5-3-2 / 3-5-2? (1 Viewer)

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
Crewe's starting formation- 5-3-2/3-5-2 was interesting today.. I thought they stifled us for large parts of the game.. as such got me thinking about how we could employ a similar system....

I think our defensive weaknesses for which we compensate with defensive minded midfielders perhaps might be best served by a formation change particularly for home games. We have to win games now to stand a remote chance of play off's- as such does this line up look more offensive-- Perhaps mix and match Elliot for Macca. Fleck for Moose- Thomas/Bailey for Jennings.

I think Jordan Clarke could be deployed as a sweeper.. he has perhaps the most pace of our defensive line and did well when he came on for Wood at Crewe in the JPT as he has done on other occasions when asked to play in the middle of a back four.

Both Christie and Adams also like to get forward, it would free Baker from isolation on the wing and push Moose forward where he is always likely to get a goal. Offer more support for Leon who is all too often isolated?

------------Murphy------
------------J Clarke------
------Edge----------Wood---
Christie---------------------Adams
---Baker-----Jennings------Moose
-------Clarke------Elliot--------

What's your view?
 

stupot07

Well-Known Member
Problem is adams and christie are appalling crossers of the ball. And edge's poor positional sense would worry more.
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
Problem is adams and christie are appalling crossers of the ball. And edge's poor positional sense would worry more.

No worse crossers than Macca and Baker most of the time... and Edge is Edge.. you're right positionally he is worrying.. but he is what he is, no worse than Wood in that sense... hence why I think with JC in behind the cover is there?
 

stupot07

Well-Known Member
No worse crossers than Macca and Baker most of the time... and Edge is Edge.. you're right positionally he is worrying.. but he is what he is, no worse than Wood in that sense... hence why I think with JC in behind the cover is there?

Sheff out in 4 great crosses in the first 20 minutes before he decided to disappear, our big problem is we don't get enough men in the box, even at 2-1 down Moussa worked the ball out wide to fleck, his cross was poor but only Clarke and baker were in the box,

Anything a worth a try at home
 

Nonleagueherewecome

Well-Known Member
Yep-- controversial? Who do you see there.. think Jordan is the quickest of our defensive line

Could make it a Venables-esque zonal back three: Gary Neville and Stuart Pearce often played in a back three under him, with the idea that they are better ball-players than the lumbering Adams-type in the middle (Wood), so it could go:


-----Clarke---Wood---Edge------
--Cyrus---------------------Dickinson--


Dickinson has played in midfield before so would be comfortable there.
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
Crewe's starting formation- 5-3-2/3-5-2 was interesting today.. I thought they stifled us for large parts of the game.. as such got me thinking about how we could employ a similar system....

I think our defensive weaknesses for which we compensate with defensive minded midfielders perhaps might be best served by a formation change particularly for home games. We have to win games now to stand a remote chance of play off's- as such does this line up look more offensive-- Perhaps mix and match Elliot for Macca. Fleck for Moose- Thomas/Bailey for Jennings.

I think Jordan Clarke could be deployed as a sweeper.. he has perhaps the most pace of our defensive line and did well when he came on for Wood at Crewe in the JPT as he has done on other occasions when asked to play in the middle of a back four.

Both Christie and Adams also like to get forward, it would free Baker from isolation on the wing and push Moose forward where he is always likely to get a goal. Offer more support for Leon who is all too often isolated?

------------Murphy------
------------J Clarke------
------Edge----------Wood---
Christie---------------------Adams
---Baker-----Jennings------Moose
-------Clarke------Elliot--------

What's your view?

Resurrected this post/debate after the debacle of a game V's Swindon- obviously Elliot is now injured- so maybe Cody or Macca and with Jordan Stewart's acquisition in lieu of Adams whilst he is injured...

any further views?
 
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Sky Blue Kid

Well-Known Member
I would love to see(For the last home game) a 60's formation.

McSheff------Elliott.......L. Clarke.......Bailey...........Christie

Moussa/Stewart.......Wood/Jennings...........Baker

Adams...............Edje

...Murphy...

When attacking Adams and Edje pushing up to midfield....and defending McSheff and Christie dropping back to wide midfield....A La Barcelona.
I think this would scare the poo out of any opposition.........Just thinking it might be worth a try:whistle:;)
 
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I would love to see(For the last home game) a 60's formation.

McSheff------Elliott.......L. Clarke.......Bailey...........Christie

Moussa/J.Stewart.......Wood/Jennings...........Baker

Blair...............Edje

!

...Murphy...

When attacking Blair and Edje pushing up to midfield....and defending McSheff and Christie dropping back to wide midfield....A La Barcelona.
I think this would scare the poo out of any opposition.........Just thinking it might be worth a try:whistle:;)

Haha, great! The only problem is we can't string two passes together but I do like your progressive thinking. After all wedidinventwingbacks
 

Sky Blue Kid

Well-Known Member
Haha, great! The only problem is we can't string two passes together but I do like your progressive thinking. After all wedidinventwingbacks




AAhhh! but the beauty of the 60's formation is, we don't have to string lots of passes together.....We lump it forward, like we have been doing over the last 3 games, only we will have 5 men to receive the ball, not just the one(Clarke):)
 

suddsy101

New Member
---------Murphy------------
----------Edge-------------
------Wood--Martin---------
-Christie-----------Adams(if fit)
----------Jennings----------
------Baker------Moose-----
-----------Clarke-----------
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Come on SB-T.. you're usually a man with more than one word..;)

It would end up like the diamond, LB and RB would have no cover and we'd be vulnerable down the wings. Also, I'll give you the same reason why we shouldn't play 4-4-2, we don't have 2 strikers (who are good enough) to play and we don't have 3 decent CB's to play.

To tell the truth, I'm not a fan of 3 CBs either, I prefer 4 defenders, but teams like Juventus, Wigan and Italy v Spain (Euro 2012 group game where it ended 1-1) have made it work for them, but I can't see it working personally.

What 3 midfielder would we have? Well, it would depend, you could have a CAM and 2 CMs or 3 CMs, the former I'd have Bailey Thomas and Baker but in the latter, I'd have Bailey Barton/Fleck Thomas (maybe Jennings, not sure). Who upfront? Only decent striker we have is Clarke, rest aren't worth selecting to start.
 

Sky Blue Kid

Well-Known Member
SBTaylor says....I'll give you the same reason why we shouldn't play 4-4-2, we don't have 2 strikers (who are good enough) to play



Bit of a contradiction???.......Yet you seem to think Clarke is good enough to play on his own!:facepalm:
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
SBTaylor says....I'll give you the same reason why we shouldn't play 4-4-2, we don't have 2 strikers (who are good enough) to play



Bit of a contradiction???.......Yet you seem to think Clarke is good enough to play on his own!:facepalm:

What 2 strikers could lead the line then?

How is it a contradiction? Clarke has proved he can play upfront on his own as he scores goals, with or without a strike partner, in more games, he's scored about less (or the same) in a 4-4-2 (The split is 4-3 to 4-5-1).
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
4-5-1 away from home.. no arguments from me... at home though where teams(other than Swindon) park the proverbial bus and invite us to play... we have to look for other options and for me despite what you think SB_T(with respect) 3-5-2 is an option and I think when fit we have the players to play it? Based on this season evidence 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 don't work at home.
 

Sky Blue Kid

Well-Known Member
@ SBTaylor...

I'll say it again.....Bit of a contradiction???.......Yet you seem to think Clarke is good enough to play on his own!:facepalm:
Want to borrow a shovel?
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
@ SBTaylor...

I'll say it again.....Bit of a contradiction???.......Yet you seem to think Clarke is good enough to play on his own!:facepalm:
Want to borrow a shovel?

Tell me how that is a contradiction!?

You can keep that shovel you used to bury your head in the sand when you challenged the 18 (which was actually 19) games 4-4-2 has appeared this season!
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
4-5-1 away from home.. no arguments from me... at home though where teams(other than Swindon) park the proverbial bus and invite us to play... we have to look for other options and for me despite what you think SB_T(with respect) 3-5-2 is an option and I think when fit we have the players to play it? Based on this season evidence 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 don't work at home.

It is an option, but ow viable is it now? I wouldn't say it is viable at this moment in time, of course it is only my opinion and I can not categorically say we can't play it, because we've only played it for like 5m v Bournemouth away.

I think we need to change the way we approach our home games, maybe 4-3-3 or a real 4-2-3-1, I think it's down to tactics, but more importantly, it's psychologically, whether it be the rent, and we can't train in the RICOH, the pressure, I don't know. Needs sorting out though.
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
OK let me expand on my formation theory with a little of my own logic (warranted or otherwise!). I'm just searching for a formation that we could employ at home, with the players we have(obviously) to try to break the very obvious deficiencies we have in defence(particularly at CH) without relying on a 5 in the middle of the park- which clearly limits our attacking options.
  • Murphy- Self Pick
  • J Clarke- Middle of the 5 -Proven he can play in the middle of the defensive line and has the most speed and positional awareness of the current crop of sky blue defenders in my view.
  • Pick any 2 from: 1.Edge,2.Wood,.....3.Martin or 4.Cameron (in that order for me) for the CH positions. Depending on form and injury- With a "sweeper behind" think they would all benefit as their collective lack of positional sense would be compensated for by Jordan?
  • Cyrus on the right of the 5 when defending- and likes to get forward on the overlap when attacking.
  • Adams on the left- A proper defender in my view and loves to get forward on the overlap.(Stewart as the unproven option as dickie goes back soon and isn't the best on offence)
  • Baker/Bell- Right Midfield- Baker at present look knackered and so Bell playing just inside rather than an out and out "winger" might be an option as Bell doesn't have pace but does have ability(when fit).
  • Thomas/Jennings/Bailey- Any of these 3 could play the CMF- holding role. I just wonder if all 3 suffer in a 5 at home as it all becomes rather congested at the Ricoh?
  • Moussa- Left Midfield. Has power,strength and a good touch and shot- not an out and out winger either so an inside left midfield role perhaps ideal?
  • L Clarke- A self Pick but at home seems to struggle and be isolated, I've said it before but think he needs a partner at Home to open up defences and support- nobody but nobody breaks beyond L Clarke from our midfield at home.
  • Mcdonald/Macca. Neither has proven anything this year granted- But Cody cannot play on his own and Macca's form on the LH side is unproven again this year- and so maybe an option through the middle might be just what Gary needs?
 
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Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
OK let me expand on my formation theory with a little of my own logic (warranted or otherwise!). I'm just searching for a formation that we could employ at home, with the players we have(obviously) to try to break the very obvious deficiencies we have in defence(particularly at CH) without relying on a 5 in the middle of the park- which clearly limits our attacking options.
  • Murphy- Self Pick
  • J Clarke- Middle of the 5 -Proven he can play in the middle of the defensive line and has the most speed and positional awareness of the current crop of sky blue defenders in my view.
  • Pick any 2 from: 1.Edge,2.Wood,.....3.Martin or 4.Cameron (in that order for me) for the CH positions. Depending on form and injury- With a "sweeper behind" think they would all benefit as their collective lack of positional sense would be compensated for by Jordan?
  • Cyrus on the right of the 5 when defending- and likes to get forward on the overlap when attacking.
  • Adams on the left- A proper defender in my view and loves to get forward on the overlap.(Stewart as the unproven option as dickie goes back soon and isn't the best on offence)
  • Baker/Bell- Right Midfield- Baker at present look knackered and so Bell playing just inside rather than an out and out "winger" might be an option as Bell doesn't have pace but does have ability(when fit).
  • Thomas/Jennings/Bailey- Any of these 3 could play the CMF- holding role. I just wonder if all 3 suffer in a 5 at home as it all becomes rather congested at the Ricoh?
  • Moussa- Left Midfield. Has power,strength and a good touch and shot- not an out and out winger either so an inside left midfield role perhaps ideal?
  • L Clarke- A self Pick but at home seems to struggle and be isolated, I've said it before but think he needs a partner at Home to open up defences and support- nobody but nobody breaks beyond L Clarke from our midfield at home.
  • Mcdonald/Macca. Neither has proven anything this year granted- But Cody cannot play on his own and Macca's form on the LH side is unproven again this year- and so maybe an option through the middle might be just what Gary needs?

Ok, I can see the logic, but I think we'd find ourselves getting torn apart against teams with good wingers.

In a 5-3-2 the 3 midfielders are usually all central, wingers are only really used if you're playing 5-4-1, or 3-4-3 (which isn't much different from 3-5-2 is it?) I think 3-4-3 (with 1 out-and-out striker who is flanked by wingers, like Wigan v Huddersfield) would be a better option than 3-5-2 because as I said, we don't have a striker fit (as in ability wise) to play alongside Clarke, Clarke is too similar to Cody. I don't really think 3-4-3 nor 5-3-2 would work, but it hasn't been tried. I think 4-5-1 is the way forward tbh, we need to approach the game differently, and as I've said, it's psychological.
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
Ok, I can see the logic, but I think we'd find ourselves getting torn apart against teams with good wingers.

In a 5-3-2 the 3 midfielders are usually all central, wingers are only really used if you're playing 5-4-1, or 3-4-3 (which isn't much different from 3-5-2 is it?) I think 3-4-3 (with 1 out-and-out striker who is flanked by wingers, like Wigan v Huddersfield) would be a better option than 3-5-2 because as I said, we don't have a striker fit (as in ability wise) to play alongside Clarke, Clarke is too similar to Cody. I don't really think 3-4-3 nor 5-3-2 would work, but it hasn't been tried. I think 4-5-1 is the way forward tbh, we need to approach the game differently, and as I've said, it's psychological.

How is L Clarke similar to Cody?
 

ohitsaidwalker king power

Well-Known Member
For example...
as we defend...

---------------Jordan-
Cyrus- Wood------ Edge- Adams

As we attack.
------------Thomas-
Cyrus- Bell- -----Mosse- Adams

Clearly Cyrus and Adams have a lot of work to do.. but they are full of running when fit.. and are young enough?
 
Crewe's starting formation- 5-3-2/3-5-2 was interesting today.. I thought they stifled us for large parts of the game.. as such got me thinking about how we could employ a similar system....

I think our defensive weaknesses for which we compensate with defensive minded midfielders perhaps might be best served by a formation change particularly for home games. We have to win games now to stand a remote chance of play off's- as such does this line up look more offensive-- Perhaps mix and match Elliot for Macca. Fleck for Moose- Thomas/Bailey for Jennings.

I think Jordan Clarke could be deployed as a sweeper.. he has perhaps the most pace of our defensive line and did well when he came on for Wood at Crewe in the JPT as he has done on other occasions when asked to play in the middle of a back four.

Both Christie and Adams also like to get forward, it would free Baker from isolation on the wing and push Moose forward where he is always likely to get a goal. Offer more support for Leon who is all too often isolated?

------------Murphy------
------------J Clarke------
------Edge----------Wood---
Christie---------------------Adams
---Baker-----Jennings------Moose
-------Clarke------Elliot--------

What's your view?

Think you're forgetting the smalll fact that Elliott is out for the rest of the season
 

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