Substitutions

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

I don't think we are anywhere near positive enough with our changes during the latter stages of matches. Watching the mancs yesterday was a perfect example of how to turn one point into 3, with a defender being replaced by an attacker on 64 minutes (O'Shea for Berbatov). In my view had we been a bit more positive in our changes against West Ham, Hull and Arsenal we would have 6 more points on the board. In fact, had we gambled and lost one of the games we'd still have an extra point on the board.

 

Three points for a win has changed the way you win the league, and I don't think we gamble enough. We seem to have a set sub of Babel for Keane or a midfielder. Why not take off a defender and throw on a striker against the lesser teams, and against Arsenal with 10 men?

[Guest PaulMcC]

Ferguson also brought on midfielders instead of forwards against Spurs while Scolari brought on a full back for a winger a few weeks ago.

 

Rafa made changes against Wigan which left us with only 2 defenders on the pitch looking for the win.

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

Yeah and they only drew against Spurs.

 

We have some pretty fantastic attacking flair with Babel, Keane, Benayoun, Torres to come back. I don't see the logic in settling for a draw in today's premiership race. We must go for a win and three points even if we risk losing the odd game.

[Hassony]

putting more forwards on doesn't mean that there will be more chances created and more goals scored

[carrafan]

putting more forwards on doesn't mean that there will be more chances created and more goals scored

 

Is the right answer.

[John am Rhein]

Why not take off a defender and throw on a striker against the lesser teams, and against Arsenal with 10 men?

 

because conceding a goal might actually make it HARDER for us to win these games?

 

Typically what's needed in these situations is not to simply throw more men forward, but to make more intelligent use of the possession we have. Well timed runs from midfield are more likely to bring us the breakthrough than extra players waiting in the box.

[John am Rhein]

putting more forwards on doesn't mean that there will be more chances created and more goals scored

 

you mean a football team isn't just the sum total of the goal-scoring records of its individual players?

[Tosh]

Speaking of subs

 

 

Can anyone tell me what formation we played after Skrtl came on yesterday...

 

Carra Skrtl Hyypia Agger Insua?

 

Sack Rafa, going that defensive when 5-1 up

[goodrobotusses]

Yeah, we seemed to go 5 at the back after Skrtel came on. I don't know if that was Rafa taking the piss (supposed negative substitutions of his being a 'hot topic'), or the players just got confused. I assumed when Skrtel came on Agger would go to left-back, Insua would go left-mid, and Babel would go up front. Babel seemed to move forward, but Insua seemed to hang around the LB area with Agger tucked inside. Neither one thing nor the other, really. Not that it mattered a bit.

 

Also Hassony, I think you should make a point of tattooing that line onto the forehead of every single British football pundit.

[Hassony]

Also Hassony, I think you should make a point of tattooing that line onto the forehead of every single British football pundit.

 

I'll do my best