Team vs. Oldham

Team vs. Oldham

Agreed. The three together would actually be a much better option IMO but in a 4-4-2 rather than the diamond. Our current system relies on at least one pacy frontman so a combination of Hayes and Farid would simply not be mobile enough - as we saw for a period in one of the previous home games.

However, Hayes and Farid up top with a standard four across the middle with Donaldson and Forrester wide would be much more effective as an alternative option IMO.

Why play Donaldson on the wing when Forrester and Forshaw showed Tuesday they are perfectly able to do this job? Hayes and Farid up front should mean CD on the bench, but after Tues I don't think this is going (or should) happen. So, go with the same starting front two as Tuesday, and see if more time playing in front of a decent midfield gives them more opportunities.
 

Team vs. Oldham

Why play Donaldson on the wing when Forrester and Forshaw showed Tuesday they are perfectly able to do this job? Hayes and Farid up front should mean CD on the bench, but after Tues I don't think this is going (or should) happen. So, go with the same starting front two as Tuesday, and see if more time playing in front of a decent midfield gives them more opportunities.

I wasn't suggesting this should be the starting line-up - which should be Farid and Clayton for me, but was offering what I considered to be a more viable alternative to playing Hayes and Farid up top as part of a diamond formation which I think would be, and has been for the brief time it was used, a lack of pace.

I quite agree Forshaw's performed excellently on the wing but if we're were to look at 4-4-2 as an option, I'd still play Donaldson there for his pace and delivery and because I think Forshaw could be doubly effective playing in the centre of midfield.
 

Team vs. Oldham

My ideal team would be

Moore
Kev O Dean Legge/Craig(dependant on the opposing teams style of play - if hoofers then Legge, if not then Craig) Bidwell
Logan Adeyemi Forshaw Forrester
El Alagui Donaldson

In a 4-4-2
 

Team vs. Oldham

We could 'go for it' with:

------------- Moore -------------
Logan - Dean - Craig - Bidwell
----------- O'Connor -----------
Dallas - Forshaw - Forrester
--- Donaldson - El Alagui ---
 

Team vs. Oldham

I'd go for:


---------------Moore

Logan---Legge---Dean---Bidwell

-------------O'Connor
----Diagouraga----Douglas

-------------Forrester

-----El Alagui------Donaldson


Subs: Gounet/Fredericks, Craig, Barron, Adeyemi, Forshaw, Saunders, Hayes


Ideally we should be looking at the Crewe performance and aiming to replicate that in every home game against the majority of teams (Oldham included). I'm not a fan of the diamond system away from home, but at home it's generally more effective as our ability to dominate possession means that the full-backs aren't as exposed.

The reason why we were so in control against Crewe IMO was because of the way our 3 central midfielders played, so I'd look to re-create that, as Douglas, Diagouraga and O'Connor (important in front of the back 4) haven't played together at home since then. When those 3 are on their game, we can get the ball to Forrester (whom I'd pick ahead of Saunders based on the Orient and Bournemouth matches), El Alagui and Donaldson, who can make things happen and concentrate on the attacking side of their game.

Forshaw has done well, but for whatever reason his absence didn't hinder us against Crewe, and it's that midfield 3 that I'd like to see play at home again. Douglas has put in mixed performances so far, but will hopefully be more effective with captain O'Connor sitting deepest, while Diagouraga hasn't influenced games enough so far, but I think he's important as a ball-winner in midfield. I'd play them though with the message that they need to up their game or risk imminently losing their place to Forshaw/Adeyemi. We can also make changes during the game if necessary.

Lastly, I'd play Legge instead of Craig - don't think Craig has been poor, but hasn't quite reached expectations, so I'd give Legge an opportunity to show what he can do. Dean has improved a lot from last season, so I'd be confident that this defensive partnership can work better this year.
 
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Team vs. Oldham

We could 'go for it' with:

------------- Moore -------------
Logan - Dean - Craig - Bidwell
----------- O'Connor -----------
Dallas - Forshaw - Forrester
--- Donaldson - El Alagui ---

Have you seen Dallas play ?
 

Team vs. Oldham

I hate this Donaldson on the wing talk.:(

So do I but I was really just trying to make the point that if folks are insistent that Farid and Hayes should be our front two then IMO you'd need Donaldson and Forrester on the wings because you'll be reliant upon quick wide players providing good delivery into the box and getting up to support them.
 

Team vs. Oldham

Would like to see Hayes Start up front and get a run in the side before writing him off.Just like we have done with clayton when he went many games not scoring last season.Still would also start with Douglas class player IMHO dispite not being outstanding so far this season.This is still a good squad that I believe is capable of top 6 Finish
 
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