Squad, tactics and style

[ColliersWoodBaggie]

It was interesting to see the Bilic press conference today (I'm aware it was 12 hours ago!). Just watched it back. What was interesting, was that he mentioned we had now made a few tweaks to the side as he said there are no big changes in the philosophy, as we played good football last season. When asked about the Transfer window he said this meant they had two players per position, plus areas where some players could cover more than one position if need be. I think we will see a more flexible and more fluid approach this season and players who will hopefully, be comfortable with the jobs they need to do as this was not always apparent last season. 

Let's hope it all bears fruit. COYB.

[EastMidsBaggie]

He looks like he loves to coach that man !
Those who are undecided, get yourselves up the shrine today to see the start of Slavs regime !!

[WWHO]

It's well known that Bilic prefers to focus on indvidual players rather than overall team formations.  Here's a good, if brief, article on his strategic flexibility:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blo...l-analysis

Edit: Found another where he discusses tactics:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/201...-euro-2012

[col lard]

The problems last year were less to do with formations and much more to do with many players underperforming

[ColliersWoodBaggie]

The problems last year were less to do with formations and much more to do with many players underperforming

To a point, but I don't think the midfield immobility made anything easier. We know Dawson was at 75% for most of the season too, plus injuries to key players with no suitable back up in the squad (esp. Phillips). In terms of Bilic at Albion this season, given the signings he has made, it does appear that he's addressed the lack of mobility in the middle. We were overrun by quite a few teams home and away last season and sometimes got out of jail because we had firepower up front (especially before Christmas). 

There will be  4-6 in the middle this year (including the wider players), with Livermore/Barry/Brunt and Sawyers has the deeper pair. I think the emphasis will be on attack, but with a mind of pressing the opposition around the half way line more and having deeper midfielders around 10 yards deeper. I think Bilic will also change things more during how games go, or to suit the opposition more than BD. Shan did this to a point too. I think formations will change around more and we saw a bit of this last week. Krov sank deeper in order to be an extra body in the middle, but had a free nough role where he was sometimes in advance of Burke later in the second half as we broke forward.

[MassDebater]

The problems last year were less to do with formations and much more to do with many players underperforming

For me it was too many defensive cock ups from totally un-dangerous positions. Along with an aged midfield and seemingly little back up ideas.

I think Slav has definitely sorted the age issue, seems to be happy to change things around depending on how the games is going, and from how we nullified Forest's attack, hopefully he's made a good start on that too... Although it will be interesting against Millwall and their, likely, more physical approach today.

[ColliersWoodBaggie]

The problems last year were less to do with formations and much more to do with many players underperforming

For me it was too many defensive cock ups from totally un-dangerous positions. Along with an aged midfield and seemingly little back up ideas.

I think Slav has definitely sorted the age issue, seems to be happy to change things around depending on how the games is going, and from how we nullified Forest's attack, hopefully he's made a good start on that too... Although it will be interesting against Millwall and their, likely, more physical approach today.

Luckily, we have a few 'big lads' who can handle themselves against Millwall. As well as on the pitch