3-4-3

Interesting to see Englands formation tonight. A 3-4-3. But this formation is something i have felt towns current side could handle or move too. Ollie has been impressed with the performances of Ohman in recent weeks and it goes without saying that weve looked strong with Waterfall and Pollock in the middle. So why not play all 3.

In attacking movements weve lacked a cutting edge therefore effectively adding a 4th midfielder into the mix could improve us going forward.  Hendrie and Preston have a good workrate, engine and delivery at wingbacks plus the ying/yang in the centre with a creative williams and steady Rose could be a combo.

Up top and obviously with players back from injury a Gibson, Tilley or Wright (left) and Edwards, Scannell or Jackson Jnr (right) either side of a central Windsor would certainly make us more busy going forwards

Might be worth a try and wondering if Ollie has considered it. Might have played a similar setup with Idehan involved but certainly not with a flat 2 in the middle with wingbacks

We've played 3-4-3 several times this season including last Tuesday.

Yep.....what Golly said. We've played 343 in about half of our games this season.

I think a Pollock and Waterfall partnership is about the only settled area of the entire squad. A few clean sheets between them, not their fault there’s nothing in front of them.

Pollers and Waters have been our best players, I like D Preston as well.

So Im a 4 at the back man with Hendrie....

means not a jot, as the rest of the side is pretty rubbish anyway, but we shouldnt get twatted every week

Quoted from Boris Johnson

Pollers and Waters have been our best players, I like D Preston as well.

So Im a 4 at the back man with Hendrie....

means not a jot, as the rest of the side is pretty rubbish anyway, but we shouldnt get twatted every week

Please never call them that🤢 but i agree.  Defence is not the problem.

Quoted from Hagrid

Please never call them that🤢 but i agree.  Defence is not the problem.

Defending is definitely not as much of a problem as other areas. Conceding 12 in 10 games suggests that. I always measure the players to the standard we need to get promoted. Pollock and Waterfall are great in the air and strong in the tackle but are susceptible to struggling with pacey forwards and Waterfall especially struggles with the ball in the playing out from the back style of play IH requires. Hendrie is quality for this division and Preston will be ok for this season's demands, but going forward I'd like us to sign a really decent left back, Hendrie standard, and a quick ball playing centre half alongside Pollock. That's projecting ahead though, plenty more to fix in the meantime even though I do like the look of Taylor (more confidence to gamble with his passing), Rose, Williams (more gametime improved sharpness), Edwards, Tilley, Gibson (looks like a goalscorer in the making, gets himself into decent goalscoring positions) and Windsor. Get them all (or most) on the pitch at the same time, fully fit and with a bit more confidence and we haven't got a bad side at all really..

Does it matter?

The ball is simply not getting forward with enough quality and speed either in passing or running. And when the ball does find its way to area there are not enough shots on target. That is down to the manager and players not the formation. Buckley Mk1 and 2  for example played a rigid 4-3-3 for a long time  but it didn't matter as long as a player like Cockerill was going to burst through the middle and a player with the left foot of Dave Gilbert was going to set up chances with his head up before he received the ball.

Agree with Ron. There were flashes of the he ball going forward quickly with some long, accurate passes against Dagenham. But not enough.

And re the comments about a strong back four: Preston might be OK defensively, but he frequently is the cause of the breakdown going forward on his side of the pitch as he easily gets pressured into passing it back. It’s almost like it’s part of the doctrine. Thinks it’s the safe option to keep the ball but it just bats the responsibility back to the next bloke who’s more likely in the danger area.  Know I keep banging on about it, but it’s an unnecessary self-inflicted wound.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

Does it matter?

The ball is simply not getting forward with enough quality and speed either in passing or running. And when the ball does find its way to area there are not enough shots on target. That is down to the manager and players not the formation. Buckley Mk1 and 2  for example played a rigid 4-3-3 for a long time  but it didn't matter as long as a player like Cockerill was going to burst through the middle and a player with the left foot of Dave Gilbert was going to set up chances with his head up before he received the ball.

Buckley mk1 didn't play a rigid 4-3-3