Crystal Palace vs. Newcastle match thread

We’ve started the half asleep and infuriatingly with the wing backs pushed up again. Like we have learned nothing about what works tactically
 
We’ve started the half asleep and infuriatingly with the wing backs pushed up again. Like we have learned nothing about what works tactically

This is exactly it. It reminds me of my time as a five-a-side goalkeeper, playing for a team called the Jehovah Rovers. I should point out that I wasn’t a Witness myself.

Their tactical philosophy was beautifully simple. Everyone else stood on the halfway line, and if I happened to save a shot, we’d have a four-on-one break and would undoubtedly score.

The minor flaw in this tactical masterplan was that I was expected to stop absolutely everything.

After our third consecutive double-figure hammering, I packed it in. Not because I didn’t enjoy playing, but because it was abundantly clear they weren’t going to change.

Sage appears to operate on precisely the same principle. Keep pushing the wing-backs forward, regardless of the fact that the three centre-backs simply aren’t good enough to cover the space left behind.

Surely, at some point, you have to recognise that the system isn’t working and try something different? Adapt to the players you’ve actually got rather than the ones you wish you had.


They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.


Rather like expecting the French not to surrender in a war.
 
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