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TALKING TACTICS
- WIGAN ATHLETIC v MIDDLESBROUGH 4-10-08
Ian Gill
Last week, I got most of my predictions correct. West Brom came and tried to play football, they were ponderous at the back and we tried to play with pace and movement. Sadly our finishing was rubbish.
But our finishing was not as bad as the defending for the goal. We had six red shirts and a keeper in the six yard box and still a centre half with the turning circle of one of Steve Gibson's ore carriers had time to get off the ground and get a waft at the ball. The shot was going so slowly, it nearly got a parking ticket.
At least zonal marking meant Mr Zone didn’t get on the score sheet. However, if Miller hadn’t been so greedy, we might have suffered even more.
Column continues below...
As I posted elsewhere, there are startling similarities between the current team and the one managed by Bruce Rioch that rose from ‘jumpers for goalposts’ to the old First Division.
We have a squad that is young and talented, with both pace and movement. Our team also regularly receives plaudits from opposing fans, players and managers, alongside heartfelt thanks for the three points.
We are now in a tricky situation - sixteenth in the League with a tough match at Wigan coming up. The Latics are a team moulded into a hard working unit by an uncompromising centre half of a manager.
As we saw when Wigan played Manchester City, they will harry us mercilessly, especially if Clattermole wins his battle for fitness. I don’t think he will need much pre match motivation.
They will be physical at both ends of the pitch and in Wilson Palacios, they have someone who could give some tips to Tom Daley on diving.
Zaki and Heskey are a handful even if the latter always looks ready to burst into tears.
This is all set for us to be bullied off the pitch if we are not up for the battle.
Last week, I pleaded for some continuity to allow partnerships to develop. Therefore, I cannot now call for wholesale changes.
Then again, I doubt we could make many changes anyway as we don’t have a second string of the same quality to pick from.
On Saturday, Gate has a tricky decision to make. After saying that we played well and had enough chances to win, he is now faced with the fact that if he makes changes, whoever is left out will be scapegoated. Well, that is what he is paid for.
However, I believe that it is time for us to give the spine of the team a chance to develop. This means that it should be Turnbull in goal and the back four should pick itself.
In centre midfield my policy of continuity would have Shawky and O’Neil playing, with Digard coming off the bench. However, Digard has more movement and looks livelier than Shawky so there is an argument for a change there.
Away from home O’Neil could move right to allow Digard and Shawky to partner each other in the centre.
Downing left and Aliadiere right is the logical extension of my argument but why did we buy Emnes if we don’t play him or even bring him on? It may be time to rest Aliadiere and give Emnes a run but as I said above, Gate may be tempted to go for solidity.
Up front we have the quandary of going with two strikers or one with someone playing in the hole.
If we play a solid midfield, he may go with two strikers. These would be Alves and Mido (his work rate was excellent last week) and playing them regularly could give the partnership a chance to develop.
The alternative may see a return to the planned Sunderland formation with an attacking five man midfield.
Let us hope that whatever team goes out we actually getting something for our efforts. For far too long we have laughed at Titus Bramble but he rarely makes mistakes against us. Tomorrow would be the ideal time to do it.
BACK TO THE TALKING
TACTICS INDEX
CREDIT CRUNCH RELIEF - A GUARANTEED PROFIT OF AT LEAST £43.60 ON MANCHESTER CITY v ARSENAL
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