Different Lineups for Different Opponents?

[Hedbal]

In the wake of the deflating loss to Catolica, Peter Nowak has been getting grief from many of us for both his starting lineup and his substitutions. Which makes me ask this question:

Do good managers change their lineups to "match up" to the opponent, or is the essence of good managing just finding the best functioning eleven players and trotting them out on all occasions? Should it matter to Peter whether the opponent attacks down the middle or down the wings, or bunkers and counterattacks, when it comes to selecting his lineup? Do we/should we have lineups that are biased towards certain kinds of play but that are vulnerable to others? If we are playing a team that must win to stay in the playoff race do we trot out a special "hold the fort" lineup to absorb the attack? Or, when we absolutely have to have a result, does our lineup change and reflect that urgency? Or, do you expect your usual starters to adjust to the needs of the particular match and play differently against different kinds of opponents. Right now, it seems as if Peter has a clear starting eleven in his mind and this is the lineup that takes the field, regardless of the opponent's situation and tendencies.

Comments?

[vivzig]

I honestly think that Nowak's attitude, and this is backed up in lots of press quotes, is that "we play our brand of soccer, and if when we play it well enough, we will win." Successes and failures are thus internalized.

Such a world view doesn't leave much room for tinkering with lineups based on opponents' strength. Only you can beat yourself.

[John L]

I would quote that if I could but I dare not

Back to the matter at hand - If the previous post is accurate about Nowaks choices for starters, it doesn't jive with his selections for Subs

And seguing to a vaguely related topic

Does it seem odd to you that DC United appeared better tactically prepared for Chelsea than for Catolica the second time?

[vivzig]

Does it seem odd to you that DC United appeared better tactically prepared for Chelsea than for Catolica the second time?
Yes.

I would have a more intelligent response had I actually been able to see the Cato game. :rolleyes: