cdrw1992 wrote:
From what various people have told me in the past, the only reason we played 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 was to play to arguably our biggest asset in Chris Slater. I don't understand why the defence has suddenly started conceding so many preventable and sloppy goals as opposed to last season when it generally took a very good goal from our opponents to score past us, and even when they did get behind the defence we had a top, top keeper to stop them.
Rarely did we used to concede goals from corners, but from what I've heard that's 3 in the last few games, all from free headers. Zonal marking? Or lapses in concentration.
For me losing Joe Williams was a huge loss, if it had worked formation wise I'd have usually picked him over others, and he truly was a Mr Reliable for us.
Obviously you expect to have the odd poor game in defence, it happens to the best sides - Everton vs Arsenal etc, Portsmouth vs Reading? a couple of seasons back - but not several games in a row. Something isn't working and the sooner we can get this sorted out the better, because the longer we leave it and just assume it'll go away, the more detrimental effect it will have on our promotion push.
So from me, a resounding yes for 4-4-2
Milligan and M Branchy at 2 and 3
Slater and Teesdale should be able to sort themselves out at centre back, and if not, I've got a lot of respect for Ross Miller.
and stick John Branch in centre midfield where I think he's as good if not better than at 2.
Or would John be better sticking at 2 and Milligan playing left mid?
Milligan deserves to keep his place, and I think J Branch did enough last night to warrant a recall. Milligan looks good going forward, so if we played 4-4-2 I would play him left midfield.
As good as Slater is (thought he looked better on the ball yesterday) we are still looking dodgy at the back, and Chris made a back pass error that is uncharacteristic. I think the nerves are contagious, hence the problems.
I am still unsure of Steany's form in centre midfield, and Bragoli did ok last night (better than Greenway, but then that's not difficult).
I personally think Batch would be better suited in a 4-4-2, and if I were in charge I would built the team round him in the centre. He could always play ollie wide right with a view to him dropping back, or possibly Bragoli could play wide right?
At the moment, too many players are in indifferent form, and altogether that's causing panic to set in. Nearly every midfielder and CB is on inconsistant form, and that's never good for results.
Will we see 4-4-2 on Saturday? Well I will eat my hat if we do.
