Formation 1-3-2-4

[Prando]

I appreciate that differing starting XIs may change the choice of formation, but it seems to me that the 1-3-2-4 has produced an overly defensive bias. I’ve no coaching expertise to suggest alternatives though ?
Any knowledgeable suggestions as to how we should change ?

[Bombers right foot]

In all seriousness, CC should stop being so cautious, he is frightened to death of losing, setting up not to lose, giving the opposition too much respect will eventually be his downfall, when was the last time the full backs overlapped?
Is taking a shot from distance (Styles apart) frowned on, do we not do any work on trying to score from corners? Do we not have a creative dead ball coach ( look on the net at past games, there are hundreds of examples of smart free kicks)
It doesn’t matter what formation we play, if the coach puts the ‘handbrake’ on and stifles the player’s creativity we’ll go nowhere.
If this style of play was under Pulis, Ismail or Bruce there would be pelters left right and centre, CC shouldn’t be immune to this, it doesn’t matter if we have poor players or not they still can be coached to attack teams and at pace, not the slow boring safety first rubbish being served up now
CC looks done to me, probably won’t be long before Mr Patel sees the same, CC is no messiah, just a cautious, limited coach certainly not out of the Bielsa mode.

[Prando]

Understood Bomber buddy, but our interpretation of the 1-3-2-4 set up is to essentially operate with 6 at the back, as the 2 ‘midfielders’ sitting to collect the short pass out (and too often return it!) Often, at least one of the 3 is back (Swift) almost alongside the defence when we are in possession. Little opportunity for creativity in my view.
I feel the players are too comfortable in this scenario and have a lack of motivation to press. The exceptions, e.g Grant, stand out.
Frustrating.
But I haven’t lost sight of our top 6 position and when in our earlier season automatic promotion position, I considered we were punching above our weight and therefore flattering to deceive.
Notwithstanding, I am still remaining positive about a top 6 finish.

[Omegstrat6]

In all seriousness, CC should stop being so cautious, he is frightened to death of losing, setting up not to lose, giving the opposition too much respect will eventually be his downfall, when was the last time the full backs overlapped?
Is taking a shot from distance (Styles apart) frowned on, do we not do any work on trying to score from corners? Do we not have a creative dead ball coach ( look on the net at past games, there are hundreds of examples of smart free kicks)
It doesn’t matter what formation we play, if the coach puts the ‘handbrake’ on and stifles the player’s creativity we’ll go nowhere.
If this style of play was under Pulis, Ismail or Bruce there would be pelters left right and centre, CC shouldn’t be immune to this, it doesn’t matter if we have poor players or not they still can be coached to attack teams and at pace, not the slow boring safety first rubbish being served up now
CC looks done to me, probably won’t be long before Mr Patel sees the same, CC is no messiah, just a cautious, limited coach certainly not out of the Bielsa mode.

As regards formation, I think this has to flex to better suit the particular opponent but, as Prando says, I'm sure that it also reflects the individual players available as playing some-one out of position can cause issues. Not sure many would argue against the starting 11 selected for last night.

I do share your frustration though bomber on the points you make. Keeping a clean sheet is important and given our injury list it will take time for the back 4 to gel so I get a degree of cautiousness in protecting that record but that should not prevent us from being far more proactive attack wise.

Its great when playing out from the back works or when players like Fellows or Johnston get joy from running at defenses as they did in those early games but all teams do their homework on the opposition and you get found out. Surely it is plain common sense to ensure that you are able to then mix up the style of play? So it certainly is not unreasonable to ask why we so very rarely take longer range shooting opportunities when they come or why we never seem to have enough players running forward to be able to receive that incisive pass (a comment that AJ must make virtually every time I listen on WBA radio).

Aside from the over ponderous build up play, the other two things that really frustrate me are Palmer's wasteful long kicks and our inability to convert corners. Palmer is a great shot stopper but how many times have his long kicks either gone straight to the opposition or out of play? And we win a quite significant number of corners and, to be fair, most of the deliveries into the box are decent so why are we so poor at converting them? Same with Furlong's long throws into the box. Do we not practice these things? If we do, there is something not right. Winning a corner should feel like a real opportunity to score but I'm never confident about our ability to convert these days-not like the days when we may have only enjoyed 20% possession but were pretty certain that Gmac would put one in from a set piece!

[baggieal]

It’s the slow boring and dull football which frustrates me. Mick’s grandson won’t be the only child who is now turned off watching West Brom for the more exciting teams. Top six? I would take middle of the table if the style of football got me out of my seat but it doesn’t.

I have tickets for Hull but can’t be arsed to waste a Sunday watching this complete
s hit.

Carlos seems devoid of any creativity or press. I honestly feel the players body language is portraying they are not keen on this horrible football too.

What was Cole or Racic really going to do last night? The players don’t know whether they are coming or going!

For sure more changes Sunday and won’t be surprised if legless Jed starts along with lightweight Diangana and Racic.

Swift is awful at the moment and any shot looks to go over the stadium roof!

[saltnshake]

It’s the slow boring and dull football which frustrates me. Mick’s grandson won’t be the only child who is now turned off watching West Brom for the more exciting teams. Top six? I would take middle of the table if the style of football got me out of my seat but it doesn’t.


I have tickets for Hull but can’t be arsed to waste a Sunday watching this complete
s hit.

Carlos seems devoid of any creativity or press. I honestly feel the players body language is portraying they are not keen on this horrible football too.

What was Cole or Racic really going to do last night? The players don’t know whether they are coming or going!

For sure more changes Sunday and won’t be surprised if legless Jed starts along with lightweight Diangana and Racic.

Swift is awful at the moment and any shot looks to go over the stadium roof!

So is it the players you continue to name that aren't good enough or the manager? Would a new manager suddenly turn all of them into world beaters make them run faster or pass better?I totally disagree about the players body language there is no shortage of effort and I believe the players are still behind the manager unlike they were under Bruce and Val.

[saltnshake]

I appreciate that differing starting XIs may change the choice of formation, but it seems to me that the 1-3-2-4 has produced an overly defensive bias. I’ve no coaching expertise to suggest alternatives though ?
Any knowledgeable suggestions as to how we should change ?

The real problem position is the Diangana/Swift one although they play in slightly different positions on the pitch neither of them are playing any where near their ability so I would leave both of them out and play Racic in 3 man midfield and try and get more of the ball in that area, we also need to try and get someone closer to Maja so i would move Grant inside and only use Fellows/Dobbin/ Johnstone as your wide right attacker, with Styles now playing left back I would incurage/ allow him to get forward more to supply width on the left, all of which wouldn't effect our defensive stability.