Yellow Green Army 237 Posted February 4, 2016 I have been thinking about this for a couple of days now.What would you do if you were in Alex Neils shoes to try and transform the teams fortunes?He has regularly tried different personnel, made new signings and tinkered with the formation.There in lies his problem. We are over halfway through the season and he still does not know his best 11 or preferred formation.Me personally, I would resort back to what got us in the premier league in the first place. High pressing counter attacking football. I would also restore Jerome, Hoolahan and Redmond to the starting line up. Very unlucky on Mbokani as he has done nothing wrong but a change is needed.Trying to fit Brady, Howson, Tettey, Naismith, Hoolahan and Redmond in the team is near impossible but we need to find a way to accommodate our most influential and creative players. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BroadstairsR 2,153 Posted February 4, 2016 We just have to hope that he hits upon a team (combination) that works, is effective and picks up a few points.He''s probably got the best squad ever in our Club''s history.If he is unable to fashion them into an effective unit then he is not the man for the job in hand.I would still wish him here if the worst should happen as there is a lot I like about him, apart from the tinkering, with our array of youngsters filling some of the gaps made by the inevitable (but costly) departures.We are now also heavily reliant upon our rivals (Swansea, Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa) continuing to have as bad a time of it as we have had recently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kidderminster Exile 0 Posted February 4, 2016 A few days team bonding in the sun would be good, I hear Cromer is pretty good right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Row D Seat 7 0 Posted February 4, 2016 I think the OP is right. Go back to what got us promoted. High pressing football. One of my concerns the other night was how much fitter Spurs looked. They can have better quality players than us - fine. Why are they fitter though? Shouldn''t happen. So perhaps fitness is something that needs to be looked into.Injuries aside, I would settle on a regular 11. Certainly a regular back four. It doesn''t help that they''re often changed around so much. Martin, Klose, Bennett and Brady should be our back four.I would also bring Redmond into the side, he can hurt teams if given the free reign to do so. We need more from him! He should be kissing defenders. I''d also look to put Naismith through the middle with Wes just behind. A few Everton fans have said Naismith''s best position is through the middle. Try it. Then we have Mbokani and Bamford in reserve. Jerome has been terrible lately and shouldn''t even be in the squad when all our strikers are fit and available. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Row D Seat 7 0 Posted February 4, 2016 Haha, I meant *killing defenders. Also, I think tackling the league in August with (largely) a bunch of players who got us relegated was our first mistake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dibbler 0 Posted February 4, 2016 agree with rD-s7 plus stick with Rudd, still feel more confident with him between the sticks and one we must keep for the future.Alex Neil must also settle on a regular starting 11 unless injured or a dip in form. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellow Green Army 237 Posted February 4, 2016 I agree RDS7 with the fitness side of things. This current team are not the fittest we have seen and the stats do not lie regarding this. This is all the more surprising when you consider Gary Holt (three lungs) is part of the first team setup.One of the standout features of Paul Lambert''s time here was how fit his teams were. That successful first season back in the prem under him was partly down to the work rate of the team and there never say die attitude fighting right to the final whistle.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Move Klose 303 Posted February 4, 2016 Getting a settled back 5.Finding away to get Tettey, Howson, Brady, Hoolahan, Naismith, M''Bokani/Bamford in the side and ticking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norfolkngood 1,086 Posted February 4, 2016 I agree high pressing football that got us up AN has tried to be smart in some games and it has not worked stick to what you know and do best I hate to say it Bournemouth and Watford have done exactly the same as last year system wise players no what to do etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salopian 1 Posted February 4, 2016 He has to stop mind-wandering lack of concentration in the defence, and he has to drill them until they take on board what is needed. Perhaps they need a good sports scientist, or psychologist.They have to be quick into the tackle and block, and not hang back. Surely they have realised that this is the way of the better teams, as well as their brilliant attacks.We can pass the ball well - second goal at Wembley, and we have pace. Add to this some confidence, from a win or two, or even the U18 win, and we could become potent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanaryOne 0 Posted February 4, 2016 He quits and lets a qualified manager have a go . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete 318 Posted February 4, 2016 He''s not going to quit any time soon would you pass up 2 years salary. Neil here to stay if sacked need to pay for AN and anyone sacked with him compo, then get experienced manager to bring his backup team costing in the region of £10m. We have just spent £17m or thereabouts which McNally said at AGM we couldn''t afford. Debt free no longer.If sacked who could we realistically get the team out of this mess Neil Adams perhaps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ca 1 Posted February 4, 2016 Not that he''d want any advice from me but it would beHave a settled back line with Ryan B partnering KlosePlay Olssen at LB and Brady on LW Play 2 upfront with Wes behind them and thenattack, attack, attack lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tumbleweed 106 Posted February 4, 2016 Ryan B and Klose I agree plus the Brady/Olson combo. Russ at right back. Tettey or O''Neil as DM cover. But most of all just stop tinkering. Give the guys a chance to build some understanding and fluidity. Stick with the same line up for 10 games and don''t repeat Hughton''s habit of worrying more about the opposition than getting us right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AJ 1,218 Posted February 5, 2016 I think it''s a massive shame we self imploded twice against Liverpool. If we had won that 3-1 or even 3-2 I think we''d have taken a lot of positives from Naismith and gone on from strength to strength. Instead there''s a clear lack of confidence and with 2 newbies in the back 4 I agree AN needs to quit tinkering for now to let them settle and build an understanding. Goals are the answer, they breed confidence, and I''d hope to see more of Wes and Naismith together which can hopefully bring a few more performances like Liverpool up to when we went 3-1 up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,317 Posted February 5, 2016 We need to go back to how we were playing pre-Newcastle away but hopefully with a better defence not including Whitaker, Martin and Ruddy. this means a high tempo, positive, pressing game. We may lose a few but we can win games playing that way and at this stage of the season getting enough wins is all that is important. draws not much use.Then he needs to decide on his best team and stick to it barring injuries and suspensions. Wes needs to play unless injured.No more Howson on the right of a four man midfield where is is wasted.Can''t afford to keep risking Pinto as we don;t have time for him to get used to the pace of the game this season.Personally i would go with:RuddWisdom Bennett Klose OlssonHowson Tettey BradyNaismith Mbokani HoolahanIn reality though both Wes anfd Naismith would drop deep to pick up the ball as they did to such good effect against Liverpool. For Villa and West Ham obviously O''Neil or Mulumbu will have to play instead of Tettey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 830 Posted February 5, 2016 The answer is simple. Play Wes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites