It isn't the formation that is the problem. It's how we play it that matters. We seem to be getting stuck once we get across the half way line. As stated by some one else we largely played 4-1-4-1 in the first 2 matches going forward in any case
Barkhuizen
Well said.
And for any system to work it requires talented players (which we have) playing with lots of energy and skill; present in our first two matches, lacking in our third.
I hope Maguire and Harrop start on Sat in place of Robinson and Barky. Both very skilful players and importantly in place of two of our most tired looking performers at Derby who might both benefit from being benched for the next match.
Stick with the plan AN, which has worked well so far. Rome wasn't built in a day and most of us will be more than happy with steady improvements (with the occasional blip along the way).
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In my opinion, worst player by a distance this season. But I won't write him off, the season is long. Not buying the out of position stuff, basic skills are basic skills anywhere on the pitch - wanna see more he's got it in his game - wake up barky ffs.
Spot on in relation to your comments on Barky. His strengths are running onto the ball and finishing, not build up play.
OP
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PEDANTIC MODE ON:Barky has played his football in the lower divisions
Largely true but at what level have Maguire and Horgan to name but two played at?
PEDANTIC MODE OFF
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Has been marked out of the game in the last 3, looked ok against Leeds but teams are wary of his pace.
Exactly - I would like to see us playing with two strikers up front with Hugill, Maguire and Barkhuizen as the three main candidates for those place. If we played a 4.3.3 then Barkhuizen could be used wider but not way out wide - the key thing is to enable him to run at the opposition penalty area. When that happens he can be devastating. Either that or he needs already to be there when the ball comes in.
Bottom line is though is that compared to last season and pre-season, Tom has made a poor start to the season. He deserves to be dropped on current form over the past 3 games.
Nothing against him as I rate him, just stating what I have seen.
Nothing against him as I rate him, just stating what I have seen.
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Derby defended intelligently against us, standing off so that our quick forwards couldn't just beat their man with pace as easily. Remains to be seen if that will be replicated.
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I think our problem in not scoring or creating chances can be put down to one word - McGeady.
One player doesn't make a team. Mcgeady was sensational last season, but we have other players who are just as capable as creating a chance out of nothing. It's three games - rome wasn't built in a day. We can and will get there.
McGeady has one goal and two assists in 3 matches for Sunderland. How good would our start have been if we still had him in our side. The fact that we could not or would not afford him despite him being desperate to return to PNE says a lot about the level of club we are in this league. I know there is little we can do about it and most wouldnt want us to change our policy - but it can be frustrating at times.
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You can't be serious when you say we have ANY player in our squad who is 'just as capable' as McGeady at creating something.
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Maguire played well as the lone striker vs Wednesday.
Hugill played well as the lone striker vs Leeds.
Yeah we've looked a bit blunt going forward but we've played some very good and solid sides who'll be up there this season. 2 of those games were away.
Why scrap weeks and weeks of preparation and tactical work with 1 striker after 3 games in which we've done okay?
As I said before, I think some English fans are obsessed with 4-4-2 or 2 up top. It's not the solution to all our problems going forward.
Wow. Let's just read my comments and twist my words. I didn't say that. My point being our squad doesn't just resolve around Mcgeady. It didn't last season and it won't this season. We have players who can create chances and score goals (maybe not as good as mcgeady) but we still have them players. But you have proven what I always try to point out on this forum - three games in and people are saying our lack of goals is just down to mcgeady. It's three games. We have a new manager implementing new ideas. It will take time before the goals start flowing.
And reading my post back I said 'just as capable as creating a chance out of nothing' that doesn't mean they are 'just as capable as mcgeady'
That is true but if we could find a way to play them together might that make us a better side - I think it would.
I would give Barky more of a support striker role where he is more unpredictable and note in his 5 game 6 goal run last season he was pretty much playing behind the striker and switched to the wing whenever suited. This will get the best out of him and the goals will start coming back particularly if we play more freely at home as we did against the Wendies.
When you say played well, I agree Maguire ran his socks off, chased well, but other than one shot had no chances or other efforts at goal. I did not go to Leeds , but believe Hugill worked hard but again had very few chances ? I just think we are possibly missing an opportunity if we do not play and pair Maguire and Hugill together, lets wait and see.
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He had two great shots, he created pretty much out of nothing.
One things for certain, we either need to play Maguire and Hugill together or the one striker needs better support and involvement from the 3 behind him.
So far we have seen very little support for our lone striker in the 1st three games, we have also created very few decent chances, that is why I would like to see a Hugill and Maguire combination,the only reason we are unlikely to see this is down to AN and the formation he seems to prefer ?