What formation SHOULD we be playing?

[HunterLionheart]

Major problem with the modern game is the acceptance that teams and managers should be aligned to just one formation.
A footballing brain is being removed from the game.

It helps a lot to be able to recruit players though, and to have a base setup, rather than just adapting on the fly constantly.

You need your bread and butter for those tactical tweaks to be effective.

My biggest concern right now is that the recruitment has been so all over the place that we can't play anything well.

 

[Libertine]

It helps a lot to be able to recruit players though, and to have a base setup, rather than just adapting on the fly constantly.

You need your bread and butter for those tactical tweaks to be effective.

My biggest concern right now is that the recruitment has been so all over the place that we can't play anything well.

A team of players who can change on the fly and sort it between themselves on the pitch would beat a team rigidly playing to one system nearly every time. Managers who only have one system should be blown out of the sport as a complete nonsense. We learnt nothing from Ryan Lowe's wingback utter nonsense.

Sort the spine of the team out and then get the best players that you can for the money you can afford in the wide positions. Then take it from there.

Convinced all of this rigid formation bollocks is coming through from the FIFA playing generation.

 

[monky1234]

It helps a lot to be able to recruit players though, and to have a base setup, rather than just adapting on the fly constantly.

You need your bread and butter for those tactical tweaks to be effective.

My biggest concern right now is that the recruitment has been so all over the place that we can't play anything well.

Pretty much my thoughts too. We've got players where based on starting XI's we could play whatever formation.

But it's the quality in depth of some areas and a couple of starting spots that's the issue where there's not really one that sticks out that we should definitely be focusing on. Not ideal.

 

[HunterLionheart]

A team of players who can change on the fly and sort it between themselves on the pitch would beat a team rigidly playing to one system nearly every time. Managers who only have one system should be blown out of the sport as a complete nonsense. We learnt nothing from Ryan Lowe's wingback utter nonsense.

Sort the spine of the team out and then get the best players that you can for the money you can afford in the wide positions. Then take it from there.

Convinced all of this rigid formation bollocks is coming through from the FIFA playing generation.

It doesn't even need to be particularly rigid.

But when you have players that specialise in one thing (like Mills), then you are in trouble if you start shifting them all over the park.

It would be nice if we could all be Johan Cruyff's total football, everyone can do everything utopia.

But it's not gonna happen is it?

 

[Libertine]

It doesn't even need to be particularly rigid.

But when you have players that specialise in one thing (like Mills), then you are in trouble if you start shifting them all over the park.

It would be nice if we could all be Johan Cruyff's total football, everyone can do everything utopia.

But it's not gonna happen is it?

I didn't say everyone doing everything. But players and managers being flexible isn't too much to ask. It was how it was not long ago.
Like I say what the players used to have in football brains has now been replaced by mega athletic players.
Christ, I've said it loads on this form, these players seem to rarely even know how to put a name on the ball these days. Talking was one of the major things hammered home to us when we were just starting to play.

How often did we used to see a wide player like Mills switch wings mid-match to give the opposition something to think about. It says so much about where the game has gone that that is now seen as Utopia.

 

[HunterLionheart]

I didn't say everyone doing everything. But players and managers being flexible isn't too much to ask. It was how it was not long ago.
Like I say what the players used to have in football brains has now been replaced by mega athletic players.
Christ, I've said it loads on this form, these players seem to rarely even know how to put a name on the ball these days. Talking was one of the major things hammered home to us when we were just starting to play.

How often did we used to see a wide player like Mills switch wings mid-match to give the opposition something to think about. It says so much about where the game has gone that that is now seen as Utopia.

Nah, I get where you're coming from. A lot of footballers are notoriously thick, and I've advocated myself for wingers swapping wings this season in fact.

Smartest player in the world isn't any good if some hyper athlete always beats him to the ball. First yard of pace is in your head but they'll still catch you!

Additionally, the team who have drilled the same tactics a hundred times are probably going to be much better at it than the team who play 20 different ways 5 times each. They know where the runs are going to be made, who their options are, that split second quicker, right?

Put simply, teams will do whatever works best. And I guess modern football has worked out that knowing what your teammates are going to do in a given situation, and making this situations come about in games? That's the most successful way.

 

[Libertine]

Nah, I get where you're coming from. A lot of footballers are notoriously thick, and I've advocated myself for wingers swapping wings this season in fact.

Smartest player in the world isn't any good if some hyper athlete always beats him to the ball. First yard of pace is in your head but they'll still catch you!

Additionally, the team who have drilled the same tactics a hundred times are probably going to be much better at it than the team who play 20 different ways 5 times each. They know where the runs are going to be made, who their options are, that split second quicker, right?

Put simply, teams will do whatever works best. And I guess modern football has worked out that knowing what your teammates are going to do in a given situation, and making this situations come about in games? That's the most successful way.

Yep, agree with all that. My only counter would be that the scouting network should be feeding back the information about the teams that only play one way in order for it to be nullified.

 

[HunterLionheart]

Yep, agree with all that. My only counter would be that the scouting network should be feeding back the information about the teams that only play one way in order for it to be nullified.

I appreciated Alex Neil's willingness to change things up to adapt to some opponents, and most managers worth their salt should be able to do this to some degree. It's not as easy as rock paper scissors though!

 

[Libertine]

I appreciated Alex Neil's willingness to change things up to adapt to some opponents, and most managers worth their salt should be able to do this to some degree. It's not as easy as rock paper scissors though!

I think Alex had gone too far the other way though and it was all about nullifying the opposition first.

 

[MattPNE17]

Can't score.

Can't defend.

Need to sort these two issues out 1st. Preferably the defence as the 1st port of call, at least a Clean Sheet guarantees a minimum of 1 Point.

Apart from that, we're great! 😂

 

[MattPNE17]

Yes he looses his man-he’s a young CB who being switched positions during games and that’s not ideal for concentration.Hey I suppose you’ll say that Clark and Storey and Lindsay are good in the air but how did that go for us against Bristol and Watford. For his profile as a recovery CB and playing out from the back,Offiah’s aerial ability is par Van De Ben, Kushno,Ferdinand….Let’s hope our new manager plays out from the back and plays a high line just like we’ll need to if we ever dream of getting to the prem and staying there🤞

Jesus, I've seen it all.

Weren't you the one absolutely gargling Offiah as a CDM option? Oh yeah, you were. Makes sense.

 

[TacticalThinkTank]

Jesus, I've seen it all.

Weren't you the one absolutely gargling Offiah as a CDM option? Oh yeah, you were. Makes sense.

Guilty as charged! Amen Inshallah🙏The beautiful game allows different philosophies and opinions.You’re allowed to think our captain Mcann at CDM is good on the ball or maybe like me you think it doesn’t matter how bad Mcann is on the ball if Hecky’s tactics hoofs it over midfield.Well we know what’s happened to Hecky and his tactics.As yet we’re yet to see conclusive proof of my garglings of Offiah as a CDM! or for that matter any athletic dominating good on the ball CDM that can receive under pressure and travel with the ball.Maybe something for the incoming manager to think about🤔

 

[potsie66]

Formations are so overrated..all depends on the quality and nouse of the players. And being able to carry out instructions from an astute (hopefully) new manager.

 

[Grezzaball]

Realistically we just need to set up the team in a way that allows Leroy, Devine, Mills, Moran etc to receive the ball and create.

I have no idea how we should be setting up formation wise but its so important that the creative players are utilised properly.

 

[Garviv]

Realistically we just need to set up the team in a way that allows Leroy, Devine, Mills, Moran etc to receive the ball and create.

I have no idea how we should be setting up formation wise but its so important that the creative players are utilised properly.

I wouldn’t mind a winning formation

 

[llanroc]

I wouldn’t mind a winning formation

That’s the only formation that matters!

 

[Dipster]

The downsides with Wingbacks are twofold.

(1) Rather than covering half the pitch as a FB does with the occasional support to the winger in front, the WB is covering the entire length mainly by himself. And we wonder why they get run into the ground and eventually injured!

(2) The opposition if playing both a FB and a Winger get to double up on our WBs down the side thus making their workload even more difficult, demanding and tiring.

The sooner we abandon and get rid of this WB nonsense, the better.

Any potential interviewed applicant who positively mentions the word "Wingback" should be immediately shown the door.

Don't necessarily disagree with this, but watching Leeds dismantle Newcastle playing brilliantly with wingbacks, isn't it more the way our manager(s) have played it with the personnel available?

 

[OB1]

Don't necessarily disagree with this, but watching Leeds dismantle Newcastle playing brilliantly with wingbacks, isn't it more the way our manager(s) have played it with the personnel available?

No. Wingbacks is a serviceable formation, if you’ve got the best playing at wingback. Not Vukcevic and Stan Mills

 

[monky1234]

No. Wingbacks is a serviceable formation, if you’ve got the best playing at wingback. Not Vukcevic and Stan Mills

Bogle, Gudmundsson, Justin and Dan James be happy to be called the best in the Prem 😄

 

[OB1]

Bogle, Gudmundsson, Justin and Dan James be happy to be called the best in the Prem 😄

Bogle is definitely one of the best wingbacks in the Prem. He’s shown that repeatedly despite frequently playing in poor teams. Justin, when fit is very good too

Far cry from the options we’ve got. Even relative to their respective leagues