We're in big big trouble

[Dante Lavelli]

People seem to be critising the formation, saying it is too negative for a home match vs Brum.  I personally disagree, the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 is just how they line up, primarily defensively.  The intent of the team decides whether it is an attacking formation or not. 

A 4-4-2 can be just as defensive if the midfielders never overlap or go past the forwards.  I actually think a 4-2-3-1 is more attacking as the two midfielders should allow the front four to play with greater freedom.

I disagree, it was embarassingly negative, Heskey worked like a trojan up front but received very little support. We appeared scared of losing, as did Blues but that's the way they play, I don't want my team to play like that. There was an incident in the second half where Warnock could of overlapped Young to get a cross in but put the brakes on almost like he was attached to a rope, that must come from the manager.

The cup game might as well go straight to penalties cos it's going to be exactly the same, I hope we are practising them.

I think you missed my point Bosco.  It's not the formation which is inherently negative, it's the "intent" of the team.  One of Sidwell/NRC/Clark should have pushed forward more but its not their natural game.

The formation - in my opinion - was okay, the personal and their instructions were the negative bit.

[Bosco81]

I do get your point, I was hoping Sidwell could have bombed on a bit, Downing and Young played very narrow which limited our forward options as well.