Is the time for experimenting over? yes or no

[Fulwood Blade]

The last 2 performances have shown us play a quite flexible 4-5-1 that turns into 4-3-3 when required.

There have been clamours for 4-4-2 by some fans and it has been a totally acceptable suggestion due to our lack of goals.

BUT.......our group of players and particularly the midfield seem much more capable when playing with 5 there.

January is always a significant time - clubs reach half way in the league, and a settled side/style always seems the best principle as we showed last season.

For me the time for experimenting has to stop - we should go with what we have (4-5-1 & 4-3-3) and stick with a basis of 8/9 players with tweaks here and there.

Discuss "Is the time for experimenting over and we go with what we have become" ?

UTB

 

[Cyprus Blade]

There comes a point when you have to stick or bust and, unless there are significant changes arriving in the JTW, I think that you should know your best team and formation by half way through the season so yes I think time to stop experimenting despite my reservations and a feeling that 3-5-2 (switching to 5-3-2) might suit us better.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The last 2 performances have shown us play a quite flexible 4-5-1 that turns into 4-3-3 when required.

There have been clamours for 4-4-2 by some fans and it has been a totally acceptable suggestion due to our lack of goals.

BUT.......our group of players and particularly the midfield seem much more capable when playing with 5 there.

January is always a significant time - clubs reach half way in the league, and a settled side/style always seems the best principle as we showed last season.

For me the time for experimenting has to stop - we should go with what we have (4-5-1 & 4-3-3) and stick with a basis of 8/9 players with tweaks here and there.

Discuss "Is the time for experimenting over and we go with what we have become" ?

UTB

Fulwood . The time for anymore system experimenting is over . We play the tactics which suit our strengths . Simpler the better for the formation that can be interchangeable on the field of play and move forward in what we know and the players seem most comfortable with . Any acquisitions in the JTW have to be players who can accommodate the system and hit the ground running.

This season is not a preseason for next season. It is the difference between finishing in the top 6 or mid table.

UTB

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

The formation isn't really the problem, just certain players in the wrong roles, underperformed or not getting the rightful chance to play.
for example,
Baxter playing as the lone strike role early in the season,
Playing players like Higdon where he has no impact on the game and hardly puts in the effort and Scougal who has been playing poorly all season but still getting picked in every game
Players like McNulty and Reed getting dropped while they have proved they are good enough.
Its more then just the formation, its Cloughs bizarre ideas that have been the problem this season, I think he's a good manager but he doesn't help him self.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

The formation isn't really the problem, just certain players in the wrong roles, underperformed or not getting the rightful chance to play.
for example,
Baxter playing as the lone strike role early in the season,
Playing players like Higdon where he has no impact on the game and hardly puts in the effort and Scougal who has been playing poorly all season but still getting picked in every game
Players like McNulty and Reed getting dropped while they have proved they are good enough.
Its more then just the formation, its Cloughs bizarre ideas that have been the problem this season, I think he's a good manager but he doesn't help him self.

Some decisions have been a little bizarre to say the least . However to be fair to Mr Clough , he sees the players more than we do and decisions could be made due to performance or not in training , injuries , suspensions , ill heath or confidence . Theres a reason for everything and Mr Clough knows better than we do.

UTB

 

[Punk Blade]

If we perform like yesterday on a consistent basis in the league, then I can't really see what needs changing. McGahey and Kennedy have done well at different times in the season to cover CB and with Alcock fit and Davies to follow we're ok at RB and can also free up Flynn for attacking wide positions. The biggest question for me is if we have adequate cover/competition for Sparky up top. You may argue that Baxter, Murphy, JCR and Adams can all play up there but the first three don't have the work rate/presence of McNulty and were excellent in their specialist positions yesterday, and I wouldn't expect too much of Adams too soon though he did impress me against Southampton. I've written Higdon off because he is horrible to watch.

So in conclusion we need a decent striker. The same as everyone has been saying since the beginning of time.