Summer Transfer window

Hard to come back from an ACL too, came back into the side then got injured again didn't he

 

Tbf sunderland echo posted an article about how our recruitment works and they said we are recruiting based off of a 433 system, obviously we could change it like but yeah

 

Not convinced if Im honest. Even with Mayenda, when he first signed and was coming off the bench, there was a little excitement as you could see how quick and positive he was but looked very raw.

Hjelde has looked pretty poor imo especially at left back but sounds like a good character around the squad and did what was needed when closing games out.

I'd be sending him out on loan and hope a Championship team wants him, which they may not. I'd be worried if hes featuring at all next season in the PL, just my opinion though.

 

I won’t have any Hjelde slander mind, lifetime contract for his part in ballards goal and the vibes he brings



I do genuinely think there is a player there too, Regis seems to trust him too

 

Jason Steele of Brighton.

Football throws up weird and wonderful scenarios throughout the season and players make or break themselves.

 

If I remember right, he was very good on his debut v Boro. Defended well and had some class touches.


Yep, debut v Boro https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/clev8ened19o
You can already tell he's a character from those quotes

 

It has looked like a 433 recruitment since Speakman has been in tbh. I am good with that. I think it is the ideal modern formation. If we play 75% of our games like that next season I will be very happy. We need a variety option though in formation terms. We know we have 442 options out of possession which is good. I like the box midfield if we have pace at wing back / full back. It is a great way to suddenly have a 5/5 split on a counter.

 

I think he’s been pretty solid all season when called upon, probably needs a loan to speed his development along but I like the lad

 

He didn’t get injured again just came back too soon

 

What do you mean by box midfield?

Edit - may be a dense question, but I'm interested in how it works in and out of possession

 

Can't believe there are still Hjelde haters. I'd consider naming the SoL after him.

 

I think Hjelde improvement has been rapid, if that continues he be very good.

I’d be keeping him here for now.

 

He’s absolutely fine at CB. It’s at LB where he struggles because he isn’t the best on the ball.

 

Yeah lacks the pace to be an out and out full back, plenty potential with him though

 

Interesting the fee for Ait-Nouri between two premier league clubs is just 40m euro. Kinda puts the Jobe release clause at the same price into perspective.

 

Interest in Demarai Gray, according to Ben Jacobs

 

It is where you have 4 midfielders, broadly in a square / rectangular shape, in the middle of the pitch. Two deep lying two attacking areas. Two 6s and two 10s almost. You give up the wide areas, hence pace at full back/wing back helps.

Man City did it really well season before last at times. It helped drive their possession stats really high. You get a lot of control through the middle where you essentially have 7 or players from back to front. De Zerbi got big success with it when he first landed in this country. Emery at Villa uses it.

Out of possession your two higher lads in the box formation split a bit wider but not a flat 4. They should split the full back and centre back on their side. Basically block the passing angles into the middle, trying to keep them wide. If you do have 3 CBs and wing backs you dont mind crosses into your box, in theory. You dont like them playing through the middle though.

In possession the box shape can morph a bit, but always 4 points of a shape. So box, rectangle, diamond. Always in the middle, rarely out to a wing. You want to try and open space for the wing back. Also trying to get an overload onto their holding player if you can.

It really maximises the chance to control possession and territory. That may not be our best tactic next season, but I think it could be a great one when we target away points. Make teams play round the sides and protect the middle of the goal. When we have it keep it due to numbers.

 

I was just toying with the idea of Timo Werner on loan for a laugh then I looked at his salary and it would cost about £8.5m. Err no thanks.

 

Didn’t Ancelotti deploy something similar at Madrid last season when Benzema left? Remember Valverde and Bellingham playing the dual 10 roles with Vini and Rodrygo wide when they attacked but were almost like a block of 4 in midfield with Kroos and Tchouameni off the ball