Would you rather play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1?

I think whatever we do, we need a figurehead at the point of attack, either Ba/Best or god help us Ameobi which allows the quicker, skillful players to play off

 

It would be very good but we'd have to use Ben Arfa as a winger and I dont want that. Unless...

Tiote
Barton Cabaye
Ben Arfa

Ba Sturridge​

The 4-4-2 diamond!

 

i think if Pardew did opt for a formation like that (which i doubt), we would lack a lot of width and would rely on fullbacks for crosses, not saying our fullbacks are bad crossers i'd just prefer them not to be so far up the pitch all the time, leaving big gaps at the back.

 

Nah you're right we would just stick Ben Arfa on the left wing if we got Sturridge but I would like to see the diamond, would be very reliant on Simpson and Enrique/NewLB for width though.

 

Yeah, could work with a few little tweaks, but if sturridge does come i think we will more than likely end up playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. Diamond could be a good tactic when we are playing at home and have a good chance of winning e.g QPR, as it seems a quite attacking tactic.

 

You don't really see the diamond used much in the prem league, I personally don't like it cause of the lack of natural width in midfield.

 

Chelsea used it for a while didnt they? cant remember if it was Scolari's era, they used that system well.

 

Yeah Chelsea used it quite effectively before they changed it for the 4-3-3. Rarely used as you need very good full backs, and as much as I like Simmo, he isnt of the quality yet to play such an important role.

 

Aye, wasn't it when they had Cole and Bosingwa bossing either wing?

 

To be honest i rate simmo, his crossing is better than most full backs in my opinion, he was in line for a England call up last season and i was kinda suprised he didnt the way he was playing at the time.

 

that was mainly because all england's right backs are ****

 

I rate him as well but we'd need 2 Enrique's to play a narrow diamond. Simpson can still get better though, I think if he sorts out the backing off thing then he'll be seen as a lot better player.

 

fair point ahaha, i like the look of that kyle walker though.

 

I think he could get in the squad though, I'd say only Richards and Walker are ahead of him and they wont be available every time.

 

4-2-3-1

---------------------------Harps
Simmo--------Saylor----------------Colo--------Jose(hopefully)
--------------------Cabaye------Tiote
Barton--------------------Ben Arfa-------------------Jonas
----------------------------Best

 

I would rather go with Ba if hes fit over Best, just think hes that bit quicker and sharper with a better finish on him.

 

Me too but Best is 2nd choice for me as it stands, so far ahead of Shola.

 

Yeah i agree, puts more effort in than Shola, only seen Shola play good when Carroll was banging them in, because he realised he had to actually work to get into the team haha.

 

Let's hope Ba inspires a bit of form from him as well, I dont know why all of our managers like Shola though.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing this -

4-3-2-1

------------Ba/New striker-----------

--Jonas----------------------Ben Arfa--

------Cabaye----Tiote----Barton--------

Jose------Colo--------Taylor------Simpson

----------------Krul-------------------