A rare thread from me, and a serious one too. None of my crude MS Paint creations or anything.
After some of the post-game discussion on here, I had a few thoughts regarding the system that we play and the effectiveness of our key players in that system. We all know we play a pretty passing game mixed with relentless pressing, and like I'm sure you all are, I'm very proud of that. Many of us will be aware that Pochettino's tactical know-how is largely inspired by Marcelo Bielsa: a famous advocate of the same style of play, who in the past was Mauricio's manager at Newell's, Espanyol and Argentina. Where I think Mauricio doesn't quite seem to follow from Bielsa, though, is in his choice of formation. Or to be more specific, in his lack of flexibility when it comes to formation. Obviously his style is very fluid and his players are given license roam a lot, but it's roughly always set up in the old 4-2-3-1, with the double pivot and the number 10 and the wide forwards, as has become so common in the game now.
Some of the more common grievances (and to be fair there haven't been too many) about our team have been: that we don't have an effective enough number 10, that Lambert gets isolated, that Wanyama lacks some of the attributes necessary for his central midfield role, and that Cork, Schneiderlin and Wanyama can't all play together in this system. So why, then, are we setting up with Lambert up top on his own, with a number 10 who isn't really a number 10, and with Wanyama in that double pivot position, expected to get forward even though it's not really in his repertoire? Could we not: a) line up in a system which puts our best players in their best roles; and b) adjust the formation according to each individual opponent, a la Bielsa?
Obviously the current system has its strengths too, and we want to keep those. Lallana and Rodriguez are very effective in their wide forward roles, and the fullbacks are encouraged to play to their attacking strengths as well. Would it not be possible to optimise a formation that suits Wanyama better, doesn't require the number 10 that we don't have, and supports Lambert, while also keeping the above in their best positions? I think it is:
I give you Jorge Sampaoli's signature 3-4-3. Another disciple of Bielsa, and another manager I've previously drivelled about on this forum on many an occasion. Every player in his best position, no? Can fluidly shift from three at the back to four at the back without making any subs, commits seven players in attack, and suits that short-passing-insane-pressing style we love. Should Pochettino perhaps be considering shapes like this, in order to get Wanyama doing what he does best without sacrificing one of Cork and Schneiderlin? Obviously Davis and Ward-Prowse would slip very comfortably into those CM positions as well. Where's the downside to this?
After some of the post-game discussion on here, I had a few thoughts regarding the system that we play and the effectiveness of our key players in that system. We all know we play a pretty passing game mixed with relentless pressing, and like I'm sure you all are, I'm very proud of that. Many of us will be aware that Pochettino's tactical know-how is largely inspired by Marcelo Bielsa: a famous advocate of the same style of play, who in the past was Mauricio's manager at Newell's, Espanyol and Argentina. Where I think Mauricio doesn't quite seem to follow from Bielsa, though, is in his choice of formation. Or to be more specific, in his lack of flexibility when it comes to formation. Obviously his style is very fluid and his players are given license roam a lot, but it's roughly always set up in the old 4-2-3-1, with the double pivot and the number 10 and the wide forwards, as has become so common in the game now.
Some of the more common grievances (and to be fair there haven't been too many) about our team have been: that we don't have an effective enough number 10, that Lambert gets isolated, that Wanyama lacks some of the attributes necessary for his central midfield role, and that Cork, Schneiderlin and Wanyama can't all play together in this system. So why, then, are we setting up with Lambert up top on his own, with a number 10 who isn't really a number 10, and with Wanyama in that double pivot position, expected to get forward even though it's not really in his repertoire? Could we not: a) line up in a system which puts our best players in their best roles; and b) adjust the formation according to each individual opponent, a la Bielsa?
Obviously the current system has its strengths too, and we want to keep those. Lallana and Rodriguez are very effective in their wide forward roles, and the fullbacks are encouraged to play to their attacking strengths as well. Would it not be possible to optimise a formation that suits Wanyama better, doesn't require the number 10 that we don't have, and supports Lambert, while also keeping the above in their best positions? I think it is:
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I give you Jorge Sampaoli's signature 3-4-3. Another disciple of Bielsa, and another manager I've previously drivelled about on this forum on many an occasion. Every player in his best position, no? Can fluidly shift from three at the back to four at the back without making any subs, commits seven players in attack, and suits that short-passing-insane-pressing style we love. Should Pochettino perhaps be considering shapes like this, in order to get Wanyama doing what he does best without sacrificing one of Cork and Schneiderlin? Obviously Davis and Ward-Prowse would slip very comfortably into those CM positions as well. Where's the downside to this?
