Birmingham City v Bolton: Blues fans are split on 4-5-1 debate
Alex McLeish admitted he was disappointed with fans’ reaction to his decision to start 4-5-1 against Bolton Wanderers.
But he urged them to ‘trust’ him and his staff as Blues were improving, with new owners on the horizon to help as well.
“It was a bit harsh, the chants of ‘4-4-2’. People are not looking at the bigger picture.’’ said McLeish.
What did you think? here's a selection of your views:
Poc80y: So Alex, thinks there is no evidence to support 4-4-2! Try looking at the win against Portsmounth and a draw against Stoke, compared to the defeats against Villa and Bolton. We should be more adventure at home especially against the lower teams. 4-5-1 is a negative tactic. KRO
Sid2: 4-5-1 against Villa,did nothing, 4-5-1 aginst Hull, change to 4-4-2, we score, start 4-5-1 against bolton, change to 4-4-2 and score!! When have we scored playing 4-5-1 home or away? You can go on about the fans, but who was right, on these facts?
PositiveBluenose: I have some sympathy with McLeish over this. We do not have the personnel at the moment to play 4-4-2. O'Connor isn't good enough, we certainly didn't improve when he came on and Phillips cannot last 90 minutes, although he should have been the first substitute instead of O'Connor. We will be better when Jerome is fit and I'm looking forward to seeing him playing alongside Benitez.. Come January we need to get some more pace into midfield and a decent striker.
Hoovehand: The cries for 4-4-2 are stupid.People have been playing too much Football Manager 2009, Where playing with 5 strikers seems to guarantee scoring 5 goals per game.
It's not like 4-5-1 hasn't created chances, the problem is we're getting no luck and the chances aren't getting taken.
Malcom'sdad: 4-5-1 looks to stop the opposition scoring. If we draw every game 0-0 using this system we are relegated.
5'6" Chucho up front and we hump the ball into the air! The lad tried his heart out, but will never beat Cahill in the air. It's basic stuff, really.
Tirednweary:The starting formation is totally irrelevent.
Do the fans think there are big X's on the grass where the two strikers stand ???
4-5-1 can be every bit as attacking as 4-4-2 and more so if the 5 in midfield ensure greater posession.
There's a clue there boys .. If you don't have the ball then it doesn't matter if you have 5 forwards on the park and Stanley Matthews on the wing!!
