Full Backs or Wing Backs

[785mae]

We played most of last season with a 5-3-2 line up, with Elmo and Robertson as wing backs and could not fit Rosenoir into the team. So Brucie gives Liam away to a competitor and buys Dave as the new right wing back for £3.5 million and we revert to a 4-4-2, which would have suited Rosie better than Dave.
For both Rotherham goals and the Reading goal, Dave and Robbo were at fault. They are not defenders.
If we are to persevere with 4-4-2 and not revert back to 5-3-2 (and we do not have enough Centre Backs at present ) I would prefer to play Clueless at left back and move Robbo up to left midfield where his attacking skills could be better used. Likewise we could drop Elmo to right back, as he has lost his pace and/or nerve to go past defenders this season and play Dave or Snodders at right midfield.
We need to change something as Dave and Elmo together is not working.

 

[hullborn]

Not sure its fair to say Robertson and "Dave" are not defenders. Yes they both made a mistake leading to goals against Rotherham but players make mistakes and they'll hopefully learn from them.

Saying that, id love to see us buy or loan or proper left back and push Robertson up the field to a more attacking role, I think he'd be deadly.

 

[The FRENCH TICKLER]

Both Robertson and Odubajo are much better going forward than defending atm.

IF, BIG IF we manage to get James Chester back in January a back 3 of Chester Dawson and Maguire would be my choice in a 3-5-2 formation.

 

[WSTiger]

We played most of last season with a 5-3-2 line up, with Elmo and Robertson as wing backs and could not fit Rosenoir into the team. So Brucie gives Liam away to a competitor and buys Dave as the new right wing back for £3.5 million and we revert to a 4-4-2, which would have suited Rosie better than Dave.
For both Rotherham goals and the Reading goal, Dave and Robbo were at fault. They are not defenders.
If we are to persevere with 4-4-2 and not revert back to 5-3-2 (and we do not have enough Centre Backs at present ) I would prefer to play Clueless at left back and move Robbo up to left midfield where his attacking skills could be better used. Likewise we could drop Elmo to right back, as he has lost his pace and/or nerve to go past defenders this season and play Dave or Snodders at right midfield.
We need to change something as Dave and Elmo together is not working.

Good thread to start a discussion. Wanted to start one myself on the subject but daren't (lol)

 

[Fez]

We have wing-backs, but no full-backs, we play tactics that need full-backs and that has been the case for most of this season, when we have had 3 CBs.

Who could play CB - Davis, Bruce, Dawson, Taylor, Maguire, but what about Hudds, as has been suggested? Not for me, but I would consider Robbo on the left of a back 3, he is considered a defender, so why not, would he be more of a liability than as a LB? Or why not try Hayden, a proclaimed CB - he is in our squad.
That allows Elmo to adopt his best position of RWB, or for Dave to take the crown. LWB shouldn't be short of takers, Livermore, Meyler and Maloney in the middle and up front Abel and Snodgrass. Shake it around, attack Burnley and play the shape the squad was assembled for.

Let's try round pegs in round and oval holes.

 

[Tuckin]

Not for me, but I would consider Robbo on the left of a back 3, he is considered a defender, so why not, would he be more of a liability than as a LB?

You want to take someone with defensive flaws and attacking talent, and put him into a position where he has to defend but can't get forward? That strikes me as the squarest of holes for a round peg.

 

[Fez]

You want to take someone with defensive flaws and attacking talent, and put him into a position where he has to defend but can't get forward? That strikes me as the squarest of holes for a round peg.

I understand you, but there is no mistaking that Robbo is billed as a defender. Yes he has attacking flair, but you use what he has when you need it - I can recall so many saying pretty much the same about McShane when he was constantly played as a RB. He has height and guts, he can hoof it and he is capable of breaking with the ball - he would need marshalling though. The key aim is to open our shape to attacking with width and bringing experience/guile into the middle of the park. I agree, it's not ideal, but the option we've had isn't outstanding is it? I did say an oval hole, but sometimes you have to experiment and until we see otherwise, it is an unknown combination.

 

[originallambrettaman]

I understand you, but there is no mistaking that Robbo is billed as a defender. Yes he has attacking flair, but you use what he has when you need it - I can recall so many saying pretty much the same about McShane when he was constantly played as a RB. He has height and guts, he can hoof it and he is capable of breaking with the ball - he would need marshalling though. The key aim is to open our shape to attacking with width and bringing experience/guile into the middle of the park. I agree, it's not ideal, but the option we've had isn't outstanding is it? I did say an oval hole, but sometimes you have to experiment and until we see otherwise, it is an unknown combination.

The only reason 3-5-2 is being discussed, is because Odubajo and Robertson aren't natural defenders, sticking one in a back three would be crazy, particularly as Robertson is the only decent option for left wing back.

And getting him into that role is the main reason for considering going 3-5-2 in the first place.

Bruce has made it fairly obvious that if he needs the services of another centre back, it's going to be Huddlestone.

 

[GLP]

You want to take someone with defensive flaws and attacking talent, and put him into a position where he has to defend but can't get forward? That strikes me as the squarest of holes for a round peg.

I was just about to say exactly the same. I would much rather play Huddlestone in the back 3. Why take away one of your best attacking threats and put him in defence? Huddlestone is as we have all seen more defensively than attack minded and he's probably well suited to a defensive role.

I agree totally with the 3-5-2 formation though. I'm sure we played 3-5-2 away at Cardiff this season - low and behold a victory!!

 

[hullborn]

The best option would have been to have kept Rosie for the right back position and bought a proper left back. Allowing Robertson to play on the left wing and Elmo on the right.

 

[Tuckin]

I was just about to say exactly the same. I would much rather play Huddlestone in the back 3. Why take away one of your best attacking threats and put him in defence? Huddlestone is as we have all seen more defensively than attack minded and he's probably well suited to a defensive role.

I agree totally with the 3-5-2 formation though. I'm sure we played 3-5-2 away at Cardiff this season - low and behold a victory!!

Remember Hoddle in his final playing days at Swindon? He was a brilliant libero. Would it be asking too much of Thudd to emulate that? It's tempting.

 

[BOJACKHCAFCMAN]

Remember Hoddle in his final playing days at Swindon? He was a brilliant libero. Would it be asking too much of Thudd to emulate that? It's tempting.

Comparing Huddlestone to Hoddle is a bit like when he was compared to Beckenbaur, i.e. a very bad comparison. I think the ones going on about Maguires lack of pace would have a funny turn when they saw Huddlestone lumbering after a quick attacker

 

[BOJACKHCAFCMAN]

The best option would have been to have kept Rosie for the right back position and bought a proper left back. Allowing Robertson to play on the left wing and Elmo on the right.

Shame they couldn't have kept Brady too

 

[Tuckin]

Comparing Huddlestone to Hoddle is a bit like when he was compared to Beckenbaur, i.e. a very bad comparison. I think the ones going on about Maguires lack of pace would have a funny turn when they saw Huddlestone lumbering after a quick attacker

He sees the game ahead of him pretty well, though, and when you're in that sort of sweeper role it's up to those on either side of you to chase attackers. It's not exactly the same setup as the modern, sweeperless three-CB system that City played for much of 2012-15.

 

[BOJACKHCAFCMAN]

He sees the game ahead of him pretty well, though, and when you're in that sort of sweeper role it's up to those on either side of you to chase attackers. It's not exactly the same setup as the modern, sweeperless three-CB system that City played for much of 2012-15.

He could be more like somebody like Koeman for Holland who you always thought would get exploited and hardly ever was, but I guess we won't find out probably

 

[ElTigre]

You want to take someone with defensive flaws and attacking talent, and put him into a position where he has to defend but can't get forward? That strikes me as the squarest of holes for a round peg.

Tuckin channelling G. Nevilleish sense again.

 

[Tuckin]

He could be more like somebody like Koeman for Holland who you always thought would get exploited and hardly ever was, but I guess we won't find out probably

That cheating twat should never have been on the pitch to score that free kick against England, after he brought Platt down in a scoring position.

Still riles me, that game.

 

[BOJACKHCAFCMAN]

Tuckin channelling G. Nevilleish sense again.

Tuckin always talks sense.

 

[BOJACKHCAFCMAN]

That cheating twat should never have been on the pitch to score that free kick against England, after he brought Platt down in a scoring position.

Still riles me, that game.

Yep I was pretty angry too it has to be said, at least Euro 96 we got some measure of revenge with the SAS pair!

 

[GLP]

Remember Hoddle in his final playing days at Swindon? He was a brilliant libero. Would it be asking too much of Thudd to emulate that? It's tempting.

In the Championship he should be able to kill it - would create a really flexible system as he could step out of defence to become the deep lying midfielder, it's essentially what he does at the moment. Plus with him and Dawson occupying 2 defensive slots, you'd have 2 defenders capable of passing!