Let's talk Tactics

[yappy]

Now the transfer window is closed, and we know (barring any late deals emerging overnight) the ins and outs, thought it'd be interesting to discuss who people regard as our strongest 11 and what formation suits best.

Alot has been said about going 4-4-2, which I'd imagine would look something a little like this:

--------------Federici--------------
Griffin-- -Mills--- Zurab--- Harte
McAnuff-- Tabb-- Howard-- Kebe
----------Church---Long-----------

Alternatively, we could stick to a familiar formation, and go for a more classic looking 4-5-1, with the attacking midfielder being replaced by a holding midfielder, giving the central midfielders more freedom to get forward:

------------Federici------------
Griffin--Mills-- Zurab-- Harte
----------Gunnarsson----------
------Tabb -------Howard-----
McAnuff------------------Kebe
-------------Long---------------

Personally I do feel 4-4-2 would be the best option for us at the current time, what does everybody else think?

[Arch]

Hoof it up to Long

[rotherwick_royal]

A Coppellesque return to 4-4-2 and getting the ball down the wings methinks. Lets face it we've got two good wingers, and we're now looking weak in the middle of the park for creativity.

Now all we need is a target man

[Terminal Boardom]

Aren't tactics some kind of mint?

[PEARCEY]

Now that Siggy is gone our main source of goals has disappeared. I reckon its now more likely we will play two up-front.

[Hatty9]

if we want to stick with the same formation what about.

Federeci
Griffin Mills Zurab Harte
Karacan Tabb
Kebe Howard Mcanuff
Long

Alot of pressure on Howard to take on Siggi role but he needs to deliver or go in my opinion that was what he was brought for as a creative player.

[loyalroyal4life]

If you are basing your tactics around strongest 11 then n.hunt would walk into that category


Fed
Griffin Mills KIsh Harte
Gunnar
Kebe Howard Tabb Mcanuff
N.Hunt

[LoyalRoyal22]

Hoof it up to Long

For a change?

[Row Z Royal]

Hoof it up to Long

For a change?

FFS

[prostak]

A suspicion of the classic 'English' 4-4-2 is written into my blood, and its weaknesses against the current fashion for 4-2-3-1 render it entirely inappropriate against any opposition playing that way. However, the sales of Matějovský and now Sigurðsson leave us without anyone who can play as the '10' in this newer formation, so your second option looks the better bet to me. In tougher games, I'd stick Tabb or Karacan alongside Gunnarsson as a box-to-box player, to hassle attacks before they reach the back 5.
The main problem we have with any permutation of 4-5-1 is that neither winger is much of a goalscorer, and none of our strikers have good enough control to hold the ball and play these two on for attacks. Add to that the lack of creativity in this side and it starts to resemble a Meggo-era Bolton, complete with left-sided dead ball specialist...

[Son of Len]

4-4-2 does seem to be the obvious choice now with our wingers. If we stick with the current formation, I wonder if Davies will be given a shot at the attacking role. Or perhaps Antonio.

Tabb is out for the foreseeable future, so you have to keep two of Gunnar, Karacan and Howard in the middle.

[The Surgeon of Crowthorne]

Rodgers tried using Howard as a more advanced midfielder on occasions last season & he did not look suited to the role at all (& is probably the origin of a lot of the bad perceptions of him). So, a return to a straightforward 442 looks most likely.

[BonBoh]

------------Federici------------
Griffin--Mills-- Zurab-- Harte
------Tabb-------Howard-----
McAnuff------------------Kebe
------------Taylor----------
------Long/Hunt/Church------

Depending on current injuries/form:
------------Federici------------
Zurab--Mills-- Pearce-- Harte
------Karacan-----Howard-----
Kebe------------------McAnuff
----------Robson-Kanu----------
------Long/Hunt/Church------

[shaka's shorts]

or loan an attacking midfielder / in the hole e.g. Simon Cox or Jay Spearing, Jake Taylor????

[Scarface]

Interesting one. McDermott clearly fancied 4-5-1, but without anyone capable playing off the striker, I also think he'll go 4-4-2 and pair up Hunt with one of Long and Church.

The other option would be play HRK or Antonio behind the striker and stick to 4-5-1, which isn't very appealing.

[URZZZZZZZZ]

Howards performances this season have been good, so whether he takes sigs position as attacking miDfielder or as our most prominent centre mid, I think he can step up! I also think that being the focal point of the team will suit his personality! Come on Brian do us proud!!

[Royal With Cheese]

Just score more goals than you let in.

The only thing you need to tell the team.

[AlexY25]

or loan an attacking midfielder / in the hole e.g. Simon Cox or Jay Spearing, Jake Taylor????

Step up Scott Davies.

[Millsy]

(Bear in mind I am in sour grapes mode but...)

I was sick and tired of the 4-5-1/4-4-1-1/4-3-3/whatever bollox we called it with just one toothless striker rubbish.

Worked during BM's honeymoon period for half a season but VERY easily found out alas- just cut out the wingers - as this season has shown us.

Part of me is delighted that we're not building an odd-shape around an attacking midfield player and we'll be more likely to playing two strikers when we need to.

4-4-2 all the way for me.

Let's just hope they're announcing a decent striker tomorrow!

[Snowball]

Not hard to imagine 4-4-2


Feds

Harte - Mills - Kish - Griff

Kebe - 2 from 4 - McAnuff (although Pearce at CB with Kish defensive MF might be interesting)

2 from Hunt/Long/Church


Where's Jake Taylor's best position? Could he take the Gylfi position?