philthesaddler wrote:Today was a chance for smith to show he could do something different in an attempt to win a game.
With hiwula in form, and bradshaw back, why not go 4-4-2 with a diamond in the midldle? Play Sawyers in the hole, Cook on the left, Grimes on the right, or even James Chambers at right midfield.
He's got to try new stuff, otherwise the players just become stale - Sawyers has got the potential to be a great player, but too many games pass him by. Today, I'd have put him in the middle of the park and told him to go and run the game, win the ball and play as a complete midfielder. Playing in the hole is easy, it absolves you of the defensive responsibilities of being a midfielder. Sawyers was nowhere near the worst today, but to have a player of his ability barely getting the ball at his feet is a ridiculous waste.
Play two up top and tell the lads to get he ball in to Bradshaws feet early and get runners past him, take the game to them, and forbid and passing amongst the defence...get it forward quickly at all times, so what if we lose it (we lose it anyway under smiths current tactics), you win it back and start again. If you ain't got game changing players you've at least got to try and force an error by playing at tempo and direct. How on earth are you going to force an error passing sideways?
If you watch much of the premier league, take out the woeful sides like villa etc, and take out the big 4 who dominate possession and have stand out players, and look at how the likes of Southampton, Swansea, West Ham, Everton play - they're not all that skilful, they just play at a high tempo when they have the ball, and as soon as they lose it, they get their shape back and Harry and Harry until they get the ball back. Southampton have that Wanyama who's an excellent example of this - he just stands in the centre circle when they have the ball, then as soon as they lose it, he snaps in to action and and the whole shape of the team changes.
I have to agree with something different here Phil, I think the philosophy is dated, example Barcelona esque possession based football, it has moved on to a faster more athletic direct approach with few passes and direct wing play with the likes of bayern and Madrid exemplifying this, I really did think it would be 442 today when I heard the team line up on the radio.
Disappointed to say the least
