I was expecting that our performance after Arteta's injury will take a hit, but even I didn't expect that it will look so dull. At least we are still collecting points and our D is still doing a decent job collecting a clean sheets.
Even if both frustrate me very aften Pienaar and Osman are the only players we have at the moment, who can try to organize something and limit our "hoofing game to the max". This short list also includes Baines, but he has limited impact, playing as a left back.
I am not sure if Moyes would go for it, since it requires some tactical changes and we have some important games waiting for us, but I believe that we need a second big change in the system we are playing. First one worked nicely (moving Arteta to the centre), this one probably won't have as much positive impact as the first one, but IMHO is worth a try.
It looks like Moyes wants to keep all 3 CBs happy, so why not just playing 3 at the back. Jagielka is doing very solid job as RB, but seeing him trying to attack on the right flank is not what can work and help us. So why not playing Lescott as LCB, Jagielka as CB and Yobo as RCB.
This would allow to Baines and Neville (or eventually Gosling) to play in more advancing positions on the flanks, in wingback roles.
Rodwell did a decent shielding job tonight as DM, so I would keep him there.
It won't be possible to do it every game (with Blackburn physical style I doubt it would work tonight, since our midfield could be easily overrun), but in some games I would try to put Pienaar and Osman together in CM positions, Pienaar with more freedom to attack, and Osman sticking to sit back a little bit and trying to organize our game. I believe we had a better moments attacking wise vs WBA and Blackburn when Osman was playing in the centre, so why not trying to keep it up.
If it would help us limit our "hoofing game to the max" it's still a chance to Jo can work playing up-front, just like he did against Bolton, when our game was still was looking really good. If we can't do it, playing him as Target Man is pointless, just use Saha, Cahill or Fellaini there.
Also if we would need to put some bigger muscles in centre of midfield, today's game is an indication that Cahill can actually do a better job than Fellaini there, so it's another thing worth a consideration - use "Timbo" as CM or as Target Man, and just keeping Fellaini (or use Saha) as Attacking Midfielder/Second Striker.
Any opinions?
Even if both frustrate me very aften Pienaar and Osman are the only players we have at the moment, who can try to organize something and limit our "hoofing game to the max". This short list also includes Baines, but he has limited impact, playing as a left back.
I am not sure if Moyes would go for it, since it requires some tactical changes and we have some important games waiting for us, but I believe that we need a second big change in the system we are playing. First one worked nicely (moving Arteta to the centre), this one probably won't have as much positive impact as the first one, but IMHO is worth a try.
It looks like Moyes wants to keep all 3 CBs happy, so why not just playing 3 at the back. Jagielka is doing very solid job as RB, but seeing him trying to attack on the right flank is not what can work and help us. So why not playing Lescott as LCB, Jagielka as CB and Yobo as RCB.
This would allow to Baines and Neville (or eventually Gosling) to play in more advancing positions on the flanks, in wingback roles.
Rodwell did a decent shielding job tonight as DM, so I would keep him there.
It won't be possible to do it every game (with Blackburn physical style I doubt it would work tonight, since our midfield could be easily overrun), but in some games I would try to put Pienaar and Osman together in CM positions, Pienaar with more freedom to attack, and Osman sticking to sit back a little bit and trying to organize our game. I believe we had a better moments attacking wise vs WBA and Blackburn when Osman was playing in the centre, so why not trying to keep it up.
If it would help us limit our "hoofing game to the max" it's still a chance to Jo can work playing up-front, just like he did against Bolton, when our game was still was looking really good. If we can't do it, playing him as Target Man is pointless, just use Saha, Cahill or Fellaini there.
Also if we would need to put some bigger muscles in centre of midfield, today's game is an indication that Cahill can actually do a better job than Fellaini there, so it's another thing worth a consideration - use "Timbo" as CM or as Target Man, and just keeping Fellaini (or use Saha) as Attacking Midfielder/Second Striker.
Any opinions?
