As suggested by @Johnnyrotten splitting this off from the transfer chat as a place for formation nerds like me to discuss tactics.

@wanderer1984 I agree 343 is a really weird formation. Off the top of my head I can only think of 2 teams playing it successfully in the last 20ish years - Brazil 2002 and Chelsea under Conte.

Brazil 2002 had Cafu and Roberto Carlos as the wing backs.... And a front 3 that was ridiculous, so don't really work as a comparison to any other team.

However Chelsea under Conte is interesting. The 3 at the back helped to not expose David Luiz when he'd invariably wander. And the wing backs were completely different, Alonso was previously a full back, and Moses previously a winger. And Chelsea would play Azpilicueta at RCB to cover Moses.

So @Rival Son I'm not sure we need 2 primarily attacking wing backs to make it work. Schon as more attacking and Cogley more defensive could be fine.

The bit we are missing is in midfield though. Both those teams had pure enforcers in the centre. Chelsea had Matic and Kanye, and Brazil had Gilberto Silva and Kleberson (more a hard worker but not a ball player definitely). This is where we seem way off it with Thomason and Sheehan. I like both but they're not enforcers.

10 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Not sure if Kieran is a fan or not. 

Edited September 29, 20241 yr by tomski

I rest my case - engaging with delinquents. Hope he feels better about himself acting the hard man to her, no doubt he’d shit his pants if Santos was towering over him.

Abusing the managers daughters and sending abuse via direct messages to players wives.

What a delightful set of people.

Mr internet tough guy needs to get filled in.

32 minutes ago, gonzo said:

He was in the Bolton News last year, assuming it's the same bloke.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/23722428.liverpool-girls-find-bolton-lads-helped-flight-chaos/

Hope he at least got a little tug out of it.

11 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Hope he at least got a little tug out of it.

Little tug, size of them girls they’d pull it off. 

Wow just wow. Unbelievable that someone would send that to a players wife. I'd also advise to stay quiet and ignore but I imagine it's very difficult not to react to that. If that is genine then it's so far beyond acceptable that it's hard to believe they typed it let alone hit send 

What an absolute shithouse he is disgusting it’s only football ffs. 

On 28/09/2024 at 10:08, Wanderlust said:

I reckon that attitude, effort and performance are more important than formation because all could work if their heads are right and they cut out the errors that cost us. 

In spades yesterday - need to replicate that every week.

On topic, the performance yesterday was exactly the sort of performance that seemed beyond this group of players. If that performance can replace walking football and that attitude can be employed in the 'big' games, maybe, just maybe.

Well 'ard. 

I'd like the whole squad to go round to his gaff, and have a conversation with him.

Hope the club bans him. 

That little coward Kieran Antoni has since deleted his Twitter account. The internet is permanent you fucking weasel 😂

11 minutes ago, deeane Koontz said:

That little coward Kieran Antoni has since deleted his Twitter account. The internet is permanent you fucking weasel 😂

This pic is going up in every glory hole room in Blackpool this week.

Jeez. Beyond my wildest.

On 29/09/2024 at 09:45, Cheese said:

He was in the Bolton News last year, assuming it's the same bloke.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/23722428.liverpool-girls-find-bolton-lads-helped-flight-chaos/

Slow news day

Strange that after ditching the 3-4-2-1 formation after the Huddersfield shambles and stating he was going back to his tried and trusted 3-5-2. Evatt has now gone back to 3-4-2-1 over the last few games but with no explanation..

…And even stranger, it’s now working (but without Dion up top) 🤷‍♂️

Horses for courses

Also, finding a better balance

3 hours ago, Ros Coe said:

Strange that after ditching the 3-4-2-1 formation after the Huddersfield shambles and stating he was going back to his tried and trusted 3-5-2. Evatt has now gone back to 3-4-2-1 over the last few games but with no explanation..

…And even stranger, it’s now working (but without Dion up top) 🤷‍♂️

Discussed on that buff podcast and something I've mentioned on a couple of posts.

Evatt now considers the 3 forward formation can work against a back four, with a front 2 working better against 3 centre backs, hence him using it the last few games.

I suppose the test will come today. Walsall usually play with a 5 so the theory will have some legs if we see a front 2.

Charles and Vic to start up front 

3 hours ago, Ros Coe said:

Strange that after ditching the 3-4-2-1 formation after the Huddersfield shambles and stating he was going back to his tried and trusted 3-5-2. Evatt has now gone back to 3-4-2-1 over the last few games but with no explanation..

…And even stranger, it’s now working (but without Dion up top) 🤷‍♂️

Stubborn pig headed arrogant twat who refuses to change or adapt to different oppositions.

1 hour ago, desperado said:

Discussed on that buff podcast and something I've mentioned on a couple of posts.

Evatt now considers the 3 forward formation can work against a back four, with a front 2 working better against 3 centre backs, hence him using it the last few games.

I suppose the test will come today. Walsall usually play with a 5 so the theory will have some legs if we see a front 2.

Charles and Vic to start up front 

Ah, I see. That actually makes sense, so full credit to the tactical genius aka Pep Evatt!

2 hours ago, desperado said:

Discussed on that buff podcast and something I've mentioned on a couple of posts.

Evatt now considers the 3 forward formation can work against a back four, with a front 2 working better against 3 centre backs, hence him using it the last few games.

I suppose the test will come today. Walsall usually play with a 5 so the theory will have some legs if we see a front 2.

Charles and Vic to start up front 

I wouldn't necessarily say the 523 is working yet. I'd want to see if against some decent opposition first.

I get the idea of 3 up front working against a back 4 but it's still too light in midfield for me against the better teams

Edited November 2, 20241 yr by Stig