Away v Grimsby Town

Unless we get new players in this week I'd play

O Donnell

Mellor
Paudie (If fit)
BRE
Longridge

Scannell
Palmer
AOC
Ismael (If fit)

Vaughan
Donaldson

Yes i know GB will play 433 but I think the above and away from home will give us a bit more of the ball in the middle without over complicating it like yesterday.

 

I’d be quite happy with that, but would probably replace Ishmael with Woods and keep it tight down one side with us being away

 

I think keep it solid again with the same formation but with a bit more familiarity between the players and perhaps less pressure than yesterday we can come away with a 1-0.
For me it's really important to keep the defence confident in these early weeks so keeping the same shape will do that

 

You must be the only other person than Doyle that would want us to try that formation again

 

If it gives us another clean sheet and a base to go on and win, who cares??
The time for tweeking is when confidence is flowing

 

But a 4-3-3 and playing Doyle in an alien role is no guarantee that we will get another clean sheet. Creating very few chances isn’t going to increase confidence, especially for the likes of Donaldson, Vaughan and Scannell..!

 

That formation and personnel on Saturday gave no one any confidence. The clean sheet bothers me less than the fact of us actually winning and that means playing a different way than we did on Saturday.

 

If we win Saturday what then? Champions by Xmas again?

 

This is what worries me about Bowyer. I wouldn't for a minute suggest that we think about replacing him but when the team news came through in the pub before the game you could see and hear a lot of bemusement. Everyone was filled with optimism, however, so we were all happy to see how it went. It was pretty clear from very early on though that it wasn't going to work and as the second half went on the shouts for change began. But Bowyer did nothing until forced to by Anderson's injury. Why didn't he see what loads of the crowd could, even before the match started?
I go to football to be excited. I want to see chances and goalmouth action but that was virtually non-existent on Saturday. In fact I haven't been excited by a City performance since Wigan away 19 months ago. (No I didn't go to Rochdale). If Bowyer sticks with this system I fear we might be in for a dull season, irrespective of results. We'll see.

 

I think Bowyer used 4-3-3 because of how weak our midfield is tbh. People bemoaning that formation, but when Anderson went off we looked worse and barely got a foot on the ball. No excuse to play Doyle though, we could have played Devine and put Palmer in the Doyle role or even just play Scannell in that role, he couldn’t have been any worse!

If we can strengthen the midfield then I can see us playing 4-4-2 until then I think we’ll keep the same shape but probably(hopefully) drop Doyle.

In football it’s not about systems it’s about having the players to play the systems. Saying just play 4-4-2 and our problems will be solved is a lazy comment. We are a quality CM and winger away from having a chance to make it work.

 

You’re not allowed to say that about Anderson. He’s the new hated man

 

It was difficult to understand how one of the best wingers in this league wasn’t included . I also wAs disappointed Henley got the nod in front of Longridge.
The trouble was we played far to deep Palmer started deep and ended up picking up the ball just outside his own area.
We need a slightly more direct style that 442 brings whether it’s going out of fashion or not

 

He was nothing special and we need an upgrade, but he was nowhere near as bad as some made out. Our performance before and after he went off was telling. He made some good tackles first half his play going forward let him down though.

 

Would prefer a slight tweak of this formation if I’m honest. 4-5-1 and get scannel on the right with Donaldson playing a bit of a false left wing so he can support Vaughan.

Doyle then to come off of bench if Vaughan isn’t firing and will kick him into action hopefully.

Akpan (or new midfielder) sitting with Gibson and Palmer in front with a bit more freedom to roam

 

That is a good option but I think In Scannell Vaughan Donaldson and a decent left winger we have a forward line to risk being a bit light further back especially at home

 

Akpan would have to be one who stays back and looks to pick up the ball. If we have as much of it as we did at weekend we can maintain that formation

 

Fans talk about square pegs in round holes (Doyle) yet are wanting AOC to start in midfield!!

 

I agree with nearly all of that. The only doubt I have is whether Bowyer changed anything as a result of Anderson’s injury. From my recollection, he brought Devine on and kept things exactly as before. It wasn’t until the final 10+ mins that he actually changed us, when bringing on Scannell for Doyle and going 4-4-2

 

Don’t agree with this at all. Fact is, even before Bowyer started his recruitment, folk were telling us his preferred formation is 4-3-3. He played it at Blackburn and at Blackpool, so it was almost inevitable he would play it again. I’m sure it’s more about his idea of how he wants us to play that has dictated his transfer policy and not the other way around.

 

It changed because Devine played further forward more attacking than Anderson