Line up v Halifax

BIGChris's selection looks to me to be a similar formation to that tried against Oxford - more or less a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders then three others playing behind the lone striker. Unfortunately, the holding two didn't do nearly well enough against Oxford. Perhaps a change in personnel (and less capable opposition) could make it work a bit better. Arnold certainly didn't seem to know where he should have been playing much of the time yesterday.

I think the idea of playing Neilson in behind LJL is a good one as he certainly has the ability to cause the opposition problems and can twist and turn either way. However, this might as well be a 4-4-1-1 as much as anything else more complicated! I just hope that the other midfielders can sort themselves out on Tuesday night and we need to defend a hell of a lot better than yesterday.

McKeown


manay.      Toto.                Pearson.            Thomas

                            

               Disley     Clay   Parslow

                                                

                Nielson                Arnold

                            John-Lewis

Subs; Bignot, Pell, Pittman, McLaughlin, Mackreth

Quoted from Maringer

BIGChris's selection looks to me to be a similar formation to that tried against Oxford - more or less a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders then three others playing behind the lone striker. Unfortunately, the holding two didn't do nearly well enough against Oxford. Perhaps a change in personnel (and less capable opposition) could make it work a bit better. Arnold certainly didn't seem to know where he should have been playing much of the time yesterday.

I think the idea of playing Neilson in behind LJL is a good one as he certainly has the ability to cause the opposition problems and can twist and turn either way. However, this might as well be a 4-4-1-1 as much as anything else more complicated! I just hope that the other midfielders can sort themselves out on Tuesday night and we need to defend a hell of a lot better than yesterday.

Some good points.

I was thinking along the lines of a 4-2-3-1 too. (or at least with 2 flat midfielders)

Thing is, perhaps you've got to be careful....
Is 4-2-3-1....

4-5-1 or 4-2-4 ?
i.e. are "three others playing behind the lone striker" up front or in midfield ?

I thought they were more up front than in midfield at times yesterday and it looked more like 4-2-4 at times too.

Do we really need TWO holding midfielders ? (by this I mean -  if they're "sat just in front of the back 4"...)

I'm wondering standard 4-1-4-1 right now tbh.
However the 4-4-1-1 (and Chris's suggestion of playing Neilson behind LJL) looks another worthy option too.
If I remember correctly we beat Welling playing a 4-4-1-1 with Neilson in behind Pittman ?

It's all interesting stuff !    (and Grimsby finest's formation (and headingly's too apologies mate !)  looks food for thought too !)

Quoted from 1739

McKeown


manay.      Toto.                Pearson.            Thomas

                            

               Disley     Clay   Parslow

                                                

                Nielson                Arnold

                            John-Lewis

Subs; Bignot, Pell, Pittman, McLaughlin, Mackreth

I would go with this,

BUT

I would have Macca in the middle of the goal, he is leaving a big space at his far post playing there.

It will be 4-5-1 with the shop on his own, Hurst has tried to be positive and it didnt work so he now has the justification to play one up and keep it tight and hope something comes off. Obviously post match he will insist it was a 4-3-3.

Just provisionally, I'd maybe go with this....

...........................McKeown
Magnay.........Toto..........Pearson......Thomas
...........................Parslow
Mackreth......Clay............Disley.........Arnold
.........................John-Lewis

Subs: Bignot, Paddy, Pell, Neilson, Pittman.

However that central midfield 3 could be any number of different combinations.
Take your pick !
Clay v Pell v Disley ? I'll leave it to Hurst !

However I'd even consider sticking Neilson as one of those central / attacking midfielders (at some point) in a free roaming type role.
Under the assumption we can maybe afford to risk that with a "holding midfielder" already sat there in front on the back 4.
And if e.g. Clay drops to cover too, then it looks like a 4-2-3-1 (similar to Chris's idea perhaps... ?)

Quoted from moosey_club

It will be 4-5-1 with the shop on his own, Hurst has tried to be positive and it didnt work so he now has the justification to play one up and keep it tight and hope something comes off. Obviously post match he will insist it was a 4-3-3.

You know the solution !  

What if Brown is fit? Would folk bring him back in?

In principle yes but so hard to judge without knowing HOW fit he is.

Bit of a cop-out. Presume he's fit. Does he play? Who makes way?