Are we a more attacking side without Simms?

incredible_edibles

Well-known member
I like Simms but I just wonder if we'd be a more attacking side if he wasn't in the side (which I realise sounds strange) and leaves us with an option to replace Jerry?
 
In an attacking sense we are superior in every aspect when we play 4-2-3-1, and the reason for it is we link up much better.

4-4-2 means we play Ward and Dougall central who are defensive minded players, their technical ability is below that of say Kaikai/Embleton who are shoved out wide and isolated somewhat. Both Yates and Simms suffer from this as our passing is atrocious and they receive no service, and I personally don't think Embleton or Kaikai are wide men at all, if we're gonna play 4-4-2 I'd rather see Mitchell on the pitch for one of them.

4-2-3-1 brings your attacking minded midfielders more central, they link up together and link up with Yates much more and we see goals such as the 2nd one vs. Gillingham and the 2nd one vs. Lincoln - absolute masterpieces. I think Simms would do better in this formation up top as well, he's definitely not a target man and it gives you the option of bringing Yates off rather than playing 90 minutes every game. This also allows Dougall and Ward the ability to sit back more and do what they do best, win the ball back, break up play and give it to your more technical players. It is actually crazy how much that formation transformed our passing, we looked a different side and it was our passing which killed us last night.

I'm going to start waking up in cold sweats screaming FOUR TWO THREE ONE the amount I bang on about on here! 😂
 
I was trying to work out why we are not playing 4231 with the 3 having the freedom to move across the line. Especially against the weaker sides.
The only reason I cane up with was that it takes up to much energy of the players to be playing 2 games a week in that formation.
The two holding players have to cover more ground.
If the line of 3 can roam around then they have more ground to cover.
obviously whoever plays up front has more ground to cover.
so are we playing 442 to
Protect the players and trying to prevent any more injuries and ensure we are still going during the play offs.
 
In an attacking sense we are superior in every aspect when we play 4-2-3-1, and the reason for it is we link up much better.

4-4-2 means we play Ward and Dougall central who are defensive minded players, their technical ability is below that of say Kaikai/Embleton who are shoved out wide and isolated somewhat. Both Yates and Simms suffer from this as our passing is atrocious and they receive no service, and I personally don't think Embleton or Kaikai are wide men at all, if we're gonna play 4-4-2 I'd rather see Mitchell on the pitch for one of them.

4-2-3-1 brings your attacking minded midfielders more central, they link up together and link up with Yates much more and we see goals such as the 2nd one vs. Gillingham and the 2nd one vs. Lincoln - absolute masterpieces. I think Simms would do better in this formation up top as well, he's definitely not a target man and it gives you the option of bringing Yates off rather than playing 90 minutes every game. This also allows Dougall and Ward the ability to sit back more and do what they do best, win the ball back, break up play and give it to your more technical players. It is actually crazy how much that formation transformed our passing, we looked a different side and it was our passing which killed us last night.

I'm going to start waking up in cold sweats screaming FOUR TWO THREE ONE the amount I bang on about on here! 😂
Absolutely spot on. We need to start giving Yates a rest considering the immense workload he has got through this season.
 
In an attacking sense we are superior in every aspect when we play 4-2-3-1, and the reason for it is we link up much better.

4-4-2 means we play Ward and Dougall central who are defensive minded players, their technical ability is below that of say Kaikai/Embleton who are shoved out wide and isolated somewhat. Both Yates and Simms suffer from this as our passing is atrocious and they receive no service, and I personally don't think Embleton or Kaikai are wide men at all, if we're gonna play 4-4-2 I'd rather see Mitchell on the pitch for one of them.

4-2-3-1 brings your attacking minded midfielders more central, they link up together and link up with Yates much more and we see goals such as the 2nd one vs. Gillingham and the 2nd one vs. Lincoln - absolute masterpieces. I think Simms would do better in this formation up top as well, he's definitely not a target man and it gives you the option of bringing Yates off rather than playing 90 minutes every game. This also allows Dougall and Ward the ability to sit back more and do what they do best, win the ball back, break up play and give it to your more technical players. It is actually crazy how much that formation transformed our passing, we looked a different side and it was our passing which killed us last night.

I'm going to start waking up in cold sweats screaming FOUR TWO THREE ONE the amount I bang on about on here! 😂
There’s many sat watching thinking the same.
 
In an attacking sense we are superior in every aspect when we play 4-2-3-1, and the reason for it is we link up much better.

4-4-2 means we play Ward and Dougall central who are defensive minded players, their technical ability is below that of say Kaikai/Embleton who are shoved out wide and isolated somewhat. Both Yates and Simms suffer from this as our passing is atrocious and they receive no service, and I personally don't think Embleton or Kaikai are wide men at all, if we're gonna play 4-4-2 I'd rather see Mitchell on the pitch for one of them.

4-2-3-1 brings your attacking minded midfielders more central, they link up together and link up with Yates much more and we see goals such as the 2nd one vs. Gillingham and the 2nd one vs. Lincoln - absolute masterpieces. I think Simms would do better in this formation up top as well, he's definitely not a target man and it gives you the option of bringing Yates off rather than playing 90 minutes every game. This also allows Dougall and Ward the ability to sit back more and do what they do best, win the ball back, break up play and give it to your more technical players. It is actually crazy how much that formation transformed our passing, we looked a different side and it was our passing which killed us last night.

I'm going to start waking up in cold sweats screaming FOUR TWO THREE ONE the amount I bang on about on here! 😂
That is exactly what I thought. Embleton was out on the right last night and he looked out of place. Should have removed Simms at half time. Stuck Mitchell on and moved Embleton back in the middle supporting Yates with Kai Kai but he was poor last night also.
 
That is exactly what I thought. Embleton was out on the right last night and he looked out of place. Should have removed Simms at half time. Stuck Mitchell on and moved Embleton back in the middle supporting Yates with Kai Kai but he was poor last night also.
I think there is a direct causation with Kaikai's performances and the formation he plays in, all season he was lack lustre in the 4-4-2. In that few weeks where we played 4-2-3-1 he was a different player and now we've reverted back to the 4-4-2 he's back to earlier season performances, I don't think he's a wide player in the slightest and the same goes for Embleton definitely!
 
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Yes, maybe put Yates on the bench on Saturday and use him as a sub. He needs a rest more than Simms I think. Maybe rest KK and start Mitchell.

Could Gabriel play on the right of the three? He's looked a bit lost there. Or move Ward forward and put Robson with Dougall? Though Dougall looks knackered too...

Need Stewart and or Anderson back really.
 
In an attacking sense we are superior in every aspect when we play 4-2-3-1, and the reason for it is we link up much better.

4-4-2 means we play Ward and Dougall central who are defensive minded players, their technical ability is below that of say Kaikai/Embleton who are shoved out wide and isolated somewhat. Both Yates and Simms suffer from this as our passing is atrocious and they receive no service, and I personally don't think Embleton or Kaikai are wide men at all, if we're gonna play 4-4-2 I'd rather see Mitchell on the pitch for one of them.

4-2-3-1 brings your attacking minded midfielders more central, they link up together and link up with Yates much more and we see goals such as the 2nd one vs. Gillingham and the 2nd one vs. Lincoln - absolute masterpieces. I think Simms would do better in this formation up top as well, he's definitely not a target man and it gives you the option of bringing Yates off rather than playing 90 minutes every game. This also allows Dougall and Ward the ability to sit back more and do what they do best, win the ball back, break up play and give it to your more technical players. It is actually crazy how much that formation transformed our passing, we looked a different side and it was our passing which killed us last night.

I'm going to start waking up in cold sweats screaming FOUR TWO THREE ONE the amount I bang on about on here! 😂
Absolutely nailed it with this post, also allows us to rotate and substitute Simms and Yates to keep them fresher.
Our best performances have come when we line up like this.
Opposition teams have totally worked us out with the 4 4 2, they flood midfield with bodies, we then go long and our front 2 are feeding off scraps.
Might be possible to make it work with Hamilton and Madine but we haven't got them so please NO MORE 4 4 2!!!
 
Yes, maybe put Yates on the bench on Saturday and use him as a sub. He needs a rest more than Simms I think. Maybe rest KK and start Mitchell.

Could Gabriel play on the right of the three? He's looked a bit lost there. Or move Ward forward and put Robson with Dougall? Though Dougall looks knackered too...

Need Stewart and or Anderson back really.
Your post outlines the possible changes that can be made with 4 2 3 1, there are hardly any variables with the 4 4 2 which is why they look knackered!
 
I was trying to work out why we are not playing 4231 with the 3 having the freedom to move across the line. Especially against the weaker sides.
The only reason I cane up with was that it takes up to much energy of the players to be playing 2 games a week in that formation.
The two holding players have to cover more ground.
If the line of 3 can roam around then they have more ground to cover.
obviously whoever plays up front has more ground to cover.
so are we playing 442 to
Protect the players and trying to prevent any more injuries and ensure we are still going during the play offs.
More running around for Dougall and Ward in 4 4 2 because we are constantly giving the ball away!
 
Forgetting the issue about formation, Simms last night looked slow and tired. Compare him with Yates who buzzes around like it is the first match of the season.

Give Simms a rest for a bit or bring him on with 20 minutes to go.
 
If Madine wa- young lad I accept s fully fit he would replace Ellis Simms - he's no world beater yet - needs to perk up a bit and keep the ball
 
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