That old myth.

[zak123 0]

That the Diamond is not defensive enough for the Premier League...

Yesterday showed that it can work great, even when we needed to be defensive. I thought from the moment we changed it, we looked much better on the ball, passing it about with ease. We also had more protection in defense, when we changed Surman gave Tierney and Crofts, Naughton protection down each side, which was very similar to what happened last year. This actually made us look a lot better here, a place where many have considered us to be weak.

It also gave Hoolahan back the ultimate free role. When we played the 4231 he was free but I didn''t see him much getting to the wings to help out, or really creating much by coming back and effectively taking the ball from one of the central midfielders. The goal being an excellent case in point, this is a place where we just haven''t seen him this season, and I think we need to get him back to that free''er role.

Also, before I get people having a go at me, I am aware that it was the last 20 minutes of the match, however, I must say when we switched to the Diamond we actually looked better in defense and they weren''t really able to create much, and with a bit of a better final ball we could have scored 2 more, which was better than our chance creation in the first half.

Personally I hope for a change back to the Diamond, maybe leaving Pilkington out for a few games, and using him as an impact sub or maybe, if we are playing really well play him in the RM role on the diamond, then switch to Crofts for the bigger teams who will require more defending.

[Robert N. LiM 6,291]

Agreed it worked well yesterday and I think it''s an option against the weaker sides in the league (and they won''t get much weaker than the team QPR put out yesterday).

I do worry, though, that against the better sides it leaves us exposed down the flanks, and that was bad enough against Villa by all accounts and certainly Arsenal when we playing systems that should have given more cover than the diamond does.

[nutty nigel 7,902]

[quote user="Robert N. LiM"]Agreed it worked well yesterday and I think it''s an option against the weaker sides in the league (and they won''t get much weaker than the team QPR put out yesterday). I do worry, though, that against the better sides it leaves us exposed down the flanks, and that was bad enough against Villa by all accounts and certainly Arsenal when we playing systems that should have given more cover than the diamond does.[/quote]

Single goal defeats by away to Villa and home to Arsenal are realistically half decent results. We are going to have huge problems against the best team whatever system we play.

 

 

[nutty nigel 7,902]

[quote user="nutty nigel"]

[quote user="Robert N. LiM"]Agreed it worked well yesterday and I think it''s an option against the weaker sides in the league (and they won''t get much weaker than the team QPR put out yesterday). I do worry, though, that against the better sides it leaves us exposed down the flanks, and that was bad enough against Villa by all accounts and certainly Arsenal when we playing systems that should have given more cover than the diamond does.[/quote]

Single goal defeats by[:$] away to Villa and home to Arsenal are realistically half decent results. We are going to have huge problems against the best team whatever system we play.

 

 

[/quote]

I keep adding extra words in my posts today!!![:''(]

 

[Robert N. LiM 6,291]

Agreed, Nutty, and I thought we did ok against Arsenal. Wouldn''t say that Villa are one of the ''best teams'' in the league though and I''m not sure we picked the right XI against them.

[nutty nigel 7,902]

Agreed about Villa to an extent. But the players that caused us problems at Villa are some of the best in their positions. Take away Bent and Abonglahor and we may have won the game! But Villa can afford those players because they have been in the Prem forever.

 

Our progress this season astounds me!

 

 

[Bryangunnshairline 0]

I''m not the only one then! I was saying yesterday we should have started with the diamond. It was the perfect game for it for me. Wes does ok in the 451 but he does not get into high enough positions for me. When Wes is in the final third he hurts teams and with Holt and morison in front we will give teams a lot more to think about. Surman and crofts looked very comfortable because they were used to it from last year and crofts had a very good season on that right hand side. Holt has done very well coming off the bench but should really be given a run in the team now to form a partnership with morison.