Formation

[Jersey Rover]

I know it’s always a hot topic and always dismissed when brought up be we are a 4 4 2 Team. Our centre backs don’t have the speed or skills to play 3 at the back. Look at the space we gave Stockport today down the wings. Even shows itself at corners. Teams have worked us out, cross to the back post, nobody there. Players need to work in the formations they understand don’t care about flexibility, that’s getting us nowhere.

[pib]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

[Sammy Chung was King]

Our biggest problem is that we can’t get enough of the eleven on the pitch outperforming their opposite number. You can’t win games when maybe two or three players are having a decent game and the rest are struggling.

We have dropped into the lowest league and we still struggle to win games, just like we did in the championship and league one. We lose more in this league. With a modicum of organisation we should be winning more than we lose against the opposition that we face.

The club is on a downward spiral that will be hard to turn around. We have the January window open and we are signing youth team players. We need experienced players that can play under pressure. To be humiliated by admittedly the top side in the league, at home and we just shrug our shoulders and say, Well we didn’t expect to get anything against them!.

I can’t believe how far our expectations have fallen. The manager doesn’t seem to think we have a problem, we are 22nd in the bottom division of the football league. The reporter who interviewed him, stopped short of asking him if he thought his job was under threat. He didn’t like being challenged on his performance in the hot seat.

To me he looks bewildered and lacking in what he has to do to turn this around.
There seems a lack of control of everything on the football side. He comes out game after game, with very similar interviews. Usually we made it too easy for them, never gave ourselves a chance.

Anywhere else and he’s already down the road. We need a Dave Penney type that will build a good hard working team. The togetherness in those sides was unbelievable. The apathy comes from the top and filters down. No drive, ambition, just meander along and we will find our natural place. Is that fair to people who put their hard earned money into the club.
If you don’t want to properly back the club, then please sell up!.

[Dougiebulletheader]

They did a job down their left. Doubled up on Nixon and Moll. Negated Molls running around closing down so their number 4 could drive forwards and start nearly every attack.

[drfchound]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

[Cramby10]

I was talking about this yesterday. Formation doesn’t seem to make a blind bit of difference to us. Whichever one we’ve played for last few seasons, it more often than not, seems that we’re outnumbered in midfield and up top. That has to be down to personnel.

[pib]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

True. If we’re counting players not doing their job properly it was a de facto “back 1” at best.

[roversdude]

Surely we have someone at the club who can play left back, Tommy Rowe was found out again in that position, he’s been brilliant for our club but not at LB and any team we play just needs to concentrate on their right wing. Think Billy mentioned it our LB went AWOL and was in right midfield.
I actually felt sorry for McGrath yesterday

[Filo]

Surely we have someone at the club who can play left back, Tommy Rowe was found out again in that position, he’s been brilliant for our club but not at LB and any team we play just needs to concentrate on their right wing. Think Billy mentioned it our LB went AWOL and was in right midfield.
I actually felt sorry for McGrath yesterday

Maxwell, he was on the bench yesterday for some strange reason

[BillyStubbsTears]

McCann really seems to have a blind spot with Maxwell. I just don't get it.

[roversdude]

Maxwell should be one of the first names on that team sheet when fit

[drfchound]

Maxwell should be one of the first names on that team sheet when fit

If Maxwell was fit enough to be on the bench then he should have been fit enough to start.
With all the players we have available it would be silly to have a player on the bench who isn’t fit enough to play.

[Lesonthewest]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

The space they had on that side for their 4th was an absolute joke, it was like how did he have time from the kick off to be that far away from his position. Shocking.

[drfchound]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

The space they had on that side for their 4th was an absolute joke, it was like how did he have time from the kick off to be that far away from his position. Shocking.

The fifth goal too came about from similar circumstances Les.

[Filo]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

The space they had on that side for their 4th was an absolute joke, it was like how did he have time from the kick off to be that far away from his position. Shocking.

They scored from our Kick off, which makes it more unforgivable

[Jonathan]

Surely if’s just a case of Maxwell not being put straight into the starting lineup the moment he’s recovered from injury. If he starts straight away after months on the sidelines we’re asking for trouble.

[Lesonthewest]

We didn’t play 3 at the back against Stockport.

We did for a lot of the game because Tommy Rowe didn’t spend much time at left back.

The space they had on that side for their 4th was an absolute joke, it was like how did he have time from the kick off to be that far away from his position. Shocking.

Maxwell should be one of the first names on that team sheet when fit

Totally agree, coming back from injury yes,  but he should have played for an hour, then bring on Rowe.

[GazLaz]

Maxwell should be one of the first names on that team sheet when fit

If Maxwell was fit enough to be on the bench then he should have been fit enough to start.
With all the players we have available it would be silly to have a player on the bench who isn’t fit enough to play.

It’s common practice putting players on the bench who are not fit enough to start. Giving him 20-30mins yesterday may have been the plan as part of his recovery.

[Ronnie Dovers]

We can't complain about our recent injury situation, but then at the same time complain when we don't then rush the injured players back...

[StocksArmy]

If a team gets tight to Molyneux, the ref may as well stop the game and give a 3-0 win to the other team. Saves wasting everybodies time.

I can't help but think that the manager doesn't have the dressing room. He sets the team up how he wants to play whilst desregarding the threat the other team will cause. If we dont get at least 9pts from the next 5 league games he should be sacked, and thats being gernerous as all 5 on paper are winnable.

[BradwellRover]

Most players now haven’t much experience of 4-4-2, it’s viewed as a very dated system now.

I personally like it, but banging on about it as if it’s a panacea is far too simplistic- it won’t do anything to sort the lack of concentration, commitment and pride in the team.

[andyst79]

I was talking about this yesterday. Formation doesn’t seem to make a blind bit of difference to us. Whichever one we’ve played for last few seasons, it more often than not, seems that we’re outnumbered in midfield and up top. That has to be down to personnel.

Like you say the formation is irrelevant when we've got defenders that can't do the basics and no midfielder who can put his foot in & grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Any opposing teams going to fancy there chances against us , the managers just going to tell them get amongst them, bombard the box with balls and they'll crumble.

[Silkscarf]

Let’s go 8-1-1.

It’s radical. 2 defenders for each position. Kick people. Moan about every decision. Fall over a lot. It may just suit us. 1 ppg until May would be marvellous. Boring but classic Italian defending is what we need now. We can’t beat anyone so accept it.

[Silkscarf]

Seriously. Bore the pants off all of us now. But stay up. Result.

[ncRover]

Personally I would go to a 4-2-3-1. It’s a low risk and simple formation.

Waters in a second striker / no.10 position and Adelakun as a wide forward would support Ironside much better.

That way the full backs don’t have to bomb forward and leave the centre backs exposed to make up for a lack of action at the top end of the pitch.

We’ve somehow ended up with a load of midfielders that are neither attacking nor defensive. But it is what it is.

 

[Move DRFC]

Personally I would go to a 4-2-3-1. It’s a low risk and simple formation.

Waters in a second striker / no.10 position and Adelakun as a wide forward would support Ironside much better.

That way the full backs don’t have to bomb forward and leave the centre backs exposed to make up for a lack of action at the top end of the pitch.

We’ve somehow ended up with a load of midfielders that are neither attacking nor defensive. But it is what it is.

Could Nixon play midfield? When Sterry is back..

[BillyStubbsTears]

McCann really seems to have a blind spot with Maxwell. I just don't get it.

And again...

[GazLaz]

McCann really seems to have a blind spot with Maxwell. I just don't get it.

And again...

He was great in the last game as well.

[Padge_DRFC]

Senior is pretty average going forward at best. Not good especially when playing as the wing back today. I suppose he won't play left of the 3 ever again now McGrath is signed too.

[Chris Black come back]

Let’s just say McCann is inventive with his formations. Aside from going from a 2 to a 3 at back, it was impossible to see what the rest of the side was meant to be doing and in what positions.