3 at the back

[AlexLaw76]

What is it and this horrific formation that makes saints managers play it

disgusting 

[tdmickey3]

Agreed 

[Osvaldorama]

Absolutely fuckin atrocious. 
 

Literally exposes our weaknesses and doesn’t do anything to play to our strengths (not that we have many) 

Dont get it at all, especially at home. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Three CBs or five at the back supposedly closes up shop if you’re defending, but you need to have defenders that are good enough, that we don’t.

There is no benefit in playing a back five, you lose an attacking option. 

Sitting in the Chapel end today, the amount of times Fraser or Manning had the ball and there wasn’t a single player to play a through pass to. Armstrong made runs but that’s all he could do.

Downes and Charles are basically the same player, both were playing no further than maybe five yards ahead of the CBs. Throw Matty Fernandes who dropped very deep pretty much most of today and we effectively had three CDMs and three CBs, Armstrong on his own against two 6”4” centre halves and Fraser and Manning out wide with seemingly no one to pass to.

If these amazing tactics are to whip it into the keeper and play a diagonal ball for ninety minutes it’s going to be a long season.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

What is it and this horrific formation that makes saints managers play it

disgusting 

Ditch it now and stop the fucking excuses about it being the only system we can utilise with the players we have because that is just a cop out.

[Fabrice29]

The idea that suddenly become more creative and efficient just through a change of formation is silly fwiw. Started with 1 player with more than 7 goals in a league season to their name I think so okay, you stick another striker on and make that 2, that's still not enough.

[derry]

Playing three at the back with the players we have is a nonsense. Their slow passing sucks the life out of the team. Sideways sideways sideways diagonal to full back back to centre back into midfield lose the ball to the press. When we conceded the first goal we were caught on the break FFS with three centre backs all lacking pace. The second goal needed Stephens to be hard headed and take a last man red. Play a proper back four and counter the break. We don't need two holding midfielders and one striker or no wingers. The side lacks balance. Get back to basics 5 defensive, 5 attackers, 4 1 3 2, 4 3 3, 4 4 2, I don't care. certainly not 5 3 1 1 it's garbage and slow. Speed everything up there is no tempo or cutting edge especially with the ball continually being crossed hail mary style no wonder we lost.

[Osvaldorama]

1 minute ago, Fabrice29 said:

The idea that suddenly become more creative and efficient just through a change of formation is silly fwiw. Started with 1 player with more than 7 goals in a league season to their name I think so okay, you stick another striker on and make that 2, that's still not enough.

Of course you can. Get an extra man in the middle instead of 3 shite centre backs and we would have a chance of controlling a game instead of being passengers. 
 

This formation, with these players is absolutely idiotic. 
 

Woll Still is making the exact same mistakes that the last few managers have made.
 

95% of the fan base can see the same issues, yet the club can’t. 

[Fabrice29]

4 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Of course you can. Get an extra man in the middle instead of 3 shite centre backs and we would have a chance of controlling a game instead of being passengers. 
 

This formation, with these players is absolutely idiotic. 
 

Woll Still is making the exact same mistakes that the last few managers have made.
 

95% of the fan base can see the same issues, yet the club can’t. 

The only midfielders in our squad with goals to their name are presumably very high on supporters wish lists to leave (Aribo and Smallbone). So just sticking another man in the middle when they aren't very productive isn't the answer. Get a midfielder who actually gets into the box and is comfortable doing it would be a really good start and moving Fernandes back to a controlling midfield role would also really help.

Edited 5 hours ago by Fabrice29

[Fabrice29]

It's not about formations for me. It's about player characteristics. Neither Fernandes, Downes or Charles have shown in their career they are midfielders who are suited to being in the box so asking Fernandes specifically to play off the striker doesn't suit his best attributes. If you want all 3 to play then yes you'll have to change the formation and bring a defender out but just doing that when there's no conceivable player in the squad that is going to score goals from midfield seems silly.

[bugenhagen]

3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

It's not about formations for me. It's about player characteristics. Neither Fernandes, Downes or Charles have shown in their career they are midfielders who are suited to being in the box so asking Fernandes specifically to play off the striker doesn't suit his best attributes. If you want all 3 to play then yes you'll have to change the formation and bring a defender out but just doing that when there's no conceivable player in the squad that is going to score goals from midfield seems silly.

I agree with the start of your post if we are discussing the difference between a 4321, 433, 4231 or a 4222.

A back five vs a back four changes so much more in my opinion. But I strongly dislike a back five, so I can never be rational. I even hated it when Koeman had a bit of a struggle, and changed to a back five for run of games to get our mojo back.

[derry]

In three league matches 5 goals 4 scored by defenders. One solitary goal from Robinson. Nothing from anyone else.  It is a given that Armstrong can't play up front on his own. Downs and Stewart are a long way from being an answer. BBD has never been tried there. Archer looks lost. Bring in a dynamic big centre forward to lead the line. Unload a couple of the above. I'm not sure Azaz will come now, we really do look poor playing this way.

[Osvaldorama]

You have a valid point that the squad is shit and makes no sense. We have a load of nothing midfielders, with no stand out characteristics

 

But that doesn’t mean we need 5 at the back against Stoke at home, sorry. Stupid 

[SouSaint]

Crap formation. 

[ErwinK1961]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

What is it and this horrific formation that makes saints managers play it

disgusting 

You literally said we should play with a 5 atb at the start of the season, because of the current squad makeup.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, ErwinK1961 said:

You literally said we should play with a 5 atb at the start of the season, because of the current squad makeup.

I said we should? Or said it could work? After Wrexham first half, it was clear it is atrocious for us (still) 

[ErwinK1961]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

I said we should? Or said it could work? After Wrexham first half, it was clear it is atrocious for us (still) 

Can’t remember, but the revisionism from you is strong.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, ErwinK1961 said:

Can’t remember, but the revisionism from you is strong.

I have been against the formation for ages. Yes, the line up against Wrexham looked good. 45 mins in, clear to see it was crap 

do you not agree?

[ErwinK1961]

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I have been against the formation for ages. Yes, the line up against Wrexham looked good. 45 mins in, clear to see it was crap 

do you not agree?

I said to you at the time I think 5 atb is rubbish, I was surprised you were for it going into Wrexham. 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, ErwinK1961 said:

I said to you at the time I think 5 atb is rubbish, I was surprised you were for it going into Wrexham. 

Yes, I was wrong for about 1 half of football 

[Wiggles31]

We’ll see the end of 3 at the back at the end of the window. 
 

It’s pathetic that the transfer window remains open for a whole month of the season. 

[Convict Colony]

We need 10 at the back, 3 is costing us goals.

[sfc4prem]

I mean, I think 4 or 5 at the back, with our squad as it is, changes nothing. Our players are still weak-willed and just a bit airy-fairy.

This is the team that collected 12 points last season.

Despite a few additions, we are still presented with most of the dross that was served up on the teamsheet reveals last season.

Guts and guile are lacking. So is tenacity and speed (both literally and of thought).

We need some additions to stand a chance of automatic promotion.

[Whitey Grandad]

Playing 3 centre backs leaves us a man short in midfield.  Other only test, it doesn't make our defence any stronger. They just get in each other's way. 

I'm with Mikee Bassett on this. Four four f***ing two.

Edited 1 hour ago by Whitey Grandad