MMC 1,000 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I was classing muzzy and albert as forwards. If we're classing them as midfielders, then I'd quite like to hang onto them too and Ledesma can be an extremely valuable player when on form. Link to post Share on other sites
AnglianRed 6,320 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Well, first of all I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. As someone already pointed out, this is his first managerial job and he's only been here around 3 months. He deserves plaudits for sorting our defence out, which had been shipping goals like they were going out of fashion. He seems to be trying to get us to play the Continental / Premier League way, using the 4-2-3-1 system, which seems to be currently "on trend". While I applaud his vision and aspirations, it seems pretty obvious we don't currently have players capable of playing that system...at least not in the attacking sense. My only criticism would be that if he can see the players are struggling to implement his plans - as he has said more than once in interviews, then he should at least be flexible enough to change the system. Maybe he'll be able to bring in players who can play 4-2-3-1 effectively in the Summer - I guess we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime he should appreciate we still have a fair number of games left this season and perhaps consider using formations that the current squad is more comfortable with. If 6 games without scoring doesn't tell him something needs to change, I don't know what will... Also, reading some of the comments on here, I get the sense we have another problem...too many "utility" players. Over the last season or so, we've tried all sorts of combinations up front and on the wings - Jutkiewicz, Main, Emnes, Ledesma, Carayol, Adomah, Kamara (and now Graham and Tomlin). Is it possible we're playing musical chairs with these guys so much they never get comfortable, or never develop that special "telepathy" that the best strike partnerships seem to have? Maybe we need to start using out-and-out strikers and specialised wingers, rather than strikers-slash-attacking midfielders-slash-wingers? Link to post Share on other sites
Uwe 3,545 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I was classing muzzy and albert as forwards. If we're classing them as midfielders, then I'd quite like to hang onto them too and Ledesma can be an extremely valuable player when on form. Ah ok... I'm a bit old fashioned as I still class wingers as midfielders in the traditional 4-4-2 sense :) Link to post Share on other sites
MMC 1,000 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Also, reading some of the comments on here, I get the sense we have another problem...too many "utility" players. Over the last season or so, we've tried all sorts of combinations up front and on the wings - Jutkiewicz, Main, Emnes, Ledesma, Carayol, Adomah, Kamara (and now Graham and Tomlin). Is it possible we're playing musical chairs with these guys so much they never get comfortable, or never develop that special "telepathy" that the best strike partnerships seem to have? Maybe we need to start using out-and-out strikers and specialised wingers, rather than strikers-slash-attacking midfielders-slash-wingers? Agree with all the rest of your post apart from this point. Albert and Muzzy are both out and out wingers and barring a few occasions have been played as such. Graham is an out and out striker. Most of our utility players are defenders or defensive players like Williams ®, Omeruo, Varga. As for changing the front line being a problem, possibly, but there have been injuries to Kamara and Adomah and to Carayol, so some tweaks were always going to be inevitable. If we kept a stable front line and it still didn't work, Karanka'd be getting flack for not switching it up. I was classing muzzy and albert as forwards. If we're classing them as midfielders, then I'd quite like to hang onto them too and Ledesma can be an extremely valuable player when on form. Ah ok... I'm a bit old fashioned as I still class wingers as midfielders in the traditional 4-4-2 sense :) No worries, can be a cause for confusion :P Think wingers are classed more as forwards now, like Bale, Ronaldo, Robben, etc. (not comparing Adomah or Carayol to them just to clarify :P) Link to post Share on other sites
Aarfy_Aardvark 38 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I blame Mowbray. Link to post Share on other sites
MMC 1,000 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I blame Holly. Apparently after defeat at Leicester she became a crack-whore, diminishing all dressing room morale. Goddamnit Holly!!! Link to post Share on other sites
AnglianRed 6,320 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Also, reading some of the comments on here, I get the sense we have another problem...too many "utility" players. Over the last season or so, we've tried all sorts of combinations up front and on the wings - Jutkiewicz, Main, Emnes, Ledesma, Carayol, Adomah, Kamara (and now Graham and Tomlin). Is it possible we're playing musical chairs with these guys so much they never get comfortable, or never develop that special "telepathy" that the best strike partnerships seem to have? Maybe we need to start using out-and-out strikers and specialised wingers, rather than strikers-slash-attacking midfielders-slash-wingers? Agree with all the rest of your post apart from this point. Albert and Muzzy are both out and out wingers and barring a few occasions have been played as such. Graham is an out and out striker. Most of our utility players are defenders or defensive players like Williams ®, Omeruo, Varga. As for changing the front line being a problem, possibly, but there have been injuries to Kamara and Adomah and to Carayol, so some tweaks were always going to be inevitable. If we kept a stable front line and it still didn't work, Karanka'd be getting flack for not switching it up. I know they're not actually utility players, (hence the "quote marks") but they have been used as such quite often - the "square pegs in round holes" thing, going back to when Mowbray was in charge. It goes back to my comment about needing to find a system they're comfortable with and produce their best...at least until Karanka can bring in the kind of players he wants for his preferred system. Obviously injuries and suspensions can limit the manager's options, but I feel AK needs to have his players in their preferred positions as often as possible. To try and instil a bit more confidence and co-ordination when going forward, if nothing else... Link to post Share on other sites
Guest O'Briens Agent Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I sometimes think square pegs in round holes does cause us more problems. I would hope AK isn't as narrow minded about things as to cut off his nose. Not a criticism just opinion. Main isn't + will never be a right winger. If he's picked needs to be in 4-4-2. Be interested to see if Tomlin will be CAM answer as believe he's likely to push beyond CF. In 4-2-3-1 there has to be massive effort to support CF. If we have compromised on pace out wide then ball retention up top has to be consistent. Link to post Share on other sites
BoroDownSouth 60 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 It is ludicrous to be questioning Karanka already. He's installed discipline, an ethos and a philosophy with limited resources. I'm very happy with what he's done so far. It's all about building up to next a August from here. The urgency at which some fans wanted to stick it to Mowbray was a little disappointing at times. This this this! Link to post Share on other sites
bugrit 31 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If ever the fans do turn against him, I can't imagine what they'll find to rhyme with Karanka. :D Link to post Share on other sites
"KM" 1,656 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If ever the fans do turn against him, I can't imagine what they'll find to rhyme with Karanka. :D I'm going to feel sorry for him if the fans start turning against him and start rhyming his name with that word :( Link to post Share on other sites
MRe 352 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If ever the fans do turn against him, I can't imagine what they'll find to rhyme with Karanka. :D I'm going to feel sorry for him if the fans start turning against him and start rhyming his name with that word :( Wow it's catchy :D Link to post Share on other sites
LukeR 44 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If ever the fans do turn against him, I can't imagine what they'll find to rhyme with Karanka. :D I'm going to feel sorry for him if the fans start turning against him and start rhyming his name with that word :( Banker? :S Link to post Share on other sites
MMC 1,000 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If ever the fans do turn against him, I can't imagine what they'll find to rhyme with Karanka. :D I'm going to feel sorry for him if the fans start turning against him and start rhyming his name with that word :( Banker? :S *Sigh* No... Flanker... Duh. ;) Link to post Share on other sites
tho_e 1 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I guess every manager has their way of doing things... I certainly don't expect him to come in, wave his wand and Boro gets promoted immediately. With only 3 mths into his first management job, it's not too bad. He may be trying to adopt what he has learnt while being assistant manager, but then our team is different, its not a team full of stars, the management style has to be different from Real Madrid. But he is learning everyday. This half a season management would allow him to put his style into play while learning to manage a championship team. We should see more results next season. Summer transfers could be interesting. 10 pts away from a playoff place, it's not impossible yet it's tough. strange decision or not, as long as it earns points for the club... Link to post Share on other sites
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