Convict Colony

From another thread i asked AI how we should beat boro What we should do v Boro When facing a team like Middlesbrough, Russell Martin's Southampton FC should consider the following tactics: Control the Midfield: Middlesbrough is known for their physicality and direct style of play. Hence, controlling the midfield is crucial. The 4-1-4-1 formation allows for a strong midfield presence. The single pivot can help disrupt Middlesbrough's play, while the four midfielders can help maintain possession and control the tempo of the game. Quick Transitions: Given Middlesbrough's direct style, quick transitions from defense to attack can catch them off guard. The inverted wingbacks and midfielders should look to quickly move the ball forward after regaining possession. Defend Set Pieces Well: Middlesbrough can be a threat from set pieces due to their physicality. Good organization and man-marking during set pieces is key to prevent conceding goals. Exploit Wide Areas: As the wingbacks push forward, there could be space to exploit on the flanks. Quick switches of play to the wingbacks can help create scoring opportunities. Press High: A high press can disrupt Middlesbrough's build-up play and force them into mistakes. However, the team should be careful not to overcommit and leave spaces at the back.

Asked AI how to fix our problems - think the below should be the main points of discussion before each kick off. Russell Martin typically employs a 4-1-4-1 formation that can transform into a back-three, with the midfield six dropping between the centre-backs to create the shape. The attacking full-backs push forward, effectively becoming inverted wingbacks . To ensure high possession percentages without conceding many goals, here are a few strategies that Martin could consider: 1. Positioning of Inverted Wingbacks: The inverted wingbacks need to be tactically aware of their positioning. They should be disciplined to track back and form a five-man defensive line when the team loses possession. Their primary role is still to defend, and they should not neglect this duty when they move forward to join the attack. 2. Use of a Defensive Midfielder: A defensive midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 formation can act as an extra shield for the defense. This player can drop deep to cover for the inverted wingbacks when they push forward, effectively transforming the formation into a 3-4-3 in possession. This can help maintain defensive solidity while still allowing for high possession in the opponent's half. 3. Pressing and Quick Recovery: High possession football often requires aggressive pressing and quick recovery of the ball once it's lost. The whole team, including the forwards, need to press the opponent and try to win back possession as quickly as possible. This reduces the chances of being caught out on counter-attacks, a common risk when playing with inverted wingbacks. 4. Communication and Understanding: Good communication and understanding among the players is vital. The centre-backs, inverted wingbacks, and defensive midfielder need to constantly communicate and cover for each other's positions. They should be aware of when to push forward and when to stay back based on the game situation. What we should do v Boro When facing a team like Middlesbrough, Russell Martin's Southampton FC should consider the following tactics: Control the Midfield: Middlesbrough is known for their physicality and direct style of play. Hence, controlling the midfield is crucial. The 4-1-4-1 formation allows for a strong midfield presence. The single pivot can help disrupt Middlesbrough's play, while the four midfielders can help maintain possession and control the tempo of the game. Quick Transitions: Given Middlesbrough's direct style, quick transitions from defense to attack can catch them off guard. The inverted wingbacks and midfielders should look to quickly move the ball forward after regaining possession. Defend Set Pieces Well: Middlesbrough can be a threat from set pieces due to their physicality. Good organization and man-marking during set pieces is key to prevent conceding goals. Exploit Wide Areas: As the wingbacks push forward, there could be space to exploit on the flanks. Quick switches of play to the wingbacks can help create scoring opportunities. Press High: A high press can disrupt Middlesbrough's build-up play and force them into mistakes. However, the team should be careful not to overcommit and leave spaces at the back.

West ham fans absolutely loving him on their forum.

given downes is back I would do the following, have charles has a the sitting DM and Downes in the JWP role behind charly I'd feel comfortable we would be more defensively stable with that and still have significant goal threat. Bazanu KWP. Bedernak. HWB. Manning Downes Charles Alcaraz Armstrong Sulemana Adams

opened it up and 1st thing i thought of is sandra looks like skeletor with a ginger wig.

Am happy for the man, deserves the money way more than some mouth breathers before him, he can go back to the mountains to play tennis, golf and play the piano. Massively overachieved with bugger all budget for his time here, people forget the shit show he took over and made us proud again in how we played, was screwed over on the striker front after Ings left, like we are finding now Adams or Armstrong are not main strikers.

Mate 100%, i was thinking about that the other day as my butler passed me a drink. Everyone was loving carrick at the end of season, he's also lost a few of his better players and now he's gash, but dont worry though he'll pick a home win no doubt knowing our luck.

sounds familar

2-0 to us, its been my prediction for nearly a year now and its never been accurate. This weekend its gonna happen.

damn i only thought we'd played 6 games, your right my mistake but as Alfie at the echo said Sheff utd got promoted and lost 11 games. If I cant be optimistic about my own team whats the point, its not like weve been good and this has come as a shock, we've been crap for ages, infact crap is our average with the occasional outlier seasons when we were good.

Half full or half empty I say half full - weve got our 3 losses out of the way early and can now start our run 🤣

I know I know usual caveats apply etc etc but Burnley only had 9 PTS after 6 games last season so we are 1 ahead. Martin did end last season with a 9 game win streak so when he gets it right we he can go on streaks the question is when will he get it right. Obviously none of us can expect or hope if/when that happens but at some time it will change.

Che's bum chum

He can give Fraser his old clothes to grow into.

hahaha you love a good fullback review chez, at least manning can cross though, KWP not so much.

https://m.soccerstreams100.io/event/eng-2/ipswich-vs-southampton-live-soccer-stats/673535 pick an ifollowHD stream

Whats your wife drinking, looks interesting.

Feeling like we need a boufal like run from sulemana at somepoint this game to score

Ok so spent a bit of time watching our set up. Wing backs and midfielders not moving anywhere near enough for the CBs to pass to throughout this game which you can tell by this endless recycling, there isnt even any pausa to draw out an ipswich player. This led to Charles suicidal run when he thought he had a gap and in charles defence i dont think anyone would of played him as a CB tonight before the game, we were all saying put him in as a DM his normal position. Smallbone is not the answer, put charles there and bederak on. KWP does not run back fast to get into position, manning does at least. Aribo having a tidy game. No real comment on the rest, they exist, not really doing too much.

Pain, no options for Charles to play to.

Much better set up from corner to stop.the I'm counter