I'll own up to a little childish animosity, but it's because I find the negativity so hard to stomach. To the likes of Matty, no offence intended, just cheer up ffs! You never know, we might have a great season but if not, there will be plenty of time to express
Fair comment, agree
If we play 442 with baker and sheff on either winger may as well stay at home, paceless and lightweight
That's it, we have no pacy wingers...hence the diamond or 433/451 being our options. I think I favour the diamond as it gives us two up front, which I really do think we need (can't ask Cody to play the lone striker role). But I also want the midfield diamond to be less compact than last season, more dynamic and fluid (which it was the season before, largely thanks to King's fantastic movement dragging opposition players all over the shop & Aron's re-ignited engine), and most importantly 10 yards higher up the pitch. With Sammy gone-the man who was allowed to "play where he wants", ie far too deep-and Jennings hopefully signing, that should be easily doable.
As ever, numbers are meaningless, it's about phase of play, movement and flexibility, not standing still in a position. I'd like Sheff in a slightly withdrawn second striker position to the left of Cody, but you could equally do the same with Elliott on his right (a "forward" rather than an out-an-out "striker" as such; a Sheringham rather than a Shearer. Cody's Shearer) or Polo, Jeffers-even ROD as RCF so he can use his pace in the right-hand channel.
-------\-----Cody-----------
--------Sheff---/------------
-----/-----Fleck---------\--
---Barton--Jennings--Baker--
\---------------------------/
Hussey------------------Clarke
---------CB--------CB--------
--------------GK--------------
If Baker, Sheff and Fleck use their freedom properly and link up in wide positions when the full-backs overlap, we won't lose width: it will be made up for by over-loading with our free-er players. This actually worked like a dream during AT's first period in charge. It simply didn't happen last season.
The LCM (probably Kilbane or Thomas) is narrower and slightly deeper than the RCM (assuming it's Baker or Bell) to form a two when the LB overlaps or the RCM goes forwards. That slightly more advanced of Jennings role should be more of a passer/tackler than a dribbler/winger. Alternatively you could have Thomas at narrow RCM (when fit) and Kilbane LCM and give Kilbane more width. See if he's still got some of those funky dribble skills. Beagrie, Matthews and Hutchinson still had those skills and crossing ability well into their dotage, even if they'd long lost their pace! Can Kilbane* do similar, or does he want to play a "Sammy" role? I'd prefer the latter, and think him and Hussey linking up together could prove highly profitable.
*obviously not in the class of them, but he was an elegant, skilful winger when in his prime.
Duffy will not like this
By negativity do you mean anyone who doesn't think we're going to win the league?
I must have missed those posts, I don't think we'll be relegated but I don't think it's going to be as easy as quite a few posters seem to think.
Should of told baker he's a crock of shit and lucky to wear the sky blue shirt.
You mean sort of a 4-2-2-2 formation at times? With Thomas/Barton and Jennings playing deeper with Baker pushing forward alongside Fleck and both floating around attacking areas with double Mc up topThe LCM (probably Kilbane or Thomas eventually) is narrower and slightly deeper than the RCM (assuming it's Baker or Bell) to form a two when the LB overlaps or the RCM goes forwards. That slightly more advanced of Jennings role should be more of a passer/tackler than a dribbler/winger. Alternatively you could have Thomas or Barton at narrow RCM (when fit/available) and Kilbane LCM and give Kilbane more width. See if he's still got some of those funky dribble skills. Beagrie, Matthews and Hutchinson still had those skills and crossing ability well into their dotage, even if they'd long lost their pace! Can Kilbane* do similar, or does he want to play a "Sammy" role? I'd prefer the former, and think him and Hussey linking up together could prove highly profitable.
*obviously not in the class of them, but he was an elegant, skilful winger when in his prime.
I've met Carl Baker before and as others have said in here he's a really nice bloke. seems like a good guy.
You mean sort of a 4-2-2-2 formation at times? With Thomas/Barton and Jennings playing deeper with Baker pushing forward alongside Fleck and both floating around attacking areas with double Mc up top
Could work with a front 4 of Fleck, Baker, Mcdonald and Sheff all being very fluid and interchangeable due to them all being useful in AM, wide and in the box
Hope we see more of the diagonal ball to the full backs which Norwood and Clarke perfected at the end of last season, hope Barton has similar passing ability. Also get Hussey forward and to the byline as often as we can as his crossing was sublime at times last season. In Mcdonald we have a player who will gamble and keep putting himself in the right positions in the box time and time again, just need to put the ball into a dangerous area and more often than not I would expect Mcdonald to be their.
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