The problem for Sam is that many fans (most I'd say) want to see us play with the team and formation that looked so good in those golden games v Liverpool & Man City (Sakho & Valencia up-front, with Downing behind them, and Song, Noble & Kayoute in central midfield.

Instead, today we ended up with Jarvis hitting hopeful long-balls towards Carlton Cole!

Sam could have picked the exact eleven that played v Liverpool & Man City today, but it's looking increasigly unlikely that we're going to see that team and formation again (which is going to piss some people off).

While Carroll brings other qualities, most notbaby his heading ability, he doesn't have the mobility and touch that Sakho and Valencia brought to the table when they played together.

That, of course, affects the style of play.

I read this on another site, and I think it's a good point.

In the 16th minute, Cresswell sent in a long cross that was obviously intended for Carroll. Foster came out to collect the ball in his gloves before AC’s skull had a chance, and that was that. Here’s my question. If it were Valencia out there with Sakho, would Cresswell have even made that pass? Or would he have looked for a one-two with a midfielder to get deeper and allow the strikers to run into areas? Or something like that. Anything but a long cross into the box?


The truth is we didn't play well at home to Villa, Newcastle and Leicester, but scraped wins in the latter two, and everyone was still on a high due to the league position.

My fear is that fans are going to start to turn against Sam again - it'll be said that he only played Sakho & Valcncia and that formation & tactics because injuries forced him to etc against his natural instincts.

Last Edited By: Clack Jan 1 15 10:27 PM. Edited 2 times.