Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Monty]

I'm with Monty.

Ah bollocks.

Seriously though, I think the formation we'll mostly see as a first choice is the 4-4-2 and we'll see how that works out.

[sickbeggar]

I'm with Monty.

Ah bollocks.

Seriously though, I think the formation we'll mostly see as a first choice is the 4-4-2 and we'll see how that works out.

Yeah, not convinced it suits Ings though.

[Monty]

I'm with Monty.

Ah bollocks.

Seriously though, I think the formation we'll mostly see as a first choice is the 4-4-2 and we'll see how that works out.

Yeah, not convinced it suits Ings though.

It's exactly what he played last season with Southampton. My problem is it doesn't suit McGinn.

[London Villan]

Or Beundia...

[sickbeggar]

I'm with Monty.

Ah bollocks.

Seriously though, I think the formation we'll mostly see as a first choice is the 4-4-2 and we'll see how that works out.

Yeah, not convinced it suits Ings though.

It's exactly what he played last season with Southampton. My problem is it doesn't suit McGinn.

not with Watkins he didn't.

[john e]

I do think we can get bogged down with formations
For me it’s about players
How many defensive players do you want on the pitch how many forwards

As Monty is arguing you can play with three central defenders and still play attacking football like we did on Saturday in the first half
But you are still using extra defenders in an attacking position which is fine if that’s what you want
I would prefer forward players playing in a Attacking position

Who is going to be more useful in The oppositions half
one of Mings Tuanzebe Konsa or Bailey Traore Buendia
It’s pretty obvious it’s it’s not even debatable that one is more positive than the other and that’s all I’m saying I’d rather be more positive

That doesn’t mean to say it can’t work any other way
Of course it can but let’s not pretend that one is just as positive as the other because it is not
More players at the back would suggest that you shore up the defence
Which is fine Southgate does it all the time and concedes very few
So for me it’s not about formations but more about The type of players used

I want us to be more positive against Everton so that means not starting with three central defenders
I’m not saying we can’t play positive football with three CD’s
But I’d simply prefer more forward players on the pitch

People will say it’s horses for courses
Well we need to change the horses or the courses as we’ve picked up one win in 4 games so far, And only one of them have been a top side
With all our attacking options now we either go for it or we get left behind

[Monty]

I'm with Monty.

Ah bollocks.

Seriously though, I think the formation we'll mostly see as a first choice is the 4-4-2 and we'll see how that works out.

Yeah, not convinced it suits Ings though.

It's exactly what he played last season with Southampton. My problem is it doesn't suit McGinn.

not with Watkins he didn't.

Che Adams is basically a poor man's Ollie Watkins. The logic in repeating the system is pretty tight.

[ozzjim]

John, I think that's why some play a technically gifted full back or midfielder in the back 3 at times, to allow you to not lose the attacking edge of having a hoofing defender there.

[Allan C]

3-4-3 and 3-5-2 have worked for several teams, and there were signs of promise in it the other night, but for me we are better suited to 4-3-3. The key will be giving Bert or Bailey free reign to drift in behind Ollie.

I do think though you look at how quickly, on a very small summer budget, Benitez has got Everton firing, and it shows you what the top managers can do. For me Smith is short of that level. Tuchel made changes at half time that contained us and we looked half as threatening. Benitez changed shape last night and changed the game from 1-0 down. The top managers have ways to change the course of games that in don't have confidence in Smith doing. Lose at the weekend, the Spurs game becomes a pretty big one very early in the season. Get to 9-10  games in on 5-6 points we are in a relegation battle.

Totally unfair to compare with Tuchel with the vast talented squad he has at Chelsea. I’m not even sure it’s a fair comparison with Benitez given his vast worldwide experience

[brontebilly]

Everton will be a good test of where we are at this season. They are more settled than us and Benitez has got rid of their show ponies and brought in the likes of Townsend and Gray instead. But player for player very few of their team would make ours. Their bench looks very weak too. We won't need 3 x CBs and the likes of Allan and Docoure will be a good physical test for our midfielders. Tough call but I'd probably drop Ings for it and play 2 of Traore, Bailey or AEG. Can always bring Ings in to change things.

[Rigadon]

Allan C - I know what you mean, but if Dean Smith isn't able to compete (and therefore to be compared with) the other managers in the league, then he shouldn't be managing in it.  On those grounds I think it's fair to compare.

[Risso]

3-4-3 and 3-5-2 have worked for several teams, and there were signs of promise in it the other night, but for me we are better suited to 4-3-3. The key will be giving Bert or Bailey free reign to drift in behind Ollie.

I do think though you look at how quickly, on a very small summer budget, Benitez has got Everton firing, and it shows you what the top managers can do. For me Smith is short of that level. Tuchel made changes at half time that contained us and we looked half as threatening. Benitez changed shape last night and changed the game from 1-0 down. The top managers have ways to change the course of games that in don't have confidence in Smith doing. Lose at the weekend, the Spurs game becomes a pretty big one very early in the season. Get to 9-10  games in on 5-6 points we are in a relegation battle.

Totally unfair to compare with Tuchel with the vast talented squad he has at Chelsea. I’m not even sure it’s a fair comparison with Benitez given his vast worldwide experience

If Benitez managed Villa we'd be arguing that he'd just taken over from Ancelotti, needed his own players and three years to judge him, that he'd only been allowed to bring in cheap signings like Gray and Townsend etc etc!

[Sexual Ealing]

Benitez is a manager we could get. Tuchel isn't.

[Monty]

Benitez is a fine manager I respect a lot who I don't want us to hire unless we're in a dark spot.

[Sexual Ealing]

Benitez is a fine manager I respect a lot who I don't want us to hire unless we're in a dark spot.

I'd even look elsewhere in a dark spot. He's an effective manager, but I hate the way his teams play.