The problem is.... Bonne up top alone is not enough imo.
I don't think we are creating nearly enough chances, given the tools we have at our disposal. Now is this down to formation or players just not performing to their ability/being played out of position?
If we are to continue with Cooks beloved formation then i think player changes need to happen. The defence is fine and i was pleased with how Clements played. I don't see Evans as being anywhere near creative enough and think Fraser would give you much more in that position. So i would have him with Morsy. Then the problems begin....it's the 3 behind Bonne, i think i would have Celina wide left, Aluko wide right and I would give the pig a run at number ten, i think he might be good providing flick on etc for Bonne. (I will probably be slated for that) I really like Burns but he seems to have more impact as a sub atm.
In short, i would prefer 442 or even 352 as i like 2 up top but it ain't gonna happen, so above is how i would like to see 4231 used.
I’m also a fan of the pig in at 10. I noticed a few weeks ago will Keane playing here for wigan effectively. It’s a second striker role these days where they are deep enough to press and help the midfield which isn’t how 10’s operated in the 90’s. Le tissier would be completely redundant these days, sadly.
I’d think our best bet would be to emulate more of Contes Chelsea after he switched to 343. It suits the particular players we have like it did for his Chelsea team.
burgess is best in a 3 man defence, wolf (or my genius idea of Harper) can be the Luiz that steps into midfield and plays from the back. Edmundson is our rock. Toto is spare.
Edward’s is actually very capable defensively and could be a wing back, or coulson of course. It’s a big debate with this system do u go with wingers that have to defend or defenders that have to attack? Thoughts??Conte had one of each in Alonso and Moses and we can emulate that.
Midfield would be great with Morsy and Fraser. But conte used two sitters in Kanye and matic although both could join the attack. Fabregas never got a game; his purely technique based game wasn’t suited to a system not based on possession football.
For us, Morsy can sit deep but if he drives forwards with the wingers we’ve still got three at the back if we’re hit on the counter, instead of the two at the moment.
Then I’d agree Aluko looks so polished and clever with the ball; playing in his team mates in a way Edward’s and Celina struggle to I’d go with him, Chaplin left because he’s a clever, hard worker with a eye for goal and Bonne up top.
remember, if you have goals from Fraser, and the two wingers you don’t need millions of goals from your striker. It’s predictable if u rely on him anyway as he’s just marked out of the game. It’s better to have them coming in from various positions to terrify the opposition. Some teams, like spain, play a false 9 with no specialist striker at all; fabregas did this for them in the euros they won because his job was to use his incredible ability at keeping possession and making assists to set up the other attackers. So I’m happy with one up top, and of course our one has goals in his boots too.
It feels like cook has bought some odd choices if he’s wedded to his system. Our bench now comprises a huge amount in transfer fees and wages…it’s the Alukos and Donaciens that are thriving…