Goals Conceded

McNaughton is incredibly slow which is why Lennon has played every man and his dog at RB before him. Either that or McNaughton's been banging Mrs. Lennon.

More likely to see Janko or Vela at RB I'd have thought and if he's really stuck with injuries and needs those two in midfield, call White back from loan.


But playing McNaughton would mean going to a flat back four...

If he went that way, would he need Medo and Spearing to protect them? Haven't we tried that before...?

i'd be happier with McNaughton in at right back with Danns and Vela in centre mid with Bannan on the left and Feeney on the right to be honest

I can see us getting battered against Bora 5 or 6.

Norpig wrote:i'd be happier with McNaughton in at right back with Danns and Vela in centre mid with Bannan on the left and Feeney on the right to be honest

Agree with that apart from Bannan on the left, seen him played there for Villa before and he's useless. Too slow there.

maybe we should play like the 2nd half against Fulham with Feeney on the left and Janko on the right? Very attacking but they would both need to be able to help out the full backs when needed.

Norpig wrote:maybe we should play like the 2nd half against Fulham with Feeney on the left and Janko on the right? Very attacking but they would both need to be able to help out the full backs when needed.

That's more like the Lennon way and I like it providing we don't commit suicide at the back against a very good attack.

For Boro (and any tough away game for now) I'd go with the 3-5-2 sort of formation we played Liverpool with, and have Feeney/Janko as wing backs.

Maybe a full on attacking 3-5-2 is the only way forward? You know Lennon wants it.
Statistically, we're already 3 down against Boro so we have to set up to score 4 or 5 I guess.

wanderlust wrote:Maybe a full on attacking 3-5-2 is the only way forward? 

If we're going down that route, may I suggest this lot for our midfield?

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have we got 3 fit or available centre halves at the moment though?

Lennon's initial success was from a 4231 with Clayton, Lee, Feeney & Cravies hassling the opposition defences into mistakes and full backs pushing on. I wasn't a fan of the 3-5-2 when he first played it as I didn't think it was necessary to change the formation since it had started so well. As injuries have come in though I don't think we have much choice but to go with it, tightening up at the back is the most important thing again and with a pretty lightweight set of midfielders to choose from now he's pretty hamstrung in terms of being solid away from home against the likes of Forest and Boro.

One thing that helps improve a defence is a settled line up. First thing I'd do if I was him is to choose a defence until the end of the season and stick to it as best he can, experimenting with Twardzik at left back and Ream and right back was strange as was Heskey playing CB.

He managed to organise and drill the Celtic defence in the Champions League but he had some decent personnel to choose from (and in Wanyama a top DM) but he needs to get Mills, Dervite, Wheater and Ream back on form.

Norpig wrote:have we got 3 fit or available centre halves at the moment though?

Ream, Dervite and Wheater maybe? In fairness to Lennon the current injury list is bad even by our recent standards!

Good points 74.

bwfc1874 wrote:

Norpig wrote:have we got 3 fit or available centre halves at the moment though?

Ream, Dervite and Wheater maybe? In fairness to Lennon the current injury list is bad even by our recent standards!

How long is Ream out for? I presume it's only short term and Mills will miss one game i think

I heard he's back in time for the weekend but doubt he'll be ready for Boro, I'd forgotten he got injured actually. Will probably have to be a flat back 4 unless he gives a kid a go or plays a full back in the center.