Rösler von Stretfordbömber said:
ninjamonkey said:
It will be either very brave or stupid If he sticks with 4-4-2 tomorrow. If it goes our way and we win he'll shut a lot of people up who are calling for a 4-5-1 formation (myself included) but if he goes with it and we lose there's going to be some real pressure on him for the first time since his arrival.
The Daily Star (ha!) now suggesting just this will happen - Milner supposedly to start in a 3 man midfield.
I'm kind of with the camp that thinks way too much is made of the formation. But also I am hoping that this is indeed true as I think something of a shakeup is called for and that this is Milner's best role. Also would seem to suit the opponent. Crap-for-a-head will probably be coming at us and Milner seems best used to my eyes against managers who play this way.
The shake up required is in intensity , graft, guile , better clinical finishing and a will to win in particular a real desire to get back into a game should we fall behind.
These are non negotiables and non related to the set up.
38 defeats from the last 39 games we have trailed at half time is a disgrace for a side of this quality and international level experience.
Of course we can put the game to bed in the first half to not have to concern ourselves with breaking this sequence but we know the way we have been playing this won't happen and we will have to be fully committed to the task for the whole game to come out on top.