Time for 4-4-2 (1 Viewer)

[BlueSkiesForever]

What?!

I just think sometimes we can hung up on one big thing and not see the wood for the trees. “How can we improve the midfield?! The midfield’s terrible! Midfield, midfield, midfield, MIDFIELD!!!”.

Maybe the answer is to improve the areas around the midfield so that the midfield can work better. I’m not saying that’s definitively the answer but it’s something I’ve been thinking about over the last couple of days. We’ve got a very limited number of midfielders so we’re essentially stuck with what we’re currently playing. I think a formation change or a style of play change is needed because I can’t see a way that that midfield is going to improve overnight.

 

---

[clint van damme]

I just think sometimes we can hung up on one big thing and not see the wood for the trees. “How can we improve the midfield?! The midfield’s terrible! Midfield, midfield, midfield, MIDFIELD!!!”.

Maybe the answer is to improve the areas around the midfield so that the midfield can work better. I’m not saying that’s definitively the answer but it’s something I’ve been thinking about over the last couple of days. We’ve got a very limited number of midfielders so we’re stuck with what we’ve got atm basically, I think a formation change or a style of play change is needed because I can’t see a way that that midfield is going to improve overnight.

The midfield is our biggest issue and the one that needs addressing most urgently. Until we do we'll continue to struggle.

Will a formation change help? Maybe. But I definitely think personnel is an issue. We're going to be relying on Sheaf doing at lot of heavy lifting when he returns.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

Is 442 even svthing anymore so few teams play it.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Remember Guys, when it's Comes to Team Selection, Mark Robins a Stubborn Bitch.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Is 442 even svthing anymore so few teams play it.

I think that’s a good thing tbh, if all oppositions are expecting us to set up in a certain way every week then we’ll be very predictable to play against. I think we need to be proactive and maybe be willing to do something other teams won’t if we’re to get ahead.

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

I think that’s a good thing tbh, if all oppositions are expecting us to set up in a certain way every week then we’ll be very predictable to play against. I think we need to be proactive and maybe be willing to do something other teams won’t if we’re to get ahead.

It became dropped due to its inflexibility. England played 4-4-2 for years up until recently - it doesn’t work well against the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 - the midfield gets overrun.

unless you’re bypassing the midfield and playing hoof to the big man little man combo it’s not feasible

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

It became dropped due to its inflexibility. England played 4-4-2 for years up until recently - it doesn’t work well against the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 - the midfield gets overrun.

unless you’re bypassing the midfield and playing hoof to the big man little man combo it’s not feasible

I too think 4-3-3 is the best formation but for whatever reason we currently can’t seem to nail it and we’re lacking in attacking outlets. Our forwards are getting some chances but they’re always half-chances, I just think we need to go back to basics and try something different. Maybe 4-4-2 isn’t the answer but repeating the shitty play style on the pitch every week certainly isn’t

 

[Frostie]

Is 442 even svthing anymore so few teams play it.

Defensively a few teams transition into it but from an attacking sense, pretty much nobody & for good reason. Villa are the only ones I can think of that nominally line up in a 4-4-2 but in truth one of the forwards (usually Morgan Rogers) plays much deeper to give the extra man in midfield.

 

[Cally Fedora]

The formation is fine. They just need a rocket up their arse.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

Our midfield would get even more over-run in 4-4-2

Overrun already. Score more than them

 

[skybluecam]

I think fundamentally our problems this season have been progressing the ball quick enough to be able to open teams up, and maintaining control of possession in general. I don't think swapping a midfielder out for a striker will solve that.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Anyone fancy it yet?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

The problem with it remains the same. While it would let us make the most of the wide and central attacking players we have, the midfield pairing would really struggle.

Though that said, it's struggling anyway.

 

[clint van damme]

Anyone fancy it yet?

We're not formation tweaking our way out of this.
And the thought of one less player in the midfield is quite frightening.
If anything I'd go 5-4-1 and try and shithouse a few points.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

We're not formation tweaking our way out of this.
And the thought of one less player in the midfield is quite frightening.
If anything I'd go 5-4-1 and try and shithouse a few points.

Yeah fair enough, I’m willing to try anything at this stage (I’ve still never been a fan of 5 at the back but certain games definitely call for it.)

 

[clint van damme]

Yeah fair enough, I’m willing to try anything at this stage (I’ve still never been a fan of 5 at the back but certain games definitely call for it.)

I was half joking but thinking back to Leeds away last year I'm fairly sure that's what we did

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

I was half joking but thinking back to Leeds away last year I'm fairly sure that's what we did

I think you’re right tbf, ended up with a back 7 at times but it sort of worked so there’s definitely times where being ultra defensive is the right play. I just like the all round shape of a 4-4-2, just shouts stability to me, whether it works for us is another thing

 

[clint van damme]

I think you’re right tbf, ended up with a back 7 at times but it sort of worked so there’s definitely times where being ultra defensive is the right play. I just like the all round shape of a 4-4-2, just shouts stability to me, whether it works for us is another thing

I don't think there's any formation at the minute that would sort this pigs ear out.
We've got, by and large, a mentally weak group of players.

 

[wingy]

I don't think there's any formation at the minute that would sort this pigs ear out.
We've got, by and large, a mentally weak group of players.

For some reason,who do we miss,or who are we missing?

 

[Monty]

Who are the characters at the club now? Wilson? MVE? Not sure either of them is a leader. Sheaf seems more like the calmer captain and leader but doesn't exude passion. Kitching a loud voice, but again not sure he is a leader, maybe in the future, but you need to have respect to be a leader. Simms in many ways for a striker and a big guy, seems quite calm and passive. No passion, no leader, when things are going badly no oomph

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Already got two fans on CWR for 4-4-2

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Anyone…? Please?

 

[ms639]

Not this again Dad

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Flat 433 for me when everyone's fit

Dovin

Milan
Thomas
Kitching
DaSilva

Sheaf - the more deep lying player cutting out attacks and making tackles, starting moves
Eccles - him and Sheaf just work well together
Rudoni / Torp- the one with licence to drift in between the lines and make things happen, slot back in when defending

EMC - Tats is missing something at the mo, I know LW is his best position but he can do well enough on the right
Simms
Wright

Oh yes them were the days, Sheaf cutting out attacks, making tackles and starting moves.

Can the real Sheaf stand up please.

 

[Covcraig@bury]

OP. Time for 4-4-2 at the moment we would struggle with 8-8-4 , utter useless