Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Thursday August 16 2007
Time: 11:14AM
UK time is: 11:49:50
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Why that formation - at Fratton too!
Why the hell were we playing a lone striker in a home match?
We often worry about a 4-5-1 formation away from home - but have almost become accustomed to it - but the 4-5-1 that we saw, if it was that as it was not quite clear what it was in the 1st half, was horrible.
Fair enough, we did have some players out injured but we should have still had more than enough quality to put out a very balanced 4-4-2 side. Players seemed to be horribly out of position, their obvious talent and strengths often wasted as we basically gifted United the early running in the match.
Credit where due to Harry Redknapp for changing things at half time, but as easy as things are in hindsight why did we not just start the match as we went on in the 2nd half?
When we changed to a 4-4-2 at half time, bringing on that natural width in Matty Taylor - who I am becoming increasingly worried about, as far as his future with the club goes, as Redknapp seems content to play people, even out of position ahead of him! - the whole change in formation and personnel made a world of difference. Clearly this must be the most obvious of signs that 4-5-1, or whatever it was, is wasted on our players - definitely at Fratton.
I am braced - as much as I do not want to see this - for such a scenario to be repeated when we go away from Fratton at times, but hope to god this monstrosity is not again witnessed at Fratton.
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Your Comments
simple answer: it wasn't 4-5-1. we were, although it didnt look like it, playing 4-3-3, and i would imagine that that would be for home and away games - although the problem was that 2 out of the 3 forward playors didnt help out forward enough. it could work if we get used to playing it, although we didnt play it in prseason, so now is not the time to start. (benji said after the match that "in the firsdt half we were playing 4-3-3 and that will be our formation for the season"...or something like that.
pompeycarpet
^actualy, it seems i miss heard him, and he said that our "normal" formation wouldbe 4-4-2...well, thats what the official site says anyway...
pompeycarpet
like i say mate 4-5-1, or whatever it was, 4-4-3, was wasted on us and clearly didnt work - well certainly not last night... the change to 4-42 made such a difference and we would have won i reckon had pamarot not got injured, that broke our momentum and meant another switch in personnel and positions.
pompeyrug
i sent a sms to rug asking what the formatuion we were meant to be palying was cos the we in the crowd didnt know and neither did the players. second half 442 was clear, obvious and understandable to the team and it patently showed in the performance. For HR to say last night the problem wasnt with the system does beggar belief.
russellm
I wouldn't have a problem with a 4-5-1 against teams like that if we had a Makelele type of player dropped back, Muntari, Pedro Mendes in the middle and some pace down the wings. I just don't think we have the right personnel to play that system effectively right now. What struck me yesterday was how vulnerable Man U. were when we attacked from the wings, and how we couldn't get any rhythm at all through the centre of the pitch (which isn't surprising given how much dough their midfield is worth). Also still like the wingback idea. Anyway, it's sure to take a while to figure out who plays best with whom and where so the fact that we're able to change formations on the fly like that and get a result is good news.
Toronto4Pompey
its a new side, with 5 new playors, it could take time to sort out, but next game we should be sorted. Ericson sorted it out for the firsdt game, so we should be done for the 3rd - its not too unreasnable to ask is it?
pompeycarpet
Good point Carpet. I suspect Sven's " beginner's luck " won't last though.
Toronto4Pompey
sven is a very good club manager and i reckon he will have a fine season with city - but they will have a tough job against united this weekend wont they... we will get that 1st win this season on saturday, bolton look a poor side now.
pompeyrug
What's the worry? Benjani scored in that position and Utaka had flashes of brilliance. Nugent still hasn't scored though.
Lysimachus
the formation has changed to 4-4-2 at the time hadnt it, so benji wasnt playing where he has been in the mis match formation...
pompeyrug
BNo doubt we will numerous players in numerous postions, just hoping they work most of the time. Prefer the 442 attack mode.
storagematt
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