Comment: Birmingham City fans must lay off Alex McLeish

Sep 30 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

WHEN Spain dazzled us with their skill in the European Championships in 2008, they didn’t do so playing 4-4-2.

Nor, for that matter, did Russia, the other good side of that tournament.

Going back further, I don’t remember Rinus Michels’ great Dutch team of the 1970s or late 80s getting bogged down by formations.

Earlier still, Geoff Hurst wasn’t exactly racing into the box to meet the crosses of wingers when he scored a hat-trick against West Germany in 1966 – perhaps he cursed Sir Alf Ramsay for having the temerity to scrap the 4-4-2 formation.

Closer to home, Albion scored a large percentage of their 108 goals during their title-winning and FA Cup semi-final campaign playing with just one striker and packing the midfield with players who could score goals.