Has Mac Put His Finger On It?

[ramspride]

One of Steve's after match comments was that Brentford had an incredible work rate. If you look back at the teams who have beaten us the same could be said for them. Whenever a Derby player had the ball they had 2 or 3 opposition players running at them. We all notice Johnny Russell for his tireless running and commitment but who else in the Rams team could you say that about.

[ellafella]

One of Steve's after match comments was that Brentford had an incredible work rate. If you look back at the teams who have beaten us the same could be said for them. Whenever a Derby player had the ball they had 2 or 3 opposition players running at them. We all notice Johnny Russell for his tireless running and commitment but who else in the Rams team could you say that about.

Absolutely spot-on. Teams are closing us very quickly to stop the passing game: Wigan, Millwall, Ipswich and now Brentford. It requires extreme levels of fitness but many teams have it these days. Clearly Grant's injury hasn't helped because it seems that Butland is unable, for some reason to get the ball out reliably like Granty does.

Time for the coaches to respond.

[Rattea]

All of these teams are lower than us in the table and other teams can beat them so why not us?

[swaledale]

All of these teams are lower than us in the table and other teams can beat them so why not us?

By all these other teams I presume you mean the likes of Watford, Middlesboro, Norwich, Wolves, Forest who are after all many pts ahead of us in the table (NOT!) on account of the fact they have beaten all the teams we can't???

The fact is all teams have had sticky patches where they have failed to beat teams lower than them, in fact the only team that could be said to be overperforming at the moment is Bournemouth.

[Manofpride]

All of these teams are lower than us in the table and other teams can beat them so why not us?

If we knew that we'd be at the top of the league with maximum points.
In a season there are always ups and downs, at the moment we are the 5th best team in the division which can't be sniffed at!

[StefanLee]

One of Steve's after match comments was that Brentford had an incredible work rate. If you look back at the teams who have beaten us the same could be said for them. Whenever a Derby player had the ball they had 2 or 3 opposition players running at them. We all notice Johnny Russell for his tireless running and commitment but who else in the Rams team could you say that about.

Bryson is the most obvious one to me?

[Smiggo]

Surley its the managers job to anticipate this tactic, which is the obvious one to stop a team that likes time on the ball, and have an alternative game plan!!

[Ramfantastic]

It would be nice to have a plan B. I do not like to criticise McLaren as he has so far been brilliant but a plan B is neccesary.
I do not agree with comments that state teams have sussed us out, we just haven't been playing well recently.
When we hit good form no matter how teams line up against us we will beat them.

[su4eranio]

I thought we do have a plan B

Several times this season when we have needed to chase games we have sacrificed the holding midfielder to go 442...or did I just imagine that?

[Toggles]

I thought we do have a plan B

Several times this season when we have needed to chase games we have sacrificed the holding midfielder to go 442...or did I just imagine that?

That change, to me, is part of the 'A' plan.

I said last season I'd like us to start some games (especially once we were confirmed as out of auto race, and safe in play-offs) with a dif formation. Get players used to 2 systems and keep teams guessing as to how we may line up.

If we play to our maximum then we can beat most teams regardless IMO. But in the Championship I don't think any team can rely on being on form all season, and a change of shape could re-focus players minds and up concentration levels.

It may not work instantly, but could pay dividends later in the year.