3-5-2

Personally I like this formation.......

....but does anyone get that feeling we are lining up players to play in this formation?

We have signed Manquillo and already have Yedlin - both defensivly not that great, both have pace and fairly ok at attacking.

On the left side, we have clearly been linked to players to play similar wing back roles in Kenedy and Laxalt.

We have bought yet another CB in Lejeune when we already had Clark and Lascelles as main choices thus leading me to think of 3 at the back with Mbemba and Dummett as back up (or if we sell Mbemba then we buy Pazdan whom we are now linked with).

A midfield trio of Merino, eurgh Shelvey and Hayden.

Up front Gayle and someone.

 

I think I'd quite like that formation. It allows us to attack more strongly when we need to, though in practice it would turn into 5-3-2 a lot of the time when we're up against better teams (which will be most weeks).

 

It feels like we're moving in that direction.

Think it would work better for the likes of Dummett on the left side of a three - can concentrate on his defensive duties with less need to get forward where he normally struggles

 

It's going to be remarkable to see Benitez suddenly move from his standard tactic of the last 20 years (4-2-3-1) to something so different. We didn't even try this pre-season.

Sorry to say it, but whilst I would love us to try something that puts two up top and really have a go at some teams, I suspect what Rafa the Rotator is trying to do is get two x PL-capable players per position, with the exception of up front where last season (and now this season) we had three. Sorry to pee on your chips, but it's kind of obvious what we've done:

Merino - Colback, Manquillo - Anita, J.Murphy - Gouffran, Lejeune - Hanley, Joselu - D.Murphy.

All he's done is tried to upgrade, but the day we waver from 4-2-3-1 is the day Mitrovic bangs in a hat-trick.

 

Do like the idea of a back three with yedlin and manquillo bombing down the wings.

For me it would be Clark mbemba and lejuenne with merino and Hayden in the middle with either Murphy or de Jong pushing up to Gayle and mitro upfront (appreciate Mitro might be a controversial choice but I think he's got goals in him) with Joselu coming in for Gayle whenever he is injured.

 

I agree with you that it is unlikely. Would love to see him try it though.

 

I think Rafa has been trying for it since last season when we got Gamez, Yedlin and Lazaar.
We will see it, but only in the event of awful form or a string of injuries.
I'd its worth a go, especially away from home, we can still play a variation that fits wingers in and has one up top which, depending on that one, could work out okay against the bigger teams

 

I think Rafa would change to that formation in the latter stages of a game we were losing to take a chance and try and win the game but because it's a much more defensively risky formation (at least for a squad with our level of players) then I don't see him starting games with it, no. I think the players we have signed are just upgrades to the outgoing players, as Lord Jonjomort has said. I'm pretty sure it will be 4-2-3-1 each week.

 

I like it. I prefer 343. To be honest as long as you have the right players to fill the roles any system can be effective and therefore desirable.

 

I think with the 352 it becomes less defensively risky with the ease of making it 5 at the back, if we played yedders we've got defensive mind on the right and let's face it dummett hasn't got a clue how to attack so will probably be ignored by the rest of the team in all upfield pursuits. If anything someone like Clarke could moved forward if the goings good and spray some passes.
I dunno I just want it to be Sunday already, I want to taste some sweet prem points

 

It would explain his fascination for quick wingers with an engine. When it works well it really works.

 

What happens to Richie in all this?

 

Goes to inside right (in old money)

 

But where is inside right in the 3-5-2. Is it in the 5 or the 2?

 

Yes.

 

Ok - in my version - based on full current squad

Gayle / De Jong (forwards)

Merino Hayden Ritchie (central midfield three)

Atsu / Yedlin (wing backs)

Clark Lejeune Mbemba (central defenders)

Elliott (keeper)

 

I think that is probably a bit too risky defensively for Rafa's liking

 

Actually think thats a very balanced side. Might actually switch Perez with De Jong. Think he works back well.

 

I do too. The only weak link would be Atsu's defensive work. Not sure Rafa would want to risk that defensively for the attacking options it would give us.

 

Thats what the three centre halves are for.