Dear Derek
We’ve never really been close, but these last few months have been particularly difficult. Though our motives are shared, our methodology has never been further apart.
It’s unlikely we’ll ever reach a level of mutual respect, but I’d like you to consider your tactics over this season:
Aberdeen – You started 4-5-1 and let Aberdeen get comfy. Any chance of attacking in the second half, when you changed to 4-4-2, was killed by Enckleman getting the jitters. You admitted the 4-5-1 was wrong.
Rangers – You were missing Liam Craig and Chris Millar and the team struggled without them. Murray Davidson and David Robertson let you down badly. Despite this, we matched Rangers until Ando gifted them the first and they really struggled to their win.
Dunfermline – You blew it by playing a 4-3-3. We didn’t deserve to lose, but we didn’t do enough to win. The players didn’t move with their usual fluidity, the shape was as unbalanced as it was unnatural.
Celtic – You played 4-4-2 and brilliantly held your nerve, even after we took the lead. You were near perfect.
Livingston – A real lack of shape to the team using the 4-3-3. When Gibson gave up the ghost we really struggled against part-timers.
Dundee United – Excellent starting eleven in a 4-4-2. Game was going well until Sheridan tired. You refused to remove the loan signing and we lost as a direct result of you not changing a winning side. We played very well
St Mirren – I wasn’t at the game but a point away from home is never a disaster. 4-4-2 was the system.
Motherwell – 4-4-2 and a comfortable win.
St Mirren – Diamond formation, utterly humped.
Hearts – Back to 4-4-2, back to winning ways.
You’ll remember calling me an idiot for insisting that 4-4-2 is the only way to the play game; I’d argue that you’ve proved me right. We’ve beaten Celtic, Hearts and Motherwell using the 4-4-2. We should have beaten Dundee United using it, took a point from Paisley using it and we ran Rangers tight using it.
Playing your silly formations, we struggled past Livingston, drew with Aberdeen and lost to St Mirren and Dunfermline.
Football is a simple game. Willie Ormond’s team were present for the Hearts game. They’ll tell you that they never discussed tactics or shape, they just played the same formation every week. You’ll argue that time shave changed, your results prove they haven’t.
I’m begging you now; please play 4-4-2 in every game. Take the focus away from the opposition and play to our strengths. You have once again assembled a top six side, don’t let them down with silly tactics. They deserve better.
Yours in sport,
Gordon
No comments:
Post a Comment