After watching recent displays from Arsenal and Chelsea and also considering Koeman's dabble with a back three and following on from some debates on another thread, I wonder if Saints should consider playing a 3-4-3 next season. Advantages could be that: Our fullbacks can remain further forward and add width One of our centre backs can have license to come out from the back We have Romeu paired in the centre Our three fully attacking players will be fairly central and close together which is important as most of them prefer being central rather than wide So what do you think, would a 3-4-3 be a good formation for Southampton to trial?
I've always been a fan of a back 3 and Ron used it to good effect in his time here. We'd probably need to sign 3 CB's for it though* *on assumption Virgil leaves
I am a fan of three at the back. (Although I don't think it necessarily has to 3-4-3. Equally 3-5-2 is an option. And actually, I think I do favour the latter because it gives you two strikers) I wouldn't go as far as to say that we should be playing it next season. But I do certainly think that it should be an option on the table (as it was for Ron with us, and is for Poch with Spurs). It has disappointed me slightly that Puel seemed very adverse to ever play it. Particularly because of my point about it can given you a two-up-front option.
It also Allows for that free roaming No, 10 option. So Boufal to play to full effect. And him behind Gabbiadini/Austin could be extremely Ruthless.
At this particular moment.........I don't think we have the quality in our current squad to successfully play that kind of formation. At least the pairing of young Stevens and Yoshida. At least one of the back three will need to be able to carry the ball out preferably any one of two players. Also have my doubts about the possible strikers.........So I guess I'm saying we will need additional players to consider 3-4-3 or 3-5-2. Would make exciting footy though........
I like a 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3. Couple of things to point out. In today's game. It doesn't matter too much what the formation is for the midfield and attack, it is always flexible during play (3 CBs is a clear change though and it can be very good). Commenting on your sentence I've pulled out above, most teams playing 3 in a 3-4-3, have two of the attacking players wide, so that slightly contradicts your point above. Not disagreeing with what you say about our players, just making the point tactically on that formation.
Not sure about that, we played 3-5-2 under Ron a fair bit and the bulk of the squad remains the same. With current squad, we could play a sort of 3-4-1-2 ignoring who might/will leave: Fraser Maya New CB Virgil Cedric Romeu JWP/Pierre Bertrand Boufal/Tadic Gabbi Austin
If we played 3-4-1-2, then the OP's comments about the front three being closer together is very relevant, as opposed to my comments on how most teams play a 3-4-3
Yeah I was just musing really, as like Brendy says I prefer to have 2 up top when you play 3 at the back. Was also disagreeing with Beddy saying that we don't have the players to play it by showing an example and pointing out we played it under Ron to good effect.
Sorry I just don't have the confidence in Austin.......Especially with his injury history. Pretty well every where he has been he has lost pretty well more than Half a season through injury or close.
Won't need to worry about Austin as much, if we manage to lure away the Nigerian forward from Man city.
Me either, But pull it off and the fans will forget about last season and more about the what ifs of the next.
Yoshida and Stephens could very easy be the only two cbs we have. Gardos is beyond ****, so doesn't count.
Juventus have the best 3 at the back formation. And they are comfortable playing 4 at the back as well. If you do play 3 CBs, the two wing backs are absolutely pivotal to your success. Alonso and Moses for Chelsea, Bellerin and AOC for Arsenal yesterday. Dani Alves and Sandro for Juve. Yes they spend a lot of time going forward, but they also have the engine to get back into position every time. Basically every player has to work hard in transition and be totally in tune with the system - no passengers. Which of course is true of any formation, and something we only managed sporadically this season.
