I caught the first part of the Monday Night RL program last night and it was quite an interesting start, no dissection of the thrashing by Man City but an interesting debate about midfield and formations.
Questions were raised about Iborra not being included for a number of games, James and what does he bring and whether Silva is being played out of position because he’s a number 10?
Ndidi - A given but needs an experienced playing partner to build that midfield duo with.
James - great servant but what does he actually bring to the table, doesn’t score, doesn’t make defenders splitting passes and seems to be ‘missing’ in many games. Keeps getting the nod though, as Stringer said, he must be doing something right in training?
Iborra - Up and down Season so far with his early season injury delaying his progress and getting up to speed with the PL, just as he seemed to be making a good partnership with Ndidi flourish he’s disappeared?
Looks like a real midfield general, confident on the ball, no nonsense tough tackling and a good partner for Ndidi, sometimes slows the play down or appears to because he seems to know how to get that extra second on the ball.
No real answer given that I heard as to why he’s in Not included anymore?
Silva - obviously skilful and a good passer but lightweight for the PL midfield area, it was suggested he’s really a number 10 and played there for Sporting not only linking play up, getting assists but also quoted a few goals.
Would he fill that void when Oki isn’t playing or take his place?
I don’t notice myself but according to Matt Elliott, Albrighton was pushed more into central midfield when we changed tactics, he admitted himself he was confused st times what formation we were playing but questioned why we had MA in a more central midfield position when there are other designated central midfielders?
I didnt hear it all so there might have been
More said but it’s one area not really been discussed on here for a while.
The question was asked though, what is our best midfield pairing/ combination
Midfield
posted on 13/2/18
I think your right about James and his energy, the lack of it from Iborra drags Wilf all over the place. So right now I would play these two although James is not the answer longer term. Never thought I would say this but could do with Drinkwater back to play with Wilf then play Silva advanced of these two.
posted on 13/2/18
Can you get 3 of them in though if you play 3 at the back with the wing backs?
3 defined centre halves such as Huth, Maguire and Drag with Fuchs as the left wing back, then Drag can go right back if we changed to a back 4 and you don't have to waste a full back?
With Puel liking the forward foraging full backs this would seem to enable that while keeping a strong back line, might not work against a Team like Man city with their high line pressing and absolute quality doing it but it could against most teams.
Would this allow Ndidi, Silva and Iborra say in the same team?
posted on 13/2/18
Oops, should have said ‘Okazaki/Mahrez in my line up
posted on 14/2/18
True Blue..........
Fuchs is no wing back. Hasn't got the engine no more.
Not sure whether Simpson and Albrighton can do this role either? Chilwell could once he sorts out his defending and marking.
If any of the above plays wing back next season, coupled with Maguire leaving, Michael Keane arriving, pairing up with Wes, Huth, Drag or Benalouane, it would be absolute chaos on that pitch. We'd get murdered and relegated.
posted on 14/2/18
You're probably right if they were expected to do it for 90 minutes every match but it's another option and offers flexibility.
Fuchs has Chilwell to cover if he tires out, Albrighton never stops anyway.
You wouldn't necessarily use it against the top teams though either but for many matches its a good way to take command of the game early on.
Is Maguire suddenly going then or is Keane coming to play alongside him?
posted on 14/2/18
I agree with Dunge that I don’t see enough quality competition for places in midfield/attacking to sacrifice a defender for and go for 3 at the back.
Looking forward and to when Mahrez goes, 451 (within whichever sub formation you want to call it) seems the way forward at the moment.
As mentioned, I think we all thought Silva was coming in to challenge for Okazaki’s shirt albeit in a slightly different role but definitely one in front of the midfield.
In this formation as well, we have correct pegs in correct holes and it is a much more easily adaptable formation mid-game.
posted on 14/2/18
Personally I think Iborra is our most complete midfielder, albeit I accept his engine and energy could do with a boost.
Silva looks very skilful and Ndidi is just class and has a huge engine.
As a result, I don’t understand why those 3 wouldn’t work in the same midfield.
Certainly in Puel’s formations where we play more narrow. We have a lot of choice, but I think we all agree that whatever the question, James isn’t the answer!!
Why is he playing?!
posted on 14/2/18
Ps - I’m hoping that an injury free end to the season and pre-season working on fitness and stamina will help our CM as a collective although it wouldn’t surprise me if we brought in another CM.
posted on 14/2/18
Pps - odds on hazard signing in the summer for Leicester have shortened dramatically
posted on 14/2/18
comment by Keep_the_faith1 (U8129)
posted 9 hours, 3 minutes ago
Pps - odds on hazard signing in the summer for Leicester have shortened dramatically
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This is Eden Hazard’s brother I believe. Had it been the great Chelsea man himself then that would have been out of this world.