5 3 2

[Kinky Gerbil]

Why o why have we gone from this formation that brings the best out of players to one that doesnt?

Butters looks so much better in a 3, as does Charlie who was poor last night by this seasons standards

 

[jezzer]

Agree! Coppell changed to 532, with 352 in attack, when he joined us, bringing Mayo back to act as the 5th man and getting him and the other left sider to cover eachother, especially away from home or against the top sides at home and it worked very well. Mcghee needs to do the same for a few games.

 

[London Irish]

Cardiff, anyone

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

tottenham and 7 match unbeaten run anyone

 

[London Irish]

Sunderland and Millwall victories anyone

 

[London Irish]

Nice to have you back Kinky

Anyone?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

A lucky last min win over millwall

 

[London Irish]

A lucky last min win over millwall

All about defence though, innit? Which is what we're told 4-4-2 can't provide? The argument doesn't add up to me.

I'm not a big advocate of either system, I just don't want poor old Mr 4-4-2 added to Oatway, Harding, Butters and Big Mac - or even Leon, Kinky - to the ever-lengthening list of handy NSC scapegoats.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

But we have got more points playing 5 32

 

[London Irish]

But we have got more points playing 5 3 2

Are you sure? I'd like to check that but I think that's even beyond my statto powers. But if you're right, I bet there won't be a lot in it.

I think the way McGhee works it is that he checks out the opposition, and thinks what might be the best system to counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. I don't think he ever approaches any group of games with a pre-determined notion of what our "best" formation is. A good job too, because it's his tactical switching that has earnt us the points, not rigidly sticking to a one-size-fits-all shape.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

fair dos

but playing attacking wingers when playing wigan?

 

[maidstoneseagull]

I liked the man marking job hinsh did against Derby which worked pretty well and I think may have worked last night, sitting about in line with the edge of the area, they were pulling Butters out and then having men running past him which the man mark may have stopped.

Having said that we created good chances as we were and on another day.......

 

[London Irish]

The idea was to attack them and keep them occupied up the pitch. Defending deeply against a talented side like Wigan is not that attractive an option either. Class will out. I'd love to know what system could have kept Bullard's goal out

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Wake up from the start tactic?

 

[The Auditor]

I think the way McGhee works it is that he checks out the opposition, and thinks what might be the best system to counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. I don't think he ever approaches any group of games with a pre-determined notion of what our "best" formation is. A good job too, because it's his tactical switching that has earnt us the points, not rigidly sticking to a one-size-fits-all shape.

Spot on, it also gives future opposition more to think about as they are not sure what formation we will play

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I think the way McGhee works it is that he checks out the opposition, and thinks what might be the best system to counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. I don't think he ever approaches any group of games with a pre-determined notion of what our "best" formation is. A good job too, because it's his tactical switching that has earnt us the points, not rigidly sticking to a one-size-fits-all shape.

I agree with that to an extent. However, following a 5-1 thrashing at Plymouth, and considering we were up against the best strike force in the division I would have thought 3-5-2 would have been the better formation to play. I think MM got it wrong, but let's be honest - Wigan are just a better team than us & a switch in formation probably would have made no difference whatsoever

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

True Tim

However playing two forwards on the wing is a bit like suicide isnt it when playing a team like Wigan.
Harding and reid didnt really have a lot of protection form Teale and Mcculloch and are difficult to stop whrn they are one on one with you.
My feelings are if we had defensive players on the wings we would have had more of a chance

 

[Saint Lennard]

Maybe kinky MM thought that the two attacking midfielders may stop their full backs from coming forward so much...Just a thought. i, obviously bow to your greater footballing knowledge as always...oh and the Jol(or is it Pleat, Hoddle, Ardiles...) book of defending, of course.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The bottom line is that Wigan were the best side we have played all year. They stuffed us at the JJB, and they did it again at Falmer. Jewell was right to be mad at them for letting us back into it.

Ignoring those facts however, we had a stack of chances and could have stolen something. Heading practice this week for the big men??

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

532 would have stopped rampaging wigan wingers

It would also have had a big man up front and it would allow leon free to roam where he likes.

It means the midfield would have to do alot of running.

Lets face it we are never going to outscore any team by more than one or two, so lets at least try and stop conceding for a little bit.