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New Formation to stay

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by mackemwelder, Jan 19, 2015.

  1. mackemwelder

    mackemwelder Well-Known Member

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    Taken from todays Echo.

    GUS POYET believes a 3-5-2 formation makes the most of Sunderland’s current resources.

    Since arriving at the Stadium of Light 15 months ago, Sunderland boss Poyet has predominantly stuck to a 4-1-4-1 system – working on it throughout pre-season, and sticking to it rigidly throughout the current campaign.
    But there was a fresh approach at his former club Spurs on Saturday, as Poyet opted for three central defenders to accommodate new signing Jermain Defoe in a strike partnership.
    Poyet had experimented with the same system last season, but Sunderland failed to pick up a single point and the trial was swiftly ended after the Black Cats succumbed to a 5-1 rout at Spurs in April.
    Yet there were far more encouraging signs at White Hart Lane this time, with Sunderland unfortunate to come away empty-handed after Christian Eriksen’s late winner for the hosts.
    “With the personnel we’ve got at the moment, I think it was the best idea,” said Poyet.
    “It was a bit of a risk. We’d only trained with it for a few minutes.
    “But a few players did it last year, so they knew how to play it.
    “It was just a matter of how the full-backs, who were not with us last year, would adapt in a game like that.
    “I think the first half was pretty good. I was pleased.”
    After producing a minimal offensive threat in their previous Premier League outing against Liverpool seven days earlier, Sunderland were certainly more dangerous in their new set-up.
    Defoe had a penalty appeal turned down seconds after Spurs took the lead, Steven Fletcher spurned a sitter from a Billy Jones cross just before Seb Larsson’s superb free-kick equaliser, while substitute Danny Graham should have converted at least one of two chances either side of Eriksen’s winner.
    “I think the difference was we created,” said Poyet.
    “The penalty, people will look at it, but if that’s not a foul, then Jermain is free inside the box with the ball on his right foot.
    “You would put your money on Jermain in those situations.
    “It’s not only the foul not given, it’s the opportunity that went away.
    “Then the Fletcher one and the couple from Danny Graham.
    “We’re talking about chances inside the box with only the goalkeeper to beat.
    “That makes the difference about winning or not.”
    It was a second successive outing from the bench for Graham, who returned from a loan spell at Championship Wolves at the turn of the year after being offered to any willing suitors throughout the summer.
    Graham could still head out again on loan during the current window, should Sunderland receive an acceptable offer.
    But despite Graham’s misses, Poyet believes that the 29-year-old is making an impression after ending a 20-month wait for a Premier League appearance in red and white.
    “He came on, held the ball and ran about,” added the Uruguayan.
    “He gave us something that we need.
    “He’s been showing that since he came back from his loan.
    “If he’s like that, he will have his chance.
    “We don’t have anything personal against anyone.
    “It’s how you perform, how sharp you are and how you play.
    “If he’s going to help us, then he’s going to play.”


    I must admit I'm pleased about this and although I never saw the game, I'm told that we created more chances than we have all season. Surely it's got to be a step in the right direction? it clearly wasn't work and we weren't creating much were we?
     
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  2. JustMeMan

    JustMeMan Well-Known Member

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    70% of the remaining games are winable so I'm happy about this,
     
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  3. mackemwelder

    mackemwelder Well-Known Member

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    Beat Fulham in the cup and Burnley in the league and confidence should be high as well.
     
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  4. clockstander

    clockstander Well-Known Member

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    So Gus has more than one "system", this is great news, now he just has to figure out how to use substitutions to suit the situation on the pitch, and not just faithfully stick with like for like, as he did again yesterday, and we just might have ourselves a top class manager.
     
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  5. monty987

    monty987 Well-Known Member

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    All our remaining home games should be 3-5-2 and even 3-4-3, or I would play Fletcher, Defoe and Whickam against Fulham as an experiment, Gecci, Larson, Johnson and sign Ings from Burnley if I was manager and play him against them on the 31st jan
     
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  6. Nordic

    Nordic Well-Known Member

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    well, let's see how it goes.

    I'd be tempted to use Rodwell as part of the back 3. He can tackle, defend, has pace, can pass and distribute well and can head a ball at either end of the pitch to good effect. Vergini needs a rest.

    Once Catts comes back, and Bridcutt, he'll struggle to keep his spot in the DM hole. He showed promise first half on Saturday, before his legs got the better of him.
     
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  7. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

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    I think Rodders would really suit CB in this system. Good call.
     
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  8. clockstander

    clockstander Well-Known Member

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    Me too, thats why I started my thread about the Cup game, as I would like to see a new CD formation replacing JOS and Wes, giving them a well earned breather.
     
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  9. Brian Storm

    Brian Storm Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't tinker too much, I want the first string to nail this system for Burnley, playing it is the best way imo. If brown ain't a 100% then I'd try Rodders as I'd be dropping him for Catts anyway.
     
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