Spartans (H)

[PT_Arab]

It has quite a few times, we were second from having beat Celtic and Rangers at Tannadice in space of a couple weeks etc

I have to counter that with: yes - we beat Celtic, but that was down to some woeful finishing by Celtic because we should have 4-0 down at half time. They were shredding us every time they came forward because our back THREE couldn't cope. It's not a case of our formation and performance nullified them, it's case of riding our luck to ONLY be 1-0 down at the break.

Also, for all the beating Celtic and almost beating Rangers, we lost very tamely to Kilmarnock, got thumped 3-0 by Falkirk and struggled to a 1-1 draw against Livi, who should also have been mote than 1-0 up at half time.

[shedka]

I have to counter that with: yes - we beat Celtic, but that was down to some woeful finishing by Celtic because we should have 4-0 down at half time. They were shredding us every time they came forward because our back THREE couldn't cope. It's not a case of our formation and performance nullified them, it's case of riding our luck to ONLY be 1-0 down at the break.

Also, for all the beating Celtic and almost beating Rangers, we lost very tamely to Kilmarnock, got thumped 3-0 by Falkirk and struggled to a 1-1 draw against Livi, who should also have been mote than 1-0 up at half time.

Yea and I'd counter back to say that it was due to Esselink being at RCB against Maeda and McCowan that they could have had the game to bed the system which didn't change in second half, they barely had a sniff once Sevelj was put there at half time, we dominated them for the next 25 mins or so

My point is not to defend 3 at the back as I'm fine with either, for example, last season we played 3 at the back, had a great defense for the first few months till Holt left in early Feb but against the Old firm would go to a 4

The issue of this season isn't really about formation, focussing solely on that, we know the reason we are where we are is mainly down to goalkeeping errors and individual mistakes and poor defending at set plays (plus injuries etc)

I think 3 at the back has worked fine against the top few teams for the most part (where wins at Easter road, Pittodrie, Tynecastle and Ibrox should all have happened instead of the draws we got), and maybe 4 at the back needs to be looked at for the bottom 6-7 teams

The main thing we need is finding the best XI and sticking with it, for me this doesn't include SCH just now, or Sibbald or Moller

Once the suspensions clear and Sevelj is back I hope to see him find the best team and stick with it for the rest of season whether it's 3 or 4 at back, or if we adapt then slightly depending on the team or if we are home or away, I think at home we definitely need to change something so fine if it's 4 at the back but the personnel needs to be right too

[TerryTheTerror]

Anyway, what the chances of this game being on on Tuesday? 🤞

[Sande_Man]

Anyway, what the chances of this game being on on Tuesday? 🤞

It?s a week Tuesday for the cup tie TTT?.

Aberdeen at tannadice on Wednesday.

[TerryTheTerror]

Ha ha, so it is I never looked properly at the dates.

[JUSTaway]

Forecast saying light rain all today and heavy rain tomorrow.

[NOSCOTCAPS]

Forecast saying light rain all today and heavy rain tomorrow.

I have no idea what type of pitch covering is used if any. But surely with the array of different waterproof/repellent materials, that proper covers could be manufactured relatively inexpensively and have adequate pitch to drain the water to the sides of the ground?

If its auld canvas they are using, just gets heavy and useless, if not waterproofed correctly

[Stoke_Arab]

Objective. Into the next round with minimum fuss please.
Bonus objective. Have the game won early so we can rotate players.

Double barrel keeper guy

Naamo Sam Big Ross Ferry

Svelj Camara Sibbald

Fatah Stirton Dolcek

[LSArab]

We definitely want Fatah and Camara in given they are suspended for Killie

Scottish Cup is main chance of glory this year and we must go for it

Assuming JG will stick with 3-4-3 :

AMB

Iovu Ross G KK

Strain Camara Sibbald Ferry

Sapsford Watters Fatah

[JUSTaway]

Chance to build a bit of momentum, Fatah, Camara, Svjel all back. A couple of decent performances despite the Hibs result, but the goals we are conceding are still a major concern and show no sign of letting up for the rest of the season. Lovu just does not convince me, I don't see him being a significant upgrade on Clel-Harding. Some terrible goals conceded by ourselves, Falkirk and Hibs over those past two matches. That pitch is hardly going to help our wingers, 4 games in 14 days, going to be tough to manage, assuming games go ahead. Those Killie and Aberdeen games going to be huge to not get dragged towards 11th.

[Arabdownsouth]

Talking of pitches,this one sounds worse than ours

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c1d65yy6zq1t

[Stoke_Arab]

You're doing that thing that you do again,twisting stats to suit your purpose. Just look at the amount of goals we've conceded,the shortage of clean sheets, the amount of daft free kicks your three CBs are giving away in the first place, not to mention the fact that despite having 3 big lumps in there they can't get the ball clear. We need to defend better higher up the pitch and to do that we need to have that extra man in the middle of the park instead of standing in front of the f*cking keeper. To reiterate, it's not working!

The 3 at the back debate is a wee bit of a red herring because the main problem imo has been the constant pressure put on that back 3 by only having 2 midfielders and no one sitting in front of the 3 defenders helping them, a role that Sevelj plays really well.

343 played the way Goodwin sets it up means 2 wing backs. (Usually Strain and Ferry) That leaves the 2 midfielders having to cover a massive amount of ground helping the defence when we're defending and trying to support the attack as well. Even the best midfielders in the world are going to struggle with that.

433 allows you 3 proper midfielders
451 allows 3 midfielders
352 allows 3 midfielders
All these formations can be a diamond with a player at the base or a player in front of the other 2.
4231 same 3412 same

But unfortunately our coach persists with a 343 played with central defenders who at the moment aren't good enough, 2 midfielders getting left to do the work of 3, and an attack you're hoping will outscore the opposition who lap up our 343.

When I think of 343 I think of clubs like PSG and Real Madrid, clubs with top technical players playing in a fluid style with fantastic ball retention skills who can turn defence into a deadly attack in the blink of an eye. We're not quite there yet. Maybe by Saturday v Killie we will be 😎

[TerryTheTerror]

I agree Stoke, it's the midfield not providing enough cover that causes most of it defending woes.

[Arabdownsouth]

My insistence on getting rid of the 3 at the back is mostly for this reason. It's the simplest way of adding that extra body in midfield whilst also having proper fullbacks too. And my other reason is simply,do the math. Our defensive record has been appalling all season, and despite shedkas insistence that it's purely down to individual errors, something simply has to change. If it's individual errors by CBs then get rid of one of them and immediately our chances improve by 33.333333% right?

[Whitfieldarab]

I agree in part that the midfield aren't providing extra cover but our defence switching off and not concentrating is the bigger culprit IMO