What do we do?

[Prufrock]

Right, transfer window is shut, and we seem to have no money to even bring in a loanee. You are Dougie Freedman, and you have the players he has. What do you do?

Thoughts, workings out, tactics, training, team selection. Anything, really, other than 'buy a new defence'.

For me, we have two real options. If we are convinced that Wheater and Knight really are our best two ( ) then we HAVE to defend deep. I get all the talk about it killing attacks, and how it's better to win the ball higher up, squeeze space and all that, but you cannot do that when your centre-halves are that slow. It's not that they aren't quick, it's that they really, really are running-in treacle bad. Accordingly, if we're going Knight and Wheater, we have to defend deep, and look to attack on the counter. Otherwise every clearance is a half chance for the opposition. We've given so many goals away where teams haven't 'created' a chance, we've just given it them. Not only does the defence need to defend deep, they need protection. Your full backs can't really go wandering, and you need protection in front too, because Knight and Wheater are always going to want to go back to the edge of their box.

My team then, would be:

-------------Boggers----------

Baptiste-Knight-Wheater-Tierney

-------Spearing---Medo-------

Eagles--------Pratley-------Hall

-------------Cravies---------

Playing on the counter needs someone up top who can make it stick, run channels, harry defenders, and be an option if you have to go long. Limited as he is, Cravies is the best we have for that, IMO. Hall's pace gets him in over Lee. Whilst D-Pratz playing in behind is painful to watch when we have to go through teams, his athleticism on the break, and willingness to get into the box mean he's probably our best option. We also probably need goals from elsewhere if Cravies is up top. Mavies when fit would come in for Medo, meaning the quality of ball for Eagles and Hall behind the full-back is probably going to be better. I think that is basically the formula that worked for DF at Palace. Solid at the back, with two quick f*ckers out wide.

My own preffered option would be to ditch the Knight-Wheater axis, and try to go win the ball higher up, and be pro-active about taking teams on. I'd go:

--------------Boggers-------------

Mears-----Baptiste----Wheater----Tierney

-----------Pratley----Spearing--------

Lee------------Moritz--------------Eagles

---------------Beckford--------------

Baptiste doesn't look 'quick' at all to me, but he isn't slow either, is mobile, and would allow a classic big bastard to go head things, little agile guy to clear up axis. For all the stick he gets I don't actually think Knight is THAT bad individually, it's the pairing that is the problem, but I think Wheater is the better defender. Knight appears to have a bad mistake in him per game, which is costing us a goal a game at the moment. Wheater appears to make less-frequent, but more glaring errors. I think either would improve and be more comfortable next to someone quicker. I think there is an element of truth to SF's point that the individual mistakes are caused by being out of their comfort zones. Wheater's against Blackburn in particular.

Pratley for Medo as I think he offers more of a threat. I like Medo though, and he could easily do a job for either of those two.

I like Moritz from the glimpses I've seen. I think Lee needs players around him who can 'link', and he's one. Mavies would be in for Moritz when fit. Or deeper for D-Pratz.

Beckford is a) the most natural goalscorer we have (his movement in the box is top - or rather seems top to a Bolton fan as he actually attacks the fecking near post!) and b) the most likely to run in behind, pushing them back, and allowing space for Lee, Mortitz and Ealges to pass, pass, or shoot.

Away from home I'd still stick with the above defence, and maybe drop Moritz for Medo, and sit deeper.

Thoughts?

[bwfcdan94]

Resign and recommend to PG that he does the same or at the very least makes Boothroyd the new manager. .

Seriously I would look for a complete overhaul try some of the kids and just mix things up a bit maybe play about with some formations because as you say it clearly is not working.

[Worthy4England]

Do you know anything about football?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I'd make sure that the bunker where he's installed his kids is pitchfork proof.

[Lord Kangana]

If we're playing a tight formation, and we seem to have the personnel mosts uited to that, and it seems to be Dougie's preferred method, then I wouldn't start woth Beckford in the side, but with N'gog and Pratley. Its not exactly Davies and Nolan, but use your imagination. I'd probably start with Hall for his willingness and energy, and Eagles. I'd definitely be looking to bring the likes of Moritz, Lee and Beckford into tje game later from the subz bench. Its far from ideal, but we really need to get back to a position where the team has confidence that they won't concede many.

[2399]

Do you know anything about football?

I don't... Wish I could add more to all Trotters Topics.

[LeverEnd]

If we're playing a tight formation, and we seem to have the personnel mosts uited to that, and it seems to be Dougie's preferred method, then I wouldn't start woth Beckford in the side, but with N'gog and Pratley. Its not exactly Davies and Nolan, but use your imagination. I'd probably start with Hall for his willingness and energy, and Eagles. I'd definitely be looking to bring the likes of Moritz, Lee and Beckford into tje game later from the subz bench. Its far from ideal, but we really need to get back to a position where the team has confidence that they won't concede many.

I'm imagining a trendy 'street' version of the subs bench, where players warm up by breakdancing and the like.
Word.

[2399]

5-2-1-2

or

3-4-1-2

or

4-3-3

The Formations I'd try, although having three at the back could be awful in the Championship.

[thebish]

I THINK this is allowed under the strict terms of the original post..

I'd bring in a defensive coach to work with dougie. I don't know who - but I'd have a look in Yellow Pages and find one!

[mrpiccollo]

Calm down about recent results, we just played some tough matches against (lest be honest) team that are playing well and are likely promotion challengers - we however are lacking confidence the only way to change this is to stop conceding and start scoring.


We need to get behind the team (from what ive seen so far i belive we have a decent team who soon wnough will start putting together win after win)

[thebish]

Calm down about recent results, we just played some tough matches against (lest be honest) team that are playing well and are likely promotion challengers - we however are lacking confidence the only way to change this is to stop conceding and start scoring.


We need to get behind the team (from what ive seen so far i belive we have a decent team who soon wnough will start putting together win after win)

what does this involve beyond what is already happening? Dougie praised the support after the last game...

and... (in the spirit of this thread)

any thoughts about how you'd actually go about getting the team to "stop conceding" and "start scoring"

[Prufrock]

I THINK this is allowed under the strict terms of the original post..

I'd bring in a defensive coach to work with dougie. I don't know who - but I'd have a look in Yellow Pages and find one!

Strict terms?!

Anything, really, other than 'buy a new defence'.

How the feck is that strict

[Worthy4England]

Do you know anything about football?

I don't... Wish I could add more to all Trotters Topics.

That's never stopped any other bugger Matty (myself included)....

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Thoughts?

I can't believe I'm about to type this...

But I'd rejig, have only one of Lee and Moritz in the team in that inside right role, bring Medo into the deeper midfield position, and have Pratley (oh dear, there it is!) playing in the advanced central position.

[mrpiccollo]

Calm down about recent results, we just played some tough matches against (lest be honest) team that are playing well and are likely promotion challengers - we however are lacking confidence the only way to change this is to stop conceding and start scoring.


We need to get behind the team (from what ive seen so far i belive we have a decent team who soon wnough will start putting together win after win)

what does this involve beyond what is already happening? Dougie praised the support after the last game...

and... (in the spirit of this thread)

any thoughts about how you'd actually go about getting the team to "stop conceding" and "start scoring"

my point was they need to start scoring and stop conceding to gain the confidence to score freely in games and be confident enough to keep clean sheets and rely on each other more in defence.

after watching bolton vs qpr my main problem was the lack of balls played into our forwards/behind the opposition for our pacy players to run on to and honestly feel CYL is just to scared of losing the ball to attempt a pass.

Confidence breeds Confidence

[Bruce Rioja]

I'd play Eaves up top in a one with his back to goal. I'd then instruct the rest of the players to 'nice person it up to the big lad' then chase after it. Success guaranteed.

[bedwetter2]

There is very little chance that DF will take any notice, even if I shout this out in my loudest voice using a 5000w sound system aimed directly at his office window (he does have a window and not some sealed underground lair, doesn't he?).

Our two first choice central defenders are both liabilities in their own unique ways. Drop them both. Play Baptiste with Mills or Bolger in the centre. They cannot be any worse than tweedle dum and dee. Protect the centre backs by playing a hard man/nutter just in front of them - the closest we have to this is Medo at the moment. Keep Tierney and use Mears or the 'boy' whatsisname as full backs.

Under no circumstances play Pratley unless there really is no one else available. Task a newly returned and fit Davies with the central attacking midfield role alongside Moritz (until Davies is available reluctantly play Vela) and place Hall and Eagles on the wings. CF can be either Beckford or CD. Keep N'gog on't bench until we can get shot.

Threaten hideous torture for any player who goes hiding and reward those who show for the ball. Expect a full 90 minutes of effort from any player lucky enough to be selected. Substitutions should only be allowed for major tactical reasons or broken legs.

Oh, the Wotsit can remain as first choice keeper for me.

Just one more thing. Every time we lose a game, sacrifice one of the outfield players on the pitch. Decimation is not used anywhere near enough in professional football. We have plenty of young squad players to bring in as replacements and, who knows, we may find a good one who can rise to the occasion.

[thebish]

I THINK this is allowed under the strict terms of the original post..

I'd bring in a defensive coach to work with dougie. I don't know who - but I'd have a look in Yellow Pages and find one!

Strict terms?!

Anything, really, other than 'buy a new defence'.

How the feck is that strict

as I am sure you realise - I meant not that the terms were in themselves strict, but that my post was strictly within said terms... I may have phrased it loosely!!

[Prufrock]

I THINK this is allowed under the strict terms of the original post..

I'd bring in a defensive coach to work with dougie. I don't know who - but I'd have a look in Yellow Pages and find one!

Strict terms?!

Anything, really, other than 'buy a new defence'.

How the feck is that strict

as I am sure you realise - I meant not that the terms were in themselves strict, but that my post was strictly within said terms... I may have phrased it loosely!!

Ah, I get you now. You would buy a new defence if I allowed you, but with that option out it's a defensive coach?

[Prufrock]

There is very little chance that DF will take any notice, even if I shout this out in my loudest voice using a 5000w sound system aimed directly at his office window (he does have a window and not some sealed underground lair, doesn't he?).

Our two first choice central defenders are both liabilities in their own unique ways. Drop them both. Play Baptiste with Mills or Bolger in the centre. They cannot be any worse than tweedle dum and dee. Protect the centre backs by playing a hard man/nutter just in front of them - the closest we have to this is Medo at the moment. Keep Tierney and use Mears or the 'boy' whatsisname as full backs.

Under no circumstances play Pratley unless there really is no one else available. Task a newly returned and fit Davies with the central attacking midfield role alongside Moritz (until Davies is available reluctantly play Vela) and place Hall and Eagles on the wings. CF can be either Beckford or CD. Keep N'gog on't bench until we can get shot.

Threaten hideous torture for any player who goes hiding and reward those who show for the ball. Expect a full 90 minutes of effort from any player lucky enough to be selected. Substitutions should only be allowed for major tactical reasons or broken legs.

Oh, the Wotsit can remain as first choice keeper for me.

Just one more thing. Every time we lose a game, sacrifice one of the outfield players on the pitch. Decimation is not used anywhere near enough in professional football. We have plenty of young squad players to bring in as replacements and, who knows, we may find a good one who can rise to the occasion.