Bolton v Leeds - Team/Reports/Ratings

[1964white]

A change of year, change of formation and we are showing clear signs of playing more effective football, both in terms of looking more solid as a defensive unit plus being able to threaten our opponent's defence.
However we are going to need to actually put our opponents to the sword by getting goals when good opportunities are created if we are going to ease Martyn's (and others') genuine concerns about relegation.
Regardless of the clear positives coming from the 2nd half v Sunderland and v Bolton the Head Coach needs to tinker with the personnel in the 4-2-3-1 set up to ensure this occurs.
In reality our lineup v BWFC was not laden with goals and as indicated elsewhere NR may have missed a trick by not at least getting another goalscorer (or more accurately a goalscorer ) onto the pitch for the final 10-15 minutes last Saturday.
So while the 4-2-3-1 set up shows considerably more potential than the diamond it is vital to get the right people in the right spots to realise this potential.
In that regard I would be interested to hear opinions about the deployment of our players.
For example could Antenucci play one of the attacking 4 options in the system eg. lone striker or CM? Is there are role for Sharpe? Where would Mowatt best fit?

I personally would play Antenucci upfront with Morison in our home game v Birmingham dropping out Sloth although we seem to be a more balanced side when Casper Sloth plays

Cheers,
CS69

[eastyorkshirewhite]

At the end of the day we have a squad of players who are short on quality to many of them are similar also ften yu at the bench and you cant see whoncan come on and make a difference maybe the only is Sharp but Redfern seems reluctant5 to use him.As for winning games teams are now finding them seves in a same position s Leeds are and will be fighting for there lives have leeds got that kind of fight in I don't see it the teams who will battle will survive.

[Genghers]

I understand the reasoning behind playing Morison up top, but he's just s**t. 3 goals since signing - that's as many as Warnock has in the same time! I know he's not made that many appearances, but he had at least one clear opportunity on Saturday and fluffed it - 2-0 up and we'd have been away.

Sharp or Antenucci are the only two of our strikers who are able to play up on their own, but neither have the height that Morison offers. If only we had a giant striker to aim for

I quite like the diamond formation when executed well - we just don't have the players for it. This system seems much more balanced, and considering we're making it work with no natural wingers it's a big plus.

Who was wide left for us? Heard Byram mentioned constantly coming down the right, but very little on the left other than Taylor making a hash of a cross. Would like to see Adryan out wide - he's got the trickery of Snodgrass and could cut inside well like Rob and Gradel used to do...

[rich_leeds64]

A very good report Leon, I'm away on holiday so missed the last two games and the Sunday paper I saw was all about Eidur Gudjohnnson scoring his penalty. There was one line which read "Austin scored from the spot after Byram was brought down". Nice to hear Murphy has rediscovered some form, let's hope he continues and we keep the same formation. I'm looking forward to watching us take on the Cherries when I return, a real test but we do seem to raise our game against better opposition, with the exception of the Derby debacle.

[1964white]

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/753080499?-11130:816

These ratings claimed Feeney played left midfield.....untrue as he played on the right flank, to give the lad a 7 is astounding as he was woeful and Heskey a 6

[1964white]

A very good report Leon, I'm away on holiday so missed the last two games and the Sunday paper I saw was all about Eidur Gudjohnnson scoring his penalty. There was one line which read "Austin scored from the spot after Byram was brought down". Nice to hear Murphy has rediscovered some form, let's hope he continues and we keep the same formation. I'm looking forward to watching us take on the Cherries when I return, a real test but we do seem to raise our game against better opposition, with the exception of the Derby debacle.

Thanks Rich at least someone reads my reports

[Brader]

I believe sloth was left wing.

[andywatson]

I quite like the diamond formation when executed well - we just don't have the players for it. This system seems much more balanced, and considering we're making it work with no natural wingers it's a big plus.

I tend to agree with this. The only problem is we have an owner that bought those players, and then insisted on the formation. One of those must change.

I was listening to Sam Allardyce today talking about how he has a footballing philosophy, but he doesn't have the players that fit his preferred systems- so he has to adapt. Seemed like common sense to me.

We have an owner that has a preferred philosophy, buys players that don't fit it- then fires the manager.

[1964white]

I believe sloth was left wing.

My post was from a Bolton team perspective Brader

[Brader]

(i had only scanned the page to be honest, as far i could tell noone had answered ghengers post)

[Martyn]

(i had only scanned the page to be honest, as far i could tell noone had answered ghengers post)

You're perfectly right Brader - Genghers asked who was playing wide left (for us) and you answered him.

[1964white]

(i had only scanned the page to be honest, as far i could tell noone had answered ghengers post)

Apologies Brader, i assumed you were referring to my post

[Genghers]

I believe sloth was left wing.

He's natually right footed though isn't he? I'd like to see Mowatt given a chance out there, move Sloth into the middle with Cook maybe?

No use having to cut back to cross every time!

[Brader]

I believe so yes HOWEVER, he didnt look completely out of position out there and my friend said hes played there before for previous clubs so i presume hes quite used to it. I did notice that he put a few crosses in with his left. Thats one thing i noticed about charlie taylor, he cut inside a few times and had a perfect chance to put a ball in with his right foot but being a lefty kept awkwardly putting it back on his left. He got found out quite quickl;y at bolton how weak his right foot was. Something id like to see him work on.

[weasel]

An interesting and brave selection given the amount of stick he (Redfearn) would have got if it went wrong. Hopefully the kick up the ar$e that some players needed, the rest that others needed, and the chance that others needed.

I fully expect us to go on a decent run now taking 18-22 points out of the next 24. Play-offs here we come!

Oh well 16 points out of the 24 so a bit short of my prediction and as a result unlikely to reach the play-offs,