Our best days in the championship have been 2 up front, you can't do it in the premiership but here you can.
When Fleming returns he has to start in the hole behind Foster.
It gives the dilemma of two from four in the middle, but will give far greater scope for opening teams up.
Our defense if plenty good enough to cope.
Let's be more adventurous please

Well Foster on his own certainly does not work !!

And it's not his fault.

summitclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 28, 2024 10:39 pm

And it's not his fault.

We need a strong number 9.

In this league you need someone who can hold the ball up to bring others in to play to break the lines and put the opposition on the back foot. You then have the option to play the ball into feet up top to create a base to play from.

Foster isn't that type of player.

Therfore we will have to use what we have, and the options are limited.

Hountondji - Very raw, even though he has the build and physicality, not sure if he is capable?

Jay Rod - Not strong or quick enough anymore sadly.

That leaves Flemming which is a shame because he is better as a 10 but needs must.

Foster would then play as the 10, running onto knock downs and lay offs with pace, essentially playing the Tella role.

We are currently playing the type of game that requires you to have a clinical finisher who can poach 20+ a season and we haven't unless Foster proves he can do it as a 10.

In January we need to give Jay Rod a free transfer for his service and replace with a strong number 9.

Also loan Hountondji and replace with a poacher, even if he is ageing, someone who will guarantee goals.

That would mean we have options when we can't break teams down. Goals win promotion not possession.

Ashley Barnes played a hugely underrated role in our success during the 22/23 season which even Kompany overlooked or didn't realise initially.

Tella became the poacher by accident, we now need to find another, hopefully Foster facing the goal running from a deeper position can become that player?

Going to have to find a way to break these teams down next two will come for a point that’s for sure

Drop Foster play Flemming up front Hannibal just behind with Koleosho and Sarmiento out wide in a 4-2-3-1 formation and stop this silly sideways football and get the bloody ball forward

AGENT_CLARET wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:36 am

Drop Foster play Flemming up front Hannibal just behind with Koleosho and Sarmiento out wide in a 4-2-3-1 formation and stop this silly sideways football and get the bloody ball forward

What have you seen from Hannibal that suggests that he should play behind the striker. That for me looks to be one of our main weaknesses - we’ve no creativity through the middle.

Hasn't Flemming been most effective behind a striker?

Graham17 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:30 am

Going to have to find a way to break these teams down next two will come for a point that’s for sure

We will hopefully be training for it, teams sitting deep and how to break them down.
Numbers in an already crowded box is essential. Then play the ball in. One touch football, on the deck, and quick release when you get it. If nothing else it will cause panic, and panic causes mistakes. Win the second ball.

It sounds easy, and obviously won't be, but passing side to side outside the area produces very little.

AGENT_CLARET wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:36 am

Drop Foster play Flemming up front Hannibal just behind with Koleosho and Sarmiento out wide in a 4-2-3-1 formation and stop this silly sideways football and get the bloody ball forward

I’ve been disappointed with Hannibal so far but I think this is mainly because he’s been shunted into a number 10 position he isn’t familiar with. Not sure keeping him there and putting in a more orthodox number 10 in a centre forward position is the way forward.

DCWat wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:50 am

What have you seen from Hannibal that suggests that he should play behind the striker. That for me looks to be one of our main weaknesses - we’ve no creativity through the middle.

Hasn't Flemming been most effective behind a striker?

Yes but we don't have a regular goal scoring striker at the club

AGENT_CLARET wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 12:03 pm

Yes but we don't have a regular goal scoring striker at the club

Not as yet. I’d rather try Flemming behind Foster for a run of games to see if we can get something to click.

Perhaps not the ideal option, but lacking depth of quality up front, I’d rather try that than playing Hannibal and Flemming in unnatural positions.

DCWat wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:00 pm

Not as yet. I’d rather try Flemming behind Foster for a run of games to see if we can get something to click.

Perhaps not the ideal option, but lacking depth of quality up front, I’d rather try that than playing Hannibal and Flemming in unnatural positions.

Foster looks lost or uninterested at the moment probably because of the lack of support so could benifit from a rest, Jay Rod has no legs and can't play 90 mins, Flemming up front is our only option unfortunately

It’s a real dilemma.

Foster and Flemming have to be given a chance to form a partnership.

That probably means sacrificing either Brownhill, who is captain and chips in with goals, or Hannibal, who hasn’t yet had chance to play in his preferred position.

2 up is the way to win the Championship.

Foster and Flemming have yet to start any games together

They have to be given time - when fit