I realise this will never happen and there is more chance of a 30 day February, but I'm starting to wonder whether we'd benefit as a team if we reverted back to a far simpler 4-4-2 or some variant of it.
The games in which we struggle against are the teams who park the bus and hit us on the counter, and they do this because we set up so predictably and so negatively in my opinion. Sure we look to control the match in terms of possession, but it isn't threatening enough as we prefer to wait for a mistake rather than forcing one.
I think a complete change of tact and dumbing down of his playing style could actually save Louis. Nobody would predict us to go for a basic 4-4-2 in which there is less emphasis on possession, far more risk and freedom and actually looking to be more direct, and this might rattle some sides. I think this could help us get past some of our 'easier' games on paper if we apply ourselves (no games are a given but if we played to potential we should be beating most teams) and we could always adapt and set up more pragmatic for the bigger matches.
The fans may also give him some appreciation for trying to make a positive change and an attempt at trying to entertain, as ultimately it is why we watch football. It may relieve some of the pressure from the fans and media. It's an absolute travesty that we have the least amount of shots on target in the WHOLE of the football league, even Mansfield Town F.C are better to watch!
De Gea
Darmian Smalling Jones Blind
Lingard Herrera Carrick Januzaj
Rooney
Martial
Something like the above (baring in mind our current long term injuries) for weaker opposition may work going forward, it can't really be much worse can it?!
Then in the summer, we regroup and add some better quality to progress. We are in DIRE need of a centre back, a long term Carrick replacement, a winger and striker (I actually prefer Martial wide left, but we have nobody else to play upfront currently).
If you disagree with this article, football really isn't the sport for you
Back To Basics
posted on 28/1/16
comment by Marlo The King Stanfield. (U7553)
posted 22 minutes ago
comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 2 seconds ago
Stealing my moniker, you caaaant!
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I'm from Mansfield Darren, it's what we folks do best.
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posted on 28/1/16
Since reading you were from Mansfield I've been trying to work out if your username is an anagram. I'm clueless as to what arlot could be scrambled to though
posted on 29/1/16
comment by merrysupersteve (U1132)
posted 21 minutes ago
Since reading you were from Mansfield I've been trying to work out if your username is an anagram. I'm clueless as to what arlot could be scrambled to though
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It's nowhere near as complicated as that Merry
My username is an ode to Darren The King Fletcher in terms of style (Robb thinks we're the same person) & Marlo Stanfield is a drug kingpin in the T.V series 'The Wire'.
posted on 29/1/16
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
I don't want to see Fellaini in any formation
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Amen.
Unless he's sitting in an orderly and respectful formation with the fans in the stands. I'm here all week VC.
posted on 29/1/16
I'm from Mansfield aswell
posted on 29/1/16
comment by Pinnick-UnitedForever (U8948)
posted 1 minute ago
I'm from Mansfield aswell
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Where abouts in hell are you from Pinnick? I'm up near West Notts College if that rings any bells.
posted on 29/1/16
I still do not understand why we do not play 433,best use of our personnel in my humble opinion
posted on 29/1/16
Doesn't get much more basic than get the ball and pass it which seems to be LVG's approach.
I be happy to see a 442 however after his overhaul of the squad we don't appear to have 2 proper wingers.
posted on 29/1/16
We had a great run with a 433 at the end of last season. Why did that change? We have the personnel to employ it.
posted on 29/1/16
We just don't have the players for a 442, mainly another CB or a central midfielder. Shneiderlin is one but carrick and Sweinstiger don't have the legs for it anymore. We could risk Herrera there but only if we had two quick and physically strong CBs, of which we currently only have Smalling. Maybe if jones or Rojo could stay fit it would be worth a try.