Tactics Formations & Team Selections Etc

[wassy04]

The Nuno vs Cooper thing is irrelevant now because what’s done is done.

However which tactics would currently have us with more points is relevant. Could we have played a back 5 for the last 7 games, packed the midfield, had 20% possession, admittedly been bored to tears but have more than 7 points on the board?
Not sure is my answer. There is another relevant point too in which the players themselves were apparently getting frustrated with the ultra cautious approach. Luton have also showed it doesn’t have to be that way. However we simply have to be tighter at the back.

I suppose the argument is whether we need to protect the back four more due to the level they are at. Cooper presumably thought they needed extra protection, Nuno has released that and we've naturally conceded more and created more. 

So do we need to reign it back in? Will it improve when Boly/Aina return? Will they even come back in? Would having Sangare instead of Yates help? 

Fwiw, I can't see Nuno moving away from the attacking four as CHO is finally coming out of his shell a bit more and we've seen the others already. I'm confident that is the right approach. 

Hopefully Aina back in will add more defensive stability and stop us conceding as many corners, same with Boly over Niakhate. Tbh I thought Omo was unlucky to lose his place too.

[Paplane]

I can see Boly coming back and going straight in at Murillo's expense. Murillo's a talent but we're definitely lacking some defensively basic principles of 'head it and kick it'. Every CD who plays next to Boly sees an improvement in their game too.

[Redreg]

I know i keep going on about it but it has to be Boly/Filipe with Niakhate and Murillo going into the LB slot.
Aina at RB once AFCON is finished . We don’t need to play 2 traditional fullbacks .Murillo under PEP or Arteta would be deployed at LB . It would strengthen us when dealing with crosses and setpeices . Hes also is not slow can dribble and become an inverted Fullback in Attack . Elanga could play on the Left then CHO or GIO on the Right tucking in becomes a 2nd 10 with Aina Providing the width down the right .
Sangare will hopefully add that physical presence when back too

[Reds73]

I can see Boly coming back and going straight in at Murillo's expense. Murillo's a talent but we're definitely lacking some defensively basic principles of 'head it and kick it'. Every CD who plays next to Boly sees an improvement in their game too.

It will be Murillo + 1
It would be madness to drop him.
You need his pace, positional sense and football ability 
I would play Felipe alongside him personally

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Not knowing our best defensive formation may be the biggest problem.
I dread to think how many combinations of keeper full back and centre backs we have made so far this year. Whether through choice, injury or absence have we ever kept the same for more than 2 games?

Trouble is we can’t decide on here, Cooper couldn’t decide and I’m not sure Nuno knows either.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Going to bump this because its really starting to annoy me although before anyone has a go I do appreciate there is little to be annoyed about this season.

Corners and zonal marking.

Nobody covers the back post. Every. Single. Time.

You can say if you want, yes but this season we have an excellent record at defending set pieces. But starting to be found out now and the goal we conceded on Monday was 100% preventable.
You could coach at primary school level and see the way we set up and try to play against it and its noticeable now that all opponents are stacking their forwards up at the far post where they have acres of space.

So does the tactic work? We look mostly organised and are good at snuffing out the chance but seem to be getting caught out a lot more in recent games. Surely its time to adapt this?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I agree SM with your observation but it should I imagine be an easy problem to fix.

[Sausage Roll]

I think it also appears worse than it is because we've been *so* good defending set pieces this season until recent weeks.

Also we did shut out corner specialists Arsenal recently even though they had double figures corners in the match (I think anyway). So we can't be doing too badly.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Yes I understand we snuff out the chances and stopped Arsenal scoring, winning the second headers and second balls. We have been playing the same way all season its not something new and obviously we concede less from set pieces now.
But wouldn’t it be simpler having Yates/Sangare/Big lad covering the back post and stopping the first header or at least make it more difficult for the opponent?

If McForest is reading this would appreciate your view on how we set up. We are talking about a top Premier League team with world class coaching staff and Im just a muppet on an internet forum so there has to be a reason.
I just don’t get it and it doesn’t look right.

[Tricky]

Yes I understand we snuff out the chances and stopped Arsenal scoring, winning the second headers and second balls. We have been playing the same way all season its not something new and obviously we concede less from set pieces now.
But wouldn’t it be simpler having Yates/Sangare/Big lad covering the back post and stopping the first header or at least make it more difficult for the opponent?

If McForest is reading this would appreciate your view on how we set up. We are talking about a top Premier League team with world class coaching staff and Im just a muppet on an internet forum so there has to be a reason.
I just don’t get it and it doesn’t look right.

I knew I knew you from somewhere Sal.......................... Fozzie Bear!!!

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

New name for SM then lads.

Fozzie Bear from now on.

[Sausage Roll]

There are too many Statler and Waldorfs on here.