Two up Top?

[robbiez666]

I'm puzzled how we are setting up, especially against teams that sit in. We put out a counter-attacking team when we're not counter-attacking.

We play in a way which gets the fullbacks forward but don't have a lot of players in the box to.hit with crosses. Relying on individual skill over a system or strategy far too often.

Wilder wants to play Brewster in a nothing role which is neither midfield or attack. He's peripheral in almost every game and has little impact, outside of the odd goal and assist.

I really don't understand why in games like last night he doesn't play 2 up top. Personally, I'd be tempted to push BBD up, drop Brewster and start JRS. but it could equally be Moore up with Campbell.

 

[metalblade]

Playing his favourites again even if they aren't in their natural positions, we seen it before with Wilder.

 

[jono_t2000]

I'm puzzled how we are setting up, especially against teams that sit in. We put out a counter-attacking team when we're not counter-attacking.

We play in a way which gets the fullbacks forward but don't have a lot of players in the box to.hit with crosses. Relying on individual skill over a system or strategy far too often.

Wilder wants to play Brewster in a nothing role which is neither midfield or attack. He's peripheral in almost every game and has little impact, outside of the odd goal and assist.

I really don't understand why in games like last night he doesn't play 2 up top. Personally, I'd be tempted to push BBD up, drop Brewster and start JRS. but it could equally be Moore up with Campbell.

I've long argued the case for a 4-3-1-2

Not only adds an additional body in midfield but puts two up top.

The only downside to this is 1 player of the usual 4 up top misses out.

It does get rid of wingers tho which is a plus imho as I really don't think Wilder knows how to play wingers properly

 

[Pintor75]

We should be two up front in every game, especially at home, Wilder is trying to accommodate Brewster and he's a passenger in most games he plays, we need to take it to the opposition, not worry about them

 

[FriethBlade]

I'm puzzled how we are setting up, especially against teams that sit in. We put out a counter-attacking team when we're not counter-attacking.

We play in a way which gets the fullbacks forward but don't have a lot of players in the box to.hit with crosses. Relying on individual skill over a system or strategy far too often.

Wilder wants to play Brewster in a nothing role which is neither midfield or attack. He's peripheral in almost every game and has little impact, outside of the odd goal and assist.

I really don't understand why in games like last night he doesn't play 2 up top. Personally, I'd be tempted to push BBD up, drop Brewster and start JRS. but it could equally be Moore up with Campbell.

Last night it was noticeable how many times Burrows and to a less extent Seriki had the ball out wide in good positions to cross but we had hardly any bodies in the box and time and time again Millwall cleared it. It was the same at Oxford.

We need a plan as to how to break teams down that just sit in. It's never easy to do but having more players in the box can't harm. At the minute some of the midfield players are almost getting in each other's way and Choudhury/Souza r playing right on top of the centre backs.

 

[Costhorpeblade]

We should have gone 4-3-3 as many on here suggested but it’s wilders way or the highway

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Makes no difference the formation if the players go missing.

Last night Campbell stood like a totem pole so was never really an option, Brewster went missing and BBD couldn't trap a bag of cement. Throw in Chaudhery playing deeper than the CBs and it's not difficult to see why we've shit the bed the last two games.

Not one of the aforementioned players looked particularly up for a battle/war last night, so doesn't really make a difference what formation we play.

 

[jono_t2000]

Makes no difference the formation if the players go missing.

Last night Campbell stood like a totem pole so was never really an option, Brewster went missing and BBD couldn't trap a bag of cement. Throw in Chaudhery playing deeper than the CBs and it's not difficult to see why we've shit the bed the last two games.

Not one of the aforementioned players looked particularly up for a battle/war last night, so doesn't really make a difference what formation we play.

I do agree about Campbell, he looks knackered.

The running of the channels he looked so good at has virtually become non existent.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

I do agree about Campbell, he looks knackered.

The running of the channels he looked so good at has virtually become non existent.

Lost count the number of times Peck received the ball, got himself a nano second, looked up to make a forward pass and Campbell was stood still with an orc at his back and Brewster had his back to him pretending he was doing something. *Let's not forget, prior to his goal V Mittwoch, Brewster was the worst player on the pitch. It seems we're letting one goal change his entire narrative....

Compare contrast to when we had Didzy consistently dropping and showing for the ball and Sharp running the channels.

It's not hard. They teach this shit at under 8's. What do we work on in training?

 

[Champagneblade]

I'm puzzled how we are setting up, especially against teams that sit in. We put out a counter-attacking team when we're not counter-attacking.

We play in a way which gets the fullbacks forward but don't have a lot of players in the box to.hit with crosses. Relying on individual skill over a system or strategy far too often.

Wilder wants to play Brewster in a nothing role which is neither midfield or attack. He's peripheral in almost every game and has little impact, outside of the odd goal and assist.

I really don't understand why in games like last night he doesn't play 2 up top. Personally, I'd be tempted to push BBD up, drop Brewster and start JRS. but it could equally be Moore up with Campbell.

Moore up top with Cannon is perhaps something that might work, as an in game option.

That said, I appreciate O’Hare’s general business than Brewster though I was pleased for him when he scored against Wednesday.

We were better at the start of the season with Hamer, O’Hare and JRS.

I’d be inclined to do the same or to move Hamer alongside Souza and BBD in his proper position on the left. It’s a shame Davies is unfit.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

I do agree about Campbell, he looks knackered.

The running of the channels he looked so good at has virtually become non existent.

It's a worry that so many players looked burned out after 60 odd minutes, and yet opponents keep going until the last minute, still looking like a threat. Something is very wrong at Shirecliffe with our fitness and conditioning coaching. Has Campbell even played a full 90 for us this season?

 

[Champagneblade]

We should have gone 4-3-3 as many on here suggested but it’s wilders way or the highway

O’Hare-Souza-Hamer
JRS-Campbell-BBD

I think that front 6 has some guile.

Harsh on Peck but he has been asked to do a lot. It needs the experience to push us over the line.

The two biggest ‘as sisters’ are Hamer with 8 and O’Hare with 6. We need to maximise the time both are on the field.

 

[loyalblade95]

It's a worry that so many players looked burned out after 60 odd minutes, and yet opponents keep going until the last minute, still looking like a threat. Something is very wrong at Shirecliffe with our fitness and conditioning coaching. Has Campbell even played a full 90 for us this season?

Campbell hasn't played a full 90 for quite a while, mainly due to his fitness/injuries over the last few years.

60-70 minutes is what we usually get out of him and he manages to keep himself fit doing it.

Sometimes it's just better with a player like Campbell to not risk them for 90 minutes and potentially get them injured.

He's already missed quite a few games at the mid point of the season (late November to early January) with what was apparently a back injury, during that time we rotated between Moore, Brewster and Oné.

Maybe in preseason we might be able to get Campbell up to full 90 fitness, Ndiaye didn't often play the full 90 minutes in that first season he had with us, whereas in his second season he did 90 minutes most games.

Moore started the season playing 90 minutes nearly every game, and eventually it caught up to him where he had 2 lengthy spells on the sidelines (1st with injury, 2nd for his surgery).

 

[bakeblade]

I do agree about Campbell, he looks knackered.

The running of the channels he looked so good at has virtually become non existent.

True, but how can he be knackered when playing 60 minutes a week

 

[loyalblade95]

Going 2 up top in games, mainly a Cannon + Moore substitute for Campbell + Brewster/O'Hare would be an idea worth trying again, we did it against Stoke and Luton at home.

The only problem is that you lose your CAM by playing 2 up top, which in turn means your 2 CM's have to cover more ground (to cover the space vacated by the lack of a CAM) and do the dual job of both defending and attacking much more frequently than they already do.

 

[loyalblade95]

True, but how can he be knackered when playing 60 minutes a week

It's not 60 minutes a week though, if he plays roughly 60 minutes against Plymouth on Saturday, that's on average 180 minutes of football (three 60 minute games) in 7 days, plus the intensity of your training and your travel, it's a big schedule.

I know looking at it like that does make it seem a bit puzzling as to why players are exhausted sometimes, but most of us on here (I'm not an athlete and I'm assuming most people on here aren't either) would probably be exhausted or maybe even burnt out after a week like that in professional football.

 

[Grappler]

Not sure why Moore didn't come on last night, when we were crying out for something different up top?

 

[Lowen]

Biggest dramatic change we could make personnel-wise that makes us more effective against low block is playing Hamer where Peck plays, the amount of touches he’d get there with players ahead who want to get in behind it could easily work, he’s never really played in that position for us and he’s barely played even as a 10 so it’s unlikely we’re actually going to see it at any point. Surprised that isn’t a change we make in game at the very least to be honest.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Looking like it's going to be a play off between us and Leeds on who can avoid promotion without making it look too obvious.....

 

[bornablade]

Campbell didn't look as thogh he could play 6 minutes last night ne'er mind 60. Moore should have replaced him at half time.

Burrows crossing was poor although it's already been stated we didn't have enough bodies in the box even if the crosses had beaten the first man.

There was an occassion in the second half where Burrows had time as their right full back appraoched - it just needed JOC to come sprinting outside on an overlap.

Unfortunately we just don't possess that quality any longer.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

O’Hare-Souza-Hamer
JRS-Campbell-BBD

I think that front 6 has some guile.

Harsh on Peck but he has been asked to do a lot. It needs the experience to push us over the line.

The two biggest ‘as sisters’ are Hamer with 8 and O’Hare with 6. We need to maximise the time both are on the field.

I agree about Peck, he’s been flogged like a cart horse this season. The lad is still learning the ropes…Yet the burden of this promotion season has been stacked on his young shoulders…His senior colleagues need to step up to the plate…Sydie’s time will come.

 

[Champagneblade]

It’s easy to get wrapped up in week to week changes.

In an ideal scenario you should be asking yourself “who are my best players?” and “what system can I deploy to get as many of them on the pitch at the same time?”

Peck has a big future with us i hope. But in this season right now, is he more likely to contribute to us winning a game than O’Hare? I’d say not. Is there a means to get Hamer, Brereton-Diaz, Souza, Rak-Sakyi and O’Hare all on the field at the same time?

Yes there is.

BBD on the left, where he is far more effective and JRS on the right. Hamer and O’Hare occupying the more forward space and Souza sweeping up.

We’re in win, win, win territory requirement for the next two. What we require against Burnley will be a little clearer then.

So Peck and Choudhury is out. Choudhury and Souza is out and if we are getting the others in as much as possible then Peck and Souza should be out.

I’d still imagine Wilder will play Hamer left, keep Peck on and JRS replace BBD but I think he needs to go more front foot.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I'd like to see:

Cooper
Seriki Anel Holding Burrows
Souza Peck
Hamer O'Hare
Moore BBD

A 4-4-2 but with Hamer and O'Hare as CAMs, leading the press.

BBD or Cannon. Just, rest Campbell, give him a break and then see what two up top can offer.

It'll never happen though. It'll be personnel tweaks to the existing system.

 

[Tezza1889]

I've long argued the case for a 4-3-1-2

Not only adds an additional body in midfield but puts two up top.

The only downside to this is 1 player of the usual 4 up top misses out.

It does get rid of wingers tho which is a plus imho as I really don't think Wilder knows how to play wingers properly

There's no point playing wingers if they aren't allowed to cross the ball first time.

Also may be the same reason nobody gets into the box anymore, because they know the ball isn't coming

 

[Pintor75]

I'd try Hamer, Peck, Souza in midfield Ohare just in front
with Campbell & Cannon/ Diaz up front,
2 up front is a must

 

[JD88]

You can play whatever formation you like, the problem the other night was we get the ball and the movement is 0. Therefore everything is going sideways, and it was far too slow, people taking 4 touches when 2 would do. The way to beat teams who sit deep is play quickly and have people running past players. We did neither the other night.

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

Biggest dramatic change we could make personnel-wise that makes us more effective against low block is playing Hamer where Peck plays, the amount of touches he’d get there with players ahead who want to get in behind it could easily work, he’s never really played in that position for us and he’s barely played even as a 10 so it’s unlikely we’re actually going to see it at any point. Surprised that isn’t a change we make in game at the very least to be honest.

I'd go with that. Play Hamer and O'Hare instead of Peck and Choudhury/Souza. We'd be more positive in possession and still able to break up attacks. Hamer doesn't get his yellow cards for nothing and O'Hare chases anyone with the ball.

 

[Youngand70]

Playing one up front in football generally is why it has very often become a negative/boring sport world wide.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I can’t say I’m a great fan of inverted wingers, but I could be persuaded if we had a bit more variety about us. It would be nice to see the wide men swap flanks and go orthodox from time to time…Defenders do hate that uncertainty. Also as an old Sunday league striker I always preferred proper wingers getting crosses into the box than coming inside, I think in someways this is why Cannon can’t get himself established, as he’s used to getting the ball into the area a lot quicker. At the moment he’s receiving it a lot deeper and I don’t think that’s his game.

 

[singaporeblade]

True, but how can he be knackered when playing 60 minutes a week

Sorry that just isn't true....some weeks he has to run around for 120 minutes