Tactics or Players?

[Wengerball]

This year has been a bit like groundhog day- ie achieving the bare minimum to keep the money men happy and no cure for our allergy to trophies.

How much of this is down to the inflexible tactics of Wenger and how much reponsibility for this would you put on the transfer policy?

Do we think if we had Eden Hazard, Yann M'vila etc all arriving at the club to fit into the now infamous 4-3-3 we play every week that we would suddenly challenge for trophies again?

Or is it the case that if we took a more pragmatic approach to defending and played a more flexible system (playing 2 strikers up front at home for example) that this would do the trick and bring the best out of our players?

For me its the system we play that is the major let down- there have been many, many times this year when I have been watching us and to keep without a backup plan has really killed us. We've seen how well the players can play at times this year- the highlight for me was the home game against Citeh, I thought we were outstanding. I just feel if we had a bit more flexibility we could make more of the resources we do have.

For the record though I do think we need a number of major signings to freshen up the team

[BournemouthRED]

What are tactics again?

[SteveO 35]

The lack of tactical flexibility astounds me from Wenger. When he first arrived in this country he played a swashbuckling 4-4-2 formation based on power and pace and took the Premiership by storm. The longer we went without winning the CL, but whilst still having PL success, the widely held view was that our style of play was too cavalier to succeed in Europe where all the 'clever teams' from Italy and Spain favoured a lone striker and five in midfield.

Now we have gone for entire change - thrown out the 4-4-2 and the power and pace - that secured 3 titles, and have opted for the slower paced, lone striker, retain possession method that is supposedly the advanced Continental method....except it isn't. We play a 4-5-1, not a 4-3-3 like Barcelona, as the attackers simply don't have the work rate or ability to press and act like midfielders. Walcott probably has the work rate but not the discipline, but we've persisted with the likes of Arshavin in the wide roles and all too often our full backs are like sitting ducks. I see it from Arsenal time and time again, but he refuses to change it

I don't know why we have to play the same way regardless of whether its Shrewsbury or AC Milan. Top managers have the ability to adapt tactics to counter the opponents strenghts. We simply trot out with the same way of playing and hope to outpass everyone

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

Which coach is out there who is both tactically astute and available?
And which coaches do you regard as tactical masters?

[officepest]

The lack of tactical flexibility astounds me from Wenger. When he first arrived in this country he played a swashbuckling 4-4-2 formation based on power and pace and took the Premiership by storm. The longer we went without winning the CL, but whilst still having PL success, the widely held view was that our style of play was too cavalier to succeed in Europe where all the 'clever teams' from Italy and Spain favoured a lone striker and five in midfield.

Now we have gone for entire change - thrown out the 4-4-2 and the power and pace - that secured 3 titles, and have opted for the slower paced, lone striker, retain possession method that is supposedly the advanced Continental method....except it isn't. We play a 4-5-1, not a 4-3-3 like Barcelona, as the attackers simply don't have the work rate or ability to press and act like midfielders. Walcott probably has the work rate but not the discipline, but we've persisted with the likes of Arshavin in the wide roles and all too often our full backs are like sitting ducks. I see it from Arsenal time and time again, but he refuses to change it

I don't know why we have to play the same way regardless of whether its Shrewsbury or AC Milan. Top managers have the ability to adapt tactics to counter the opponents strenghts. We simply trot out with the same way of playing and hope to outpass everyone

Was gonna post, no need to now. This^ +1

[officepest]

Which coach is out there who is both tactically astute and available?
And which coaches do you regard as tactical masters?

Sammy, given the right compensation package and assurances to the incoming bloke then just about anybody is available.

As for tactical masters, dunno. I do though rate Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery as very good foreign coaches. Basically, as long as they recognise that playing a horrible 4-5-1 or whichever permutation of numbers one cares to call it EVERY SINGLE GME isn't the way forward.

[Perryashburtongroves]

You can win trophies with average to good players provided you get your tactics right. At the same time you can win fuck all with very good players. I don't for a minute think we have a whole squad of good players but think that with a manager that actually used different tactics and made worked hard to find ways of stopping the opposition, then we would have won some silverware in the last 7 years. Wenger's tactics at times astound me and some of the players he has picked are fucking woeful too.

[augie]

The lack of tactical flexibility astounds me from Wenger. When he first arrived in this country he played a swashbuckling 4-4-2 formation based on power and pace and took the Premiership by storm. The longer we went without winning the CL, but whilst still having PL success, the widely held view was that our style of play was too cavalier to succeed in Europe where all the 'clever teams' from Italy and Spain favoured a lone striker and five in midfield.

Now we have gone for entire change - thrown out the 4-4-2 and the power and pace - that secured 3 titles, and have opted for the slower paced, lone striker, retain possession method that is supposedly the advanced Continental method....except it isn't. We play a 4-5-1, not a 4-3-3 like Barcelona, as the attackers simply don't have the work rate or ability to press and act like midfielders. Walcott probably has the work rate but not the discipline, but we've persisted with the likes of Arshavin in the wide roles and all too often our full backs are like sitting ducks. I see it from Arsenal time and time again, but he refuses to change it

I don't know why we have to play the same way regardless of whether its Shrewsbury or AC Milan. Top managers have the ability to adapt tactics to counter the opponents strenghts. We simply trot out with the same way of playing and hope to outpass everyone

Was gonna post, no need to now. This^ +1

This + 2

On one hand I look at some of our players and think that they are so average it wouldnt matter who was their manager or what tactics they use but on the other hand I look at the lack of tactics, formations and planning that the CIC does and I feel that no team, no matter how talented they are, would win anything with the modern day wenger as manager

[SteveO 35]

I think George Graham proved beyond reasonable doubt in 1994 that a team of limited talents can outwit much more talented opponents on the big stage. Hillier, Morrow, Selley and co. would never win you a league title over 40 odd games, but drilled into the right shape and employing the sort of tactics that have seen the Chavs lift the CL, anything is possible in a knockout cup competition. We had an ultra solid base and a great finisher and not much else in 1994, but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford or go somewhere like the Nou Camp and attempt to outpass the home team

[g88ner]

but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

[arseofacrow]

but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

Not at Old Trafford mate.

[g88ner]

but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

Not at Old Trafford mate.

oops... it was probably 2-2 as well, wasn't it?

[arseofacrow]

but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

Not at Old Trafford mate.

oops... it was probably 2-2 as well, wasn't it?

Arsenal....founded 1996...so I don't know who the fuck you're talking about anyway

[g88ner]

but I don't think that team would ever get an 8-2 thumping at Old Trafford

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

Not at Old Trafford mate.

oops... it was probably 2-2 as well, wasn't it?

Arsenal....founded 1996...so I don't know who the fuck you're talking about anyway

Good point. George who?

[arseofacrow]

But a George Graham team did lose 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup at Old Trafford in 1990.

All managers have their embarrassing defeats. Even Fergie lost 6-1 at home to Citeh this season.

Not at Old Trafford mate.

oops... it was probably 2-2 as well, wasn't it?

Arsenal....founded 1996...so I don't know who the fuck you're talking about anyway

Good point. George who?

Ask Arsene - he knows.