Team Vs Blackburn

[liamhealeybcfc96]

3-4-2-1

O’Leary 

Vyner McNally Roberts  

Tanner Knight Bird Pring 

       Twine.  Mehmeti 

              Mayulu

Subs Bajic McCrorie Atkinson Williams Earthy Sykes Yu Wells Armstrong 

Thoughts?

[Back of the Dolman]

My thought is we’ve got two weeks of injuries to pick up yet

I’ll come back to you on the night before the game 

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

2 minutes ago, liamhealeybcfc96 said:

3-4-2-1

O’Leary 

Vyner McNally Roberts  

Tanner Knight Bird Pring 

       Twine.  Mehmeti 

              Mayulu

Subs Bajic McCrorie Atkinson Williams Earthy Sykes Yu Wells Armstrong 

Thoughts?

First thought is that Tanner is not and never will be a wing back.

[Back of the Dolman]

Just now, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

First thought is that Tanner is not and never will be a wing back.

Yes a solid back 4 defender but wing back isn’t best for him.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

Personally I'd be inclined to go, 

Tanner, Vyner, Roberts/McNally, Pring

                Bird, Williams

          Sykes, Twine, Mehmeti

                  Armstrong

I think Roberts over McNally but swap them over if it's not working.  

[liamhealeybcfc96]

Just now, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

Personally I'd be inclined to go, 

Tanner, Vyner, Roberts/McNally, Pring

                Bird, Williams

          Sykes, Twine, Mehmeti

                  Armstrong

I think Roberts over McNally but swap them over if it's not working.  

McNally starts ahead of Robert’s imo

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

3 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

Personally I'd be inclined to go, 

Tanner, Vyner, Roberts/McNally, Pring

                Bird, Williams

          Sykes, Twine, Mehmeti

                  Armstrong

I think Roberts over McNally but swap them over if it's not working.  

Think Yu will start the next game for sure.

[Back of the Dolman]

1 minute ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Think Yu will start the next game for sure.

If fit I’d start Earthy over Mehmeti.

I’m afraid there’s just no consistency with Mehmeti.

In all fairness to him he looked livelier than most yesterday when he came on but for me Earthy has shown in his limited time so far that he wants to get on the ball, he demands the ball and he’s confident with it.

 

[NDW4CITY]

I would go 

O’Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Armstrong

Fally

 

 

[Back of the Dolman]

2 minutes ago, NDW4CITY said:

I would go 

O’Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Armstrong

Fally

 

 

I like Knight and I’m not a massive Williams fan but I think Knight hasn’t performed as well as Williams and Bird so far this season.

Now the other issue you have is that Knight is the captain, so who does that role go to ?

Vyner and Williams would probably be most likely but there was a definite drop off in performance when Vyner wore the armband previously and Williams is too hot headed for the role.

So what that does highlight and is a point I’ve raised previously but who are the leaders in this team out on the pitch ?

No leaders on the pitch can play a big part in the sort of performance we had in the second half yesterday because no-one steps up and takes responsibility for sorting it out and demanding better.

[NDW4CITY]

I kind of had similar thoughts on Knight in the JK thread. My conclusion was more around the fact that he is captain and LM would probably , on balance, plump for him instead of Williams at the moment. But agree that Williams has done a decent job and that if Knight continues at current levels, a spell  on the bench may be in his future.

[BetterRedthanBlue]

For me it'd be

O'Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally/Roberts Pring.

Williams Bird

Armstrong Twine Yu

Fally

Bench I won't name but I will just say I'd not have Mehmeti he has the ability to create something from nothing but far too often he just disappears in games I'd rather have Rae Nelson on the bench he's never afraid to take his man on which we need.

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

4 minutes ago, BetterRedthanBlue said:

For me it'd be

O'Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally/Roberts Pring.

Williams Bird

Armstrong Twine Yu

Fally

Bench I won't name but I will just say I'd not have Mehmeti he has the ability to create something from nothing but far too often he just disappears in games I'd rather have Rae Nelson on the bench he's never afraid to take his man on which we need.

Even if Nelson is injured ?

[BetterRedthanBlue]

2 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Even if Nelson is injured ?

He'd still do more than Mehmeti

[GrahamC]

Impossible to say a fortnight away.

No idea if Atkinson, McCrorie or Earthy will be fit, several especially Knight & Armstrong go away on international duty.

Know far more in 10 days.

[TDarwall]

I think the only certainty is an Andi Weimann goal!

[fly in the air]

McNally has to play if not why pay a reported 1.75 million for him. 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

1 hour ago, NDW4CITY said:

I would go 

O’Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Armstrong

Fally

 

 

That's not a terrible idea putting Armstrong and Fally but I'd be loathed to drop all the older players from the team I'd keep Williams over Knight.

[Chivs]

I'm amazed that no-one has picked Naismith? Where are all his fan-boys?

FWIW, I wouldn't play Naismith again unless we have 6 injuries in defence and Fally doesn't fancy a chance across the back.

I'd play 

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Sykes

Armstrong

 

Yu and Sykes can play on whatever side they fancy as long as it isn't the same side at the same time.  Total Football.

[fly in the air]

not a fan of Naismith to many errors from him. but nige must have seen something

[Maltshoveller]

2 hours ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

Personally I'd be inclined to go, 

Tanner, Vyner, Roberts/McNally, Pring

                Bird, Williams

          Sykes, Twine, Mehmeti

                  Armstrong

I think Roberts over McNally but swap them over if it's not working.  

I always think a team is stronger with a keeper

But then this could be the way forward Time will tell!!!!!

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

12 minutes ago, Maltshoveller said:

I always think a team is stronger with a keeper

But then this could be the way forward Time will tell!!!!!

He's a given

 

[Back of the Dolman]

16 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

He's a given

 

We’ve signed Shay Given ! Isnt he a bit old now ? But he is Irish 

[HengroveReds]

I’d go (all being well with international break at)

Max

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Bird Knight

Yu Twine Mehmeti

Fally

Id Give Fally a run from the start seeing as Armstrong has had a good run plus international break, see if Fally can secure that number 9 position from the off with 2 weeks work on the training pitch 

[Mr Popodopolous]

52 minutes ago, fly in the air said:

not a fan of Naismith to many errors from him. but nige must have seen something

He is better in a back 3 or he was very decent as the deepest midfielder when we went 4-3-3 18 months ago. A small sample size but I think that could be his best position tbh.

1 hour ago, Chivs said:

I'm amazed that no-one has picked Naismith? Where are all his fan-boys?

FWIW, I wouldn't play Naismith again unless we have 6 injuries in defence and Fally doesn't fancy a chance across the back.

I'd play 

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Sykes

Armstrong

 

Yu and Sykes can play on whatever side they fancy as long as it isn't the same side at the same time.  Total Football.

Sykes on the left?

Seen it before, doesn't work. Yu may or may not.

[IAmNick]

If it's my lineup, then I'd probably play what we had in the first half against Millwall but with McNally in for Dickie. Possibly Yu for Mehmeti depending on fitness. So:

 

O'Leary

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Williams

Sykes Bird Mehmeti/Yu

Armstrong

 

Then (at 60m exactly of course... or not) I'd be looking to bring Twine and Fally on. Twine could replace Bird in the 10, or one of Knight/Williams depending on the state of the game with Bird dropping back into his 8.

I thought Bird was doing a great job as the 10. If Twine either doesn't have the discipline to be on the pitch and not play that role then leave him out. I wouldn't be unbalancing one side of the team (and therefor the team as a hole) for the sake of one player. It was Bird's position to lose for me.

I'd also be at least somewhat sticking to what we probably practiced all summer as we're only like 4 games in ffs. No need to rip it up, so no 5 at the back or Christmas trees or anything... yet.

Edited September 1 by IAmNick

[Davefevs]

9 minutes ago, IAmNick said:

I'd also be at least somewhat sticking to what we probably practiced all summer as we're only like 4 games in ffs.

So Wells or Stokes as the no10, Bird back in midfield….

10 minutes ago, IAmNick said:

No need to rip it up, so no 5 at the back or Christmas trees or anything... yet.

This will be intriguing to see whether he takes a sledgehammer to it or not.

[bristol red]

Not convinced by the one up top tactic especially with the idea of playing two 10s that compete for the same space behind. Not saying it won’t work but will take time. To be fair it’s early doors and players need to gel and fingers crossed they will sooner rather than later. There are good signs. All players seem positive and up for it!

[Charlie0016]

How are people putting skyes in ??

couldn’t put a cross in the box playing noughts and crosses 

Edited September 1 by Charlie0016

[NDW4CITY]

1 hour ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

That's not a terrible idea putting Armstrong and Fally but I'd be loathed to drop all the older players from the team I'd keep Williams over Knight.

I don't disagree, but I just don't see Manning dropping his captain after 4 games.....

[OldlandReddies]

                     Max

       Vyner McNally Roberts .

Earthy.  Williams.Knight    Bird. Pring

                     Twine 

                     Armstrong 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

          

[IAmNick]

19 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

So Wells or Stokes as the no10, Bird back in midfield….

Hah, right - but then why didn't we played any real football like that?

I meant in terms of positions and roles on the pitch, rather than who fills them though to be honest. It's clear that one of Twine or Mehmeti playing on the left is potentially as different as a new formation, even though actually it's the same on paper. So I'd be wanting Bird to be playing the "role" we practiced having as the 10 in pre-season, and similarly with those around him - while trying to allow them to keep their strengths too of course.

If the plan was to play him there until Twine arrived and then move him back - well that hasn't happened. If he's done such a great job there that Twine can't displace him, then Twine shouldn't be on the pitch at the detriment to our overall structure. If there wasn't a plan... then that's really concerning and borderline unbelievable from what I know of Manning.

19 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

This will be intriguing to see whether he takes a sledgehammer to it or not.

Indeed. Either Manning makes way (as in, changes his plans) or one of our better/senior players will likely need to.

But why wasn't this accounted for? Why are we even side-eyeing a sledgehammer? It hasn't exactly been a surprise with who we've ended up juggling for those 3 spots in the middle has it.

Edited September 1 by IAmNick

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

46 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

He is better in a back 3 or he was very decent as the deepest midfielder when we went 4-3-3 18 months ago. A small sample size but I think that could be his best position tbh.

I really liked him as a deep midfielder, I find him quite error prone at CB, that being said he was ok in 3.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, IAmNick said:

Hah, right - but then why didn't we played any real football like that?

I meant in terms of positions and roles on the pitch, rather than who fills them though to be honest. It's clear that one of Twine or Mehmeti playing on the left is potentially as different as a new formation, even though actually it's the same on paper. So I'd be wanting Bird to be playing the "role" we practiced having there in pre-season, and similarly with those around him - while trying to allow them to keep their strengths too of course.

If the plan was to play him there until Twine arrived and then move him back - well that hasn't happened. If he's done such a great job there that Twine can't displace him, then Twine shouldn't be on the pitch at the detriment to our overall structure. If there wasn't a plan... then that's really concerning and borderline unbelievable from what I know of Manning.

Indeed. Either Manning makes way (as in, changes his plans) or one of our better/senior players will likely need to.

But why wasn't this accounted for? Why are we even side-eyeing a sledgehammer? It hasn't exactly been a surprise with who we've ended up juggling for those 3 spots in the middle has it.

Spot on Nick…as I keep saying “go make some tough decisions”, he’s created this situation.  I’d hoped he’d be stronger in his principles around selection policy, but I sense he’s against confrontation from strong characters.  Happy for you / people to disagree.

[Back of the Dolman]

12 minutes ago, OldlandReddies said:

                     Max

       Vyner McNally Roberts .

Earthy.  Williams.Knight    Bird. Pring

                     Twine 

                     Armstrong 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

          

I’m not sure Earthy has ever played as a wingback.

Never seen him play there all the times I’ve seen him.

[robin_unreliant]

5 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Spot on Nick…as I keep saying “go make some tough decisions”, he’s created this situation.  I’d hoped he’d be stronger in his principles around selection policy, but I sense he’s against confrontation from strong characters.  Happy for you / people to disagree.

I too sense he wants to be friendly with the players. Even uses their nicknames in interviews. Doesn't feel right to me but there, we will find out if he can make the tough decisions now he has a bigger squad.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

59 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Spot on Nick…as I keep saying “go make some tough decisions”, he’s created this situation.  I’d hoped he’d be stronger in his principles around selection policy, but I sense he’s against confrontation from strong characters.  Happy for you / people to disagree.

We have IMO way to many midfielders now, we should have either loaned out one or two more other than just TGH or not brought in Earthy.  There is absolutely no pathway there right now at all, there is almost three layers of senior pros. We've got 9 players if you include Knight looking at those three positions behind the striker.

Twine, Bell, Sykes, Cornick, Earthy, Yu, Mehmeti, Knight, Bird.  I'm assuming McBane is deep lying midfielders or could he play there too? You could play Armstrong in that role as well.

If I were any of the kids I'd be thinking WTF!  And there is zero excuse for not playing people out of position.

 

Edited September 1 by Lorenzos Only Goal

[Back of the Dolman]

5 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

We have IMO way to many midfielders now, we should have either loaned out one or two more other than just TGH or not brought in Earthy.  There is absolutely no pathway there right now at all, there is almost three layers of senior pros. We've got 9 players if you include Knight looking at those three positions behind the striker.

Twine, Bell, Sykes, Cornick, Earthy, Yu, Mehmeti, Knight, Bird.  I'm assuming McBane is deep lying midfielders or could he play there too?

If I were any of the kids I'd be thinking WTF!  And there is zero excuse for not playing people out of position.

 

I’ve seen very little to suggest so far that LM has any great desire to blood the youngsters in great numbers and ultimately I don’t think he’ll risk his position or reputation taking chances on youngsters.

In all fairness I’m sure he has a better idea of the readiness of the youngsters than we all do.

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

7 minutes ago, Back of the Dolman said:

I’ve seen very little to suggest so far that LM has any great desire to blood the youngsters in great numbers and ultimately I don’t think he’ll risk his position or reputation taking chances on youngsters.

In all fairness I’m sure he has a better idea of the readiness of the youngsters than we all do.

The problem I see is a bench that's not got any academy players in it, is a bench that's not working for them.  How can you blood a youngster when you're comfortably 3-0 up and 15 mins to go, if they're not on the bench?  That's how a healthy ecosystem of players works, even top premier league teams leave space for youth on the bench.

[Back of the Dolman]

5 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

The problem I see is a bench that's not got any academy players in it, is a bench that's not working for them.  How can you blood a youngster when you're comfortably 3-0 up and 15 mins to go, if they're not on the bench?  That's how a healthy ecosystem of players works, even top premier league teams leave space for youth on the bench.

I see what you’re saying, but there’s going to be a difference in the quality of the youngsters on a premier league bench than here.

Theres also the thought that the Premier League managers have got their status in the game fixed but LM is still in the process of building his reputation, he won’t risk building that on youngsters.

And in all honesty will our academy lads be better off getting a decent loan somewhere they play regularly and get real experience or wait for the odd occasion where we might be 3-0 up(don’t see that happening often)

We can develop the youngsters to a point but unless they’re exceptional they’ll be out on loan to get their grounding in first team football 

[headhunter]

2 hours ago, OldlandReddies said:

                     Max

       Vyner McNally Roberts .

Earthy.  Williams.Knight    Bird. Pring

                     Twine 

                     Armstrong 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

          

I like that.

[Mr Popodopolous]

                 O'Leary

 Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

              Bird Knight

Yu/Sykes Twine Armstrong/Mehmeti

             Fally/Armstrong

If Earthy is reasonably fit, he also comes into contention.

Bird and Knight geew and played together at Derby, they may have that natural chemistry.

What would Armstrong be like out of possession ie to avoid Pring being pinned 2 v 1 again.

Roberts at LB?

[Shauntaylor85]

6 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

If fit I’d start Earthy over Mehmeti.

I’m afraid there’s just no consistency with Mehmeti.

In all fairness to him he looked livelier than most yesterday when he came on but for me Earthy has shown in his limited time so far that he wants to get on the ball, he demands the ball and he’s confident with it.

 

Mehmeti and Sykes on the bench please. Don’t care who plays ahead of them but formation change may be required. 

[Lorenzos Only Goal]

12 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

I see what you’re saying, but there’s going to be a difference in the quality of the youngsters on a premier league bench than here.

Theres also the thought that the Premier League managers have got their status in the game fixed but LM is still in the process of building his reputation, he won’t risk building that on youngsters.

And in all honesty will our academy lads be better off getting a decent loan somewhere they play regularly and get real experience or wait for the odd occasion where we might be 3-0 up(don’t see that happening often)

We can develop the youngsters to a point but unless they’re exceptional they’ll be out on loan to get their grounding in first team football 

I half agree with that, but if you take a step back and look at our business model, you'll see that you need to bring through homegrown talent; otherwise, a few years down the line, you'll be in the same FFP boat, requiring a period of austerity to balance the books. 

[Dastardly and Muttley]

I can’t help but look at a lot of these teams and think that we’re going to struggle. How have we got to this point after spending over £10m this summer?

[Mr Popodopolous]

22 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

I half agree with that, but if you take a step back and look at our business model, you'll see that you need to bring through homegrown talent; otherwise, a few years down the line, you'll be in the same FFP boat, requiring a period of austerity to balance the books. 

I suppose my only hope in this respect is..

We are spending up to or below but not beyond FFP at all times, and indeed with +2 for Future Financial Forecast etc which means that any Home Grown or even general Transfer Profit and wage saving can go as a pure bonus. Possibly all back into the team, 1/3 per year..

Same goes for Sell-on stuff. Had 2 of Webster, Kelly, Brownhill materialised between Summer 2021 and January 2023 at the hoped for fees FFP could've been fixed by that alone.

None materialised.

Edited September 2 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

If e.g. we are in any way crossing fingers internally for a nice decent sized Semenyo sell-on by Summer 2026 if not Promoted, we've learnt **** all as a club.

[Silvio Dante]

The thing here for me is that there appeared to have been a consensus view that prior to Saturday, we’d played well - and also that Bird had been pretty much our best player.

As I’ve said on other threads, Twine did create Saturday but his position also negatively impacted both Bird and Pring. So, broader point - should a player be “rewarded” with a start when him playing ok meant others didn’t?

So, my logic says this (and I’d agree with a lot of the baby/bathwater posts - we should not be ripping things up if people think we were doing well prior to Derby (and I am less convinced there but it is the consensus))

- Keeper stays the same

- Defence is one change in for Dickie

- The midfield central three of Bird, Williams and Knight stay. People are arguing to play Twine at the expense of our best outfield performer (or at least moving him from where he’s been effective) - that’s nuts tbh

- Wide I would still play Sykes. He was our best attacking outlet against Coventry before Saturdays debacle

- Other side I’m less sure about. I don’t think Twine can be trusted there not to drift too far and go into business for himself, Mehmeti is…something and Yu is unproven. I’ll pass as there’s not an obvious choice for me

- Then Armstrong up top

The thing here is this. If people genuinely believe that prior to Derby we were playing as well as was stated on here by some, then you look what changed. And where possible, you revert back. Mass changes including to system should be nonsense.

Or could it be that we really weren’t as good as was made out before that point?

[Mr Popodopolous]

15 minutes ago, Dastardly and Muttley said:

I can’t help but look at a lot of these teams and think that we’re going to struggle. How have we got to this point after spending over £10m this summer?

Don't think we are that bad, if set up well etc.

[Mr Popodopolous]

8 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said:

The thing here for me is that there appeared to have been a consensus view that prior to Saturday, we’d played well - and also that Bird had been pretty much our best player.

As I’ve said on other threads, Twine did create Saturday but his position also negatively impacted both Bird and Pring. So, broader point - should a player be “rewarded” with a start when him playing ok meant others didn’t?

So, my logic says this (and I’d agree with a lot of the baby/bathwater posts - we should not be ripping things up if people think we were doing well prior to Derby (and I am less convinced there but it is the consensus))

- Keeper stays the same

- Defence is one change in for Dickie

- The midfield central three of Bird, Williams and Knight stay. People are arguing to play Twine at the expense of our best outfield performer (or at least moving him from where he’s been effective) - that’s nuts tbh

- Wide I would still play Sykes. He was our best attacking outlet against Coventry before Saturdays debacle

- Other side I’m less sure about. I don’t think Twine can be trusted there not to drift too far and go into business for himself, Mehmeti is…something and Yu is unproven. I’ll pass as there’s not an obvious choice for me

- Then Armstrong up top

The thing here is this. If people genuinely believe that prior to Derby we were playing as well as was stated on here by some, then you look what changed. And where possible, you revert back. Mass changes including to system should be nonsense.

Or could it be that we really weren’t as good as was made out before that point?

I've been looking at XG. Comparatively.

Some say it is of limited use but when I took Shots For, Shots Against, XG For, XG Against, XG With and Without Penalties.

Guess what, the weighted average of all of them is midtableish. We score well attacking wise and less so defensively.

Just as we were when weighted and averaged last season.

[Back of the Dolman]

35 minutes ago, Lorenzos Only Goal said:

I half agree with that, but if you take a step back and look at our business model, you'll see that you need to bring through homegrown talent; otherwise, a few years down the line, you'll be in the same FFP boat, requiring a period of austerity to balance the books. 

But I would say that the model will only work if the young players get the chance to play senior football and build their experience.

Will they develop better sat on our bench playing a handful of minutes throughout the season or will they develop better going out and playing solid minutes in senior football week in week out ?

When they’ve had that experience they come back and if the management team thinks they’re up to it then they’ll be in the first team squad but to just throw them in with no real experience is asking a lot especially in the Championship.

LM won’t ever be using untested youngsters unless he has no other option because his job relies on results and defeats bring him pressure.

I’m happy to go with a bench of experienced pros and our younger talent being given the opportunity to play consistently elsewhere.

But like I said if they’re a real talent then let’s get them involved but those talents are the exception and not the rule.

 

[Hocca]

Max

Vyner McNally Roberts 

Yu Knight Bird Pring

Earthy Twine

Mayulu

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, Hocca said:

Max

Vyner McNally Roberts 

Yu Knight Bird Pring

Earthy Twine

Mayulu

Yu at Wingback??

Is Earthy even available for Blackburn Away?

Good space to exploit behind Yu if you're robust as an opposition side, will Earthy and Twine do dogged work out of Possession.

[GrahamC]

15 hours ago, Back of the Dolman said:

I’m not sure Earthy has ever played as a wingback.

Never seen him play there all the times I’ve seen him.

The fact he has never played there & indeed has never started a league game at all yet (making it a really great idea for his full debut to be out of position), won’t stop a few on here.

Yu only had to beat a man once on Saturday for him to be a nailed on starter at Blackburn & the second coming of Albert Adomah.

[BobBobBobbin]

17 hours ago, Chivs said:

I'm amazed that no-one has picked Naismith? Where are all his fan-boys?

FWIW, I wouldn't play Naismith again unless we have 6 injuries in defence and Fally doesn't fancy a chance across the back.

I'd play 

Tanner Vyner McNally Pring

Knight Bird

Yu Twine Sykes

Armstrong

 

Yu and Sykes can play on whatever side they fancy as long as it isn't the same side at the same time.  Total Football.

that isn't total football. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, BobBobBobbin said:

that isn't total football. 

A total mess more like.

[BobBobBobbin]

9 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Yu at Wingback??

Is Earthy even available for Blackburn Away?

Good space to exploit behind Yu if you're robust as an opposition side, will Earthy and Twine do dogged work out of Possession.

it doesn't have to be wingback, can be right midfield with Vyner playing a RB/CB (WCB Hybrid). 

Positions irrelevant, roles important. 

there are three "positions" for each player nowadays, Your in possession role, your in transition role and your out of possession role. 

 

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

it doesn't have to be wingback, can be right midfield with Vyner playing a RB/CB (WCB Hybrid). 

Positions irrelevant, roles important. 

there are three "positions" for each player nowadays, Your in possession role, your in transition role and your out of possession role. 

 

 

I disagree.

Wingback and Full Back, Back 3 and Back 4 are in some ways, fundamentally different skillsets and shapes.

Yu on full debut as well, in a position and League that isn't necessarily familiar to him- that's a recipe for disaster IMO.

You go 2 v 1 or you get him caught in transition. Cross field balls another good way to expose.

Vyner at Fullback I suppose but he wasn't great there before and he wasn't great there in his Loan spell away.

[Hocca]

24 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Yu at Wingback??

Is Earthy even available for Blackburn Away?

Good space to exploit behind Yu if you're robust as an opposition side, will Earthy and Twine do dogged work out of Possession.

I can’t take much more of Sykes and Tanner on the right so he’ll have to do

[BobBobBobbin]

@Mr Popodopolous

 

Take this really basic build up selection:

 

Transitions to a box rest defence with a 1-3-2 shape in possession:

 

Which then converts to a 442 block of sorts:

 

 

Not saying it is the answer, but it's what I'd do.

 

edit: Fevs will point out the left hand side again, and I agree. It's why I'd have Bird deeper and left sided more often, he can cover those spaces with Roberts.

Edited September 2 by BobBobBobbin

[Mr Popodopolous]

9 minutes ago, Hocca said:

I can’t take much more of Sykes and Tanner on the right so he’ll have to do

Each to their own, for me a fully fit and in form McCrorie and Pring yeah at Wingback..it would defo be different and may surprise the opposition Yu at Wingback.

[Mr Popodopolous]

17 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

@Mr Popodopolous

 

Take this really basic build up selection:

 

Transitions to a box rest defence with a 1-3-2 shape in possession:

 

Which then converts to a 442 block of sorts:

 

 

Not saying it is the answer, but it's what I'd do.

 

edit: Fevs will point out the left hand side again, and I agree. It's why I'd have Bird deeper and left sided more often, he can cover those spaces with Roberts.

Interesting thanks, that looks a bit more tricky to play through.

Trying to think how I'd if as an opposition setting up in the base shape (Blackburn use a nominal 4-2-3-1 but dunno how bothered about Possession they are). 

Left vs Right...

Pring and Armstrong vs Brittan and Weimann.

Right vs Left..

Vyner and Yu vs Beck and Hedges.

I dunno whether Dolan is a pure attacking midfielder or can slot between supporting the attack and nipping back into a midfield 3, that's more central but nominally Bird and Knight vs Travis and Tronstad with Dolan a slight unknown.

Edited September 2 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

Tanner is such a useful one v one full back that I'd be a bit wary of Vyner being out there.

Edited September 2 by Mr Popodopolous

[Back of the Dolman]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Tanner is such a useful one v one full back that I'd be a bit wary of Vyner being out there.

I see a lot of criticism of Tanner and Pring but I think they are far from being the biggest concerns in our side.

[BobBobBobbin]

2 minutes ago, Back of the Dolman said:

I see a lot of criticism of Tanner and Pring but I think they are far from being the biggest concerns in our side.

Can't criticise Tanner as a defender, but in build up he's not great. His partnership with Sykes is grim too. Sykes is desperate for an overlap that never comes or a faster ball. Tanner too often puts his foot on the ball and plays it inside for no gain. 

Pring is being left to do more than even the best player in the division can do. Not his fault whatsoever. 

[Back of the Dolman]

10 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

Can't criticise Tanner as a defender, but in build up he's not great. His partnership with Sykes is grim too. Sykes is desperate for an overlap that never comes or a faster ball. Tanner too often puts his foot on the ball and plays it inside for no gain. 

Pring is being left to do more than even the best player in the division can do. Not his fault whatsoever. 

Tanner will get forward and can link play but if you look at the way we play it’s so biased to the left side that as Pring is encouraged to push on and Tanner is expected to take up a RCB role.

i think that plays a big part in what Tanner does.

I also don’t think we move the ball out to our right side as quickly as we do to the left and not just Tanner but others as well go back inside to send the ball over to the left when it could easily come out to the right.

I genuinely think a lot of it is due to how we set up and the instructions that are being given.

Edited September 2 by Back of the Dolman

[Davefevs]

44 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

@Mr Popodopolous

 

Take this really basic build up selection:

 

Transitions to a box rest defence with a 1-3-2 shape in possession:

 

Which then converts to a 442 block of sorts:

 

 

Not saying it is the answer, but it's what I'd do.

 

edit: Fevs will point out the left hand side again, and I agree. It's why I'd have Bird deeper and left sided more often, he can cover those spaces with Roberts.

The problem against Derby was transition defence, runners off of flicks and no physicality when Derby were on the ball.  They hit virtually every long ball at Tanner, and even if it was in Vyner’s domain, he’s not strong aerially.

[BobBobBobbin]

2 minutes ago, Back of the Dolman said:

Tanner will get forward and can link play but if you look at the way we play it’s so biased to the left side that as Pring is encouraged to push on and Tanner is expected to take up a RCB role.

i think that plays a big part in what Tanner does.

I also don’t think we move the ball out to our right side as quickly as we do to the left and not just Tanner but others as well go back inside to send the ball over to the left when it could easily come out to the right.

I genuinely think a lot of it is due to how we set up and the instructions that are being given.

I disagree, his average position this season hasn't been anywhere near RCB. He's just too hesitant on the ball for me. I get it, he's a defender first and foremost and with that comes a certain amount of engrained risk aversion. But in a build from the back team he's often completely lost as to what to do. 

We're also arguably biased to the right in terms of numbers in the current set up, Pring is the only player on the left hand side of the pitch for large amounts of the game. (See here:) Credit: @Davefevs

I'm not getting on the lads back, he's the best 1v1 defender we've got by a country mile, he's got nearly flawless defensive technique in terms of body position and that's incredibly rare in the modern age. 

But I wouldn't ever start him in a 4 unless we are up against a left winger who needs undivided attention (Jack Clarke last season for example). He's a RCB or not on the pitch in this iteration of us imo. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

12 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

I disagree, his average position this season hasn't been anywhere near RCB. He's just too hesitant on the ball for me. I get it, he's a defender first and foremost and with that comes a certain amount of engrained risk aversion. But in a build from the back team he's often completely lost as to what to do. 

We're also arguably biased to the right in terms of numbers in the current set up, Pring is the only player on the left hand side of the pitch for large amounts of the game. (See here:) Credit: @Davefevs

I'm not getting on the lads back, he's the best 1v1 defender we've got by a country mile, he's got nearly flawless defensive technique in terms of body position and that's incredibly rare in the modern age. 

But I wouldn't ever start him in a 4 unless we are up against a left winger who needs undivided attention (Jack Clarke last season for example). He's a RCB or not on the pitch in this iteration of us imo. 

Perhaps the shape is a bit flawed then.

Tanner has improved a bit in the other side of his game (statistically) but McCrorie has more attacking potential, certainly more potential as a Wingback.

It feels like the Balance isn't quite right albeit 2 Penalties in the first 4 skew it a bit. 

Fun fact, only 8 Penalties awarded in 48 Championship games so far and 2 of them were against us

[Chivs]

2 hours ago, BobBobBobbin said:

that isn't total football. 

If I understand Total Football correctly, it would be impossible for me to write down a formation... Therefore, I agree. The comment though was just about Sykes and Yu.

2 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

A total mess more like.

How so?