Simon Peach @SimonPeach #SaintsFC are interested in Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt - club keen on Dutch defender but not as replacement for compatriot Virgil van Dijk.
Very postive news if the intention is for him to not be a replacement for VD. In that case he takes Gardos' squad place
Relies on very effective players in the attacking positions as there are theoretically one less. Worked for Chelsea as Hazard was one. Same for spurs with Eriksen and Alli That said we have only been playing three attacking players ourselves recently in Gabbi, Tadic and Redmond
Problem with 3 at the back is that if done incorrectly you get dominated in midfield. Usually the 3 CBs are just marking one striker, sinners one of the CBs to step into a kind of DM role when you don't have the ball.
Arsenal have had great results with 3 at the back, and were defensively very solid until their 3 main centre backs got injured.
Local over here (Ireland) saying Shane Long to Burnley. Good fit if his wife is happy going back North.
The stats say differently. I read they conceded 1.66 a game while having 3 at the back, but while having 4 at the back conceded 1.06
Chelsea won the league last year playing 3-4-3, although that was probably more to do with the 4 in the middle than the 3 at the back.
I'd like to see those stats. Arsenal moved to a back 3 at the end of last season after they got dicked at Palace. They went on to win the remaining games of the season (minus the NLD) and the FA Cup. He might have tried & failed with it earlier in the season, hence those stats. But recently Arsenal have looked very good with 3 at the back.
