Albion formation & 'horses for courses'

[DevilDave]

I've been reading a lot about how Gary Megson would like to tailor Albion's formation and starting 11 to match whoever the opposition happens to be.

I don't know if I'm in the minority, but I'm of the opinion that you would like to stay with a certain formation (like the trusty 3-5-2) and a consistent first team as much as possible. True, Megson needs to know how the new boys will fit into the squad. But apparently there were a lot of changes for Tuesday's Wigan game from the 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich last Saturday, including a formation with only one striker. Uh, how were we supposed to score? :confused:

There are certainly times when you need to be a little more adventurous, more attacking-minded. I know Meggo is a somewhat conservative manager, but we can't always win with a "bunker ball" mentality. In a far more competitive First Division than the one from which WBA won promotion in 01-02, sometimes we need to take risks.

Like having two strikers up front Gary. :eek:

[John Boy]

I don't like knocking Megson but I agree.

IMHO, we've got the players to potentially win this division and teams should be more worried about playing us than vice versa. We should be forcing our game on the opposition rather than trying to tailor ourselves to suit them.

I still think we'll go up though, a maybe the 'horses for courses' approach would be suited in the top flight.

[DevilDave]

Well, Megson apparently has seen the light...

From the Evening Mail...

Gary Megson has thrown down the gauntlet to his players by revealing he is striving for an Albion team that "picks itself".

The Baggies manager has changed his line-up from match to match to try and counter the strengths of the opposition.

But Megson admitted the tactic did not go to plan in last week's defeat at Wigan and is now looking to settle his side down in an attempt to improve results.

http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/globalsport/content_objectid=13435600_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Megson%2Dsettles%2Don%2Dnew%2Dtactics-name_page.html