Dave In Footie Heaven, on 25 January 2015 - 04:12 PM, said:
Can you tell us how yesterdays performance compares to your League games. I genuinely thought you were poor and that you would have to have wholesale changes should you get promoted.
Saturdays performance was like watching a different team, we tried a new formation in each half, the first half we were shambolic at the back, defender, wing back and midfielders looking at each other like they didn't know their jobs, you doubled up alot on our wingbacks and we didn't seem to know if it was a centre back or a midfielder who should be helping out. Second half we went to a 4312 with Martin dropping in behind Russell and Bent. Neither formation suited really. The way we usually play is 4123, with a holding midfielder with two infront pushing on and playing off Martin and two wide players also pushing on. that is the style we have played since SM has been in charge. I believe the problem was that SM was trying to get Bent in the team. It was an experimental game for us, luckily the experiment paid off. Hughes is our main man, alot of people say he's overated but if you actually watch him he never wastes a pass, his weight of pass is always spot on and he makes the game look effortless, it seems to be that highly rated midfielders these days, like Zaha, Ince need to beat 10 players, have an abudance of pace and score every game, Hughes doesn't that but what he does do he does very well. Look where it got Zaha and Ince. Our major problem at the minute is that we are missing our two CDM's in Thorne and Eustace, we can play all the nice football but lack that bit of bite. Omar Mascarell has been doing it of late and is ok but is very lightweight, typical Spanish CDM, when he plays we need to crowd the midfield. All in all we will need a few new players should we go up but with the same token we need to get players back in form, Christie, Forsyth, Bryson, Hendrick, Dawkins are all lacking form, Ward was on fire but got injured and looks rusty. But with a win tomorrow and we are joint top so not all bad, if we can hit some form we will be fine. You guys saw us Sat far from our best trying 2 new systems. Take nothing away from you though, if you were to go up i would say you would need a little more quality upfront but the football is there for all to see
matlocktown, on 26 January 2015 - 12:46 PM, said:
The performance on Saturday was hard to judge on that basis due to a change in formation, we had previously used the same 4-2-3-1 system ever since Mac took over, he tried the 5 at the back which didn't work first-half and then a different system again second half.
In general you outplayed us throughout the match, I have seen you before it is clear you have some good footballers and the team plays from the back, not sure your centre-halfs are the best defenders though and that maybe is why we won.
What the changes in formation showed was the limitations in some of our players and the total failiure to adapt, no excuses we were second best in everything but the most important, putting the ball in the net.
I think there is a certain arrogance on our main forum about how good the club and team is, I agree we would need big changes should we make it which I rate a 50/50 call, our team is very committed and hard working to a man, loads of energy at our best that stifles the life out of the opposition, we also have the best midfielder in the league in Hughes and the best striker in Martin, we have lost Ibe who put fear in the opponent with his pace and quick feet, our other wide won't hold the same fear. Defensively they are all good in the air but against a side like Chesterfield who can play with accuracy on the floor, very vulnerable, especially at full-back.
I was very impressed with your team, especially the right-back I would love him at Derby, fans expected a bit more to be honest, loud at times but like us at present the ones that take off are the generic crap ones.
I agree with those that raised eyebrows at Radio Derby analysis, to me it bore no relation to a match you outplayed us right through but that is usual these days it is little more than a cheerleading forum for DCFC, shame as it used to be so good. The DCFC forums I use which are not the big one were very complimentary to your team and they are the ones best worth a browse.
Good luck rest of the season that type of football deserves credit, I think you will need a stronger centre-half to make the play-offs.
Agreed, although the formation is more of a 4-1-2-2-1 if im being picky, we only play with one CDM.
Help
