New Systems and Tactics

[Chali 2na]

This season has been among the best in my lifetime, and I feel there's very little to complain about on the whole.

One thing that does slightly concern me, is the way teams have adapted to the way we play. One of the main reasons (IMO) why we had a poorer second half of the season is due to teams understanding our tactics and nullifying them.

To combat this, I would like us to have a Plan B: at the moment, teams know that we will likely set up 5-3-2, with the wingbacks and number 10 key to creating chances - It would be nice to keep them guessing.

Our problem is though, that we lack wide players, so switching to any formation involving wingers would involve some serious recruitment (Requiring funds we may or may not have)

That is why I think we should try this:

I've used our current personnel to demonstrate that minimal incomings would be needed to fill the places. Holmes is the obvious weak link, but I feel other than there, it makes the most of our squad.

Do you think a 4-2-3-1 has legs? If not, what would you suggest?

 

[mancunianblade]

Think this is a good alternative tactic, been saying it since xmas but id also be keen for us to try the current set up with a lone striker with Duffy and Brooks in support.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I think it has potential but Clarke doesn't really suit the lone striker role IMHO. Playing this formation with the pace of Brooks making those darting runs down the channels could work. However, it would require him to be more disciplined in his starting positions and him not getting disheartened if the runs are coming to nothing.

Certainly Brooks is critical to our success this coming season. He's the £10m striker with pace we all dream that we sign.

His development and us being able to keep a clean sheet are the blocks which Tufty needs to put in place.

 

[blackydog]

This season has been among the best in my lifetime, and I feel there's very little to complain about on the whole.

One thing that does slightly concern me, is the way teams have adapted to the way we play. One of the main reasons (IMO) why we had a poorer second half of the season is due to teams understanding our tactics and nullifying them.

To combat this, I would like us to have a Plan B: at the moment, teams know that we will likely set up 5-3-2, with the wingbacks and number 10 key to creating chances - It would be nice to keep them guessing.

Our problem is though, that we lack wide players, so switching to any formation involving wingers would involve some serious recruitment (Requiring funds we may or may not have)

That is why I think we should try this:

I've used our current personnel to demonstrate that minimal incomings would be needed to fill the places. Holmes is the obvious weak link, but I feel other than there, it makes the most of our squad.

Do you think a 4-2-3-1 has legs? If not, what would you suggest?

How do you know Holmes is a weak link?

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

 

[Liaminho9]

With the current squad (+ Blackman) this is an alternative setup; similar to Chelsea.

(Basically what mancunianblade has suggested)

 

[snootyfenooty]

None of them will work unless we get a big fuck off centre half to bolster the defence up first. I like Chali 2na 's set up though with the back four, that should have been implemented last season second half when our shortcomings were apparent. I also think that Stevens and Baldock would settle in that role too without having to be at both ends of the pitch at once.

 

[BrinsworthBlade]

Transfer Suggestions
New 1: Blackman (Loan / Transfer)
New 10: Marriott

As for New 7, 6, 2 & 3 I have no idea who to suggest

I'm far from having good knowledge on football and players but I think this formation could work

 

[SUFC Guy]

I much prefer this setup

ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK! - ATTACK!

BLACKMAN (Overlapping)​

 

[Chali 2na]

How do you know Holmes is a weak link?

It's a matter of opinion obviously, but for the following reasons:

• Physicality: From what I've seen, he seems woefully short of the standards for pace and strength. The championship is extremly physical, and I'm not sure he's up to it.
• Age: He's about to turn 31; he's more likely to decline than improve at this age.
• Experience: He has minimal experience at this level, and I think it shows.
• Attitude: I don't think Wilder bought him not to play him, therefore I suspect there are further problems behind the scenes unless Wilder simply thinks he's not good enough.
• Hair: he has a pony-tail.

 

[blackydog]

It's a matter of opinion obviously, but for the following reasons:

• Physicality: From what I've seen, he seems woefully short of the standards for pace and strength. The championship is extremly physical, and I'm not sure he's up to it.
• Age: He's about to turn 31; he's more likely to decline than improve at this age.
• Experience: He has minimal experience at this level, and I think it shows.
• Attitude: I don't think Wilder bought him not to play him, therefore I suspect there are further problems behind the scenes unless Wilder simply thinks he's not good enough.
• Hair: he has a pony-tail.

Fair point.

 

[Speedracer]

In principle I agree that teams might know more about the system we play, but I feel that rather than them nullifying us it is ourselves needing so many chances to score goals. More lethal finishing would have seen us winning many of those games we lost or drew at a canter, we still managed to create plenty despite any shortcomings we might have. IMO.

 

[DronnieBlade]

The way we already set up is fluid enough to change during a game. It’s happened times many. There is NO need to piss around with this.

Our issue, as Tufty appears well aware, is not box to box. It’s in what he describes as the “big” moments in either box. In other words defending better and putting a higher percentage of good chances away.

Formation and tactical changes won’t change or solve this.

It ain’t broke.

UTB

Oh and changing things to accommodate Holmes is futile. He’s almost certainly offskis !!

 

[robbiez666]

I really can't see an ageing Leon Clarke being particularly good as a loan striker, week in, week out. Especially given the fact that Donaldson was preferred for that job.

 

[Chali 2na]

In principle I agree that teams might know more about the system we play, but I feel that rather than them nullifying us it is ourselves needing so many chances to score goals. More lethal finishing would have seen us winning many of those games we lost or drew at a canter, we still managed to create plenty despite any shortcomings we might have. IMO.

I think there are multiple factors. One of which, as you mentioned, is our finishing.

I don't necessarily agree that we always managed to create plenty of chances though. I think there were a few games, particularly at home, where we struggled.

 

[Pinchy]

Kick it long; Kick it hard; Kick it high.

 

[Liaminho9]

I really can't see an ageing Leon Clarke being particularly good as a loan striker, week in, week out. Especially given the fact that Donaldson was preferred for that job.

Why would we loan him when he's already contracted to us??


(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

 

[Chali 2na]

The way we already set up is fluid enough to change during a game. It’s happened times many. There is NO need to piss around with this.

Our issue, as Tufty appears well aware, is not box to box. It’s in what he describes as the “big” moments in either box. In other words defending better and putting a higher percentage of good chances away.

Formation and tactical changes won’t change or solve this.

It ain’t broke.

UTB

If you can acknowledge that our current system/formation can change in game, and it's happened many times then it isn't purely about better defending and attacking, as you implied.

Also, while I agree we need to improve our finishing, it's not the only factor. In several games (Bolton & Wednesday at home immediately spring to mind) we struggled to create chances - a symptom of our tactics rather than finishing.

Oh and changing things to accommodate Holmes is futile. He’s almost certainly offskis !!

Did you not read my post? I'm clearly not "changing things to accommodate Holmes."

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I'd be surprised if there was a complete change of system. A little tweak here and there, but as Wilder has more than hinted, what kept us out of the top 6 was key moments at both ends of the pitch. This is where things will change rather than different systems.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I'd be surprised if there was a complete change of system. A little tweak here and there, but as Wilder has more than hinted, what kept us out of the top 6 was key moments at both ends of the pitch. This is where things will change rather than different systems.

That's about the long and short of it I hope SEB. I agree with Chali 2na that systems need to be reviewed, just as player's performances need the same. I think the importance of individual's performing to their maximum, or close to it, is vital to whatever system you have, otherwise it becomes an academic exercise that's never tested. We have some really good to excellent players, something most posters recognise. What I think the players need to do is listen to the coaching staff and then apply themselves so that a reasonable chance becomes something with greater certainty. It applies to all positions, so a fullback or wing-back should be receptive to an opportunity in just the same way that a midfield player or forward has to be.

An example that comes to mind is this; remember that glorious 17-pass move that resulted in a goal scored by Freeman the season we trounced the opposition in Div 1? It was against Swindon I think, and the key element was Lavery, who received a ball, was as sharp as a knife, turned and took the ball until he could see Freeman, then voila! A move and a goal of beauty. That was a player who, in the moment, used his invention in a way that a less focused player may have wasted the chance.

 

[Ricky]

I would've liked to see us start with the 4-2-3-1 at times in the second half of the season, but we were always going to stick with 3-5-2. And it did us no favours that Brooks wasn't quite right - he's key if we're to play 4-2-3-1 with what we've got.

It's more about personnel now than systems.

I'd like us to sign a new first choice LWB, CF and AM set up the same way, possibly trying to emulate the system Wolves played last season - a straight 3-4-3 with two supporting attackers. Or if Duffy keeps his standards then keep it as it is with Brooks alongside a centre forward.

 

[blademark]

I'm all for having a plan b and a plan c actually, which should be a seamless transition when required, but I am of the opinion that plan a is a good plan, and will be even better with better players . We have some weak links, and hopefully Chris will recruit suitably in the next few months.
Man City didn't have to use plan b very much last season, because 9 times out of 10 their better players got the job done.

 

[blademark]

I also believe that it was our plan a that allowed us to finish so close to the top 6, because with the players we had, we could easily have been bottom 6 with more conventional tactics.

 

[Addison]

I would've liked to see us start with the 4-2-3-1 at times in the second half of the season, but we were always going to stick with 3-5-2. And it did us no favours that Brooks wasn't quite right - he's key if we're to play 4-2-3-1 with what we've got.

It's more about personnel now than systems.

I'd like us to sign a new first choice LWB, CF and AM set up the same way, possibly trying to emulate the system Wolves played last season - a straight 3-4-3 with two supporting attackers. Or if Duffy keeps his standards then keep it as it is with Brooks alongside a centre forward.

Agree with this. At times away against Wolves and Fulham away 4-2-3-1 would have been the better option. Not starting with a natural number 10 towards the end of the season also cost us points. We desperately need a dominant ball playing centre back. Sol Bamba at Cardiff would fit if NW is looking elsewhere. Alternatively Webster at Ipswich won most headers at CB in the division last season.

 

[YouFUMS]

It's great to see that a lot of Blades are including Coutts in their formations, and I really hope he comes through. However, after the break he sustained I would be really surprised if he was up to Championship football next season. Hope I'm wrong

 

[SwissBlade]

This season has been among the best in my lifetime, and I feel there's very little to complain about on the whole.

One thing that does slightly concern me, is the way teams have adapted to the way we play. One of the main reasons (IMO) why we had a poorer second half of the season is due to teams understanding our tactics and nullifying them.

To combat this, I would like us to have a Plan B: at the moment, teams know that we will likely set up 5-3-2, with the wingbacks and number 10 key to creating chances - It would be nice to keep them guessing.

Our problem is though, that we lack wide players, so switching to any formation involving wingers would involve some serious recruitment (Requiring funds we may or may not have)

That is why I think we should try this:

I've used our current personnel to demonstrate that minimal incomings would be needed to fill the places. Holmes is the obvious weak link, but I feel other than there, it makes the most of our squad.

Do you think a 4-2-3-1 has legs? If not, what would you suggest?

On recent form Coutts, Holmes, Stevens and Brooks haven’t been anywhere near good enough to be our plan B. I presume this would be something which we could consider near to Christmas if those players are fit and in form

As always, any change in system needs the players

 

[SwissBlade]

It's great to see that a lot of Blades are including Coutts in their formations, and I really hope he comes through. However, after the break he sustained I would be really surprised if he was up to Championship football next season. Hope I'm wrong

I’m thinking nearer to the October international break before he’s near to match fit.

 

[Bladezz]

If we don’t play with 5 at the back we will struggle. Individually we do not compete with the top 10 teams. We do with good tactics and our formation with Coutts got us to top at Christmas.

I wouldn’t be against a tweak of our formation but to go 4231 or any formation with 4 at the back would be suicide.

 

[RossingtonBlade]

4 at the back would kill us as only Jack and George are capable of defending. As much as I like Bash and Stears if we really want to progress next season then they are back ups for me. Need a dominant big centre half who can do the dirty stuff as Stearman is too lightweight. Basham is good but as soon as he passes the half way line he gets a nosebleed and his concentration levels when under pressure are poor. Enda for me is nowhere near good enough for us as his pace and ability to take a player on is oblivious.

I don’t think anything really needs changing with the formation I just think we need to get 1 GK, 2 CBS, 1 LWB, 1 CDM, 1 CAM, 1 maybe 2 STs.

The reasoning for the defensive midfield option as we are very weak in midfield with defensive options and we have made it very hard for our defence so we could do with someone to toughen it up.

For the attacking midfield option I just don’t see Duffy lasting 30+ games next season and I would much prefer Brooks to be playing off the striker sometimes.

Priority though for me has to be the defence then goalkeeper, attack, midfield.

 

[Lane Ender]

I would've liked to see us start with the 4-2-3-1 at times in the second half of the season, but we were always going to stick with 3-5-2. And it did us no favours that Brooks wasn't quite right - he's key if we're to play 4-2-3-1 with what we've got.

It's more about personnel now than systems.

I'd like us to sign a new first choice LWB, CF and AM set up the same way, possibly trying to emulate the system Wolves played last season - a straight 3-4-3 with two supporting attackers. Or if Duffy keeps his standards then keep it as it is with Brooks alongside a centre forward.

Good post nailed it we’re bottom half next year if we don’t add quality
A proven striker, a CB who leads, LWB Stevens is poor, A keeper Blackman will do, that’s for starters