Tactics Formations & Team Selections Etc

[HebdenRed]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

[optimistic_red]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

[wassy04]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

[Liars Bar]

Unpopular opinion - Dean Henderson is a poor goalkeeper.

[Paplane]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

Im wary of taking any comfort from what appeared to be an improved performance in the 2nd half. Leicester were in consolidation mode and not pressing. The heat in the game had gone. 

I cant believe we have spent the money we have and still dont have an obvious central striker. We're missing Grabban so much now.

[wassy04]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

Im wary of taking any comfort from what appeared to be an improved performance in the 2nd half. Leicester were in consolidation mode and not pressing. The heat in the game had gone. 

I cant believe we have spent the money we have and still dont have an obvious central striker. We're missing Grabban so much now.

Grabban would not improve this team

[wassy04]

Unpopular opinion - Dean Henderson is a poor goalkeeper.

I did point out on the game thread we have conceded a lot of long range goals. Is there a suggestion Henderson is at fault, I'm not sure about that.

He has no chance with the first half goals last night really, possibly the 2nd I guess. 4th one yes he could've done better. 

Of the recent goals I can remember (there's been a lot!), Bournemouth wonder goal he had no chance, that long range one vs Fulham, not sure he could've done much either. I think it's more giving too much space to shoot too often, also a little bit unlucky that these low % strikes have repeatedly gone in.

[Paplane]

Lots of threads re coops / Benitez etc but before the game the big question was all about changing formations.

Based on last night and with the players we have, I think:
- 3 centre halves might work without Lodi. Play Aurier rwb and swap neco to lwb which is where he plays for wales.
- if we do try and play a 4 at the back then we clearly can’t play 3 behind a striker and looked miles better with 3 in centre mid. So maybe 4321 with 3 of mangala / Freuler / lob or Yates.

Toffolo over lodi for me (but I’d try neco there with aurier as above)
MGW over lingard (but on present form could live without either)
Kouyate only to come on to try and see out a lead - if we ever have one

Aurier got us higher up the pitch and showed some good link up.

3511 with wingbacks and 3 cm’s makes us more solid.

Not sure we can play 4 at the back with the centre backs we have.


(Cue comments about coaches being able to be flexible etc - but we can’t keep experimenting in game and have to ditch sentiment and play a formation that suits what we have and the mess we’re in).

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

Im wary of taking any comfort from what appeared to be an improved performance in the 2nd half. Leicester were in consolidation mode and not pressing. The heat in the game had gone. 

I cant believe we have spent the money we have and still dont have an obvious central striker. We're missing Grabban so much now.

Grabban would not improve this team

Yes he would. He can hold the ball up under pressure and can get goals. He might not have been prolific in this league but his hold up ability will have got the side further up the pitch and given the defenders a long out ball which doesnt immediately get played back into them. Cooper would be picking him every game. Im convinced he would. A massive strategic mistake which could have been avoided. Investing £1m of the £17m spent on Awoniyi in a contract for Grabban would have made a huge difference to our season.

[wassy04]

I agree with this. 1st job has to be stop conceding 3 or 4 goals every game. Setup to hit teams on counter with Johnson's pace and skill.

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

Im wary of taking any comfort from what appeared to be an improved performance in the 2nd half. Leicester were in consolidation mode and not pressing. The heat in the game had gone. 

I cant believe we have spent the money we have and still dont have an obvious central striker. We're missing Grabban so much now.

Grabban would not improve this team

Yes he would. He can hold the ball up under pressure and can get goals. He might not have been prolific in this league but his hold up ability will have got the side further up the pitch and given the defenders a long out ball which doesnt immediately get played back into them. Cooper would be picking him every game. Im convinced he would. A massive strategic mistake which could have been avoided. Investing £1m of the £17m spent on Awoniyi in a contract for Grabban would have made a huge difference to our season.

Grabban was past it in the championship, a class player in his prime but also a weak finisher. If he's better than Awoniyi that's more of a sleight on him! The team noticeably improved when we had Davis and Surridge playing instead of him. As I say great player for us at times but also was not missed last year or now. He's 34, nearly 35, do you really think he'd have an impact at this level?

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Unpopular opinion - Dean Henderson is a poor goalkeeper.

I did point out on the game thread we have conceded a lot of long range goals. Is there a suggestion Henderson is at fault, I'm not sure about that.

He has no chance with the first half goals last night really, possibly the 2nd I guess. 4th one yes he could've done better. 

Of the recent goals I can remember (there's been a lot!), Bournemouth wonder goal he had no chance, that long range one vs Fulham, not sure he could've done much either. I think it's more giving too much space to shoot too often, also a little bit unlucky that these low % strikes have repeatedly gone in.

Dont think Henderson is poor but I dont think he is the Gods gift that some were making out early on either. You cant concede 16 goals in 4 games and say the goalkeeper is blameless.

Truth is there are a lot of players below the level they are capable of. We would be in a difficult enough situation if everyone was giving their best, right now we have no chance.

[Paplane]

I thought the 433 looked good in last 20, we suddenly seemed to have some midfielders. Means we can get Freuler, Mangala and O'Brien or Yates on the field too.

Tough call on the front 3, Dennis didn't look great as a CF but looked better when he went wide. He did hit one great cross that MGW missed the header on. Dennis, Johnson and Taiwo? Lingard just is off the pace, he's not fit enough.

Im wary of taking any comfort from what appeared to be an improved performance in the 2nd half. Leicester were in consolidation mode and not pressing. The heat in the game had gone. 

I cant believe we have spent the money we have and still dont have an obvious central striker. We're missing Grabban so much now.

Grabban would not improve this team

Yes he would. He can hold the ball up under pressure and can get goals. He might not have been prolific in this league but his hold up ability will have got the side further up the pitch and given the defenders a long out ball which doesnt immediately get played back into them. Cooper would be picking him every game. Im convinced he would. A massive strategic mistake which could have been avoided. Investing £1m of the £17m spent on Awoniyi in a contract for Grabban would have made a huge difference to our season.

Grabban was past it in the championship, a class player in his prime but also a weak finisher. If he's better than Awoniyi that's more of a sleight on him! The team noticeably improved when we had Davis and Surridge playing instead of him. As I say great player for us at times but also was not missed last year or now. He's 34, nearly 35, do you really think he'd have an impact at this level?

As the queen once famously said, some recollections may vary Wassy.

Davis was an inspiration that's for sure but he wasn't selected ahead of Grabban. They may not have played much together but that was due to injuries for both. And Surridge did well for sure but we weren't improved by him when he got his chance due to Grabban's injury. We merely adapted a little with not much loss of effectiveness.

[DeesideRed]

all about who plays in front of the defence for me, whether its a premier league staple 3 with one holding a la Rodri or Fabinho or a 2 who have to have energy but most importantly be able to play under pressure as they'll likely be outnumbered a la Spurs or Chelsea under Tuchel.

I think a 3 is a safer option, clearly favoured by most in the league. However you then cant play your number 10 of which we have Lingard and MGW (who should not be on the same pitch as they are the same player imo)