Been wondering this for a while now and its a difficult one...Who would you play in the second striker/number 10 role? Muto and Perez are the most natural fits in terms of work-rate and finishing ability but I've been wondering if we should give Ki/Shelvey a chance in there. Both are more defensive minded players and with the 451/4231 formation Rafa wants to play the "10" needs to be prepared to get stuck in and help out on the edge of our own box when defending. Also both Jonjo and Ki are more creative and are better at passing than the 2 more forwards thinking players and could slip balls through to the channels for the wingers to run onto and hopefully serve decent crosses into the center for Rondon up top. With Shelvey and Ki alongside Diame in midfield we'd be better defensively and also allows Rafa more attacking subs later in the game with Muto and Perez coming on (at CF and AM) to give fresh legs and a more attacking threat in the last 20-30 mins of games if needing a goal. Thoughts?
****ing nobody, it’s a stupid tactic, don’t have the personnel. 3-5-2, Diame should be DM, Ki with Shelvey further forward, two strikers (Rondon/Muto), Yedlin and Kenedy wing back and three from 5 (Lascelles, Feddy, Dummy, Schar, Lejeune).
I know he's shown nothing to really suggest it but Murphy. Easily outmuscled and cornered on the wing but could just find a bit of space to create something in the middle. Problem is we'd be waiting a while just to see if it works. Thing is Diane can't play it and Shelvey is only effective in front of his CBs, think he lacks speed for the counter in that position. Maybe Ki but more because I know little about him other than his masterclass at the weekend. I'd go Muto behind Rondon with Perez to come on for either depending.
None until we have a No.10. For now I think it would pay to have Muto buzzing around Rondon (in the hope he eventually gets fit), with Perez providing an injection lat eon when he tires.
T. We simply don’t have a number 10 on the books. Also Perez’s work rate is, for me a fallacy. Yes, he runs around but he does nothing whilst running around. He runs towards the player with the ball but how often does he actually get there in time to get a tackle in? Contrast this with Diame, who has generally been abysmal so far this season, but does usually get a tackle in and makes a nuisance of himself sometimes for us and sometimes for the opposition. I know he scored on Saturday but I still wouldn’t have Perez anywhere near the first team. He needs to become more physical both in protecting himself when he has the ball and when challenging a defender when they have the ball.
+1 for Murphy. He's quick which we need in that position and I think would relish the chance if Rafa said look I'm going to give you a run of starts in the 10 role it's up to you to take it. We need something more dynamic happening up top.
"Hole". Reminds me of something I achieved a few weeks ago lol. We can't utilise this anymore, we don't have the Beardsley type player, not worth attempting.
