So who do we drop to go back to 442?

[Story of O]

We dont have the players to play 532, so unless we sign two decent wing backs i would drop Happe.

[HavantO]

Judd should be in for ling. No idea why ling consistently gets the nod over him

[Fellowo]

Happe unfortunately. Only for the fact Coulson and Eptiketa linked up well last season.

It was obvious last season that 3-5-2 was nullifing our attacks and it was only for some good setplays from corners that our defenders scored. Hopefully Ross will be bold enough to get us back to our strengths.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

I don’t think going to 4-4-2 is gonna help us. The problem we have all boils down to midfield. And specifically a ball winning midfielder that we don’t have

If we go to 4-4-2 we have two in the middle, Clay and Wright, who will be overrun by most teams. You lose the extra defender that we need to step out and win some tackles. Our 3 CBS are our strength and I think that them all playing makes sense but it’s also just covering our lack of ball winning midfielder.

The problem with 5-3-2 away from home is that we are using the third midfielder as a number 10, effectively playing 3 forwards. Today, the two in the middle got battered. We need that third midfielder to sit, or play one striker and pack midfield. The other issue is that Ling and Widdowson aren’t wing backs. If you have pacey wingers then you can sit in, pack the centre of the pitch, forcing the opposition to match you, and then break on the wings where there’s space. Aside from Brophy, we have no pace to do this.

[gshaw]

Not sure we can do 4-4-2 with current squad though. If Brophy is still required at LB would Dennis or JMD be able to play on the left? Leaves no options on the bench at that point either.

Whether Clay and Wright is a strong enough pairing to play CM in 4-4-2 is another one up for debate. Won't know until we see it.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

We also haven’t got a fit right winger have we?

[gshaw]

We also haven’t got a fit right winger have we?

Dennis and JMD?

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Thought they were both number 10s?

[orienfan64920]

Thought they were both number 10s?

Both Dennis and JMD have played out wide before

[CreamofSumYungGai]

I don’t think going to 4-4-2 is gonna help us. The problem we have all boils down to midfield. And specifically a ball winning midfielder that we don’t have

If we go to 4-4-2 we have two in the middle, Clay and Wright, who will be overrun by most teams. You lose the extra defender that we need to step out and win some tackles. Our 3 CBS are our strength and I think that them all playing makes sense but it’s also just covering our lack of ball winning midfielder.

The problem with 5-3-2 away from home is that we are using the third midfielder as a number 10, effectively playing 3 forwards. Today, the two in the middle got battered. We need that third midfielder to sit, or play one striker and pack midfield. The other issue is that Ling and Widdowson aren’t wing backs. If you have pacey wingers then you can sit in, pack the centre of the pitch, forcing the opposition to match you, and then break on the wings where there’s space. Aside from Brophy, we have no pace to do this.

Agreed, the formation isn’t the issue.

[BiggsyMalone]

Ekpiteta isn't strong enough, fast enough or good enough on the ball to warrant starting in league 2 over Happe and Coulson.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Ekpiteta isn't strong enough, fast enough or good enough on the ball to warrant starting in league 2 over Happe and Coulson.

Interesting.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Apart from him being our fastest centre back?

[BiggsyMalone]

Apart from him being our fastest centre back?

He's like Bambi stuck in quicksand, far too slow off the mark and not strong enough to stop attackers getting in their stride

[RedDwarf 1881]

Apart from him being our fastest centre back?

He's like Bambi stuck in quicksand, far too slow off the mark and not strong enough to stop attackers getting in their stride

Yet allegedly Rotherham offered £300,000 for him .

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Apart from him being our fastest centre back?

He's like Bambi stuck in quicksand, far too slow off the mark and not strong enough to stop attackers getting in their stride

Maybe a step up will challenge him but he did exactly what you described in pretty much every single game he played last season. I’ll give him time in the highest division he’s ever played in based on that.

[CreamofSumYungGai]

Apart from him being our fastest centre back?

He's like Bambi stuck in quicksand, far too slow off the mark and not strong enough to stop attackers getting in their stride

Not strong enough? Tell that to the bloke down the cinema with his mum.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

[eagwgw]

The only reason to drop Marv would be to make him sign his contract. But him and Happe could be the partnership for several years if they stayed.

TBH I would have let Coulson go at the end of the season.....Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.

Anyway I don't think it'll be 4-4-2, more likely to be 4-3-3 as we did that in pre-season. Think we have the players for that.

Gotta feel for Judd... I don't see him making the team any time soon, and even if he does he would need to have an absolute blinder to stay in.

[Sid Bishop]

Ekpiteta isn't strong enough, fast enough or good enough on the ball to warrant starting in league 2 over Happe and Coulson.

Which two to play in the centre of the defence ?
Like you, I would go for Coulson and Happe.

[Sid Bishop]

The only reason to drop Marv would be to make him sign his contract. But him and Happe could be the partnership for several years if they stayed.

TBH I would have let Coulson go at the end of the season.....Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.

Anyway I don't think it'll be 4-4-2, more likely to be 4-3-3 as we did that in pre-season. Think we have the players for that.

Gotta feel for Judd... I don't see him making the team any time soon, and even if he does he would need to have an absolute blinder to stay in.

I also like Judd, problem is though that he lost his place due to injury and has never showed the type of form since to earn a recall.

[RedDwarf 1881]

The only reason to drop Marv would be to make him sign his contract. But him and Happe could be the partnership for several years if they stayed.

TBH I would have let Coulson go at the end of the season.....Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.

Anyway I don't think it'll be 4-4-2, more likely to be 4-3-3 as we did that in pre-season. Think we have the players for that.

Gotta feel for Judd... I don't see him making the team any time soon, and even if he does he would need to have an absolute blinder to stay in.

I also like Judd, problem is though that he lost his place due to injury and has never showed the type of form since to earn a recall.

Stick Turley at right back then . Can't do any worse than Lingy today.

[Sid Bishop]

The only reason to drop Marv would be to make him sign his contract. But him and Happe could be the partnership for several years if they stayed.

TBH I would have let Coulson go at the end of the season.....Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.

Anyway I don't think it'll be 4-4-2, more likely to be 4-3-3 as we did that in pre-season. Think we have the players for that.

Gotta feel for Judd... I don't see him making the team any time soon, and even if he does he would need to have an absolute blinder to stay in.

''Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.''

Well not wishing to contradict you but according to this news report dated 1 JULY 2018 ( see below )
Davies is contracted to Derby till summer 2020 as he signed an extended contract with Derby in July 2018.
''Derby County defender Curtis Davies has signed a new deal. The 33-year-old has extended his contract until the summer of 2020.''
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/ ... al-1735142
Davies' deal ends speculation linking him with Stoke City, who are managed by former Rams' boss Gary Rowett.

[Sid Bishop]

The only reason to drop Marv would be to make him sign his contract. But him and Happe could be the partnership for several years if they stayed.

TBH I would have let Coulson go at the end of the season.....Curtis Davies is out of contract and said on Twitter he wants to play for us, that's a risk worth taking.

Anyway I don't think it'll be 4-4-2, more likely to be 4-3-3 as we did that in pre-season. Think we have the players for that.

Gotta feel for Judd... I don't see him making the team any time soon, and even if he does he would need to have an absolute blinder to stay in.

I also like Judd, problem is though that he lost his place due to injury and has never showed the type of form since to earn a recall.

Stick Turley at right back then . Can't do any worse than Lingy today.

That may well happen but for the present, as far as I know, Turley is still injured ?

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Can’t believe people want to drop Marvin. Him and Coulson partnership in the middle of the season was virtually unbeatable.