After 9 games in all competitions we have now seen virtually all of our players and a few different systems. Sturridge, Benteke and Ings all have 2 goals, after 3 games we had 3 clean sheets, but not again since. But what looks like our strongest team right now? Not just our 11 best players but our strongest unit. In recent games we have played 352. Despite only 1.5 games together Sturridge and Ings look like a good pairing, and the moment Moreno appeared on the left we gained a whole new dimension to our attack. Clyne has done very well so far. In previous 433's and 451's Benteke has been left isolated. But we are yet to see Sturridge and Benteke together in a back 4 formation. Which ever system I see I see the same defensive issues. So the attack picks the system for me. Mignolet Can Skrtel Sakho Clyne Henderson Lucas Moreno Coutinho Sturridge Ings Subs: Bogdan, Gomez, Lovren, Milner, Lallana, Firmino, Benteke. Ok we have not seen the Henderson Lucas pairing, but we saw plenty of it last season and we know it works, though it lacks some creativity. Henderson offers more leadership than Milner. Sturridge and Ings looked good and both suit Coutinho's game better. Clyne and Moreno add width so that Coutinho does not have to and the extra CB allows them a little more freedom.
Plz no more Emre Can at CB. For his sake as well as ours. Same line up but with Can CDM and a 442 diamond
IMO 3 centre back should only be used when we are a couple of goals up and want to hang on and counter attack, I hate it as a starting formation as you basically start with at least 6 defensive players (arguments to be had about the full backs, but they are defenders at the end of the day). If we sorted out the centre back pairing and buy a leader who can control the back 4 a lot of our problems go away. My team........ Mingolet Clyne Gomez Sakho Moreno Can Lucas Coutinho Studge Benteke Firmino Yes hanging onto Rafa territory with Lucas as Masch and Can as Alonso but hey it works and is a great formation.
I don't like three at the back (had to play the ****er myself yesterday too ) and I will never will. It is also blatantly obvious that we are a much better outfit with two up top. Therefore, picking a system is limited on those two options imo. I'd go with the 41212 diamond... Migs Clyne - Gomez - Sakho - Moreno Lucas Hendo - - - - - Milner Coutinho Sturridge - Ings Can could come in for Milner, Hendo or Lucas. Alternatively, Coutinho could drop back and we play Firmino in the hole. We'll be much stronger once Flanno gets fit again. Play him LB instead of Moreno.
That formation is the famous Feelossofee that was thankfully and finally put to sleep at Leicester City last season.
Have you? No wonder you conceded two at home to Villa. It's not a formation to shoehorn the wrong players into.
I like the 2 up top system but you need two mobile strikers so it's a no to Benteke but as we've paid 32 million for him I assume when he's fit he's back in
Agreed. I don't like it and Can isn't a CB. Can't comment on the last two games though as I've not seen either of them bar MOTD highlights
Benteke performs better in a front two imo but it certainly works better with two more mobile players such as Studge and Ings.
Firmino hasn't done enough to warrent a place in the team just yet.. Would put Coutinho behind the front two and put Milner in with Hendo.. The rest of that team don't look too bad.. Agree, no more Can in defence, out him at the base of the Diamond!
I think Can at the base of the diamond will get destroyed against the better side. His reaction time is as bad as Gerrard's!
He'll play as a holding mid. Both he and Hendo need to do the grunt work. But he has the ability to get the ball from defence and play forward, but also drop back into central defence. His reading of the game is pretty good and I think he'll develop well in the role. Best of a bad bunch until we get a real DM.
Bar Coutinho, no one has justified a place in starting line up. Firmimo is one of the most creative mids over past two years. He's young, skilful and works hard. Needs to play centrally.
Right now.. he ain't getting into the side.. but Firmino may do though! I'd ease the lad back in once he's returns from his back injury!
I really want to use Gomez at RCB. The boy is talented and fits hie style of play. A back four of clyne Gomez Sakho and Moreno is very quick - can finally play with a high line, and starting closing the massive spaces across the pitch. The beauty of Can playing as holding mid is that he fan drop in to form a back 3 when full backs push on.
I don't disagree with any of that, I just don't think Can as good reactions or acceleration which are two key attributes needed to be a quality DM. As you say, whilst Brod is in charge we'll ask Lucas / Can to play a holding role rather than defensive role anyway.
