The Formation

[BigDanShittu]

What was your view of it against Bolton. IMO it didn't work and Bothroyd and DJ Campbell don't work on wings and Taaraabt, Campbell and Bothroyd didn't track back much so we were outnumbered a lot in midfield. IMO we'd be better with another centre mid playing with Faurlin and Derry. I trust Warnock with everything but it looked like we were not gonna get many clear cut chances. What's your thoughts?

[QPR1234]

must admit id rather we played 4-3-3 than the 4-2-3-1 as it was clear we was being overran in the middle.

[MattyRangers]

must admit id rather we played 4-3-3 than the 4-2-3-1 as it was clear we was being overran in the middle.

Id prefer 1 of the attacking 3 to drop back and make it a defensive 3 so its a 4-3-2-1 rather than 4-2-3-1.... we need mroe protection in this league or we're guna be absolutley hammered by the top sides..... If Bolton can get 4 past us (granted a ciouple were lucky) then imagine what the like of Man City will do!

[QPR1234]

Id prefer 1 of the attacking 3 to drop back and make it a defensive 3 so its a 4-3-2-1 rather than 4-2-3-1.... we need mroe protection in this league or we're guna be absolutley hammered by the top sides..... If Bolton can get 4 past us (granted a ciouple were lucky) then imagine what the like of Man City will do!

dont think we can play smith as a central mid with defensive responsibilities.. this is where a diamond midfield with a new cm comes in.

something like:
-----------back four
-------------derry
----bullard(i hope)-----faurlin
-------------taarabt
------dj---------------jay

[MattyRangers]

dont think we can play smith as a central mid with defensive responsibilities.. this is where a diamond midfield with a new cm comes in.

something like:
-----------back four
-------------derry
----bullard(i hope)-----faurlin
-------------taarabt
------dj---------------jay

yea i think we would need somebody new in to play the extra defensive Mid.

Diamonds not a bad idea toughh tbf, like the thought of Jay and DJ up top together.

[NLondonHoop]

It's a solid formation but requires pacey full-backs to give us some extra width on the break...

[QPRdan3]

I didn't really get what it was... It was like we were playing with 3 up front, then Tommy on the left and no one on the other side

[bobbins]

I think Warnock was totally at fault here.

We won promotion last night based on our defensive solidity. As soon as we lost the ball, we were all back behind it as a team. Both wide midfielders had to get back asap. Smith/Mackie/Routledge/Ephraim all did this very well.
If you analyse it, what he's done is suicidal. he's swapped Bothroyd for Helguson. That's fine. But then he's swapped Routledge for Campbell.

So...we've gone from 4-2 (Derry, Faurlin)-1(Taarabt)-2 (wide midfielders)-1 (striker) to 4-3-3. It's just way too attacking and leaves us totally exposed on one flank. If you watched when Bolton countered we had Bothroyd, Campbell and Taarabt just watching.

Now, here's Warnock's problem. What he's done is commit the unforgiveable sin of trying to fit square pegs into round holes and accommodate all his big names. No. That won't work. I agree that Bothroyd and Campbell might be a good partnership but then you have to drop Taarabt. If you insist on playing Taarabt then you must play with only one striker and get two wide players back in.

So in Solution A I would go 4-4-2 with Buzsaky and Faurlin in the centre of midfield and Smith and Ephraim (later Mackie) out wide.
In Solution B you have Bothroyd up front alone with Taarabt behind, Smith and Ephraim out wide and Derry with Faurlin.

Then you have some balance and sufficient security

[winalotto]

Forget formations, what you need are players ready to put a shift in when we lose the ball, and in this league 5 in midfield is a must when we haven't got the ball.

[stainrodisalegend]

I think Warnock was totally at fault here.

We won promotion last night based on our defensive solidity. As soon as we lost the ball, we were all back behind it as a team. Both wide midfielders had to get back asap. Smith/Mackie/Routledge/Ephraim all did this very well.
If you analyse it, what he's done is suicidal. he's swapped Bothroyd for Helguson. That's fine. But then he's swapped Routledge for Campbell.

So...we've gone from 4-2 (Derry, Faurlin)-1(Taarabt)-2 (wide midfielders)-1 (striker) to 4-3-3. It's just way too attacking and leaves us totally exposed on one flank. If you watched when Bolton countered we had Bothroyd, Campbell and Taarabt just watching.

Now, here's Warnock's problem. What he's done is commit the unforgiveable sin of trying to fit square pegs into round holes and accommodate all his big names. No. That won't work. I agree that Bothroyd and Campbell might be a good partnership but then you have to drop Taarabt. If you insist on playing Taarabt then you must play with only one striker and get two wide players back in.

So in Solution A I would go 4-4-2 with Buzsaky and Faurlin in the centre of midfield and Smith and Ephraim (later Mackie) out wide.
In Solution B you have Bothroyd up front alone with Taarabt behind, Smith and Ephraim out wide and Derry with Faurlin.

Then you have some balance and sufficient security

You are right that it doesn't work but wrong to say what Warno did was "unforgiveable" - he has so little at his disposal he had to play his (relatively) big guns.

The problem, I think, is we aren't good enough to play two strikers and Tabs. If we are to persist with Tabs (as I assume we will) then for me it will mean only one of Bothroyd and DJ starting. Playing DJ on the right is the worst of all worlds because you nulify his threat as a striker and he isn't there to get bothroyd's nod downs, but nor does he track back like Routledge did.

What Sat showed is we need major strengthening in midfield. If we did have another midfielder and a winger I'd drop DJ to the bench. But you look at the current squad and what alternative did Warno have? Only other option would be to start with Buz over DJ but he didn't do much to strengthen his claim for a starting place. I also don't think Smith can be a regular if we are serious about staying up and don't think Derry (hero tho he is) can be expected to keep it up for 40 games.

[bobbins]

Oh, I thought Buzsaky looked good when he came on. I think he's a class act who will keep the ball well. He can dribble, he can pass creatively, he can shoot. Yes, he's no Taarabt, but what he will do is work hard for the team and defend...

[silvercue]

I didn't know we had a formation. Seeing as we just hoofed the ball from goal kick up front every time, why would we need one?

May as well play 5 - 5 formation.

[MattyRangers]

Oh, I thought Buzsaky looked good when he came on. I think he's a class act who will keep the ball well. He can dribble, he can pass creatively, he can shoot. Yes, he's no Taarabt, but what he will do is work hard for the team and defend...

[markarnold]

What Saturday showed me is that we need at least 4 players i mean playing Dyer at RB is crazy but i understand he is working with his hands tied i think players should play in there right positions. We need Walker a CB and a CM and a Winger

[Ads1985]

And a striker as Agyemang should not be allowed anywhere ear the ground on a match day let alone the bench.