Back 4 with

[jono_t2000]

Lopata and Egan yes or no. I know it was only Carlisle but you can only excel at what's put in front of you.

Take your vote and discuss

 

[Blade56]

Thought he looked calm in defence, won nearly every 50/50 and had a bullet header saved. Even Van Dyke and Harry had to have someone to give them a first senior outing, yes from me.

 

[jono_t2000]

Thought he looked calm in defence, won nearly every 50/50 and had a bullet header saved. Even Van Dyke and Harry had to have someone to give them a first senior outing, yes from me.

Also put a header from another corner right across the 6 yard box which Billy would have had empty net to tap home if hadn't lost balance.

 

[Pedro Verde]

For me Lopata is not ready and we look shite with a back four

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Wasn’t it a back 5 last night with Lopata in the Egan role?

 

[stringer]

Wasn’t it a back 5 last night with Lopata in the Egan role?

Yes

 

[Micky Narker]

I'd prefer Slav to bring in someone with more experience, but who knows, Lopata might be the business.

 

[bongleblade]

Back 4 with Egan and Lopata - No for me

Back 5 with Egan/Lopata/Bash - Yes pls

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Yes

Ah good. I keep thinking that I’m going to different games to some on here.

 

[HeySethUTB]

Impressed me. Not much difference between him and Robinson as ball players. Much more of a threat in the air, could have scored and should have got an assist but Billy fluffed his chance. Got to be in with a shout, then again it was only Carlisle (no disrespect).

 

[Grappler]

Lopata - not the finished article, but built like a tank, doesn't nesh a challenge, good header, goes forward occasionally, and did a couple of nice cross field pings (especially to Bogle) that had the crowd applauding.

If we are not bringing anyone in, for that spot, then it's a yes from me. He's not JOC and the crowd shouldn't expect it, JOC was outstanding, and his time away from the field, and the team, has probably shown every fan just how good he was.

 

[robbiez666]

Any pace in that pairing?! Too similar for me. Fine as a back-up but ideally could use a loan and match experience.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

He can have another run out in the next round.

 

[Yogi]

He staked enough of a claim last night to at least be given a look over Robinson even if it’s just from the bench. If we’re serious about promotion though we need to recruit someone for that spot

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Lopata - not the finished article, but built like a tank, doesn't nesh a challenge, good header, goes forward occasionally, and did a couple of nice cross field pings (especially to Bogle) that had the crowd applauding.

If we are not bringing anyone in, for that spot, then it's a yes from me. He's not JOC and the crowd shouldn't expect it, JOC was outstanding, and his time away from the field, and the team, has probably shown every fan just how good he was.

But he played in Egan’s spot? What are you suggesting that we go to a 3 and move Egan to the left?

 

[JKBlade]

Saturday showed for me we can’t play Robinson in a back 2. Until we sign someone, and we need to, Lopata should get the chance.

I’m all for playing 4 at the back, leaving us another attacking option. Wanted to see it last season. The game plan is clearly to draw the opposition out with possession, before getting behind them with pace. The front 3 allows that by playing two pacy forward slightly wider.
Playing a 5 only leave 2 in midfield which isn’t enough to dominate the ball in my view.

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

The thing with 433 is, at the moment at least, the midfield 3 look completely bypassed. I’m assuming Slavs plan is to bring them more in to it as the players get used to the system but at the moment I don’t think there’s any point in having 3 in midfield.

we may as well have an other CB and have wingbacks further forward as that’s where the action is anyway

 

[Addison]

I watched Lopata closely last night. He has all the attributes to be a very good centre back. 6 foot 4, dominant in the air, reads the game well, has a voice and organises the back line. In the three he looked comfortable spraying passes out to the wing. On the one occasion he went forward he did lose the ball but showed a turn of pace to get back into position. A threat at set pieces and got off a good header that was deflected away.

When we went to a four he looked more understanding of the position than Bash. Although he tired at the death he still managed to get across and put off their centre forward for the one chance they had in the air.

Do I think he's ready to start on a regular basis the answer is no. Having said that he showed enough IMO to be the cover we need for Egan. If we are to play a four on a regular basis we need players that understand how to play the position. Brums goal illustrated how not to play centre back. Robinson was in front of his man rather than behind and got dragged across along with Egan when the Brum winger found Colin.

An aerially dominant, preferably left footed player is a must. Not sure if that player is Davies but we can't continue without a replacement for much longer.

 

[nopigfansintown]

We played both systems last night. Controlled the game with a back three, looked shite in a back four. Quelle surprise.

 

[metalblade]

If it is a choice between him and Robinson at CB then yes. Might get away with Robinson at LB but no way as a CB

 

[Vass Borbokis]

Echo what most say. I'd have pretty much anyone in that back 4 over Robinson after watching him Saturday.
Birmingham pinpointed our weakness (left side of defence) from the first minute.
Robinson will never improve, this lad will.

We need a signing first and foremost though.

 

[Wards]

3-4-1-2 aka 3-4-3 for me going forwards until we have some more bodies in

Not sure Lopata is ready just yet though, lets not rush him.