Four at the Back

Four at the back is getting a bit of a resurgence throughout the EFL it seems ?

 

Playing four at the back against 10 men is one thing, but playing that against Plymouth and Bolton would be suicidal. Our midfield would be completely overrun. Just my opinion.

 

Very dangerous to suddenly go four at the back at such a late part of the season. A draw on Tuesday wouldn’t be too bad a result and it’s no time to experiment.

 

We only went to a back four so we could have more attacking players on the pitch

 

I watched the two play off games last season involving Neufville and Wimbledon where he played left wingback scored a great goal and was there best player. We could bring Ashby on the right and Touray left centre back

 

Alexander isn't going to abandon one of his primary strategies which is 3 centre backs and wing backs, that's not how football works. It's got him a promotion and a potential playoff spot in two seasons.

 

I can understand the thinking but it would send out a message that I don't think would go down well with players or fans, if we do it and lose then no matter what happens in the game the blame will be put on the formation change.

It's a great option to have if we are chasing the game like we were yesterday and against Orient at home. If we were going to change formation they I would change to a 352 or 3412 depending on how you you wanted to set up the midfield 3 with Power sitting with Metcalfe and Sarcevic as 8s or Power alongside Metcalfe with Sarcevic as a 10.

 

I'd be surprised if we see it again, but you never know.

 

So just 2 out of the 4 defenders playing out of position then?

I'm surprised more managers don't adopt this mentality.

 

Whatever we do next 2 games we need to come up with a way of dealing with Cissoko. I know in the league match he didn't create a goal but he will if he continues to waltz past our right sided FB / CB as though he isn't there. Maybe Neufville needs to take a more defensive role

 

Perhaps just don't pay Baldwin at right back. That would certainly help.

 

It's not often I agree with what you say about Baldwin. Serious question though, what do you think the answer is? I'd like to think we just play our game, but I don't think we can allow him the relative freedom down that side.

 

Play Lapslie on that side with Neufville, double up on him. Playing 4 at the back with Baldwin at RB was a terrible idea and left him constantly isolated. It's no wonder a lot of Bolton fans were saying it was his best game for them, I'd have looked good with all that space.

 

We'll play a five so it'll be Neufville and probably Wright up against him. I think we just play our own game and try and manage the moments when he'll inevitably get free.

I do think we're going massively over the top based on one decent game against us though. He's only started 11 games this year, been subbed on in 16 and not even got off the bench in 7 games. None of those stats scream consistency and I think it's Cozier Duberry that will prove to be the bigger danger.

 

We've had unparalleled success since going 3-4-2-1 and that is what we stick with.

 

It's a shame loans don't end after game 46.
Bolton would lose all their attacking players.