4 EPL Coaches Whose Tactics Don't Fit Their Teams' Strengths

Sometimes you wonder why they were hired. Sometimes you think you could do a better job.

Managerial decisions can drive you crazy when they don't make sense. These four managers haven't had a good season when it comes to working with their respective teams' strengths.

Read on to see four English Premier League managers who've got it wrong this season.

Roberto Mancini, Manchester City

Coming into the season as reigning champions, it was important for Roberto Mancini to switch his squad up.

He tried several things—changing formation to keep it fresh and resupplying the midfield with new recruits. Unfortunately, none of this worked.

After failing to adapt to the three-man defensive system, players such as Micah Richards slighted his manager's imposing of the formation. Mancini purchased Scott Sinclair to solve the lack of width, but the former Swansea man has made just two EPL starts this season.

Rafa Benitez, Chelsea

Fans remain divided on what the best formation for Chelsea's players is at the moment, but the 4-2-3-1 doesn't appear to unlock the talent on the roster.

It's overly defensive, very careful and doesn't flow as well as it should. A high-energy 4-3-3 would suit the side far more, with Oscar taking up the central role he has excelled in for Brazil.

Unfortunately for Rafa Benitez, it doesn't matter what he does, he's a goner at the end of the season.

Nigel Adkins, Reading

Nigel Adkins has one footballing philosophy: attack, attack, attack.

Before each and every game as Southampton manager, he outlined his intention to score as many goals as possible in relentless fashion.

He had the team for it at Saints, but he's inherited a significantly weaker crop at Reading. He's tried instilling good philosophies, but now is not the time. He'll have the full summer to work with the players and add carefully, but for now he should be trying to win games in any possible manner.

Martin Jol, Fulham

Martin Jol must be frustrated.

He has a way of playing—a way he's carried from club to club—but it requires a central creative threat, one who can dribble forward and change games.

Whenever he finds himself with such a player (i.e. Mousa Dembele or Clint Dempsey) Tottenham buys him, leaving Jol and the team back at square one.

Fulham need to find their third successive creative threat and hold onto him before they can move forward.

Follow @stighefootball