4-5-1 v brizzle??

[Uh_huh_him]

Works well with Kayal. Cardiff defeat wasn't about formation, it was about who was playing in that formation, and who was missing.

On an aside, I am suprised by how much Crofts is a shell of his former self. He's had a lot of minutes oif late and he is nothing like the player that we had before, and that Norwich had. Shame.

Crofts looked really good against Brentford, but agree he wasn't in the game at all on Saturday.
Measuring him against what we have come to expect from the King, makes him seem weaker than he really is IMHO.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

And it's a no from me on 4-5-1.

Settling for a point away from home, against any but direct challengers for promotion/playoffs, is no longer of any value.
3 points or nothing from these sorts of games from now on.

 

[RohanInceEnthusiast]

Can't imagine he will. Worked well at Hull but fell apart at Cardiff. No coincidence that once CH changed it to a 4-4-2 at HT the performance was somewhat better.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I personally think Skalak will play behind Hemed, with Murphy and Knockaert on the wings. Stephens and Kayal in midfield

 

[bhawoddy]

Would rather have Zamora than Hemel. Having said that, I'd rather have Wilson in front of them both, but Not sure of his availability.

 

[lizard]

If we play 451, Bristol City will stuff us.

 

[London Irish]

Works well with Kayal. Cardiff defeat wasn't about formation, it was about who was playing in that formation, and who was missing.

On an aside, I am suprised by how much Crofts is a shell of his former self. He's had a lot of minutes oif late and he is nothing like the player that we had before, and that Norwich had. Shame.

Yes it was about formation - picking three in midfield and one up front is sending a message to the players to contain rather than attack.

You know what? That worked really well in Gus's day because we had players who were drilled not to lose possession and terrific defenders who would save the day if they ever did.

We dont have that now - the strengths of Hughton's team is attacking - the keystone kops defending against Bolton and Cardiff show we have defensive weaknesses.

So play to the team's strengths - 4--4--2 and look to score early. That way our dodgy defence will be protected with the opposition on their heels.

Take a look at the opening period of the Cardiff game. Hughton's plan worked perfectly, we dominated possession - we passed it around calmly without barely making an attempt to attack their box. Then we got the comeuppance for those negative tactics.

I dont think Hughton will make the same mistake again - not at least until our defence shows an extended period of solidity (and who knows Bong and an in form Greer may provide that)

 

[Lifelong Supporter]

It is mainly the players and how they play not the formation. Cardiff scored 4 against us playing 1 up front. They scored by having support from midfield running at our defenders. That can work !!!