...and why not sorting it out will ruin our season. Not as in relegation but as in we will end up mid table and frustrated.
Doughty and co have said that the LB situation is not a big problem but I believe it is crippling us as the lack of a truly accomplished player in that position is causing us to drop our strongest formation. Personally I see us doing well with this formation...
Camp
Gunter Morgan Chambers LB (Lynch)
Moussi
McGugan Cohen
Findley Blackstock Miller
It is clear to see we need to stay relatively narrow as we only have three wingers in the squad, two of which are injury prone and one of which can't last 90 minutes. Therefore we should play to our strength which is our skill and strength in the middle of midfield driving the team on.
With two accomplished full backs this formation would work and they could provide width when necessary (as could the subs such as Ando and McCleary during a match) but it will never work with a part timer at LB. In my eyes Lynch should be our LB at the moment as Cohen and Gunter are needed dearly in other positions, I don't think Greening and Boateng are better than him in midfield.
It is all well and good saying Cohen likes playing left back but he has said himself it is his second choice position and Gunter is not left footed, Lynch is also a centre back. If we bought or loaned in a proper dynamic left back then I believe we would succeed as not only does it fill in a gap and placate some fans who are foaming at the mouths but it would open us up as a team and allow us to play a formation that fits the types of players we have!
We don't need a winger, we don't need another striker, we need a left back. Get one of those tomorrow and we can build on that and start playing the football we should be playing.
I know the whole of the East Midlands realizes we need this position filled but the board need to see it as a positive move. It is not just filling a gap, nor calming fans, or even saving face. This one position WILL move us on as a club. It is imperative we act now.
Tactical rant/the LB problem...
posted on 30/8/11
The formation will only work when Dex is back as well as he is the only striker with the skill to hold up a ball and win things in the air. I think this front three when fully fit will cause any teams in the championship major problems.
posted on 30/8/11
The defeat at west ham just showed how desperate we were for players out wide, and pace with it.
I think the only ball from wide into the box I saw was the goal scored by findley.
Trying to work our way through the middle of a defence just want working, we need to utilise the width of the pitch to suit the great passing witnessed over the past couple of seasons.
posted on 30/8/11
You're pretty close to my way of thinking. Other options are to play Lynch at CB and Freeman at LB although this is high risk.
Until Dex is fit play a diamond in midfield. Moose at the base, Boateng Right, Cohen Left, and McGugan at the point.
I would also like to see MacCleary given a run. He has only shown glimpses in the last couple of season's but they have caught the eye. He is two footed, will run at defenders, has quick feet, can head, and has lots of energy. To my mind all he lacks is a bit of thoughtfulness , tactical awareness, and consistency. I thought last season would be make or break for him. I dont think Billy had much patience with him though. Maybe SMc will give him a chance. Failing that send him on loan to a club where he will play every week.
posted on 30/8/11
Well Villas Boas said he wanted to keep everyone so he could see them have pitch time. He hasn't done that with Benayoun (1 minute don't count) yet he looks like leaving Chelsea so maybe we will get Ryan back on loan. Sooner rather than later in the loan window.
We definately need wingers though I do agree with the playing down the middle for now. (Have you noticed that Chelsea only appear to have 1 winger? malouda.)
I like McCleary and think he can be revelation for us. He is injured at the moment but if I remember rightly he was pretty good at the end of last season.
posted on 31/8/11
"The defeat at west ham just showed how desperate we were for players out wide, and pace with it."
I agree and this is what McClaren has been saying. I thought going forward we played some nice stuff with Majewski looking good we just had no punch.