Even when Sam Baldock has been fully fit, Big Sam has still opted to his prefered 'lump it to Cole' method and then he just sticks Baldock on the wing. I personally think that Sam has no faith in our attacking minded players and relies more on the defensive side of them rather than the actual forward play.
This is why we have been lacking goals for a few months now...he doesn't start a match with an attacking minded team I.E. the Millwall match. We was playing at home, against a team that had lost 4 of their last 5 games in the championship, and he still decided to start with 5 defenders and have Cole up front on his own, whilst Maynard, Baldock and Vaz Te were all sitting on the bench.
I really hope I am wrong with what i'm about to say, but I honestly can't see Sam changing with his tactics. I still expect to see Cole playing up front on his own in most games and Maynard will feature once every so often and Vaz Te will be used more on the wings.
If it was up to me, and I'm not saying that I am better than Big Sam at picking the starting lineup as I don't know what goes on behind closed doors, I would play Maynard/Baldock and Cole up front with Vaz Te on the wing if either Taylor or Faubert is not fully fit or in form. I would have Cole playing as a support striker, using his strength and hold up play to create space for Maynard/Baldock to run into.
If Morrison lives up to his expectations, he could be sitting behind Cole and do all the creative play through the centre of the field. To me, the above sounds a lot better then 'lump it to Cole' tactics, it would be a lot more attractive for our fantastic fanbase to watch and we WOULD score more goals.
Can you see Big Sam drop his preferred 'lump it to Cole' tactics and make most of the new players we have got?
