My thinking is that if we play a 4-2-3-1 formation

which seems to be Neil's favourite, then for the two in central midfield we have a choice between two defensive minded players, or one DM and one more creative midfielder.

If we had a deep lying playmaker who could dictate the play then I'd certainly play them there. But we don't, and I think playing a second defensive player - like Mulumu or O'Neil - adds more to the defence, than playing Howson or Dorrans there adds to the attack.

Posted By: Mecagoenti on January 23rd 2016 at 19:25:07

Message Thread

I'm in two minds after that. (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Jan 23, 19:05:12
- I naturally thought that Klose's arrival would raise Martin's game (NCFC) - talbotsunbeamer, Jan 23, 19:31:24
  - But Klose is a lefite so is compo for Bassong (n/m) (NCFC) - Larry Hagman, Jan 23, 19:36:54
    - Should be Klose and Benno then. Weird RyBen couldn't even make the bench today (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:37:34
      - Klose supposed to be v.good in the air so AN might select RM again as the ball player... (n/m) (NCFC) - Larry Hagman, Jan 23, 19:41:14
        
        Klose a ball player too - better dribbler than Messi! (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:45:03
- have the pizza, can't go wrong. (NCFC) - Tombs, Jan 23, 19:21:36
  - Had one last night. Yum yum. And you're right, of course (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Jan 23, 19:25:15
    - good stuff, i would add though (NCFC) - Tombs, Jan 23, 19:29:52
      - Agree again. I still love him. (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Jan 23, 19:30:51
        
        Same (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:32:56
- The problems have been abundantly obvious since last season (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:12:44
  - Spot on Jim! (n/m) (NCFC) - Kirrie, Jan 23, 20:21:05
  - why not go more defensive again? (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:14:16
    - Because we don't have the players for it (NCFC) - Common Sense Police, Jan 23, 19:20:16
      - We do need another if he won't even play Mulumbu with the players missing today (n/m) (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:23:07
      - Agree. Are there any decent ones available? Worth splashing the cash on such a key role (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:21:26
    - Obviously we need to go a bit more defensive (I.e play at least one defensive midfielder) (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:17:51
      - My thinking is that if we play a 4-2-3-1 formation (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:25:07
        
        Mulumbu isn't a sitting player though (NCFC) - Common Sense Police, Jan 23, 19:30:46
      - Need defensive midfielders available for that to happen (n/m) (NCFC) - Common Sense Police, Jan 23, 19:23:23
      - Naismith and Mbokani will achieve that. Retaining an attacking threat (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:18:16
        
        Best quality strike force we've had for years! (imo) (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:18:52
        
        Strongest since Holt & Morisson (n/m) (NCFC) - Larry Hagman, Jan 23, 19:21:12
        
        And better than those two in terms of quality. (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:23:16
    - Agree with this (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Jan 23, 19:16:05
      - No I'm saying we need that balance. We were too defensive in several games. Most (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:43:28
      - yep, if we play with a front four of, for example, (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:20:31
        
        To be clear I prefer that formation with two more defensive midfielders and four (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:45:01
      - Now we have Naismith our striker doesn't look so isolated (NCFC) - mr carra, Jan 23, 19:19:42
        
        Exactly! (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:21:38
  - Also not only did he give the centre backs no cover but he also played Redmond as well! (n/m) (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:13:28
    - Yep. Pinto and Redmond not exactly a solid right side. (n/m) (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Jan 23, 19:15:23
- Look at the goal diff generally the teams with the worst go down (NCFC) - Mickdundee, Jan 23, 19:11:21
- Don't know if true but a poster on the pinkun said (NCFC) - SeattleSounders, Jan 23, 19:11:17
- Too many minds (n/m) (NCFC) - mr carra, Jan 23, 19:10:43
  - lol (n/m) (NCFC) - thebigfeller, Jan 23, 19:16:21
- conceding so many late goals is really worrying (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:10:33
  - could be down to other things than fitness (NCFC) - matt in london, Jan 23, 19:22:38
    - true, but combined with the stat that we run less than every other team (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:29:07
      - it seems possible yes (NCFC) - matt in london, Jan 23, 19:37:06
  - ...something is wrong with fitness (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:11:25
    - His subs are sh*t. Can only think of a couple that have improved is. We've (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:15:07
      - Much better than Hootun or Neyul with subs! (n/m) (NCFC) - Kirrie, Jan 23, 20:19:50
      - which could be linked to the fitness issue again (NCFC) - Mecagoenti, Jan 23, 19:17:08
        
        I am sure he can. It's weird. There are sometimes players who look knackered and (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:21:35
      - Not true about his first game when he came down from the stands (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:16:20
        
        That was a bit lucky if you ask me. (n/m) (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:19:36
        
        He saw what was and wasn't working and changed things (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:22:02
        
        Not really. He just went for it and it came off, as most things did last season (n/m) (NCFC) - Jim, Jan 23, 19:24:21
- Too many words (n/m) (NCFC) - Bristol Graham, Jan 23, 19:07:57
  - Where are you from Graham? (n/m) (NCFC) - essexcanaryOTBC, Jan 23, 19:26:49
- Too many words (n/m) (NCFC) - strap_on sally, Jan 23, 19:06:24

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