Starting XI Vs Welling

[Richinns]

I would go in with:

------------------Rice----------------------
Tonge----McDonald----Downes----Ives
Briscoe----Richards----Young----Cameron
-------------Ajala----Bowman--------

Subs: Harding, Cruise, Sully, Chaps, O'achie

Ajala could drop in to the number 10 role when/if needed.

[yellowforever]

Rice
Tonge Downes McDonald Ives
Harding Richards Young
Cameron Bowman Briscoe

Close run between Ajala and Cameron.

I'd also instruct Young to get as close to the front three as possible, which he should be able to do knowing he has the base of Richards and Harding behind him.

[PhilGull]

So after just 1 (very difficult) game are we all just giving up on the 4-4-2 system Hargreaves prefers and has utilised all pre-season?

Yep, apparently our fellow fans love the dull as dish water 10 men behind the ball 4-5-1 favoured by that amazing manager Martin Ling.

One game people, against the best team left from last year's Conference, after a nine hour coach journey, when the players still seemed to be in pre-season mode. Let's give them the next two games at least before we start making radical changes...

[ferrarilover]

4-5-1 needn't be dull. Have a look at the side on the previous page (more 4-2-3-1, which is 4-5-1 in real life). Tell me that team will get fewer goals than a 4-4-2 with **** Benyon up front.

Apparently, Welling do little bar hammer the ball into the box at every opportunity. I can't see our full backs, poor as they undoubtedly are, being too involved. Get Pearce and Downer back there to head everything away and have the extra midfielder to pick up the loose balls. Give it to Youngy who can drive us forward or Ajala who can just do it all on his own.

Horses for courses.

Matt.

[Gullscorer]

For some reason I misread this thread's title as 'Startling XI Vs Welling'... =D

Anyway, I'm not too concerned over the precise team line-up at this stage of the season. However, it is said that the best form of defence is attack, except that only works if you attack with swords instead of feather dusters. Similarly, attacking in football will only work if those attacks result in goals. Fortunately I get the feeling that our strikers this season are going to get plenty of goals, which is what we'll need if our defence doesn't stop giving them away. But I've no doubt that CH is aware of the team's shortcomings (every team has them) and is working on those areas where we need to improve.

It'll be interesting to see how things develop over the next dozen games or so..

[Colorado Gull]

Is Pearce available for tonight's game?

[Gullscorer]

Is Pearce available for tonight's game?

It's a possibility, I would say 50/50: http://www.torquayunited.com/news/artic ... 22034.aspx