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Opinion

We all see the problems with this Newcastle United tactic

9 years ago
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I don’t get it….

I wrote last year of the need for unity amongst us. I also spoke about the way we used our players and the way they were being played.

Just under two months into the Newcastle United season and all those hopes of optimism are slowly dwindling away.

The Southampton game -we were all up for it, even the anti-Ashley fans were willing to put some of their grievance to one side and actually sensed that we could be different this year.

Southampton backed it up to a degree, although they were coming off the back of a horrendous Europa League tie!! Away at Old Trafford, we saw a desire to show a little resilience and understanding of how to play the ‘big boys’.

Since then, we have seen indiscipline, the same old effort from our players and a pathetic attempt at attacking play.

Which brings me to the main point to debate – formation.

So far, no matter the opponent; one man up front, two holding midfielders.

Why don’t we just list it as 6-3-1 Steve????

There is debate for the two full backs to play as wingers, yep get that, but why do we play wide players  such as Thauvin, Squidward and Sissoko?

Why play Anita and Colback when Colback is more than capable of holding the role on his own?

Why play one man up front on his own?

Cisse, as I said last season, as well as Perez, does not have the strength to play that role and we just don’t have the players!!

Maybe Mitrovic is – but the problems are deeper than that. We don’t have the midfielders, or wingers, or full backs strong enough to play with one man on his own leading the forward line.

Cisse is an out and out goalscorer – not a hold up player (when he is onside).

Perez has so much ability but not as an out and out goalscorer.

Mitrovic has a bit of both but has had no supporting cast and we still do not know how he will adapt and last 90 minutes.

Sissoko – shows up when he feels like it.

Thauvin – learning the pace of the league but looking like a rabbit in head lights at times.

Wijnaldum– still waiting to see what he is made off – inconsistent.

De Jong – maybe fit one day but every time I have seen him, offers less than Sissoko on a bad day.

Obertan – great at getting up the line and sh*ts himself when he gets in line with the box.

Aarons – being held back because of…(development????)

That is about our attacking threat.

The story of us is – McClaren has the ability to be a good ‘Head Coach’ for us, as the hierarchy wanted, and I don’t mind giving him the time to create a little bit of positive play in his mould.

He too, like us – has no faith in the back four.

His answer to that is – play a back six EVERY game.

This then leaves four players to create the goal scoring that any team needs to win games.

Bugger me, are we going to play ten at the back this weekend and hope to rely on a lone striker to hold play up long enough for six of his ‘teammates’ to join him, then we get caught out on the counter-attack??

No disrespect to the 50 odd thousand who show up every home game, or the 3,000 or so who show up to support the lads away from home – there are MILLIONS of us Steve, around the world, and we all see the problem of playing six defenders in EVERY game.

I can promise you…

We won’t get on your back for giving it a go and losing…….we will get on your back for not even trying!!

KTF

(To feature like James, send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk – all views those of the author etc etc)

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