Days like today are even more enjoyable because they are so unexpected, just annoying that we can't seem to be consistent but well done lads...
You would expect more consistency with a core team that has a better understanding of each other. This chopping/changing/tombola doesn't help. And Holloway should know his best team by now. I appreciate the injuries at the back, but he juggles everywhere (and I'm not sure he still has found his best forward line either). I would have expected us to have a more settled team and found it easier to identify our scouting focus for the next couple of players needed (which really isn't that difficult for all of us to work out).
I think Ollie knows his best (currently fit) team...with two positions (one he is still experimenting with, the other being interchangeable CF) being open for change depending on the opposition Smithies Lynch, Robinson, Baptiste Bidwell, Scowen, xxx Mass, Freeman, Connor Sylla imho...at the moment he is searching for his right wingback/winger (Wszolek, Cousins, Bright, Wheeler, Smythe, Lualua) The above team can move from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 quite effortlessly, and does. Smith is now acting as an impact sub.....and a replacement for Sylla in the starting line-up when a real physical presence is needed. I do think Ollie has a plan.
Cousins wasn't bad yesterday, bearing in mind he wasn't match fit (and there is no way he will get a starting berth in our midfield currently). Wheeler is a possibilty too...not seen enough of him Never thought Robinson could have been as good as he has been at CD...so you never know!
A few make a good fist of it though.Thought Bidwell was pretty good there yesterday, in fact he has been the last couple of games. I think Robinson would also make a good LWB, but then he's done so well at CB he may not get the chance! Pavel does well on the right, the defensive side of his game has improved a lot, maybe at the cost of his confidence going forward.
This, it’s the critical position in this formation, and while those picked are doing their best, none are naturals. Isla was the last one we had, and after one game he was never allowed to play there. They can be made though. I know none of us like the diving twat, but Ashley Young (and Valencia come to that) are doing a very good job in these roles for Mourinho, and neither of them started as wing backs.
We might not have the perfect personnel for the system, but I think that 3-5-2 is our best option. Our strength is the midfield 3 and they work best with wing-backs, it seems to me. Wingers can be taught to defend and defenders can get forward effectively. Bidwell was excellent yesterday, albeit mainly in defensive situations. Cousins, on yesterday's showing, seems a much better option on the right than Wszolek, who is much overrated in my opinion. Robinson is probably our best wing-back, but he has also become or best centre-back.
