[baggiebof]

I'm a broken record, but in attack this will morph into a 3-2-5 (strictly speaking it's a 3-2-3-2):

As Standaman states further up in the thread, I think 4231 is set as the default formation. However like you, I think we need to be more savvy when on the ball.

Molumby free to roam and get ahead of the ball at times with both full backs allowed to bomb on is causing us to be vulnerable on the transition and leaves Yokuslu and the centre backs with a lotos space to defend.

I'd definitely be tucking our full backs inside with Yokuslu as a general principle (which is why I'd like Gardner-Hickman to be given a run as I believe he is more suited than Furlong for this). Either this approach or Molumby has to stay a bit more central when one of the full backs bomb on.

The fact that we are as far in to the season and this has yet to be addressed is one of my concerns with Bruce. Sure we dominated Watford and Burnley for example but they had big chances and we could easily have lost.

[johnnyg]

Based on how the first raft of games have gone, and considering where we are at with injuries etc., I think Bruce should consider 4-1-3-2
Back 4 picks itself, with TGH staying RB.,
Yokuslu as holding mid
Wallace, Swift, Grady as the 3,
and start with Grant and TBA up front
Surely has to be worth a shot.
Play to our strengths and what we have available.

[BalisPen]

Based on how the first raft of games have gone, and considering where we are at with injuries etc., I think Bruce should consider 4-1-3-2
Back 4 picks itself, with TGH staying RB.,
Yokuslu as holding mid
Wallace, Swift, Grady as the 3,
and start with Grant and TBA up front
Surely has to be worth a shot.
Play to our strengths and what we have available.

Depends on the opposition imo.

[liverbaggie]

Just noticed that we are one of only 6 clubs who have only lost 1 match so far
Also one of 6 clubs who have plus 2 goals or more
Also we have most draws so far
Make of that as you will

[KN22]

Just noticed that we are one of only 6 clubs who have only lost 1 match so far
Also one of 6 clubs who have plus 2 goals or more
Also we have most draws so far
Make of that as you will

Very close to be going in the right direction is what I make of it. Just need a striker……….

[boinging_along]

Just noticed that we are one of only 6 clubs who have only lost 1 match so far
Also one of 6 clubs who have plus 2 goals or more
Also we have most draws so far
Make of that as you will

Like last season all over again.   "... but we're second in the table... we are top scorers.." and we know how that finished.

The other way to look it is, only the bottom 3 (plus us) have won 1 or less.
Or... 15 teams are doing better.

[liverbaggie]

I'm a positive person mate, that's my outlook in life.

[Hull Baggie]

Just noticed that we are one of only 6 clubs who have only lost 1 match so far
Also one of 6 clubs who have plus 2 goals or more
Also we have most draws so far
Make of that as you will

we don't score many, we don't concede many = we draw more than we should.

we've generally been the best side in games but struggle to create really clear cut opportunities or players seem to want to pass rather than take an opportunity on.

[baggie82]

we don't score many, we don't concede many = we draw more than we should.

we've generally been the best side in games but struggle to create really clear cut opportunities or players seem to want to pass rather than take an opportunity on.

Goals Scored: Joint 4th in the division
Goals Conceded: 14th in the Division

So far conceding 10 goals in 8 games is a bigger problem than our attack which has done pretty well - contrary to the general narrative that everyone has gotten used to from last season.

[Hull Baggie]

Goals Scored: Joint 4th in the division
Goals Conceded: 14th in the Division

So far conceding 10 goals in 8 games is a bigger problem than our attack which has done pretty well - contrary to the general narrative that everyone has gotten used to from last season.

my point was that we are drawing too many games.

[baggie82]

my point was that we are drawing too many games.

I think we all agree with that.

Had we kept a few more clean sheets we'd have a few more wins, goals against is statistically worse than our goals for, for what it should be, if we want to be in the top six.

[KN22]

I'm a positive person mate, that's my outlook in life.

Good for you LB. I am from exactly the same mould.

[zippyandbungle]

Goals Scored: Joint 4th in the division
Goals Conceded: 14th in the Division

So far conceding 10 goals in 8 games is a bigger problem than our attack which has done pretty well - contrary to the general narrative that everyone has gotten used to from last season.

Yep
We will start to smash some teams, Saturday would be nice, followed by a nice 2-0 at home to the blouse.

[baggies_24]

I was thinking earlier I can see this team been very similar to the 08/09 team under Mowbray in the Premier League. Very good in between both boxes but not good enough where it really counts. Getting a fit Dike back will do wonders upfront (a big if I know his injury record since joining us a massive concern) & the defending + keeper continue to make basic errors.

 I just don’t see this team as it is getting a top 6 spot I think that blame largely can be placed on Gorlay / Pearce’s shoulders. We need to hope & pray the squad stays fit and can maintain a manageable gap to the top 6 and with some reinforcements early in Jan & with a fit & firing Dike back we could have a strong end to the year however we really are walking a tightrope and any injury now to Wallace, Swift or Okay and it’s curtains, disgraceful of the board & recruitment team to leave us so short.

[gazberg]

Local rags doing an article on who is out contract end of season and what should be done.


Easy, let them all go.  Livermore, Bartley, Zohore and Bryan.  Roughly 90k per week saved. If this club can't find better value for money then just shut up shop.

[Hull Baggie]

Local rags doing an article on who is out contract end of season and what should be done.


Easy, let them all go.  Livermore, Bartley, Zohore and Bryan.  Roughly 90k per week saved. If this club can't find better value for money then just shut up shop.

Indeed, we have to let them all go.

[KN22]

Indeed, we have to let them all go.

We do, and I think we will. In the meantime, such is the paucity of options within the squad we need all on the list except Zohore.

[gazberg]

Bruce said today that Kean Bryan is back on grass recently but wont be rushed so guess he will be back around the World Cup time

[lewisant]

So would this be our best and most likely 18 when all fit and firing and assuming Rogic and Pieters sign..

Button
Furlong
Ajayi
O'Shea
Pieters

Yokuslu
Rogic

Wallace
Swift
Diangana

Dike

Palmer, Kelly, Townsend, Molumby, TGH, Grant, BTA.

I'm possibly being hopeful with TGH ahead of Livermore on the bench but if i was right this would mean these guys all miss out:
Bartley
Livermore
Reach
Phillips
Zohore

And also Ashworth and Castro are very unlikely to get a chance.

That squad should have a big chance in this league.

[gazberg]

Agree with your starting XI but can't see TGH making the bench with all that experience available.

I imagine he would drop out BTA too to squeeze more experience onto the bench.


I see no superior squad in this league.

[lewisant]

Agree with your starting XI but can't see TGH making the bench with all that experience available.

I imagine he would drop out BTA too to squeeze more experience onto the bench.


I see no superior squad in this league.

I'm not sure about our defence, but then most defences in this league abysmal. But the midfield onwards is top drawer even without Rogic.

[gazberg]

I'm not sure about our defence, but then most defences in this league abysmal. But the midfield onwards is top drawer even without Rogic.

Yeah defence ain't great but it's fine for this league.

Could even move Furlong out for Kelly.

[johnny Cash]

If one of Rogic or Swift is to drop deeper, I think it’ll be swift. Having Rogic and Dike does suddenly make our depth look a lot better and provide variety too.

Slight concern they say Rogic couldn’t play more than 60 minutes in Scotland. He’s a good player but other than 4 games a season in Scotland where adrenaline takes over, I’d say you need to be fitter in the championship to play week in week out.

In terms of bench, TGH has to be on it over Players like Reach and Phillips. Livermore and Bartley will still get plenty of opportunities throughout the season too.

Ashworth needs to go on loan in Jan, especially if we sign Pieters. Castro needs to go on loan to league two but it seems likely he’ll be released next year.

[gazberg]

I don't see any decent future for Castro, disappointed here generally and absolutely panned by Burton fans. So bad they sent him back.

[SmethDan]

Agree with your starting XI but can't see TGH making the bench with all that experience available.

I imagine he would drop out BTA too to squeeze more experience onto the bench.


I see no superior squad in this league.

Bold claim especially given Pieters and Rogic haven't been announced. While I don't think Button's a significant downgrade on Johnstone he's definitely a downgrade.

We don't currently have a proven and  fit central defensive pairing to deliver consistent performances. Our fullbacks are inconsistent.

Meanwhile central midfield remains a problem and we're still short upfront. Other than that I agree we're looking rosey  .