Can anyone tell me what formation we're supposed to be playing?

[NorthernWhite]

I cant quite decide and I don't think the players can either....

[mangoputney]

I can't, switched over to the cricket, game is dire

[NorthernWhite]

Oh, and can we put in a decent delivery from a set piece as well please.

We looked threatening last season under Hughes, awful so far this...

[NorthernWhite]

I was confused by our tactics today and I think the players were as well.

I think a change from 442 is definitely not a bad thing but all the players having to interchange positions ie Duff behind Bobby, then switching to the right is not a great move to do all at once.

Switching the CB partnership hasn't strengthened us, as that was our strongest asset. We knew we needed pace and Jol said he likes fast wingers but we haven't signed any in the window? No young RB signed in the window which was an area that needed addressing.

Overall, I have lot more questions after each game we play. I'd feel a lot happier if I could see a system we were tying to work towards that needed time but I dont see any of that yet.

Im normally fairly upbeat but so far I've only seen our previous strengths weaker and our weaknesses not addressed.

Still early in the season but I'm struggling to grasp any positives right now...

[fulhamben]

clearly it was scramble midfielders. where ever you happen to be at the time is your position, also schwarzer chipped in with his rush goalie attempt at the end. just hope we dont play 1 and in against city as i dont think riise will be much cop in goal when it gets round to his turn at 10 0

[Jimbobob]

I cant quite decide and I don't think the players can either....

NorthernWhite we actually have a video of the players reaction after hearing the latest Jol formation:
(sound up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OazS2n4FGns#

[NorthernWhite]

Just walking back from the game and still non the wiser. Clues anyone?

I thought we were bereft if ideas in the attacking 3rd again. The players didn't seem to know where to be. Again.....

[Lighthouse]

Just walking back from the game and still non the wiser. Clues anyone?

I thought we were bereft if ideas in the attacking 3rd again. The players didn't seem to know where to be. Again.....

It is very simple. Jol has eveybody playing where and how he wants them. But he is waiting to cover in training the bit about what to do in front of goal. For goodness sake, early days, don't panic, I'm a teapot,mines a pint, could be worse and all the other rubbish about to come on the mb.

Saturday training may be 'When to shoot'

[DUKE]

The Dutch style of play doesn't suit our players simple as that. Martin should now it by know. the board should know it.

[FFCcravencottage]

Surely it's easy to suss out it is the non shooting formation, get to the 18 yard box and give it back to the opposition.  fp.gif

[Jack Fulham]

I don't think the players know either. All over the place.

[simplyfulham]

Come on people! Jol is trying to move us to a very dutch 4-2-3-1. Get to know!

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/03/08/how-the-2000s-changed-tactics-5-back-to-four-bands-in-formations/

Knowledge is power.

[MJG]

Come on people! Jol is trying to move us to a very dutch 4-2-3-1. Get to know!

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/03/08/how-the-2000s-changed-tactics-5-back-to-four-bands-in-formations/

Knowledge is power.

The trouble is its almost moved to what Jonathan Wilson described in one of his books as the next type of formation, and thats 4-6-0 in effect, with all the AM's rotating.
I don't think its quite that bad, but if we see a line up of Dempsey & Dembele starting up front together, then thats what it would pretty much look like.

[elgreenio]

major kudos to jimbo for the Dragonball Z video there  :Haynes The Maestro:.

Of course Jol wants to play his Dutch way, but I don't think it'll happen with effect anytime soon, the majority of the team have been playing 4 in midfield for the whole of their careers.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

major kudos to jimbo for the Dragonball Z video there  :Haynes The Maestro:.

Of course Jol wants to play his Dutch way, but I don't think it'll happen with effect anytime soon, the majority of the team have been playing 4 in midfield for the whole of their careers.

The players do have to be adaptable though.

Plus, I would argue that Sidwell, Dembele, Duff and Kasami have spent significant portions of their careers in 5 man midfields/4-3-3 teams

[epsomraver]

Just walking back from the game and still non the wiser. Clues anyone?

I thought we were bereft if ideas in the attacking 3rd again. The players didn't seem to know where to be. Again.....

Your two posts sum it up completely, it seemed to me 10 strangers turned up for a game at times, same applied to the officials, Any body want to be ref?  run the line? I have never seen a lino and the ref both stand there neither giving a decision  and then it seems who grabs the ball  first is the correct decision, clue less!!

[AlFayedsChequebook]

Sorry but if you cannot see what the team is trying to do, then you should go and read some books about tactics.

It might not be working, but it is obvious that Jol is trying to play a fluid three behind the striker in the 4-2-3-1. The problem is that all the players want to be in the middle and we have no width. If we had an out and out winger with pace, we would be fine as we could stretch the play and create a lees crowded middle.

[epsomraver]

Don't be so arrogant! read a book on what the team is trying to do! they don't bloody know! I have rarely seen players with the ball stand there not having a clue what to do with it! What happened to our quick fluid passing game? we cannot string three passes together to save our lives, what happened to shooting at goal? last time I read a book on football it said the object was to put the ball in the opponents net and if you did that more than them you win the game If as you defend him Jol wanted to play wide then why did we sign so many attacking midfielders and no out and out wingers, we only had one there last night and he was on the bench for most of the game.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

Don't be so arrogant! read a book on what the team is trying to do! they don't bloody know! I have rarely seen players with the ball stand there not having a clue what to do with it! What happened to our quick fluid passing game? we cannot string three passes together to save our lives, what happened to shooting at goal? last time I read a book on football it said the object was to put the ball in the opponents net and if you did that more than them you win the game If as you defend him Jol wanted to play wide then why did we sign so many attacking midfielders and no out and out wingers, we only had one there last night and he was on the bench for most of the game.

Dont be so ignorant.

If you cannot see that a lack of fluidity within our team has not been a long term issue I wonder what team you have been watching for the last few years.
Jol is actually trying to address this by getting the 3 behind the striker to take more responsibility rather than have Murphy run the show, which they are gradually adapting to. We looked good in the first half, good movement and should have scored more. We should have won last night and had we put away the chances we had we would have done so comfortably.

[epsomraver]

 Not so much of the ignorant What game were you watching? walking along after the game all I could hear was what a load of rubbish, poor performance, the politest was I am disappointed! so  the fans coming out the ground  I spoke to are all wrong and you and Jol were right, don't start that crap about what team have you been watching the last few years`I started watching this team in 1963 , Jol is trying to foister a system on the team that 1) does not suit the players we have 2) they don't like it, BZ has the air of cannot be arsed and you can see several of the players are not enjoying the game, If they had played till midnight we would not have scored and I really fear a hammering on Sunday.