Pardew still sticking with 4-5-1

[Professor]

There is a lot of debate in football circles that 4-5-1 is not only too a defensive approach but also that teams playing it can get caught out. Pardew has been using it through the run of winning games, but thats no credit to the system as often it has only been when the system has been changed that the result has come. The game against MK Dons was a prime example, where 4-5-1 resulted in Saints being a goal down at half-time, but 4-4-2 brought 3 goals in the second half.

Disapointing then to see Pards still saying the system will continue.

[Saint_clark]

4-5-1 saw us beat Gillingham 4-1 and Southend 3-1. It also saw us 2-1 up away to Oldham.

I agree with the decision, but please - Antonio instead of Waigo.

[hypochondriac]

Don't care formation we play if we win. Couldn't give a toss

[saints_is_the_south]

Don't care formation we play if we win. Couldn't give a toss

 

+1.

[Alanh]

4-5-1 is too simplistic a description of our recent starting system. We are playing a holding midfielder, to centre midfielders and two wide midfielders who have a job of either playing like wingers or supporting the striker. This means that we can be playing 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 at any given point in the match. This formation really suits the key players in the squad and offers great versatility at differnt times in a match.

 

Listening to AP in his post match he refered to switching the system when we went to 4-4-2 so it's great to know that he is looking at another plan should the initial option not work and that the players are able to make the switch. As the season goes on I can only think that their ability to switch system will improve.

 

I don't think anyone should get hung up on the way that AP is playing with one nominated striker. Firstly that one striker is very good at holding up the ball and bringing others into play. Secondly, there is variety, energy, pace, skill and flexibility in our midfield which is making us unpredictable and difficult to play against and on no occasion is Lambert isolated as a lone striker.

[musesaint]

Don't care formation we play if we win. Couldn't give a toss

 

+25 :-)

[Junior Mullet]

4-5-1 is too simplistic a description of our recent starting system. We are playing a holding midfielder, to centre midfielders and two wide midfielders who have a job of either playing like wingers or supporting the striker. This means that we can be playing 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 at any given point in the match. This formation really suits the key players in the squad and offers great versatility at differnt times in a match.

 

Listening to AP in his post match he refered to switching the system when we went to 4-4-2 so it's great to know that he is looking at another plan should the initial option not work and that the players are able to make the switch. As the season goes on I can only think that their ability to switch system will improve.

 

I don't think anyone should get hung up on the way that AP is playing with one nominated striker. Firstly that one striker is very good at holding up the ball and bringing others into play. Secondly, there is variety, energy, pace, skill and flexibility in our midfield which is making us unpredictable and difficult to play against and on no occasion is Lambert isolated as a lone striker.

 

I'd describe it as 4-3-3 personally.

 

Boy, did we look good when we switched to 4-4-2 today! Connoly and Antonio were awesome.

[St Will]

I thought someone had to find somethig negative about our FIVE MATCH WINNING STREAK. Good grief.

[saintbletch]

4-5-1 is too simplistic a description of our recent starting system. We are playing a holding midfielder, to centre midfielders and two wide midfielders who have a job of either playing like wingers or supporting the striker. This means that we can be playing 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3 at any given point in the match. This formation really suits the key players in the squad and offers great versatility at differnt times in a match.

 

Listening to AP in his post match he refered to switching the system when we went to 4-4-2 so it's great to know that he is looking at another plan should the initial option not work and that the players are able to make the switch. As the season goes on I can only think that their ability to switch system will improve.

 

I don't think anyone should get hung up on the way that AP is playing with one nominated striker. Firstly that one striker is very good at holding up the ball and bringing others into play. Secondly, there is variety, energy, pace, skill and flexibility in our midfield which is making us unpredictable and difficult to play against and on no occasion is Lambert isolated as a lone striker.

 

A spot on analysis IMO. The important part of the formation is the "-1" defensive midfielder in front of the defence - Wotton. This makes us able to be quite adventurous going forward.

 

Watching how we dominated the space created when we went 4-4-2 and seeing how MK Dons looked lost justifies the change when games have become too tight.

[SaintRobbie]

There is a lot of debate in football circles that 4-5-1 is not only too a defensive approach but also that teams playing it can get caught out. Pardew has been using it through the run of winning games, but thats no credit to the system as often it has only been when the system has been changed that the result has come. The game against MK Dons was a prime example, where 4-5-1 resulted in Saints being a goal down at half-time, but 4-4-2 brought 3 goals in the second half.

Disapointing then to see Pards still saying the system will continue.

 

But, by all accounts, we shouldve been 3 or 4 ahead at the end of the first half. Nice we have a plan A and a plan B already though isn't it? Unlike last season's disaster.

[sotonjoe]

The fact is that all the time we were playing 4-5-1 players were struggling to get up and support Lambert. Waigo was still far too wide to have a hope of winning any second balls.

[Legod Third Coming]

Listen to his interview on Solent.

 

He says he has two systems and he's sticking to them. They are not 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. He won't say what they are!!!

 

They are the systems Pardew knows and wants to use.

 

But above all he said, and I agree, it has nothing to do with what system you use. It is about winning players with a winning mentality. Amen to that!!!

[sotonjoe]

They are not 4-5-1 or 4-4-2.

 

Except that they are!

[Legod Third Coming]

Except that they are!

 

They are whatever the manager has drilled - Diamond, Xmas tree, who gives a monkey's?

 

People on here seem to think that 4-4-2 is the only route to succcess. Strange, but I don't see Fergie, Wenger, Ancelotti, Capello,... that hung up on it??

 

Apparently playing a defensive system we scored 10 goals in three games.

 

Chill out. Relax. We are winning football matches. The manager knows what he is doing. For a change!

[sotonjoe]

They are whatever the manager has drilled - Diamond, Xmas tree, who gives a monkey's?

 

People on here seem to think that 4-4-2 is the only route to succcess. Strange, but I don't see Fergie, Wenger, Ancelotti, Capello,... that hung up on it??

 

Apparently playing a defensive system we scored 10 goals in three games.

 

Chill out. Relax. We are winning football matches. The manager knows what he is doing. For a change!

 

 

Sure, but it's pedantic of AP to stand there and say it's not 4-5-1 or whatever, when it clearly is. All you have to do it count the players on the pitch.

 

Without getting too sidetracked though, the fact is that the 4-5-1 needs some tinkering if we're going to support the lone front man effectively. Antonio may well do a better job of getting in there and helping him than Waigo.

[Legod Third Coming]

Sure, but it's pedantic of AP to stand there and say it's not 4-5-1 or whatever, when it clearly is. All you have to do it count the players on the pitch.

 

Without getting too sidetracked though, the fact is that the 4-5-1 needs some tinkering if we're going to support the lone front man effectively. Antonio may well do a better job of getting in there and helping him than Waigo.

 

Tbh, when Connolly came on I didn't notice any change in formation. Connolly was playing miles in front of Lambert. But what was apparent, was the better use of the ball by Antonio who really put the fear of God into their left back!

 

The first half yesterday I didn't think we were outplayed. I thought we looked lethargic and not quite at the races as the two systems cancelled each other out because midfield was so congested.

 

But when we played Charlton the opposite was true and the congested midfield created space for players like Lambert and Lallana.

 

I think what you have to be satisfied with is that we have a manager who sees the game and changes things for the better.

 

If we'd started 4-4-2 yesterday and MK had overrun us in midfield and scored three goals, people who have been back calling for Pardew's head...

 

Untile he starts losing regularly I will defer to the fact that he is a better judge than anyone on here!!! Including me by some distance.

[sotonjoe]

Tbh, when Connolly came on I didn't notice any change in formation. Connolly was playing miles in front of Lambert. But what was apparent, was the better use of the ball by Antonio who really put the fear of God into their left back!

 

The first half yesterday I didn't think we were outplayed. I thought we looked lethargic and not quite at the races as the two systems cancelled each other out because midfield was so congested.

 

But when we played Charlton the opposite was true and the congested midfield created space for players like Lambert and Lallana.

 

I think what you have to be satisfied with is that we have a manager who sees the game and changes things for the better.

 

If we'd started 4-4-2 yesterday and MK had overrun us in midfield and scored three goals, people who have been back calling for Pardew's head...

 

Untile he starts losing regularly I will defer to the fact that he is a better judge than anyone on here!!! Including me by some distance.

 

I think AP did brilliantly yesterday and I certainly don't think he should be making wholesale changes. He just needs to sort out the issues I mentioned with the 4-5-1. You must support your frontman with that system otherwise you will lose the ball again and again.

 

There was a clear change in formation when Connolly came on. The most obvious fact was that both Lambert and Connolly were playing in the centre forward role, although both seemed to be very mobile, dropping off when necessary etc.

 

Perhaps the most interesting thing was that even though we lost a man in modfield at that point, we didn't lose our width. In fact, time and time again Antonio was doing great things down the right wing.

 

It meant we were a little bare in the centre of midfiled though which is what made the 80 minute mark a little nervy.

 

Overall, it was well judged by Pards, he just needs to make sure his 4-5-1 is doing what he wants it to.

[John B]

I think AP did brilliantly yesterday and I certainly don't think he should be making wholesale changes. He just needs to sort out the issues I mentioned with the 4-5-1. You must support your frontman with that system otherwise you will lose the ball again and again.

 

There was a clear change in formation when Connolly came on. The most obvious fact was that both Lambert and Connolly were playing in the centre forward role, although both seemed to be very mobile, dropping off when necessary etc.

 

Perhaps the most interesting thing was that even though we lost a man in modfield at that point, we didn't lose our width. In fact, time and time again Antonio was doing great things down the right wing.

 

It meant we were a little bare in the centre of midfiled though which is what made the 80 minute mark a little nervy.

 

Overall, it was well judged by Pards, he just needs to make sure his 4-5-1 is doing what he wants it to.

 

 

Playing against most teams I dont think it matters what formation we play as we should beat them especially if we play with an out and out winger.

 

 

However at home I feel 4 4 2 is more appropriate .

 

 

As in past season lots of teams have come to defend and we are left with the lone striker isolated

[John B]

I thought someone had to find somethig negative about our FIVE MATCH WINNING STREAK. Good grief.

 

I dont think people are being negative in the least like me they want the team to improve and having Connolly and Lambert in the same team surely will do that

[paris]

In AP we trust, five wins in a row can't knock it ,i'll let him deal with the systems and me with the supporting...

[Legod Third Coming]

Playing against most teams I dont think it matters what formation we play as we should beat them especially if we play with an out and out winger.

 

 

However at home I feel 4 4 2 is more appropriate .

 

 

As in past season lots of teams have come to defend and we are left with the lone striker isolated

 

You see, we're winning, winning well and you want change???

 

It is not required.

 

Goals for last three home league games... goals against...

 

That was the third best team in the league and we beat them. We always looked like we could step up a gear. We did. We despatched them. In the end, quite comfortably.

 

Your job is not to question the manager right now, but to go along, relax, sing your heart out. Celebrate. Go home. Have sex. Get drunk. Go to bed.

 

Leave the manager in peace.

 

I know for five years that has been hard and nigh on impossible.

 

But he knows what he's doing, unlike many of the last occupants of the role.

 

Chill and enjoy.

[St Will]

You see, we're winning, winning well and you want change???

 

It is not required.

 

Goals for last three home league games... goals against...

 

That was the third best team in the league and we beat them. We always looked like we could step up a gear. We did. We despatched them. In the end, quite comfortably.

 

Your job is not to question the manager right now, but to go along, relax, sing your heart out. Celebrate. Go home. Have sex. Get drunk. Go to bed.

 

Leave the manager in peace.

 

I know for five years that has been hard and nigh on impossible.

 

But he knows what he's doing, unlike many of the last occupants of the role.

 

Chill and enjoy.

 

Exactly!

[John B]

You see, we're winning, winning well and you want change???

 

It is not required.

 

Goals for last three home league games... goals against...

 

That was the third best team in the league and we beat them. We always looked like we could step up a gear. We did. We despatched them. In the end, quite comfortably.

 

Your job is not to question the manager right now, but to go along, relax, sing your heart out. Celebrate. Go home. Have sex. Get drunk. Go to bed.

 

Leave the manager in peace.

 

I know for five years that has been hard and nigh on impossible.

 

But he knows what he's doing, unlike many of the last occupants of the role.

 

Chill and enjoy.

 

You over pompous prat

 

This is a forum to discuss football matter and that is what most on here are doing.

 

Teams that become complacent do not perform well as AP says

[Give it to Ron]

Playing against most teams I dont think it matters what formation we play as we should beat them especially if we play with an out and out winger.

 

 

However at home I feel 4 4 2 is more appropriate .

 

 

As in past season lots of teams have come to defend and we are left with the lone striker isolated

 

Yet you were 2weeks advocating that we should of kept Wotte....who sat there all season watching McGoldrick struggle on his own!

 

Why cant people just get behind a manager who is slowly but surely turning this club back from oblivion to one that can challenge any side we play in this league.

You and the famous gang of 4 are being proved wrong and now have the graciousness to accept we just may have a manager that can change things if its not working out. Thats what good managers do.

[NickG]

There is a lot of debate in football circles that 4-5-1 is not only too a defensive approach but also that teams playing it can get caught out. Pardew has been using it through the run of winning games, but thats no credit to the system as often it has only been when the system has been changed that the result has come. The game against MK Dons was a prime example, where 4-5-1 resulted in Saints being a goal down at half-time, but 4-4-2 brought 3 goals in the second half.

Disapointing then to see Pards still saying the system will continue.

 

not at all, when he is winning you have to have confidence in the manager - who knows a huge amount more about his players and tactics than we do.

 

We were easily on top for the vast majority of first half.

 

More than happy for him to use both.

[Legod Third Coming]

You over pompous prat

 

This is a forum to discuss football matter and that is what most on here are doing.

 

Teams that become complacent do not perform well as AP says

 

Mate, you advocated keeping a bloke who took us down. Why not accept you might be wrong and the manager might be right??

 

I'm always happy to admit when I am wrong.

 

Try it some time, it's very cathartic...

[Andy_Porter]

I wouldn't change a thing at the moment.

 

Having options like Mellis, Antonio and Connolly to change a game on the bench is something not many other teams in the league can do.

 

Sticking to 4-5-1 with the chance to bring on those three is probably the way forward, we've been so impressive this month if we can keep this up and keep key players fit we will get promoted. Pretty big if though.

[John B]

Yet you were 2weeks advocating that we should of kept Wotte....who sat there all season watching McGoldrick struggle on his own!

 

Why cant people just get behind a manager who is slowly but surely turning this club back from oblivion to one that can challenge any side we play in this league.

You and the famous gang of 4 are being proved wrong and now have the graciousness to accept we just may have a manager that can change things if its not working out. Thats what good managers do.

 

I am really happy with the manager AP

 

 

My comments regarding Wotte were obviously misunderstood but you.

 

 

This is s forum where I thought we discussed football matters as well as putting forward our opinions.

 

 

I continually look forward as I want the Club to return to success and the Premiership under any manager or owner.

 

 

So last month when we were not doing well I put forward the concern that if Pardew did not perform well that we would be in a bad position as we were stuck with him as it would be stupid to sack him.

 

 

Obviously my concerns have disappeared but after discussing the Bristol Rovers game with someone like me who has been supporting the club for nearly fifty years we thought the position at the bottom of Div 1 to be dire.

 

 

Now I am confidently looking forward to the play offs and a visit to Wembley

 

But please dont get upset if my thoughts do not meet yours lots of them change with circumstances.

 

 

I thought Saga was going to score lots in League 1 I was wrong now I think Connoly will

Edited 25 October, 2009 by John B

[up and away]

There is a lot of debate in football circles that 4-5-1 is not only too a defensive approach but also that teams playing it can get caught out. Pardew has been using it through the run of winning games, but thats no credit to the system as often it has only been when the system has been changed that the result has come. The game against MK Dons was a prime example, where 4-5-1 resulted in Saints being a goal down at half-time, but 4-4-2 brought 3 goals in the second half.

Disapointing then to see Pards still saying the system will continue.

 

The Mk Dons were not getting a look in during the first half and we had more than enough opportunity to score a couple. The second half was far more pleasing on the eye and exciting, but one of the reasons for that excitment was because the MK Dons now had far more opportunities. We clearly have a plan B at the present, but if you start off with it you can hardly revert if things are not working out. You just end up throwing caution to the wind and put yourself in a non percentage position.

 

Are memories so short that we cannot remember why we reverted to this formation? It's not as if it's been so bad for us that we have failed to score or had the opportunity to change effectively to influence the out come? It's beeen working brilliantly along with that ability to change. Start off without it and get into the **** because you are leaving too many holes, where exactly are you going to go now?

 

The big problem we have is the defensive aspect of midfield. Hammond is absolutely brilliant but he cannot do it all on his own and I felt was slightly off by his own high standards yesterday. Put Wooton into your standard 442 and we all know what happens, as it has played out so many times before. Put him in a 451 and he actual looks competent. If you want to play 442, find another Hammond to go alongside him and it would easily work. Try it without and I expect you will get away with it most of the times but nowhere near to giving the results we have been getting against teams at the top of their games!

[Give it to Ron]

I am really happy with the manager AP

 

 

My comments regarding Wotte were obviously misunderstood but you.

 

 

This is s forum where I thought we discussed football matters as well as putting forward our opinions.

 

 

I continually look forward as I want the Club to return to success and the Premiership under any manager or owner.

 

 

So last month when we were not doing well I put forward the concern that if Pardew did not perform well that we would be in a bad position as we were stuck with him as it would be stupid to sack him.

 

 

Obviously my concerns have disappeared but after discussing the Bristol Rovers game with someone like me who has been supporting the club for nearly fifty years we thought the position at the bottom of Div 1 to be dire.

 

 

Now I am confidently looking forward to the play offs and a visit to Wembley

 

But please dont get upset if my comments do not meet yours

 

But the whole issue was you were refusing to see the improvements that were being put in place after just 10 games.

I did not get upset over your comments I just thought they were laughable and unbelievable that you expected AP to turn us around in that few amount of games.

He has addressed every area in the squad that need fixing yet there are still some that question us after 5 straight wins!

A football match chnages all the time based on injuries, positions and tactics so if the oppostion are out gunning us in midfield when we are playing 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 what difference is it if we go 4-5-1 and win?

The manager should get the credit not comments about why we never started that way at the start.

 

Give us a few bad results in the next few months and those idiots will come back and ignore exactly what has been achieved in less than 4 months!

[Thedelldays]

But the whole issue was you were refusing to see the improvements that were being put in place after just 10 games.

I did not get upset over your comments I just thought they were laughable and unbelievable that you expected AP to turn us around in that few amount of games.

He has addressed every area in the squad that need fixing yet there are still some that question us after 5 straight wins!

A football match chnages all the time based on injuries, positions and tactics so if the oppostion are out gunning us in midfield when we are playing 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 what difference is it if we go 4-5-1 and win?

The manager should get the credit not comments about why we never started that way at the start.

 

Give us a few bad results in the next few months and those idiots will come back and ignore exactly what has been achieved in less than 4 months!

 

 

why not..?

 

ince (who some are saying we were lucky not to have him)

also came in late summer, and would STILL be 5 points ahead of us if we did not have the -10.....and they simply can not compete with us in the transfer market..no one in league 1 can....

 

im glad we have turned a corner but a few weeks back we were shipping goals and/or struggling to break teams down

[John B]

But the whole issue was you were refusing to see the improvements that were being put in place after just 10 games.

I did not get upset over your comments I just thought they were laughable and unbelievable that you expected AP to turn us around in that few amount of games.

He has addressed every area in the squad that need fixing yet there are still some that question us after 5 straight wins!

A football match chnages all the time based on injuries, positions and tactics so if the oppostion are out gunning us in midfield when we are playing 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 what difference is it if we go 4-5-1 and win?

The manager should get the credit not comments about why we never started that way at the start.

 

Give us a few bad results in the next few months and those idiots will come back and ignore exactly what has been achieved in less than 4 months!

 

 

That is where we differ I felt that results should have been better as did lots of other people did.

 

What is the point of a forum if people cant put forward their views without people like you saying they are laughable.

 

People are not in general idiots they just have different ideas expectations and priorities to you and comments like yours probably stop some people posting.

 

 

I thought Mr Lowe acted in a similar way to you ignoring other peoples views and thinking they were idiots.

 

 

I do accept that my opinions maybe wrong but it is called free speech to be able to put them forward

[Alanh]

Sure, but it's pedantic of AP to stand there and say it's not 4-5-1 or whatever, when it clearly is. All you have to do it count the players on the pitch.

 

Without getting too sidetracked though, the fact is that the 4-5-1 needs some tinkering if we're going to support the lone front man effectively. Antonio may well do a better job of getting in there and helping him than Waigo.

 

It seems that those on this thread expressing a desire to see 4-4-2 are mainly concerned about the aspect of the strikers role, and their preference for a pair working in tandem. I just want to respond to Joe's point above that over the last 5 - 6 games, where we have got the system working, there have been no occasions where Lambert has been an isolated frontman with no-one picking up his flicks. He is being supported by up to four midfielders any any given point thanks to the holding role that Wotton is playing. Lallana is supporting him by getting onto flicks and playing balls through. Hammond is playing classic box to box midfield so is in the opposition box when we are pressuring. Waigo is knocking in Lambert's rebounds and Schneiderlin is spraying the ball around from deep, resulting in crosses coming for Lambert to attack. With Mellis, Mills and Antonio on the bench we have more of the same to help out as required.

 

If we were playing a flat bank of 5 across the midfield I might share your concerns but at no stage have we done that.

[View From The Top]

There is a lot of debate in football circles that 4-5-1 is not only too a defensive approach but also that teams playing it can get caught out. Pardew has been using it through the run of winning games, but thats no credit to the system as often it has only been when the system has been changed that the result has come. The game against MK Dons was a prime example, where 4-5-1 resulted in Saints being a goal down at half-time, but 4-4-2 brought 3 goals in the second half.

Disapointing then to see Pards still saying the system will continue.

 

You stopped going, did you not, last season due to the dire performances and now you are mithering about our 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 that has seen us win our last 4 league games, scoring 13 and conceding 4?

 

Get. A. Life.

[Thedelldays]

personally..I could not care less what we play and who plays...as long as we win and win regularly..

[View From The Top]

why not..?

 

Because August was in effect our pre-season.

 

Only an idiot believed we would hit the ground running with the players we had back then.

 

Yes it took a few more game than we expected for it to click but the progress has been clear since Swindon.

[Thedelldays]

Because August was in effect our pre-season.

 

Only an idiot believed we would hit the ground running with the players we had back then.

 

Yes it took a few more game than we expected for it to click but the progress has been clear since Swindon.

 

im happy where we are now in footballing terms..but other so called worse managers have hit the ground running with far less at their disposal

[Super_Uwe]

Rather than making too much fuss over the formation, IMHO the key to our success is a settled side.

 

We have got a strong spine to the team now, but more importantly we have shape and a real pattern to our play (not seen for a long time since the Marsden/Bridge and Telfer/Fernandes days). Whether that's playing 4-4-2, 4-5-1 or whatever, it doesn't matter.

 

Look at last year with our "total football" approach - the team was chopped and changed week in, week out over the first half of the season - yet technically we stuck with the same formation. Fat lot of good that was!

 

I am very pleased to hear that AP has a Plan B so to speak; when things aren't working it's important to have options, and mixed with a dash of confidence and belief it is clear that we are moving in the right direction.

[saintbletch]

why not..?

 

ince (who some are saying we were lucky not to have him)

also came in late summer, and would STILL be 5 points ahead of us if we did not have the -10.....and they simply can not compete with us in the transfer market..no one in league 1 can....

 

im glad we have turned a corner but a few weeks back we were shipping goals and/or struggling to break teams down

 

Ince returned to a club a under a year (I think) after he left it.

 

Roberto DiMatteo had MK Dons playing well before handing the reigns back to Ince. They finished 3rd last year.

 

I understand the point you're making but comparing Ince's walking back into a club he knew well and who were on the up, with Pardew assuming control of a team in meltdown, on -10 and with drastic surgery needed to the playing side; is way off the mark.

[JustinR]

I think the formation issue is a complete sideshow.

 

60% + of football is about confidence and a winning mentality- truely believing you are the best. Each game won is ratcheting up the confidence and winning mentality.

[Thedelldays]

Ince returned to a club a under a year (I think) after he left it.

 

Roberto DiMatteo had MK Dons playing well before handing the reigns back to Ince. They finished 3rd last year.

 

I understand the point you're making but comparing Ince's walking back into a club he knew well and who were on the up, with Pardew assuming control of a team in meltdown, on -10 and with drastic surgery needed to the playing side; is way off the mark.

lambert at norwich

boothroyd at colchester

 

both spring to mind

[Saint_clark]

lambert at norwich

boothroyd at colchester

 

both spring to mind

 

Both had good squads at their disposal.

To disregard the complete farce that was our club last season is just silly. We've had to completely rebuild the whole thing.

[Thedelldays]

Both had good squads at their disposal.

To disregard the complete farce that was our club last season is just silly. We've had to completely rebuild the whole thing.

norwich got relegated also and I would suggest colchester lost key players like hammond

 

anyway, matters not, we are the best team in this league and just surviving is laughable

[St Marco]

Not sure how you can complain about a system that has meant we have beaten 5 teams in a row?

Sure if it was not working then you could say lets try something different.

 

I think if something works then keep to it. If it doesn't then change things about.

 

The two systems as Pardew mentions are pretty much the same in what they are asking people to do. But what is important is not actually the formation itself but the fact people playing in that system have gained confidence. They are comfortable on the ball. Plus it means they can hurry the opposition into making mistakes and losing possesion which we have seen in the games this year.

In my view the formation has helped us more then hinderd us.

[Evil Monkey]

I cant believe Pards is sticking with a formation that has produced 5 straight wins. The man is clueless.

 

Pardew out.

[Saint_clark]

norwich got relegated also and I would suggest colchester lost key players like hammond

 

anyway, matters not, we are the best team in this league and just surviving is laughable

 

But Norwich had their squad in place as the season began. We started rebuilding as the season began.

Agreed about the last bit though. I'm not expecting/demanding promotion though.

[St Marco]

But Norwich had their squad in place as the season began. We started rebuilding as the season began.

Agreed about the last bit though. I'm not expecting/demanding promotion though.

 

Plus also Norwich have lost more games then us and if we did not have the -10 would be a massive gigantic out of control 1 point ahead of us......

 

So whoever mentioned the Norwich comparison i guess had a bit too much to drink last night!

[John B]

Plus also Norwich have lost more games then us and if we did not have the -10 would be a massive gigantic out of control 1 point ahead of us......

 

So whoever mentioned the Norwich comparison i guess had a bit too much to drink last night!

 

I think we were discussing the situation a few weeks ago

[shurlock]

As others say, its simplistic to call our formation 4-5-1. Quite apart from the fact that we've been playing a 4-3-3/4-1-2-2-1, the players matter most. For instance, supposed 4-5-1 with Wotton, Hammond and Schneiderlin in the middle is a fundamentally different proposition from a 4-5-1 with Mellis, Hammond and Schneiderlin there.

 

The key decision yesterday was subbing Wotton once it was known that MK dons were happy to spoil the game. Yes we went 4-4-2 after Connolly came on but again the formation is less important than the players in the formation. Notably AP could have easily taken off Schneiderlin instead of Wotton in the belief that we needed a bit more steel to compensate for the second striker. But he stuck with players who were more capable of attacking and reaped the rewards.

 

I have no complaints that AP went with the same team that beat Oldham - of course, Oldham was an away game but its not as if we didn't create chances or score goals. Mostly credit to AP that he changed things after just 50 mins - he could have quite easily waited another 15 mins before taking action.

[View From The Top]

To disregard the complete farce that was our club last season is just silly. We've had to completely rebuild the whole thing.

 

Something that seems to have passed him by.