Noticed in an article about the potential new incoming French CB, Lejuene, that Rafa may be looking at switching to 3 at the back next season. "Interestingly, Newcastle are believed to have experimented behind the scenes towards the end of last season with a 3-5-2 formation and it will be interesting to see whether Lascelles, Clark and Lejuene feature in that type of system in pre-season." http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...le-united-florian-lejeune-transfers--13214084 Would be interesting to see if this comes to fruition and Rafa did tinker with this formation a few times last season. Not sure we have the quality at the CB or in CM to play that formation as you need 3 seriously good CB's and 1 or 2 fantastic DM's (a la Kante for Chelsea) to make it work and allow the full backs and/or wingers to get forwards and support the strikers. Personally if it were to be 3 at the back I'd copy Chelsea's formation of 3-4-3 from last season as the 2 wide forwards can help out the wing backs on the defensive side of things. Probably just tabloid (Chronicle) BS but thought it would be interesting to see what people think although obviously is going to depend on who we sign and sell this summer. Thoughts?
I'm a bigger fan of 343 but I don't think formations are the be all and end all. As long as you buy the right players to play the formation you will be ok. For instance Conte was clever in working out what was best for his squad. Alonso and Moses are made for those roles. Azpilicueta and Luiz are well suited to it. Costa has that presence that can bring Hazard and Pedro into the game. Then of course the midfield pairing of Kante and Matic can give you that defensive solidity for the rampaging of Alonso and Moses. As long as you are clear in your thinking and clear in your gameplan, most systems can be effective. This is where Rafa fell down at home, his gameplan was flawed and he failed to correct it. I don't think you can knock his away gameplan.
Probably accommodates Yedlin nicely on the right, less so Dummett on the left - maybe this is where Atsu fits in? Certainly need to add someone at DCM if we go down that route
I think we need some different personel. We would be ok at CB I think and Rafa can coach this system (takes more discipline i reckon) but we would need someone who can get up and down the left much better and definitely a quality DM.
It's dependent on having 3 excellent CB's ad 2 fast and energetic wingbacks, or whatever you want to call them. Our CB's would struggle. We are short at least 1 wingback
I think the wide positions is a much bigger problem. I reckon Yedlin would do alright, but that's it. You need 1st choice and cover both sides. Especially is a demanding position. Spurs for instance have Walker Rose and good back up in Davis and Trippier.
Young Sterry's an attacking full back too. Dummett would suit a defensive 3 pretty well, IMO. No attacking mentality, but quick and left footed. Azplicueta was an average left back for a while, now a world class CB. Wouldn't be the same in a back four, though. As Hank says, its about using players correctly with a central theme. Rafa kept failing sticking with a 4-2-3-1 without a decent all round striker, a number 10 or a truly decent DM. Disagree on Atsu as wide left, though, he'd be the Hazard with RItchie the Willian. If we played it. Which we won't.
He couldn't tear a sheet of paper mate. Chocolate fireguard springs to mind - actually that sounds kinda racist
