Sky Sports News were also complimentary, describing it as a "great game for the neutrals" and citing throughout that "there's no way this will end 0-0".

Shame our own fans are becoming more excited about whinging than cheering.

CAPSLOCK wrote:

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: The back-handed compliment which comprises the first 15 words of the Guardian report may sum it up... There's only one of them has lost more games than us, mind... Food for thought... oo oo Plan B oo oo Quote: Gary Megson's decision to change Bolton's formation restricted a previously rampant Wigan to just five efforts after the break

One of Megson's triumphs has been his willingness to experiment with different formations (although some might say changes should be made earlier; they certainly said that after Goodison). Whereas a more inflexible manager would simply demand they stay in position for 90 minutes, I like his 4-2-3-1 with the front four interchanging, and his readiness to try out different formations sensibly rather than with Sammy Lee's missionary zeal.

More of that, with a signing or two, and hopefully next season won't be about trying to stay out of the gutter – especially if we get in the habit of changing formation earlier than waiting for half-time: it might have reeked of stable doors if Wigan had scored two of their chances.

What, as we're on the topic, was the formation change on Saturday?

Wasn't it a flat 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2? Riga played right wing with Elmo and Davo up top in the second half.

FD wrote:

Wasn't it a flat 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2? Riga played right wing with Elmo and Davo up top in the second half.

But Riga only came on at twenty to five... Cohen out wide before then?

Interesting that Chelsea tried 4-4-2 Saturday... well, interesting if you like formational discussions... in which case, try Paddy Barclay's 3-5-2 debate...

FD wrote:

Wasn't it a flat 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2? Riga played right wing with Elmo and Davo up top in the second half.

That certainly happened with Davo and Elmander more central. There was also the marked shift forward of the whole team into "attack" mode from the somewhat defensive formation of the first half. A game of two halves (as I said elswhere) is standard Megson technique playing away. Shame ( to the tune of two lost points) that goal of Taylors didn't stand.

FD wrote:

Sky Sports News were also complimentary, describing it as a "great game for the neutrals" and citing throughout that "there's no way this will end 0-0". Shame our own fans are becoming more excited about whinging than cheering.

Aye, real shame some want to see ambition rather than complacency

I'm just happy we're still going to be in the league next season. Same can't be said of godlike footballing West Brom, or Newcastle or Boro.

If you want to pick holes in a 0-0 draw away from home against a local rival then go for it, quiet frankly I'm amazed at our fans sometimes.

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:

FD wrote: Wasn't it a flat 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2? Riga played right wing with Elmo and Davo up top in the second half. But Riga only came on at twenty to five... Cohen out wide before then? Interesting that Chelsea tried 4-4-2 Saturday... well, interesting if you like formational discussions... in which case, try Paddy Barclay's 3-5-2 debate...

After about 15 minutes DSB we switched from a 4-5-1/4-3-3 to a system where Elmander played off Davies in a sort of behind the striker role and Cohen went over to the right hand side.

Cohen looked a bit lost for a while, but then second half drifted inside, made some good runs, won a lot of second ball and we have flexibility and movement.

Still lacked a really good wide right player, especially as Steinsson appears, to have lost his ability to cross (and he can't defend very well either). Riga replaced Cohen late on and looked like what he is.....a total waste of space!

BWFC_Insane wrote:

Riga replaced Cohen late on and looked like what he is.....a total waste of space!

Totally agree, you'd think when given an opportunity like that, as rare as they come, you'd manage to do something that made people think "hmm, maybe..." but instead I was left thinking "Bye Bye!".

FD wrote:

BWFC_Insane wrote: Riga replaced Cohen late on and looked like what he is.....a total waste of space! Totally agree, you'd think when given an opportunity like that, as rare as they come, you'd manage to do something that made people think "hmm, maybe..." but instead I was left thinking "Bye Bye!".

Riga is a prime example that you could use on the debate in the other thread. Probably a very good technical player with skill, but that doesn't make him a good player.

Muamba is a far far better player for us than he is, even with his technical limitations!

hisroyalgingerness wrote:

FD wrote: Sky Sports News were also complimentary, describing it as a "great game for the neutrals" and citing throughout that "there's no way this will end 0-0". Shame our own fans are becoming more excited about whinging than cheering. Aye, real shame some want to see ambition rather than complacency

Oh, do fcuk off with 'ambition'

Congratulations on another non-point not made

hisroyalgingerness wrote:

Congratulations on another non-point not made

Has batman hacked into your account?

Verbal wrote:

hisroyalgingerness wrote: Congratulations on another non-point not made Has batman hacked into your account?

Negatory

BWFC_Insane wrote:

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote: FD wrote: Wasn't it a flat 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2? Riga played right wing with Elmo and Davo up top in the second half. But Riga only came on at twenty to five... Cohen out wide before then? After about 15 minutes DSB we switched from a 4-5-1/4-3-3 to a system where Elmander played off Davies in a sort of behind the striker role and Cohen went over to the right hand side. Cohen looked a bit lost for a while, but then second half drifted inside, made some good runs, won a lot of second ball and we have flexibility and movement.

Interesting, thanks. Sounds like we might have gone from the classic "Allardyce" system - essentially 4-1-2-2-1:

..............Davies..............
Diouf.......................Stelios
........Nolan....Okocha..........
..............Campo................
LB......CB...........CB.........RB

...to the now more prevalent system 4-2-3-1 with two sitting midfielders, as employed by teams from Manchester to Milan via Anfield and Ashburton:

.................Davies................
Taylor.......Elmander......Cohen
.........Muamba...McCann.......
LB......CB...........CB.........RB

Obviously in that formation Cohen is the oddest man out, being arguably more of a 'defensive' midfielder than a dynamic wide man. That's not to say he doesn't have a place in the squad, and as I said earlier flexibility between systems is a pleasing development of the Megson era. When I've seen us live recently the front four have tried swapping positions, so Davo's solidity might tire out a right-back before Gardner's direct pace creates chances.

It certainly gives me hope for next season, if the squad can be augmented with one or two intelligent attacking right-footers...

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:

[ ...to the now more prevalent system 4-2-3-1 with two sitting midfielders, as employed by teams from Manchester to Milan via Anfield and Ashburton: .................Davies................ Taylor.......Elmander......Cohen .........Muamba...McCann....... LB......CB...........CB.........RB

Rooney often plays either the wide (Taylor) role or the Elmander role quite effectively for United in that formation, so perhaps we should try someone rightfooted on the left side and move Taylor to the right hand side??

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:

Obviously in that formation Cohen is the oddest man out, being arguably more of a 'defensive' midfielder than a dynamic wide man.

And also being left-footed IIRC. Who'd have thought in the days of Pedersen at left back that we'd ever have a problem with too many LEFT footed players?

Cohen did take his goal against Villa very well with his right though.

As an aside, and sorry if this has already be posted up, here's the BEN on the trouble in the stands.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/4341392.Bolton_fan_knocked_unconscious_by_hooligans/

mofgimmers wrote:

As an aside, and sorry if this has already be posted up, here's the BEN on the trouble in the stands. http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/4341392.Bolton_fan_knocked_unconscious_by_hooligans/

These fans should be banned from football for life IMO. Along with the idiots singing the "interbred" song repeatedly. Its not big its not clever and its about as funny as Aids.

BWFC_Insane wrote:

These fans should be banned from football for life IMO. Along with the mongs singing the "interbred" song repeatedly. Its not big its not clever and its about as funny as Aids.

It's also stolen from Blackburn Rovers who first started singing it to Burnley in a cup match a few years back.