Deep Breath*
One thing we have seen this season is a pretty rigid attempt to stick with 442. I'll discount the metallist games because we tried some "unorthodox" tactics in each of those.
I think the majority of tinkering has been an attempt to find a relatively successful patch-up in midfield - with pienaar gradually bedded in, and accommodating artetas injury as well as the long-termers.
The defence has changed a fair bit - It did appear to be rotated for the first few games of the season, competing for the chance to partner lescott who was brought into the middle as baines was blooded.
I reckon stubbs was dropped after the reading game after some poor form, then yobo gradually developed some equally poor form resulting in stubbsys reinstatement.
Hibbo has been a much maligned regular so far, meriting his eventual drop and also justifying his reinstatement over the last few games. Stubbs then plays 3 games in a week and needs resting
So I actually believe that actually after an initial rotation period the majority of the changes have been due to form. Add to this the need to accomodate your captain, stubbsy's age, etc and the end result has been a pretty unpredictable lineup from game to game
Regardless of the reasons though.... Now has got to be the time to settle at the back - really we need yobo to be firing on all cylinders as surely stubbsy cant keep on as a regular - jags would need to be an instant hit at cntre back to justify trying yet another combination.
* catches breath*
One thing we have seen this season is a pretty rigid attempt to stick with 442. I'll discount the metallist games because we tried some "unorthodox" tactics in each of those.
I think the majority of tinkering has been an attempt to find a relatively successful patch-up in midfield - with pienaar gradually bedded in, and accommodating artetas injury as well as the long-termers.
The defence has changed a fair bit - It did appear to be rotated for the first few games of the season, competing for the chance to partner lescott who was brought into the middle as baines was blooded.
I reckon stubbs was dropped after the reading game after some poor form, then yobo gradually developed some equally poor form resulting in stubbsys reinstatement.
Hibbo has been a much maligned regular so far, meriting his eventual drop and also justifying his reinstatement over the last few games. Stubbs then plays 3 games in a week and needs resting
So I actually believe that actually after an initial rotation period the majority of the changes have been due to form. Add to this the need to accomodate your captain, stubbsy's age, etc and the end result has been a pretty unpredictable lineup from game to game
Regardless of the reasons though.... Now has got to be the time to settle at the back - really we need yobo to be firing on all cylinders as surely stubbsy cant keep on as a regular - jags would need to be an instant hit at cntre back to justify trying yet another combination.
* catches breath*
