Woodgate tactically inept today

To be honest, I think EVERYONE had a bad day yesterday. The players were garbage, and I'm afraid that on this occasion IMO Woody had one of his worst games too.

I honestly believe that you don't play football to the level that Woodgate did, without understanding tactics. However, just bringing on more strikers didn't really seem to be that well thought out.

Write it off as one of those days for me, and hope for a good positive response against Barnsley.

Edit: Over the years that I've supported Boro, it's been one of our unfortunate 'skills' to end teams' shocking runs. Luton losing 11 away games in a row, with a -27 goal difference, was sadly crying out for them to beat us!!
 
I honestly believe that you don't play football to the level that Woodgate did, without understanding tactics.
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Very few professional players become tactically sound coaches/managers. There's no reason Woodgate should be one of them.
 
bear66 said:
Very few professional players become tactically sound coaches/managers. There's no reason Woodgate should be one of them.
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Yes, you have a point mate. However, I'd still be surprised if he doesn't understand tactics... and can't read the game.

Maybe I'm wrong to be surprised.
 
The last 3 games Woodgate has got it embarrassingly wrong. Don't know why he insists on playing 2 up top when our clear strengths are now our attacking midfield players. We finally had the chance to use a back 4 against Wigan but instead of packing the midfield like we did at West Brom he decided to play 2 up front, yesterday I understand why we had to go back to wing backs with Fry being out but again, why the 2 up front? It doesn't work.

Reminded me very much of Garry Monk's tactics, if it's not working then chuck an extra striker on until it does. We completely gave up the midfield when he did that which meant the only thing we could do was lump it forward. I have no idea how Nmecha stayed on for the entire game and I have no idea why Morrison wasn't brought on. At Brentford we had a clear issue down the left hand side which he refused to rectify once we got the equaliser and eventually cost us.

Either he doesn't see what's happening which is very worrying or he's committed to "throwing caution to the wind" as he has said a few times which is just stupid in the position we are in.

Every game should be a back 4 where we can and then any combination of Morrison/Tav/Spence/Roberts/Nmecha/Johnson/Coulson in behind Fletcher or Assombalonga. Not Nmecha up front with one of them either, he should be out wide, preferably with Tav on the right and Morrison at 10 but any combination I'd be happy with even if he put Friend/Johnson at left back with Coulson ahead of them.
 
To me you have to have a balanced set up. Having four central forwards on is never balanced.

Two of our fowards had to play as wingers which they were not suited to do.

I would taken off Nchema for another forward and one the defensive midfielders for attacking midfielder (probably Tav for Saville) and possibly Johnson for Coulson and kept to 532.

Coulson was struggling to get crosses in and so was Spence, but Johnson is better on the left and has a bit more guile.

Nchema was contributing nothing and didn't look like he would.

Saville was playing deep and we needed a player to cause problems in Luton's half and create something for the forwards to feed on. We had to sacrifice a bit of defensive cover for attacking play.
 
Who’s Woody’s sounding board? How did that idea of those 4 Donkeys up front even get off the tactics board?
Did Leo or Keane say “hmmmm not sure about this”

no experienced manager would let that happen. The massive change in personnel and formations from game to game. He needs some help
 
He was let down by his players for the 3rd game in a row. He hasnt the best of luck with injuries, but he needs stop this rest shiote. Pick his best team and put McNaire in at CB , Morrison Tav in the side too.
 
I think ticker_tape is right. Woodgate has been let down by his players at times this season. I don't think he's "lost the dressing room" or anything like that... but pretty much every Boro player on the pitch against Luton can play a load better than they did on Saturday.

Think back to our second goal against Hull in November. It was a superb move/goal. It's in the players SOMEWHERE.... we just don't get to see it enough.
 
I think we need to go back to what we know was working over the Xmas period, and build from that.

we can now add and change options but we need to scrap the safety first crap that dogged us earlier in the season.
 
His, throw on all the strikers, ploy has failed every time & it's a Sunday League level tactic..

Balanced team is always preferable.

Rudy is off at the end of the season, should only make squad if we're down on 3 strikers..

Tav, Wing & Fletcher would start every game for me, if fit & decent form.
 
BobUpnDown said:
His, throw on all the strikers, ploy has failed every time & it's a Sunday League level tactic..

Balanced team is always preferable.

Rudy is off at the end of the season, should only make squad if we're down on 3 strikers..

Tav, Wing & Fletcher would start every game for me, if fit & decent form.
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Well said, Tav makes things happen, look at his ball in for Fletcher at Brentford and Saville and McNair do the same thing. Also, persevering with Rudy is also hindering the development of our young strikers like Ty O'Neill.
 
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