Would it upset you if I pointed out that their most dangerous player was a wide player who caused us a lot of problems breaking wide? Did you also notice how well they kept the ball in the first half? We go narrow, he'll have acres of space.
I am horrified at the tactical approach you've suggested there, but as you say it's your opinion. My opinion is that is appalling, too narrow and we'd get picked off way too easy. If we don't show some patience, they'll get plenty of possession and we'd be playing right into their hands. They couldn't cope with Pelle in the second half the other night because he dropped in and controlled the ball to link with others and a lot of that was on the floor/into his body.
To play the three strikers narrow, would block all the space and be easier to pick up players and defend against. To break them down, we do need to have plenty of runs up front - that is about the only thing I can agree with in your post. If we play forward early for the striker to run into wide in space then I'm happy with that, but I fear your suggestion of direct is bang it up in the air to Pelle and let the other two pick up the flick ons. If Mane is fit, I'd play Jayrod over Long, he can run at a defender better than Long.
We need to get the right blend of attacking them at pace while also be mindful of possession as they will keep it when they have it. First half last week they knocked it about well. If Mane is out, that will be pretty bad for us as I think we need players getting in behind them and Mane can do that. I would get as much width as possible (could be full backs) and get that wide player as high up the pitch as possible. I'd like to see us break fast by running at them rather than banging it into Pelle. We still don't use Pelle's best attribute enough - get the ball wide early and cross from high up the pitch. The goal against Newcastle is Pelle at his best. If we can get behind them early and deliver an early cross with Pelle attacking it early, then he'd have a field day, rather than knocking them in from deep which is what we tend to do.
Our two CDMs will be important as we must protect that space in front of the CBs. The three at the back might work as it would allow the full backs to play as wide midfielders and also allow Cedric in without worrying about the height issue (the three Cb's would pick up in open play and Cedric less likely to be isolated at far post as he'll be further forward).
If you now posted that this was a wind-up, I'd believe you and say "well done, you've got me!"
Ps. Did you get excited when Sam Allardyce became available
