BFTMFG - Sunderland (H)

[facaldaqui]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

This is where McDermott has got a problem. He's leaving Le Fondre out of the starting line-up, despite Le Fondre doing everything that's asked of him and more. Brian has been placating him by giving him 30 minutes at the end of the game to do something, but that can't go on forever. ALF will want to be starting games and the only reason we can give him is "It's not your fault, our midfield isn't strong enough to compliment you from the start."

Brian's man management skills will be tested to the limit on this one. FWIW though, I think if he'd left the Pog on, we'd have been more solid, but he worked so hard for 60 odd minutes, I'm not surprised he was tired. Pog was brilliant on Saturday.

If Le Fondre had scored against Sheffield, I think that would have clinched him the starting place. He didn't; and I am sure he gets why he was back on the bench. In my opinion Brian will give him a starting place in the cup, because arguably there is less at stake. Then it will be up to Adam again.

[MouldyRoyal]

Just to add, I was very impressed with McAnuff in the first half. He wasn't playing as a typical in-the-hole midfielder, instead he was frequently acting as a second winger and was everywhere, giving defenders a hard time. This worked especially well as when he moved out to the wings, Akpan filled the hole he left.

Full backs were having kittens in the first half.

[Ian Royal]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

Probably not far off in retrospect. McDermott probably just got a bit carried away with 4-4-2 ALF fever. I'm not convinced we would have scored staying 4-5-1. Pog wasn't getting many sniffs of goal and the rest of our attackers aren't exactly known for beign goalscorers - although Kebe's fairly good. Perhaps wiser to wait a little longer, but hard to deny ALF an appearance when we're not winning on his current form.

Just to add, I was very impressed with McAnuff in the first half. He wasn't playing as a typical in-the-hole midfielder, instead he was frequently acting as a second winger and was everywhere, giving defenders a hard time. This worked especially well as when he moved out to the wings, Akpan filled the hole he left.

Full backs were having kittens in the first half.

Yeah, McAnuff seemed to have clicked at what to do. Double up on full backs most of the time, occasionally maraud through the middle and drop in and sit when we've lost ball / cover the winger who's stuck up the pitch and unable to help the full back.

Thought it was a real captain's performance.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Could play him wide left in a 4-5-1 moving into 4-4-2 when going forward (Alfie cuts inside while Jobi drifts wide to cover).



------------Pog-----------

ALF---------Jobi------Kebe

--------Akpan--Legs-------

Harte--Pearce--Maps--Kelly

------------Feds----------

Becomes:


---------ALF----Pog-------

Jobi------------------Kebe

--------Akpan--Legs-------

Harte--Pearce--Maps--Kelly

------------Feds----------


Jobi being a natural winger helps.

[Ian Royal]

don't like it. think it's too much of a square pegs in round holes job. Don't think he'd be good at tracking back and helping his full back at all.

[If you still hate Futcher]

Exactly that, we complain that the wingers are being asked to do took much defending but would you really want Alf tracking an overlapping fullback - not saying he couldn't or even wouldn't but he should stay as far away from our goal and as near to our opponent's as possible. If you want to play 4-5-1 with that team Alf would be better off in the middle and Jobi on the left

[Millsy]

Just one thought ... that McDermott made a potential mistake/took a big gamble by switching to 4-4-2 and bringing on ALF after 65 minutes. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, even playing 4-5-1 we were well on top, and Sunderland were nowhere with virtually no possession.

Then we went 4-4-2 and allowed Sunderland lots more possession through the middle - this, coupled with Graham coming on, meant it could easily have gone either way.

Yes, Kebe rescued us close to the end, so BMc got away with the gamble - but it was a damn close run thing I'm convinced that if we'd stayed 4-5-1 we'd still have scored long before the end and we'd not have allowed Sunderland to get the chances they did have.

Good post.

But literally, in Brian I trust. This guy is a genius. He is one of the quickest learners there is, which is presumably why whenever he faces a new season missing key players or in a new division he ends up turning things around.

He pretty much HAD to go 442 and I'm glad he did. Why?
1) ALF just had to be given a runout after his recent goals and I don't think He could be 451
2) other teams around us were doing ok, so going for the win was a gamble worth taking
3) as above even if teams weren't doing well around us 442 was a gamble worth taking because we were quite comfortable at 451 so it was conceivable that we may win it, which we did. A win and a loss gives more points than two draws. Not being a 6pointer this was the ideal game to gamble in.

Finally, as I say Brian is a VERY shrewd learner. That will have taught him, as it taught us, that 442 can be a bit of a gamble and he will be very aware of that. Tag doesn't mean he won't do it again though in non-6-pointers because of point 3 above.

It's easy to knock something in retrospect but he HAD to do it and King Brian has learnt from it.

BRIAN MCDERMOTT'S BARMY ARMY!!!!!!!!

[Extended-Phenotype]

Whats barmy about it?

[melonhead]

it tortures small animals, and hears voices

[Extended-Phenotype]

Sounds like a f/cking stupid army.

[melonhead]

no. we are well barmy

[Extended-Phenotype]

Then this army needs to be sectioned.

[Forever Reading]

Still a bit worried that we look so vulnerable in a 4-4-2 but can't create shit in a 4-5-1.

Seems that we try and wear people out with 4-5-1 and then do 'em with the 4-4-2 with a quarter of the game to go - nothing wrong with this, but it'd be nice not to feel like vomiting by the end of a match.

Have to disagree there - I thought we were much better going forward in a 4-5-1 with Jobi playing in the middle on Saturday. Kebe's goal, Pogs headed attempt and Jobi's stumble/finish by Kebe/free kick to Sunderland were all first-half, 4-5-1 efforts...we could easily have been 3-1 up at half time...

Apparently it was all Gary Neville's idea anyway http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0 ... 61,00.html

[Maguire]

I understand what Dirk is saying tbh. We couldn't work out why everyone was chanting for ALF ten mins into the second half when we were playing very nicely in the 451. Thought it might open the game up too much if we went 442 and Sunderland might hit us on the break.

As it happens, we won so bravo Brian and shut up me.

[Ian Royal]

I understand what Dirk is saying tbh. We couldn't work out why everyone was chanting for ALF ten mins into the second half when we were playing very nicely in the 451. Thought it might open the game up too much if we went 442 and Sunderland might hit us on the break.

As it happens, we won so bravo Brian and shut up me.

I was assuming the ALF chants that early were in recognition of his brilliant form, rather than a demand for him to be on the pitch... surely we don't have that many retarded fans... do we?

[Alexander Litvinenko]

I understand what Dirk is saying tbh. We couldn't work out why everyone was chanting for ALF ten mins into the second half when we were playing very nicely in the 451. Thought it might open the game up too much if we went 442 and Sunderland might hit us on the break.

As it happens, we won so bravo Brian and shut up me.

I was assuming the ALF chants that early were in recognition of his brilliant form, rather than a demand for him to be on the pitch... surely we don't have that many retarded fans... do we?

This proves you don't go to games. If you did you'd know the answer to that question.

[Ian Royal]

I understand what Dirk is saying tbh. We couldn't work out why everyone was chanting for ALF ten mins into the second half when we were playing very nicely in the 451. Thought it might open the game up too much if we went 442 and Sunderland might hit us on the break.

As it happens, we won so bravo Brian and shut up me.

I was assuming the ALF chants that early were in recognition of his brilliant form, rather than a demand for him to be on the pitch... surely we don't have that many retarded fans... do we?

This proves you don't go to games. If you did you'd know the answer to that question.

I just assume I'm unlucky in always sitting near a couple of vocal ones.

[floyd__streete]

Just back from the game.

Really enjoyed it, best performance of the season, we genuinely looked a Premier League side.

[maffff]

Just back from the game.

This has now been a coupleo f games where you haven't surfaced for days.... sh/tfaced?


Agree with Floyd - very good performance.

I was happy with the lineup when I saw it, my first thoughts were how effective would a 4-4-2 be with Akpan and McCleary on the pitch already. One of the reasons for ALF's success has been the change of formation and fresh players around him. At 4-4-2 it just didn't look it anything was going to happen, until it did.

Pog was immense [stupid foul aside], Jobi looked decent, few dodgy passes aside, Ledge, same, Akpan looks a Premier League player, Kelly has been an inspiration, the 4-5-1 set up was spot on, McCleary tore their right back a new one, Kebe is mercurial as ever and I should never have doubted Brian - I'm just going to enjoy the season from here regardless of where we end up. Humble pie tastes great.

[Archie's penalty]

I understand what Dirk is saying tbh. We couldn't work out why everyone was chanting for ALF ten mins into the second half when we were playing very nicely in the 451. Thought it might open the game up too much if we went 442 and Sunderland might hit us on the break.

As it happens, we won so bravo Brian and shut up me.

I was assuming the ALF chants that early were in recognition of his brilliant form, rather than a demand for him to be on the pitch... surely we don't have that many retarded fans... do we?

This proves you don't go to games. If you did you'd know the answer to that question.

KA-BOOM!