Taking a step back and looking at football overall there has been a considerable shift in the last 20 years to possession football. The question to be asked has it been more effective. Obviously Barcelona have been leading lights in this regard and have reaped rewards. But they also have had an exceptionally talented group of players which could have won using most tactics and formations.
Not all teams are effective in possession football and quite often it is pedestrian and risk adverse. Especially when looking at modern day wingers who pass backwards far too often.
For us the attacking wing backs have been beneficial up to now when combined with an overlapping centre back. But we all recognise that we are too slow getting crosses in and though effective last season we still only managed 39 goals in the league.
This season due both injuries and other teams preparation for our games our defence has been put under more pressure. This has been seen on the occasions of Egan getting caught out on earlier direct balls forward and the exploitation of space vacated by our wing backs.
In my view a change of philosophy is required. Next season we should go with 4411 formation. The key piece being proper wingers. By that I mean a return to the style of wingers of the past. Skilful and confident. Carry the ball and take on the defence with a bit more directness. This would create more opportunities. The deeper lying forward shuttling between midfield and attack. Driving in to the box at every opportunity.
So in essence I am advocating a more incisive strategy to create more chances that will hopefully bear fruit.
Once the strategy is set then we need to recruit for it. Obviously after this season we need new midfielders. Hopefully who we buy would be young and capable enough to improve to be effective at premier league level. Midfielders and wingers is what we need to buy. We have most of the rest .
Anyway that is my tuppence worth
Not all teams are effective in possession football and quite often it is pedestrian and risk adverse. Especially when looking at modern day wingers who pass backwards far too often.
For us the attacking wing backs have been beneficial up to now when combined with an overlapping centre back. But we all recognise that we are too slow getting crosses in and though effective last season we still only managed 39 goals in the league.
This season due both injuries and other teams preparation for our games our defence has been put under more pressure. This has been seen on the occasions of Egan getting caught out on earlier direct balls forward and the exploitation of space vacated by our wing backs.
In my view a change of philosophy is required. Next season we should go with 4411 formation. The key piece being proper wingers. By that I mean a return to the style of wingers of the past. Skilful and confident. Carry the ball and take on the defence with a bit more directness. This would create more opportunities. The deeper lying forward shuttling between midfield and attack. Driving in to the box at every opportunity.
So in essence I am advocating a more incisive strategy to create more chances that will hopefully bear fruit.
Once the strategy is set then we need to recruit for it. Obviously after this season we need new midfielders. Hopefully who we buy would be young and capable enough to improve to be effective at premier league level. Midfielders and wingers is what we need to buy. We have most of the rest .
Anyway that is my tuppence worth