The cry for 4-4-2


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We’ve done it several times this season (not often from the start of the game tbf) and it’s made bot all difference. The issue is the mentality rather than the formation. The switch from taking the game to the opposition (quick short passing, high press) to whatever the fuck we’ve been doing since Barnsley (sitting in and long ball from the backs).
 
Agree with this also.
McGeady is the prime example, he’s clearly head and shoulders above 99% of this league. But he’s receiving the ball too deep and slows up any counter attack when he does.

We need to be playing higher up the pitch.
It doesn't help that McGeady's first move on receiving the ball is to check a little backwards and then inside. This was very noticeable against Wimbledon, and it takes the momentum out of the attack, irrespective of where he gets the ball.
 
With the greatest of respect whenever we start to struggle Sunderland fans shout for 4-4-2. Every single time.

I understand the relative success we had was with that formation but it is OUTDATED.

Very few teams play it, Atletico Madrid and Burnley come to mind. We don’t have the players, McGeady can’t play in a 4-4-2 and you need two box to box midfielders.


It’s NOT the answer.
Agreed. There was nothing wrong with 4-2-3-1 the first half of the season. It's about not being adventurous enough with the same system at the moment. 4-4-2 won't automatically change that.
 
With the greatest of respect whenever we start to struggle Sunderland fans shout for 4-4-2. Every single time.

I understand the relative success we had was with that formation but it is OUTDATED.

Very few teams play it, Atletico Madrid and Burnley come to mind. We don’t have the players, McGeady can’t play in a 4-4-2 and you need two box to box midfielders.


It’s NOT the answer.

Quite the opposite we dont have the players to play the system ross is intent on playing. This system relies on support from wingbacks/midfield, something we simply dont have the personal for or they cant be bothered. Plus being able to pass a ball 2 yards helps. This outdated 442 bollocks makes me laugh everytime i hear it.
 
They had Kante who does the work of about 26 midfielders

We cant even control a game with 3 in the middle
May aswell just keep doing what we're doing now then. No point in changing a failing system.

Even if it's not 4-4-2 somehow we need to get 2 up front. 3-5-2 could be the answer. There is absolutely no need for 2 holding midfielders in this league. It's inviting trouble. Most of the teams knock it long or play direct to the front TWO and bypass the midfield anyway.
 
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Have not seen many calls for it. However, I have seen calls to scrap a negative approach to games with 2 holding, defensive midfielders. Get a 10 closer to our striker is a main priority too.
Wouldn't disagree with that, but the minute we get overrun in midfield by a team playing 3 in the middle this place will go back into meltdown
The simple fact of the matter is that tactics and formation are only as good as the players playing - there are too many players underperforming at the moment and that is why we have had a dip in form
 
Agree with this also.
McGeady is the prime example, he’s clearly head and shoulders above 99% of this league. But he’s receiving the ball too deep and slows up any counter attack when he does.

We need to be playing higher up the pitch.

Yep McGeady should be torturing defences every match, he needs the freedom to do that and would be much better with Oviedo playing week in week out, he is our major asset why don't we use him like that
 
With the greatest of respect whenever we start to struggle Sunderland fans shout for 4-4-2. Every single time.

I understand the relative success we had was with that formation but it is OUTDATED.

Very few teams play it, Atletico Madrid and Burnley come to mind. We don’t have the players, McGeady can’t play in a 4-4-2 and you need two box to box midfielders.


It’s NOT the answer.
We need to press higher up the pitch, with an attacking midfielder..
 
Don't really think the formation is the major problem, it's just our mindset and lack of drive. As I said over the weekend, I get the feeling it's more about the fear of losing. I reckon if we just get after teams and put the graft in we will be fine.
Not sure if it's manager, players or both but we seem to have ended up with the same fear of the last few years creeping back in, just go out and fuck them up lads.
 
Don't really think the formation is the major problem, it's just our mindset and lack of drive. As I said over the weekend, I get the feeling it's more about the fear of losing. I reckon if we just get after teams and put the graft in we will be fine.
Not sure if it's manager, players or both but we seem to have ended up with the same fear of the last few years creeping back in, just go out and fuck them up lads.
Fans fault. Notice power has been in the papers commenting on the edginess of the supporters.
 
We need to keep the ball on the floor, pass it quickly to feet, and have runners supporting Grigg.

Having Wyke on the pitch makes us play badly IMHO. He tempts us to hoof it more and to put high crosses into the box from wide, which doesn't help our very small team at all.

Have to play only one of Leadbitter, McGeoch and Catts then two central midfield runners (09, Honeyman or even Gooch).

Then Morgan for pace and directness and McGeady for quality.

I'm just not sure where Maguire, Watmore or Power fit into this at all. If we need more pace we have Kimpioka, Watmore and the new lad.

And Attack! Attack! Attack!
 
It doesn't help that McGeady's first move on receiving the ball is to check a little backwards and then inside. This was very noticeable against Wimbledon, and it takes the momentum out of the attack, irrespective of where he gets the ball.
I don't get the McGeady bashing (not saying you are doing this in your post) as he is our most creative player by miles and his record of 8 goals in 21 games this season is excellent for a winger. 15 in 50 games for us isn't too shabby either
 
We need to be higher up the pitch, and attacking faster. We did it earlier in the season, now we need to find the players and the formation to do it again.

2 shots on target all game, and your keeper MOTM (yet again) shows changes need to be made.
 
I don't get the McGeady bashing (not saying you are doing this in your post) as he is our most creative player by miles and his record of 8 goals in 21 games this season is excellent for a winger. 15 in 50 games for us isn't too shabby either
He’s one of the first names on the team sheet but just an incredibly frustrating player to watch. Can do nothing for 85 mins but win you the game with the other 5.

He played awfully against Wimbledon (gave the ball away in bad areas regularly, failed to put in a decent cross, ignored the overlap and ran into bother) but scored the goal that won it for us.
 
3-5-2 for me with O'Nein and Oviedo the wing backs. Leadbitter, McG, and McG central with Grigg and Watmore up front.
If he has to play Power he can stick him at the back with any 2 from 3 from the normal centre backs
 
He’s one of the first names on the team sheet but just an incredibly frustrating player to watch. Can do nothing for 85 mins but win you the game with the other 5.

He played awfully against Wimbledon (gave the ball away in bad areas regularly, failed to put in a decent cross, ignored the overlap and ran into bother) but scored the goal that won it for us.
Which sums him up perfectly - I think you are being a bit harsh on the 85/5 rule but you have to take the rough with the smooth with McGeady - he gets so much of the ball (because every player defers to him when in posession) that he is going to lose the ball more often than others. I don't think he was awful against Wimbledon as he beat his man time and time again, but often had nothing in the box to aim for.
 
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