PS In terms of 3 at the back I should have said that it's not working consistently.
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
6 league games played 4 points off top....
Ì am yet to be convinced by Warne bit am a patient soul and, with all our incoming, will be happy if we are top 6 at Xmas.
He's had to deal with injuries to two of the players he brought in to play 'his' system. On top of that there have been several injuries to other significant midfielders and now we've taken another on to our defence.
All in all I imagine he's as frustrated as we are as he's constantly having to juggle the team.
We're within touching distance and could easily be top with a smidgen of good fortune. Even at the weekend we had 3 penalties shouts not given (and a dodgy one against us) and were only beaten by a freak deflection (not saying we deserved to win though).
I don't know if he's the messiah but Warne in for me (for now )
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
Ì am yet to be convinced by Warne bit am a patient soul and, with all our incoming, will be happy if we are top 6 at Xmas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Im with Peeder on this
However, I dont really see why some feel they have to try & vindicate his performance as our manager. Just accept that PW is a bit if a marmite character with the fans, as he probably is with some of the players.
At the end of the day, he should be judged, like all managers should (but frequently arent) by results and performances on the pitch.
comment by Uncle Tom (U1899)
posted 4 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been to Liverpool today...imagine that.
Liam Rosenior is now getting very positive results in the league above you, was it too early to sack him last year?
Also, Warne comes from North Walsham in Norfolk and he is not even having the most successful football career from the people in that town 🤯
If you don’t sack him you will be stuck in mid-table all year
comment by Uncle Tom (U1899)
posted 7 hours, 27 minutes ago
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
-----------------------------------------------------------------
UncleTom, personally I don’t want PW out, it’s way too early to judge and as others have said, he’s had injuries to deal with.
That said, just because someone says they are disappointed in PW is no reason for you, or anyone else to tell them to go and support another team.
I'll share my thoughts on the subject (I will be echoing some comments from previous.)
It does appear we want to critically analyse Warne more after a defeat, Warne's management wasn't analysed to this extent after the Peterborough win. ( I don't mean in reference to this thread Chicago but the posts in general after defeat to Bolton)
Let's analyse his squad in terms of defence, midfield and attack.
Defence
We have more players on a downward trajectory in our defence then upwards. Losing the promising left back Roberts we replaced him with Elder, we've also added Bradley and Nelson, with Nelson fairing better in defence than Sonny. ( More on Sonny later )
We've been sucker punched three times with the RB position which does appear to be an Achilles Heel for over a season now due to the injuries encountered to Ward, Wilson and Rooney and last season playing two midfielders in this position.
I would like us to stick to a settled defensive formation and considering how we did fairly well with:
Smith - Cashin - Forsyth LB
I'd like to see Elder at LB and Smith at RB ( yes it's a midfielder at RB.) Give that a run of games with Nelson and Bradley brought in as back ups.
PW unsurprisingly wants squad formation to go his way which in my opinion is both understandable but could also be his detriment this season.
Sonny Bradley was regarded as a stellar signing and it's understandable why, captain of a promoted side, played in a 3 man defence and considered a solid option.
What we dismiss is that SB played a different style in the 3 man defence for Luton, deeper and did only manage 19 matches in a 46 game campaign due to injuries. Based on this it isn't surprising that he's struggled and given the 'high profile' errors is crucified so early on in the season. Our fans are unforgiving very quickly. He needs to find some a la Bucko style performances quickly to get the fans onside but that's easier said then executed.
( To be continued...)
I always look for the good in people, except in the case of Spart where it is impossible, but I'm struggling when it comes to Warne. Too much of the play seems aimless to me. I'm all for trying to move the ball forwards quickly but there has to be a bit of method to it. The only times we seem to try to play the ball to feet is when the game has got a bit stretcthed.
There is a bit of the rose-tinted when it comes to Rosenior's time at Derby but whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see what the general aim was. As has been said we aren't far away from the top points-wise but what has concerned me has been that our opponents have looked better than us in most games with a more recognisable style of play. I wasn't at the Peterborough game but I thought that Wigan, Oxford and Bolton were all quite a bit better at football than we were. The Fleetwood game was unconvincing and though in the end we won comfortably at Burton they dominated significant parts of that game. Of course there are mitigations with injuries and with bedding-in of new players but I would have hoped for more evidence of an evolving style by now. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to see it. Maybe it will become clearer in a few more games. I am less hung up on the back four versus back three business than some, I think it goes a bit deeper than that.
Vidal, if we'd sneaked three draws in the games v Oxford, Wigan and Bolton, (or maybe two draws and a defeat), nobody would be saying anything about three at the back.
I suspect that even with three extra points some would still be questioning formation etc in that while we could have scraped those points the play was still not that convincing. But of course we did not get those three points so the "problem" remains in even sharper focus.
I think I can see what PW is trying to achieve but his plans have largely been scuppered by injuries. I have been hearing many good things about Embleton so I imagine that with all midfielders fit and available it should be possible to assemble a balanced strong and combative midfield even if it means omitting Hourihane.
I believe that if we start getting some good luck for a change then our confidence and, I hope, style of play can start to flourish.
When we signed Hourihane I thought that we would surely have the best midfield in League 1 in Bird, Knight and Hourihane. But in most games last season and this our midfield has been dominated. We are very poor at winning the ball and Warne seems reluctant to trust them by playing the ball through midfield. Since Hourihane is untouchable the others must compensate for his lack of tenacity. If we were a ball-playing team his technical ability could be useful, and I understand his value in taking set-pieces and scoring the occasional goal, but otherwise he rarely influences the general play. If you don’t control the midfield you are always up against it. I think Warne wants destroyers in midfield but he hasn’t got any. I don’t get why he is playing to the weaknesses of the players not their strengths. The best way to get the ball into wide areas is by playing through the midfield. By playing long aerial balls or hopeful lofted balls down the channels, 80% of the time we simply concede possession.
"By playing long aerial balls or hopeful lofted balls down the channels, 80% of the time we simply concede possession."
,...... and its bloody painful to watch.
Oh, and does anyone wany to buy four hubcaps?
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 53 minutes ago
Oh, and does anyone wany to buy four hubcaps?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I knew it was you.
I was never convinced by Warne from the off. Three promotions good, three relegations bad. Even during our unbeaten run last season most of the good results were against poor quality teams. Beating Bolton at home was the only tough game where we came out on top.
I thought Rosenoir was harshly treated by Clowes, The playing style was better and for most of Rosenoir's short rein, Didzy was injured. We also played three of the eventual top 6 in that time, winning two and losing one.
I am not calling for Warne to be sacked yet, but I have consistently stated that Warne talks a far better game than his teams play. Something for which I have received criticism from others on this site. If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even when you blame an opposition goal on a player that wasn't on the pitch, Spart?
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 39 minutes ago
I was never convinced by Warne from the off. Three promotions good, three relegations bad. Even during our unbeaten run last season most of the good results were against poor quality teams. Beating Bolton at home was the only tough game where we came out on top.
I thought Rosenoir was harshly treated by Clowes, The playing style was better and for most of Rosenoir's short rein, Didzy was injured. We also played three of the eventual top 6 in that time, winning two and losing one.
I am not calling for Warne to be sacked yet, but I have consistently stated that Warne talks a far better game than his teams play. Something for which I have received criticism from others on this site. If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wish we could sack you, you whinger
I didn't think Spart attended games any more, not that that would make any significant difference to the reliability of his comments. Stevie Wonder would have a far better idea of what's going on.
" I just called to say...Collins"
I attend far fewer games now. I find the quality of football in division 1 poor value for money. That includes our performances. I watch the highlights on the Derby web site, which when they don't feature us much with the ball, I know it was a poor performance. Then I self congratulate on the wisdom of not attending.
At least in our two previous excursions to the lower leagues we were much better than most sides. I'm only guessing that about the 1950s two season though, but we just missed out on promotion the first year and went up the second. Ray Straw equalled Jack Bowers record for number of goals in a season. It was dirt cheap to go to games so I would probably have gone.
After this season we will have broken another record. Our longest stay outside the top division.
Midfield
Our biggest issue since Liam Rosenior cobbled together a squad to compete in L1 has been the midfield balance. On paper having Knight, Bird, Hourihane, Sibley and Smith to call upon we expected to be dominant in that area. Unfortunately with Knight played out of position and no real ball winners and brutal beasts in division a necessity we've really struggled.
I've recently wondered what positions Hourihane played at Villa and who with, he's generally been on a left of a three man midfield or sometimes in a two man midfield. Occasionally played in the DM role. He's had aggressive midfielders alongside him with the Scottish lad McGinn and Luiz. We've not seen his quality in regular bursts and that is partly down to the fact we've not had the players to benefit him. Add to that what has been mentioned above with the use of long ball tactics then these players become a little redundant.
Until we get this area corrected we're going to see issues throughout the season. The signing of the young lad from Forest may help us ( he certainly does come across as confident) but we also require a player with experience, Vaulks would have been a perfect addition for us but instead we've got Embleton.
Who we go for and who we get seems to be the theme this season. How further down the the transfer list of targets are we dropping to get 'our man' in? From what I've read about him Embleton will be a useful addition but an defensive enforcer isn't his game.
Should Warne accept that the squad we have plays better in a 4-3-3 formation in midfield I'd look to go with:
Embleton/Bird - Fornah/Smith/*Rooney - Hourihane/Sibley
(* Depending on how long he'll be out, if an ACL injury has been confirmed)
If he's going to opt for 5-3-2 , we certainly need more battlers in the middle which our current midfield is very low on.
Sign in if you want to comment
Paul Warne
Page 1 of 5
posted on 4/9/23
PS In terms of 3 at the back I should have said that it's not working consistently.
posted on 4/9/23
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
posted on 4/9/23
6 league games played 4 points off top....
posted on 4/9/23
Ì am yet to be convinced by Warne bit am a patient soul and, with all our incoming, will be happy if we are top 6 at Xmas.
posted on 4/9/23
He's had to deal with injuries to two of the players he brought in to play 'his' system. On top of that there have been several injuries to other significant midfielders and now we've taken another on to our defence.
All in all I imagine he's as frustrated as we are as he's constantly having to juggle the team.
We're within touching distance and could easily be top with a smidgen of good fortune. Even at the weekend we had 3 penalties shouts not given (and a dodgy one against us) and were only beaten by a freak deflection (not saying we deserved to win though).
I don't know if he's the messiah but Warne in for me (for now )
posted on 4/9/23
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
posted on 4/9/23
comment by Peeder (U1684)
posted 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
Ì am yet to be convinced by Warne bit am a patient soul and, with all our incoming, will be happy if we are top 6 at Xmas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Im with Peeder on this
However, I dont really see why some feel they have to try & vindicate his performance as our manager. Just accept that PW is a bit if a marmite character with the fans, as he probably is with some of the players.
At the end of the day, he should be judged, like all managers should (but frequently arent) by results and performances on the pitch.
posted on 4/9/23
comment by Uncle Tom (U1899)
posted 4 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been to Liverpool today...imagine that.
posted on 4/9/23
Liam Rosenior is now getting very positive results in the league above you, was it too early to sack him last year?
Also, Warne comes from North Walsham in Norfolk and he is not even having the most successful football career from the people in that town 🤯
If you don’t sack him you will be stuck in mid-table all year
posted on 4/9/23
comment by Uncle Tom (U1899)
posted 7 hours, 27 minutes ago
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 7 minutes ago
The question I would like to ask is...are we better now than when PW took over from Liam?
Warne talks a very good game but playing 3/5 at the back is not as effective as a back 4 as you have stated and indeed most supporters think. I think it is the Einstein effect.
I'm disappointed with PW so far, I think he needs to read some more books by successful managers and use their methods.
The manager is the most important person at any club and I do not think Warne is the right man, hope I'm wrong for all our sakes. Steve Borthwick is another poor manager in a different sport.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A38
M1
M18
M62 Stop in Thorne to pick up spart
M62 all the way to Hull
Jobs a good un👍😉
-----------------------------------------------------------------
UncleTom, personally I don’t want PW out, it’s way too early to judge and as others have said, he’s had injuries to deal with.
That said, just because someone says they are disappointed in PW is no reason for you, or anyone else to tell them to go and support another team.
posted on 4/9/23
I'll share my thoughts on the subject (I will be echoing some comments from previous.)
It does appear we want to critically analyse Warne more after a defeat, Warne's management wasn't analysed to this extent after the Peterborough win. ( I don't mean in reference to this thread Chicago but the posts in general after defeat to Bolton)
Let's analyse his squad in terms of defence, midfield and attack.
Defence
We have more players on a downward trajectory in our defence then upwards. Losing the promising left back Roberts we replaced him with Elder, we've also added Bradley and Nelson, with Nelson fairing better in defence than Sonny. ( More on Sonny later )
We've been sucker punched three times with the RB position which does appear to be an Achilles Heel for over a season now due to the injuries encountered to Ward, Wilson and Rooney and last season playing two midfielders in this position.
I would like us to stick to a settled defensive formation and considering how we did fairly well with:
Smith - Cashin - Forsyth LB
I'd like to see Elder at LB and Smith at RB ( yes it's a midfielder at RB.) Give that a run of games with Nelson and Bradley brought in as back ups.
PW unsurprisingly wants squad formation to go his way which in my opinion is both understandable but could also be his detriment this season.
Sonny Bradley was regarded as a stellar signing and it's understandable why, captain of a promoted side, played in a 3 man defence and considered a solid option.
What we dismiss is that SB played a different style in the 3 man defence for Luton, deeper and did only manage 19 matches in a 46 game campaign due to injuries. Based on this it isn't surprising that he's struggled and given the 'high profile' errors is crucified so early on in the season. Our fans are unforgiving very quickly. He needs to find some a la Bucko style performances quickly to get the fans onside but that's easier said then executed.
( To be continued...)
posted on 4/9/23
I always look for the good in people, except in the case of Spart where it is impossible, but I'm struggling when it comes to Warne. Too much of the play seems aimless to me. I'm all for trying to move the ball forwards quickly but there has to be a bit of method to it. The only times we seem to try to play the ball to feet is when the game has got a bit stretcthed.
There is a bit of the rose-tinted when it comes to Rosenior's time at Derby but whether you agreed with it or not you could at least see what the general aim was. As has been said we aren't far away from the top points-wise but what has concerned me has been that our opponents have looked better than us in most games with a more recognisable style of play. I wasn't at the Peterborough game but I thought that Wigan, Oxford and Bolton were all quite a bit better at football than we were. The Fleetwood game was unconvincing and though in the end we won comfortably at Burton they dominated significant parts of that game. Of course there are mitigations with injuries and with bedding-in of new players but I would have hoped for more evidence of an evolving style by now. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to see it. Maybe it will become clearer in a few more games. I am less hung up on the back four versus back three business than some, I think it goes a bit deeper than that.
posted on 4/9/23
Vidal, if we'd sneaked three draws in the games v Oxford, Wigan and Bolton, (or maybe two draws and a defeat), nobody would be saying anything about three at the back.
posted on 5/9/23
I suspect that even with three extra points some would still be questioning formation etc in that while we could have scraped those points the play was still not that convincing. But of course we did not get those three points so the "problem" remains in even sharper focus.
I think I can see what PW is trying to achieve but his plans have largely been scuppered by injuries. I have been hearing many good things about Embleton so I imagine that with all midfielders fit and available it should be possible to assemble a balanced strong and combative midfield even if it means omitting Hourihane.
I believe that if we start getting some good luck for a change then our confidence and, I hope, style of play can start to flourish.
posted on 5/9/23
When we signed Hourihane I thought that we would surely have the best midfield in League 1 in Bird, Knight and Hourihane. But in most games last season and this our midfield has been dominated. We are very poor at winning the ball and Warne seems reluctant to trust them by playing the ball through midfield. Since Hourihane is untouchable the others must compensate for his lack of tenacity. If we were a ball-playing team his technical ability could be useful, and I understand his value in taking set-pieces and scoring the occasional goal, but otherwise he rarely influences the general play. If you don’t control the midfield you are always up against it. I think Warne wants destroyers in midfield but he hasn’t got any. I don’t get why he is playing to the weaknesses of the players not their strengths. The best way to get the ball into wide areas is by playing through the midfield. By playing long aerial balls or hopeful lofted balls down the channels, 80% of the time we simply concede possession.
posted on 5/9/23
"By playing long aerial balls or hopeful lofted balls down the channels, 80% of the time we simply concede possession."
,...... and its bloody painful to watch.
posted on 5/9/23
Oh, and does anyone wany to buy four hubcaps?
posted on 5/9/23
comment by Scouse (U9675)
posted 53 minutes ago
Oh, and does anyone wany to buy four hubcaps?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I knew it was you.
posted on 5/9/23
I was never convinced by Warne from the off. Three promotions good, three relegations bad. Even during our unbeaten run last season most of the good results were against poor quality teams. Beating Bolton at home was the only tough game where we came out on top.
I thought Rosenoir was harshly treated by Clowes, The playing style was better and for most of Rosenoir's short rein, Didzy was injured. We also played three of the eventual top 6 in that time, winning two and losing one.
I am not calling for Warne to be sacked yet, but I have consistently stated that Warne talks a far better game than his teams play. Something for which I have received criticism from others on this site. If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
posted on 5/9/23
If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even when you blame an opposition goal on a player that wasn't on the pitch, Spart?
posted on 5/9/23
comment by Spart-Derby really are the best says red dog. (U4603)
posted 39 minutes ago
I was never convinced by Warne from the off. Three promotions good, three relegations bad. Even during our unbeaten run last season most of the good results were against poor quality teams. Beating Bolton at home was the only tough game where we came out on top.
I thought Rosenoir was harshly treated by Clowes, The playing style was better and for most of Rosenoir's short rein, Didzy was injured. We also played three of the eventual top 6 in that time, winning two and losing one.
I am not calling for Warne to be sacked yet, but I have consistently stated that Warne talks a far better game than his teams play. Something for which I have received criticism from others on this site. If they only understood that I am always right they could have avoided the face omlette.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wish we could sack you, you whinger
posted on 5/9/23
I didn't think Spart attended games any more, not that that would make any significant difference to the reliability of his comments. Stevie Wonder would have a far better idea of what's going on.
posted on 5/9/23
" I just called to say...Collins"
posted on 5/9/23
I attend far fewer games now. I find the quality of football in division 1 poor value for money. That includes our performances. I watch the highlights on the Derby web site, which when they don't feature us much with the ball, I know it was a poor performance. Then I self congratulate on the wisdom of not attending.
At least in our two previous excursions to the lower leagues we were much better than most sides. I'm only guessing that about the 1950s two season though, but we just missed out on promotion the first year and went up the second. Ray Straw equalled Jack Bowers record for number of goals in a season. It was dirt cheap to go to games so I would probably have gone.
After this season we will have broken another record. Our longest stay outside the top division.
posted on 5/9/23
Midfield
Our biggest issue since Liam Rosenior cobbled together a squad to compete in L1 has been the midfield balance. On paper having Knight, Bird, Hourihane, Sibley and Smith to call upon we expected to be dominant in that area. Unfortunately with Knight played out of position and no real ball winners and brutal beasts in division a necessity we've really struggled.
I've recently wondered what positions Hourihane played at Villa and who with, he's generally been on a left of a three man midfield or sometimes in a two man midfield. Occasionally played in the DM role. He's had aggressive midfielders alongside him with the Scottish lad McGinn and Luiz. We've not seen his quality in regular bursts and that is partly down to the fact we've not had the players to benefit him. Add to that what has been mentioned above with the use of long ball tactics then these players become a little redundant.
Until we get this area corrected we're going to see issues throughout the season. The signing of the young lad from Forest may help us ( he certainly does come across as confident) but we also require a player with experience, Vaulks would have been a perfect addition for us but instead we've got Embleton.
Who we go for and who we get seems to be the theme this season. How further down the the transfer list of targets are we dropping to get 'our man' in? From what I've read about him Embleton will be a useful addition but an defensive enforcer isn't his game.
Should Warne accept that the squad we have plays better in a 4-3-3 formation in midfield I'd look to go with:
Embleton/Bird - Fornah/Smith/*Rooney - Hourihane/Sibley
(* Depending on how long he'll be out, if an ACL injury has been confirmed)
If he's going to opt for 5-3-2 , we certainly need more battlers in the middle which our current midfield is very low on.
Page 1 of 5