Manager's Tactics - Spot On or Needs Tweaking?

[Administrator]

How are we feeling about the gaffer's approach this season?
Are the tactics working? Formation right? Substitutions timely or baffling?
I've seen some brilliant game management, but also some head-scratching decisions. What's your take?
Constructive criticism welcome - let's keep it respectful though lads!

 

[MarkHCFC]

Defensively sound but far too cautious going forward.
We've got the joint-best defensive record in our last ten games, which shows the manager's got us organised at the back. No complaints there.
But we're creating virtually nothing in attack. 1.1 expected goals per game is relegation form, not promotion form. We sit too deep, invite pressure, and hope for a set piece or individual error to nick a goal.
The 4-2-3-1 is too defensive. Two holding midfielders against teams in the bottom half makes no sense. We end up with seven or eight players behind the ball and one isolated striker.

Need to be braver. Play a 4-3-3 with two number 8s who can get forward. Push the fullbacks higher. Take risks in possession instead of playing safe passes backwards.
At this level, you don't get promoted by not losing. You get promoted by winning games. Right now we're set up not to lose, and it shows in the results - too many draws.

The quality is there in the squad. The tactics are holding us back.