For me we need to drop this flat (and quite frankly boring) 4-3-3 and go 4-2-3-1 with Bruno and Tonali playing in the dual 6/8 roles and then Joelinton or Willock in the CAM "10" role. Other teams manage to find the space in between the lines where as we need a moment of individual quality to find those spaces currently.
We need a new cm for that 10 role. I'm sorry CC but Joelinton isn't at that level. If we could persuade Wirtz (I know) then we should splash every penny the Saudis have on him
The 433 doesn’t work as is. Bruno is better in a double pivot. I read somewhere Bruno does better when Longstaff plays, but that’s because Longstaff drops deep almost allowing a double pivot. As we have two midfielders who would thrive in that space we should be playing it. Our issue is the reluctance to change formation and also the fact we don’t really have a proper 10 (we chose to buy a sub left winger, and had to swap Anderson for a third choice goalkeeper). I’d give Joelinton the role for now. Hes been a striker, left winger and is a bit different but a good presence. The other player who spent years in that role is Almiron, so maybe that could give us a bit more in attack?
This would work for me but I would deploy Joelinton/ Longstaff and Tonali as the 6/8 with Bruno in the 10.
Interesting shout with Bruno further forward, he clearly has the ability to pick those cute little passes in-between players and into spaces so would certainly do a job there. My only concern would be his ability to make it up and down the pitch **quickly**. I've no doubt he'd do the running - he's got the most yards covered last year and second so far this year so far in the league - but he isn't as quick as say Joelinton when he is flying back at full pelt. Also think Bruno-Tonali combo is as good as you get across the league for a midfield pairing outside the top 4 (once Howe allows Tonali a full 90).
