Mick McCarthy’s Blackpool squad is taking shape

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Ball on Fire

Well-known member
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
 
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Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt and Madine as the target man.
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How depressing
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt and Madine as the target man.
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Nil nils won't keep us up.
 
That's not what our Ipswich friend said, nor was that how he set his teams up at Wolves and Sunderland. Yes we will be a bit more physical, yes we will be more organised but he does tend to play 1 luxury player. It will be interesting to see the line up and formation at Southampton.
 
If MM wants to play 5 at the back I can see him playing a 532 formation.

Grimshaw
Lyons, Connolly, Goode, Thornilly, Thompson
Trybull, Dougal
Bowler
Yates, Madine

You could easily swap Bowler for Poveda or Thompson for Hubby, and Marv for Connolly and i would expect the full backs to push on and get crosses in hence why i picked Thompson over Hubby.

It would be a strong bench though;

Maxwell
Hubby
Patino
Carey
Rogers
Poveda
Lavery
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
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Ekpiteta could be out for another 4/5 weeks, God knows about when Stewart & Bridcutt return. So 3 of your starting 11 are unlikely to feature anytime soon by which time it will be far too lat.
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
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Absolutely NIL creativity.
 
seasidelytham said:
Ekpiteta could be out for another 4/5 weeks, God knows about when Stewart & Bridcutt return. So 3 of your starting 11 are unlikely to feature anytime soon by which time it will be far too lat.
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And one of Stewart & Bridcutt or even both may not be in the 25 man squad, especially Stewart.
 
NewburyOne said:
That's not what our Ipswich friend said, nor was that how he set his teams up at Wolves and Sunderland. Yes we will be a bit more physical, yes we will be more organised but he does tend to play 1 luxury player. It will be interesting to see the line up and formation at Southampton.
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I prefer the Cardiff example as that was the last time McCarthy managed in the Championship and they were a team in relegation trouble just like ourselves. McCarthy will look to keep games tight, not concede a goal and pinch a goal at the other end. I haven’t a clue what his Plan B will be if we go a goal down or God forbid 2 goals down.
 
NewburyOne said:
That's not what our Ipswich friend said, nor was that how he set his teams up at Wolves and Sunderland. Yes we will be a bit more physical, yes we will be more organised but he does tend to play 1 luxury player. It will be interesting to see the line up and formation at Southampton.
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Yes I agree about the 1 luxury player which is why I included Gary “ The Goal Machine “ Madine,
 
seasidelytham said:
Ekpiteta could be out for another 4/5 weeks, God knows about when Stewart & Bridcutt return. So 3 of your starting 11 are unlikely to feature anytime soon by which time it will be far too lat.
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There is still a week left in the transfer window for McCarthy to add some more players to the squad, if he signs another defender Connolly could then move into midfield to replace the injured Stewart.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Yes I agree about the 1 luxury player which is why I included Gary “ The Goal Machine “ Madine,
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MM loves the big target man so Madine is a cert every game, I remember when Cardiff beat us at home and we got bullied and the long throw being flicked on lead to their first goal, I'm not sure MM brand of football will sit well with the purists of our fan base, it's the polar opposite of the likes of Swansea.
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
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What a ridiculous team....I'll eat my hat ( if I had one ) if it is so negative .
 
Micky Walsh said:
Some of our football in a 4-3-3 this season has been depressing at the very least, it cannot be any worse and of course when attacking that can become a very attacking formation.
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I agree 5-4-1 can also become a very attacking formation especially on the break but it all depends on the tactics and who is pIcked to play. One poster on this thread said McCarthy would play one luxury player, Appleton would play 4 or 5 luxury players and select them from these 6 — Poveda, Bowler, Rogers, Patino, CJ and Carey.
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
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Is this a wind up ? You cannot possibly watch football, a midfield 4 with 4 holding central midfielders are you on meth ?

We would get beat 1-0 every single week
 
seasidelytham said:
Ekpiteta could be out for another 4/5 weeks, God knows about when Stewart & Bridcutt return. So 3 of your starting 11 are unlikely to feature anytime soon by which time it will be far too lat.
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Sounds to me like we are doomed then if McCarthy can‘t get his preferred starting X1 on the pitch. I bet McCarthy will be having a Churchillian word in the ear of Stewart, Bridcutt and Ekpiteta “ Your Club needs you. “
 
Ball on Fire said:
I prefer the Cardiff example as that was the last time McCarthy managed in the Championship and they were a team in relegation trouble just like ourselves. McCarthy will look to keep games tight, not concede a goal and pinch a goal at the other end. I haven’t a clue what his Plan B will be if we go a goal down or God forbid 2 goals down.
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I'm not having that, what Mick does is analyse what he has at his disposal and then sets them up to be competitive. He's not quite the 1 trick pony we've just got rid of.
 
Northstandsinger said:
Is this a wind up ? You cannot possibly watch football, a midfield 4 with 4 holding central midfielders are you on meth ?

We would get beat 1-0 every single week
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Mick‘s aim will be to keep games very tight, not concede goals, compete all over the pitch and grind out results, It is far more likely that we will win 1-0 every week with a goal from a set piece when all our big guys come up into the penalty area. As others have previously said for the rest of this season ‘“ the end justifies the means “ and if Mick keeps us up he will have done a great job.
 
Actually having numbers in midfield will be a revelation. It’s fine having front men to do damage but if nobody wins the ball to get it forward they are spectators which is what they mostly were under Appleton.

3-5-2 would work best with our current squad imo.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Mick‘s aim will be to keep games very tight, not concede goals, compete all over the pitch and grind out results, It is far more likely that we will win 1-0 every week with a goal from a set piece when all our big guys come up into the penalty area. As others have previously said for the rest of this season ‘“ the end justifies the means “ and if Mick keeps us up he will have done a great job.
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You have no idea how McCarthy will set the team up. Let's wait and see eh before we peddle such negativity. The team you picked is laughable.
 
NewburyOne said:
I'm not having that, what Mick does is analyse what he has at his disposal and then sets them up to be competitive. He's not quite the 1 trick pony we've just got rid of.
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McCarthy will have at least 25 players at his disposal plus Under 21s, how he selects his formation, tactics and starting X1 will determine how we are set up to play. I know it’s early days but based on the BFC players who are currently available (exclude Ekpiteta, Stewart and Bridcutt) who do you think Mick will select in our starting X1 at Middlesbrough?
 
Ball on Fire said:
Mick‘s aim will be to keep games very tight, not concede goals, compete all over the pitch and grind out results, It is far more likely that we will win 1-0 every week with a goal from a set piece when all our big guys come up into the penalty area. As others have previously said for the rest of this season ‘“ the end justifies the means “ and if Mick keeps us up he will have done a great job.
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Can you show us how your team will line-up 😂

Especially that midfield 😆
 
NewburyOne said:
I'm not having that, what Mick does is analyse what he has at his disposal and then sets them up to be competitive. He's not quite the 1 trick pony we've just got rid of.
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I read something similar, we could end up playing the 4231 system which on paper would suit us with our players in their correct positions , but better organised and well drilled .
 
FessParker said:
You have no idea how McCarthy will set the team up. Let's wait and see eh before we peddle such negativity. The team you picked is laughable.
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In our current position there is nothing negative about winning 1-0 and not being relegated this season. I am confident that the team I thought Mick would pick if all of them had been available would deliver that objective by Easter.
 
He won't play 4 holding midfielders!

I think/hope he'll be pragmatic and use the quality we have going forward and look to improve our defensive structure which is the main requirement.

My guess would be that he will see Madine as a requirement and Yates as our main goal threat and use them together, with a playmaker in behind them. Poveda or Patino possibly. Either three CBs or two CBs and two DMs. Wild guess....

Connolly Goode Thorniley Hubby
..................Trybull Dougall
......Lyons Poveda/Patino Rogers
...................Yates Madine

Using Lyons in front of Connolly allows him to get forward but also we can switch to 3/5 at the back.

Edit: I think I forgot we need a goalie in the XI or something!
 
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Ball on Fire said:
McCarthy will have at least 25 players at his disposal plus Under 21s, how he selects his formation, tactics and starting X1 will determine how we are set up to play. I know it’s early days but based on the BFC players who are currently available (exclude Ekpiteta, Stewart and Bridcutt) who do you think Mick will select in our starting X1 at Middlesbrough?
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One game at a time, who's to say who will be fit in 11 days time. I suspect he'll go 442 at Southampton and want one of Dougall or Trybull alongside Patino. I also think he'll go for the most physically strong defenders we have in the fullback positions to allow Bowler, Rogers, Poveda and CJ the freedom to attack. It will be very interesting to see how he sets us up. If I had to guess, I'd go with the following.

Maxwell
Connolly Goode Thornily Husband
Bowler Dougall/Trybull Patino Rogers
Madine Yates
 
It’s one of the main reasons I didn’t want MM.
I don’t think we have the players to suit what I’d expect to be MM tactics.
I’m sure he can be adaptable though and there’s time in this transfer window to bring a few in.
We’ve certainly been lacking Championship physicality in midfield and CB.
 
Ball on Fire said:
I have been reading up on McCarthy’s last stint in the Championship with Cardiff City. Seems he likes a 5-4-1 formation and sets his teams up to fight for every ball, stay in shape and play direct football. If the whole current Blackpool X1 was available to McCarthy what do you think his starting X1 would be? I would go for Grimshaw in goal, a back 5 of Connolly, Goode, Ekpiteta, Thorniley and Husband. A midfield 4 of Dougall, Stewart, Trybull and Bridcutt with Madine as the target man.
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Stewart,Bridcutt and Madine...you must. be delusional !!!
 
tangerine_neil said:
It’s one of the main reasons I didn’t want MM.
I don’t think we have the players to suit what I’d expect to be MM tactics.
I’m sure he can be adaptable though and there’s time in this transfer window to bring a few in.
We’ve certainly been lacking Championship physicality in midfield and CB.
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In danger of repeating the mistakes of MA. Appoint the wrong man to play the cards you have. I genuinely hope MM can prove otherwise.
 
Micks tight plan will work when he has an outlet like Bowler which he didn’t have at Cardiff. Mark my words!
 
voyeur said:
He won't play 4 holding midfielders!

I think/hope he'll be pragmatic and use the quality we have going forward and look to improve our defensive structure which is the main requirement.

My guess would be that he will see Madine as a requirement and Yates as our main goal threat and use them together, with a playmaker in behind them. Poveda or Patino possibly. Either three CBs or two CBs and two DMs. Wild guess....

Connolly Goode Thorniley Hubby
..................Trybull Dougall
......Lyons Poveda/Patino Rogers
...................Yates Madine

Using Lyons in front of Connolly allows him to get forward but also we can switch to 3/5 at the back.
Click to expand...
Think you've squeezed an extra player in there Voy.
 
clappers said:
Micks tight plan will work when he has an outlet like Bowler which he didn’t have at Cardiff. Mark my words!
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I'm not sure he will trust Bowler as a starter due to his poor defensive work. Use him as a sub later on. I think Mick likes most of his players to be able to hold shape and close space etc.
 
Ball on Fire said:
Mick‘s aim will be to keep games very tight, not concede goals, compete all over the pitch and grind out results, It is far more likely that we will win 1-0 every week with a goal from a set piece when all our big guys come up into the penalty area. As others have previously said for the rest of this season ‘“ the end justifies the means “ and if Mick keeps us up he will have done a great job.
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With the talented players at our disposal, I would like to think we will score plenty of goals on the break, as well as from set pieces.
 
Like others have said it's all about staying up now.
That's why McCarthy was appointed but its also probably why his appointment is only until the end of the season.
I honestly don't know what to expect from him so I'm not going to criticise or praise his tactics until I see them for myself.
My only hope is that he plays his squad in their best positions.
 
voyeur said:
I thought it looked a strong side. 😆

Second coffee required!

Lyons Goode Thorniley Hubby
........Trybull Dougall Rogers
.....................Poveda
...............Yates Madine
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And where's Josh?? 🤣 🤣

Grimmy

Lyons
Goode
Thorniley
Hubby

Trybull
Patino or Carey
Poveda or Rogers
Bowler

Madine
Yates
 
clappers said:
Micks tight plan will work when he has an outlet like Bowler which he didn’t have at Cardiff. Mark my words
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voyeur said:
He won't play 4 holding midfielders!

I think/hope he'll be pragmatic and use the quality we have going forward and look to improve our defensive structure which is the main requirement.

My guess would be that he will see Madine as a requirement and Yates as our main goal threat and use them together, with a playmaker in behind them. Poveda or Patino possibly. Either three CBs or two CBs and two DMs. Wild guess....

Connolly Goode Thorniley Hubby
..................Trybull Dougall
......Lyons Poveda/Patino Rogers
...................Yates Madine

Using Lyons in front of Connolly allows him to get forward but also we can switch to 3/5 at the back.

Edit: I think I forgot we need a goalie in the XI or something!
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I thought you were playing without a goalie when you selected 11 outfield players.
 
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basilexile said:
Most slaughtered MA for not using players in the right position. With what we now have in the squad, we should be far more positive. Otherwise two of Poveda, Bowler and Rogers might as well ply their trade somewhere else.
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Tend to agree. I can't see McCarthy sacrificing the talents at his disposal in order to straightjacket the squad into a strict formation. He'll have his 'go to' ideas for certain positions but, otherwise, both McCarthy and Connor will have to get the best out of the players we've got.
 
Mick had his own Josh at Cardiff, Josh Murphy who Cardiff paid £11M for plus Kieffer Moore as their target man up front. McCarthy was only at Cardiff for 9 months, did a great job keeping them up in his first season and then it all went pear shaped in the second season when he lost 8 Championship games on the bounce.
 
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