Square Pegs, Round Holes

[robbiez666]

Since Wilson left, we've had 3 managers who have been trying to play a certain way without having the players to do so. We have a huge squad, but so many do not fit into the formations each manager has tried to play. They're played out of position and unsurprisingly aren't very good in that adopted role.

The only way we're going to break this cycle is to give Adkins time. The players still under contract with us next season look like a much more solid base to strengthen around when a much bigger overhaul is needed than simply bringing in a couple of players.

It's not a great time to be a Blade right now but at least there's a small chink of light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Clough did have players suited to the way he wanted to play, Harry left and it was obvious we needed a centre back, add a goalscorer and we should have been able to dominate the league last season. Instead he failed to build on the year before, weakened the squad, tamed the tactics and ended up with players out of position all over the place. Poor recruitment (and management of the existing squad) by Clough was to blame for that and he deservedly lost his job as a result.

This season, there's no reason to play anyone out of position, the squad is big and varied, even if it does lack quality and depth in certain areas. We have a bunch of midfielders suited to playing in a midfield three who get found out in a two, but the manager insists on playing 4-4-2. That's nothing to do with pegs and holes, Adkins could use a formation that plays to the squad's strengths, but chooses not to. Waiting til next season won't change that.

 

[robbiez666]

The way Clough played when he first came was unsustainable. It worked because we were so low and surprised teams with how we were countering and swelling the midfield. As teams worked us out, it gradually became less and less effective. When teams sat back and counter-attacked us we were unable to create enough chances, let alone score enough goals. It's an underdog tactic which works best against better teams.

You can argue that 4-3-3 plays to our strengthens more but I still think we don't have the midfield to do it. The fullbacks would need to create the width much of the time and we don't have the midfield to protect the defence.