Where does he fit in now? Up until being injured he was used as LWB and prior to that LW iirc. We now have Willems who looks half decent as well as ASM once he's back. So where does the son of Ramsay fit into our team once fit? Is he a squad player now (i.e. not guaranteed to start week in week out unless injuries require him to) or do we squeeze him in somewhere in place of someone already starting? I'm not his biggest fan but his workrate and attitude is spot on and something which a few of our current squad could learn from. He does chip in with the odd goal here and there as well and can put a decent cross in from time to time (not nearly enough though for me).
Lwb until Willems returns, then just fill in either further forward or CM. We're never going to have a fully fit squad with that moron managing us
Ritchie is pretty flexible as to where he plays. He used to like playing on the right and cutting in on his left. It was Rafa who started playing him as a wing back.
If Willems is out I'd be tempted to play him and Atsu on the left. If anything I'd be more inclined to play Richie further forward, just for the fact he will bark direction to Jeolinton. As for when ASM, Almiron and Willems are fit, I'm not sure, but other injuries might well dictate where he fits in.
As strange as it may appear, I'm not a fan of Almirons' lack of goal threat productivity, but I do see a small chance that he might start producing some goods there.
Wherever he plays, he’s got to slot in somewhere. His influence and work rate is phenomenal. He’d be first name on my team sheet.
What we could do with is a manager not so thick as to miss the obvious. 3 at the back isn’t working. I’d go 4-1-4-1. Id have Willems and Manquillo at full back with Almiron left and Ritchie right. Get some energy and quality up and down the flanks. Carroll in the middle, Matty, Sean and Shelvey in midfield. Hayden in for holding against better sides. Almiron central when Max is back. Leicester play similar and have a lot of flexibility from the wide players and energy in the middle. We’re not as good but playing a patched up version of Rafas anti football is bullshit.
5 at the back was working previously. When we played 5-4-1. I'm not into formations but when we're sticking 2 up top and chasing our tails in midfield it kind of make sense to switch back. We barely have any strikers so why we're throwing 2 up there is a bit of a mystery.
I agree two up front doesnt work at all... no point... but for being lucky vs palace its provided our worst performances in years.
No club performing well uses it either. It's about how you set your players up. You have to be pretty thick to not see it, which will take me on to Southerners post elsewhere.
The thing is it works... look at norwich they play good football and lose alot.. we are a relegation size club on a relegation budget, so we cannot afford to play attractive football, but we did play effectivly... now we cant defend or attack.
Dubravka Manq-Schar-Lejuene-Willems Hayden-Shelvey Joelinton-Almiron-ASM Carroll Darlow, Krafth, Fernandez, Lacselles, Dummett, (Clark) Longstaff, Longstaff, (Ki) Yedlin, Ritchie, Atsu, Gayle (Muto)
Tbh with our injury record and with him being able to play in a lot of positions he's probably going to be on the pitch most of the time. I love the bloke. Straight in the team for me regardless. We've not really seen it much but I reckon he could play in a CM role just fine if not out wide.