We're really missing Graham in there, hopefully back soon.
That's us played everyone bar Celtic, which will highly unlikely take anything constructive away from.
So I think it's now fair to judge the system we play and in general I'm not rating it.
First game derby I thought it worked at countering a not great Dundee defence with a high tempo. But pretty much since while the results were positive, the standard of play hasn't been.
We seem to always be light in midfield and up front, struggle to pass it looks disjointed, forced and the players are getting more hesitant (Ferry the best example atm)
Hibs and Well both scored carbon copy free header then second ball across the box. Surely that's an absolute fundamental of the system, to be able to defend the box properly.
Unless our midfield is stronger and some real pace up front I don't think we should be playing it.
Last edited by Sutherland Arab; 31-10-2024 at 10:47 AM.
We're really missing Graham in there, hopefully back soon.
Yes it shouldn't be forgotten that after the win in Paisley we went into an international break and returned missing the spine of our team for Hibs, Sheep, Well and likely Hibs again
Hopefully by County at home the week after we have some of them back fully before another international
4 pts from these two would be a boost going into that break as last night was pts dropped, still hard to take that we lost it
The 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 has worked really well so far
Manny Gallagher Graham - compliment each other well in the back 3
The wing backs Ferry on left and Strain / Luca S on right are also very good
It makes us hard to beat and I think that is bit responsible for wins away from home like against hearts and St M
Season has been good overall.
Sunday will make a big difference how we perceive the season so far
Not sure about what defensive formation is the best (depending on what team we play ) What I do know is, this floated ball in to our box , easily won (nearly unchallenged) and the second ball being netted, IS a worry.
Wasn't happening before. It can't be just because Graham is missing, can it? Won't pick on individual players, but positioning , or the will to attack a slow ball in to our box aggressively instead of waiting for has been WELL off recently.
PS: When any individual opponents player is leaving our defenders in their wake consistantly, don't let our player get isolated in a one V one. (basics)
Feel he could do a good job for us in a number 10 role, never in a 2 man midfield or a wide right. Midfield in general is being bypassed lumping it to Dalby who is getting more isolated winning flick on's for nobody.
I also agree that we've been hard to beat, which is great while we are getting results, but I think we have a good enough standard of player to expect a bit more from middle to front and this relates to before the injuries we have.
I'll admit at the beginning of the season I wasn't thrilled to see that we planned to play a back 3.
But it did serve us well until we got injuries, especially to Graham.
So with Ross due back shortly we maybe shouldn't abandon what helped get us to 4th in the league early doors. But we've looked vulnerable in the last few games.
The other problem is middle to front, and that CB 3 with 2 wing backs is causing us problems creating with a number10. That ten should be Babunski, to get the best from him he needs to be freed up from defensive duties so he can support the front 2.
Goodwin needs to find a way to do this so we offer more offensively.
IMO we play with 3 big central defenders because of the long throw in pi5h we have adopted in the opposition box.
Did anyone else notice how many times the Motherwell goalie or their defenders punted the ball up as soon as they could to the guy that got both their goals?he had electric pace and we were left one on one with him and a defender on numerous occasions, especially their winning goal......if only we had pace like that up front☹️