Tactical acumen

[Neil Young]

I agree about the 442/451 issue and have posted much the same on some thread or other, although since then others have made good points about whether there was a need to change the system after Mascherano went on strike. I also agree it's too early to make any proper judgement.

My concerns are about how Cole and, especially, Gerrard have been employed so far and Hodgson's failure to make any adjustments against Man City. His seeming love for 4-4-2 is also a bit worrying but maybe he'll be more adaptable than he was at Fulham now he's got some (supposedly) better players who are used to other systems.

But, to reiterate, it's only a concern, a niggling doubt and I hope time will prove it to be unfounded.

[Fredo]

Sorry for being late replying to this and to the people who haven't understood the condense of my post.

I think that of all the top managers, there are hints that we may have the least tactically astute of them all. As I've said, it is just an observation based on the 3 or 4 games we've played under Roy. The thing that stroke me at first was our inability to hold possession of the ball for long periods. I think it's directly related to adopting a more 'passive' attitude compared to what we've been used to under Benitez.

But yes, as others have pointed out, Roy has loads of experience, but this has never been tested at the top level. Managing a club like ours brings a totally different experience. The pressure and the fact he is going to be scrutinised for his every decision could impair his decision making.

It's all ifs and buts and my post is largely based on my assumptions at this stage, which is very early days.

[Neil Young]

One other thing has been bothering me: why was Cole designated to take penalties? Did I hear him say he hadn't taken a penalty since he was 13? And he is quoted today as saying he isn't "a penalty taker.

[Fredo]

Yes, that's something else I have noticed. I never saw him ever being a regular penalty taker at Chelsea (or West Ham). Some of what I have seen reminds me of the naivety we had under Roy Evans. I don't mean this to be disrespectful to either manager, just an observation.

[red g]

One other thing has been bothering me: why was Cole designated to take penalties? Did I hear him say he hadn't taken a penalty since he was 13? And he is quoted today as saying he isn't "a penalty taker.

was he designated though? or was it just something they decided on the night, on the pitch as such?

[Fredo]

In any case, you don't treat something like taking a penalty in a European tie as lightly as this.

[Shaggy]

Apparently it was agreed beforehand that in the absence of Stevie, Cole would take pens. Crazy really, although we weren't bursting with candidates.

[red g]

Apparently it was agreed beforehand that in the absence of Stevie, Cole would take pens. Crazy really, although we weren't bursting with candidates.

i would have gone with Agger or Johnson to be fair.

[Reece]

You'd like to think that your star striker could take a penalty really.

[Shaggy]

i would have gone with Agger or Johnson to be fair.

Would've gone for Aurelio myself.

You'd like to think that your star striker could take a penalty really.

Yeah, surely he can stick one into the side netting. He's such a great finisher. His penalty record is **** though, I remember seeing him miss a few for Spain/Atletico.

[BrianF80]

Would've gone for Aurelio myself.



Yeah, surely he can stick one into the side netting. He's such a great finisher. His penalty record is **** though, I remember seeing him miss a few for Spain/Atletico.

I'm sure I remember reading that they took penalty duties away from him. Hard to believe really.

[JohnDoe]

Shanks was right at the time (I imagine, I wasn't born )...but football has changed/evolved an awful lot since then. So although it essentially remains a simple game, it is a hell of a lot more nuanced than it once was.

Football is still a simple game, with the same principles. What's evolved are the levels of preparation and fitness. Tactics will forever be a changing cycle of counters, but the purpose of tactics is to fit your players into a system which will help them play to their strength. Its effect on the game is overrated, as ability and mentality is far more important than tactics in order to win.

Ferguson is hardly a tactically astute manager, but he's really good at getting the most out of his players and he instills the right mentality for a winning side.

[Exiled_red]

Apparently it was agreed beforehand that in the absence of Stevie, Cole would take pens. Crazy really, although we weren't bursting with candidates.

So he's our second choice penalty taker now then, but he doesn't consider himself a penalty taker

[Fredo]

I feel (despite the statistics which seemed to say the contrary) that we've had less ball possession than West Brom on Saturday. If true, I do feel that Hodgson has started changing the way we play a bit. Then, there's another quote in the media today, which says that he's looking for a forward to play alongside Torres.

So, 4-4-2 it will be then?

[BobTheCharmer]

I feel (despite the statistics which seemed to say the contrary) that we've had less ball possession than West Brom on Saturday. If true, I do feel that Hodgson has started changing the way we play a bit. Then, there's another quote in the media today, which says that he's looking for a forward to play alongside Torres.

So, 4-4-2 it will be then?

Perhaps it'll be 442, other times 451 or 433. It's about having options. Utd are playing 442 at present and they're doing alright. Our problem is not having any naturally talented wide men.

Anyway nige, why the downer on hodgson, cut you up on the m62, run over your cat or shagged your missus? Every post seems an attack on him.