FWIW I think we need to remember that for a number of reasons we started today without Taylor, Threlkeld, Carey, Sokolik, Jervis and Fox. All players that were part of a very successful team last season. Obviously we're going to be without Bradley, Threlkeld and Taylor for some time but either we need to go back to the basics that got us here or for Adams to admit his formation isn't going to work in this division and find a different formation. As others have said, there is clearly something not quite right and I agree with Balham's comment that the reds are a result of frustration either with the fact that things aren't working and/or their own performances.
Among others I guess, I was hopeful that today's selection was going to be a set up for 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2. Ciftci wide left was not going to work defensively and as the half wore on he drifted more and more into the middle which cut down Fletcher's space and gave no wide option for Bradley or Sawyer going forward. On the other side Lameiras had similar problems but his work ethic was stronger. We know the Adams system works and it can work in this division BUT we need to play round pegs in round holes. Carey being back next week is a shoe in, in the hole, and (assuming Jervis isn't available) I'd play Grant and Ainsworth in the wide attacking roles. I want to like Ciftci but I'm struggling to see what he brings. Blissett isn't right either but Fletch isn't ready and so Blissett has to start up front unless Adams can find an alternative from somewhere (Grant is a possibility but I'm not convinced). Midfield is the key for me and there is no space for Fox, Sarcevic and Ness. For me Fox has to start so it's a case of either Ness or Sarcevic and I would go with Sarcevic as he is on the same wavelength as Carey and Fox. I'm sure Adams will go with Songo'o in the absence of Bradley but I would go with Sokolik who, in my opinion, is a better defender and footballer than Songo'o. Before this time next year we need to replace the full-backs but until then we're stuck with what we have.
Should Adams find some humility somewhere and go with a front pair then one of those two has to be Blissett and I would play Grant or Fletcher off him. If he's sticking to a flat midfield 4 I would go with Carey, Ness, Fox and Ainsworth. If it's a diamond I would go with Fox at the base and Carey on the point with Fox and Sarcevic in the middle.
It's all academic as one thing we have learnt is that, if nothing else, Adams is his own man so we shouldn't be surprised to see Lameiras selected to replace Bradley and Songo'o as the lone striker.
