comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For me, I'd sooner sign a world class DM to replace Matic than Herrera. Between him and Fred that high pressing role can be masked over imo.
A RB, CB, DM and maybe a RW should be priority imo.
I'm keen to see how Sanchez kicks on.
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 22 minutes ago
Mata just shouldn't play that role, he spends too much time on the left and in the middle imo.
As Rosso says there is a balance to be had, Mata offers no protection for Valencia and under Ole we don't have two sitting midfielders to cover.
To counter Rosso's point, Valencia did have the opportunity to attack under Jose I feel, since we DID have two sitting midfielders, often 4 players sat back to only 1, sometimes 2 attackers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mostly that would appear to have been under instruction from the manager though Busby - we had the players but did he have the tactical layout to let the fullbacks overlap and attack?
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For me, I'd sooner sign a world class DM to replace Matic than Herrera. Between him and Fred that high pressing role can be masked over imo.
A RB, CB, DM and maybe a RW should be priority imo.
I'm keen to see how Sanchez kicks on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferably I’d replace them both and put them on the bench, I’m not sure about the right wing/forward position though. With Rashford, Martial, Sanchez and Lingard able to play in those positions, espeacially in a fluid 3 as we saw against Bournemouth. I’d prefer to give a youth player the opportunity to step up.
As Ole said in one of his first press conferences, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
Failing that Eriksen isn’t signing a new contract at Spurs 👀
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour ago
Robb, you're insulting Chelsea because you got corrected on Willian's contribution this season. Sarri doesn't rate him so let's call Sarri's team boring and average, is that it? I seem to recall you gave Mourinho more time to make his mark on United (as I did), and this season we of course were far more boring and average than Sarri's Chelsea until Mourinho was sacked.
You didn't use to be half as prickly or dogmatic as this, Robb. I recall the days when you were mainly known for posing random theories and mischievous questions that would unfailingly produce 250 comments of thoroughly enjoyable rancour. I think the last few years of three disastrous managers have taken a toll on all of us, with feuds and agendas, and too many people trying to be right about stuff. I hope we (collectively) return to the golden age of less polarisation, where the hatreds are less pervasive but more random, shifting and funnier for the spectator (cf. Arab vs SLM), which is to say this post isn't about you in particular.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I appreciate what you’re saying and I do agree that this whole site is not unlike a science experiment of what happens when a fanbase used to decades of steadiness is exposed to ups and downs of which we’ve mostly never seen before if you were borne of generation X or afterwards
Hopefully we find a manager that unites us all but imo I think the genie is out of the bottle. Hopefully he grants us a final wish tht we can all agree on
What Russian and Rosso said.
Although that doesn't mean to say we can't improve on our right side, just that the stat isn't so black and white. Mata and Lingard get way too much stick when played out on the right when neither are ever going to be touch line hugging wingers and the managers who play them there know full well that. But an actually RW of quality would be a great option to have, I don't watch the youth sides but maybe long term Chong could be a solution?
With a good fullback, Herrera has proved to be capable at covering there right side when the fullback bombs, usually recycling the lose balls from there to cross it in. He has at least 3 assists from this.
The issue is when fullback refuses to bomb forward without thinking of the defence. Sounds contradictory but it is what the formation requires. Most fullbacks really don't care about bombing because they know they have the pace to cover too. I don't believe we would have the issue of Valencia been scared of covering if he had Kyle walkers pace. Maybe that's what we need.
We play with a lopsided system because our best attackers prefer to cut inside from the left onto their right foot.
We don't have the quality on the opposite side, either in the form of a wide player or a dependable full-back and this needs addressed because of how predictable we can be when most of our attacks take shape primarily down the left hand side.
We need variety, somebody to provide some semblance of width and wing play out on the right via a more direct winger or a dynamic right-back and as has already been mentioned a more mobile defensive shield in midfield as well.
When teams sit in against us, it would be an advantage have that option to switch play quickly out to the right to somebody who can make something of the space and isolate the opposition.
While Chong's first thought is usually to cut inside with the ball towards goal or find pockets of space more centrally, he fits the profile of a more conventional wide man for that side more than anyone we have in the first team currently given he is direct and will offer more in the way of high speed wing play and he can beat a man on the inside or out.
A couple of other things about him is his work ethic is very good and something that I think goes a bit unnoticed is how incisive his passing is.
Hopefully Ole's team for tomorrow combines players needing minutes with maybe one or two youth players from the start. It would be brilliant if Chong could make his full debut.
Tomorrow, I would like to see a front three of Lukaku, Sanchez and Chong. Backed up by Pereira, Fred and Gomes. I think we would learn more about players we want to see going forward than playing the likes of Fellaini or McTominay in centre midfield. Plus Fred would benefit more playing with those players than Fellaini.
It’s to help the midfield. A change in tactics is probably needed but it’d need a restructuring of the middle. Matic and Pogba gravitate to the left. It often leaves Herrera or whoever else is playing in that position maning the whole right side of midfield. If we had Kante it’d be less of an issue.
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot think of one team that loads as heavily down one side of the pitch as ours that would allow their opposite-flank fullback free rein to take on their opposite number without any defensive support.
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
We play with a lopsided system because our best attackers prefer to cut inside from the left onto their right foot.
We don't have the quality on the opposite side, either in the form of a wide player or a dependable full-back and this needs addressed because of how predictable we can be when most of our attacks take shape primarily down the left hand side.
We need variety, somebody to provide some semblance of width and wing play out on the right via a more direct winger or a dynamic right-back and as has already been mentioned a more mobile defensive shield in midfield as well.
When teams sit in against us, it would be an advantage have that option to switch play quickly out to the right to somebody who can make something of the space and isolate the opposition.
While Chong's first thought is usually to cut inside with the ball towards goal or find pockets of space more centrally, he fits the profile of a more conventional wide man for that side more than anyone we have in the first team currently given he is direct and will offer more in the way of high speed wing play and he can beat a man on the inside or out.
A couple of other things about him is his work ethic is very good and something that I think goes a bit unnoticed is how incisive his passing is.
Hopefully Ole's team for tomorrow combines players needing minutes with maybe one or two youth players from the start. It would be brilliant if Chong could make his full debut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree with all of that TRS, barring your first paragraph.
We played with an asymmetrical setup at times under Fergie, at times under LVG and nearly every week under Jose. Part of the reason no doubt would be due to left sided forwards wanting to cut in on their right and the quality we've had there at times, but it isn't and hasn't always been the sole reason. It's one benefit of the approach.
I'm with you on Chong. Inverted wingers are going to remain all the rage, and despite the fact it would require a tactical rebalancing for us across the whole pitch (from the front back to the keeper), he could give us a bit more width whilst still offering the danger of cutting in on his left. His energy and work rate, willingness to work back would also help his cause.
For me, most interestingly, with the rebalancing we'd require, would be watching the natural benefit of additional space to Martial on the left, and how Pogba would cope with returning to a slightly deeper role with greater responsibility.
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot think of one team that loads as heavily down one side of the pitch as ours that would allow their opposite-flank fullback free rein to take on their opposite number without any defensive support.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Madrid when they had Ronaldo.
We played with an asymmetrical setup at times under Fergie, at times under LVG and nearly every week under Jose. Part of the reason no doubt would be due to left sided forwards wanting to cut in on their right and the quality we've had there at times, but it isn't and hasn't always been the sole reason. It's one benefit of the approach.
-------------------------------------------------
I think it plays a huge part though. If it was flipped around and Martial, Pogba, Rashford etc. were predominantly left footed and played from the right, no doubt most of our attacking play would stem from that side if the lack of quality was the same as it is now on the opposite side.
The lack of balance for me is down to a personnel issue more than anything else. I would find it strange if any manager current or previous made any real conscious decision to funnel most of our attacking play down the left hand side, it's what happens as a result of the players we have and don't have. It's just a matter of circumstance in my view.
With Fergie it was to get the best out of Ronaldo. When he left and we brought in Valencia and Young it reverted to type.
Another big problem we have with funnelling the attack down the left is the lack of threat going forward from full back. Luke Shaw has improved this season but he’s still pretty crap going forward.
Really interesting discussion TRS, rosso, etc.
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
And Matic, RR. I’d be interested to see if a midfield of Pogba, Herrera and Fred would give us more balance in midfield and allow for Lingard to stay wider on the right. Especially against weaker teams where Fred, in this instance, has more license to joing the attack and support Lingard and the full back out wide.
Big reason why Lingard and Mata are always coming infield is to get closer to Pogba and Martial, who most of our attacking play goes through.
The latter two don’t need as much support in attack from others as the former as they have the pace and dribbling ability beat men one on one, Lingard and Mata struggle with this so need more help.
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
-------------------------------------------------
There are points both for and against RR but I believe on having a genuine threat on both sides of the pitch and not focusing on one side or the other as a way of playing long term.
In certain games where a weakness has been pinpointed in a full-back or a particular side of a team, then certainly, focus the attack down that side but it's obviously good to have variety and be able to create and score goals all over the pitch.
We've seen how predictable and easy to defend against we can be by attacking solely down one side although the extremely basic tactic of getting the ball out to Martial, Sanchez or whoever and see what happens doesn't help.
Anyway, I think everybody will agree that quality additions are needed on the right and have been for absolutely ages.
Having a player on the right that can stretch the play would take pressure off the full back to contribute in attack anyway. So for the sake of defensive balance, instruction to the full back can mitigate issues. I know he hasn’t been amazing for Spurs but I still think we missed a trick signing Moura. He comes inside as well anyway, on and off the ball, so it’s not like it massively upsets the tactical balance of the side.
I wonder if we’ll see Sanchez playing there once he’s up to speed fitness wise.
A 22/23 year old Nani would be great to have now.
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
-------------------------------------------------
There are points both for and against RR but I believe on having a genuine threat on both sides of the pitch and not focusing on one side or the other as a way of playing long term.
In certain games where a weakness has been pinpointed in a full-back or a particular side of a team, then certainly, focus the attack down that side but it's obviously good to have variety and be able to create and score goals all over the pitch.
We've seen how predictable and easy to defend against we can be by attacking solely down one side although the extremely basic tactic of getting the ball out to Martial, Sanchez or whoever and see what happens doesn't help.
Anyway, I think everybody will agree that quality additions are needed on the right and have been for absolutely ages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think we are so incredibly lop-sided that some rebalancing is in order however we look at it. And that certainly needs to be facilitated through strengthening of attacking options on the right.
Imagine the value in the flexibility that would come from being able to have as much faith in, say, Rashford, Chong, Herrera and Dalot to overload on the right as you would in Rashford, Martial, Pogba and Shaw to on the left.
I guess one question would be where Mata and Lingard would be left and who'd we'd balance the LHS with in such a case. I guess Lingard or Sanchez could play off the left, effectively doing the same as Lingard does on the right now?
Dalot---Herrera---Pogba
Chong-------Lingard
---------Rashford
I wonder how much of Pogba's value you'd lose and how valuable Herrera would be effectively performing Pogba's current role. Or could you switch the two?
Yeah definitely. Worth noting that Martial and Rashford have looked threatening when drifting out to the right under Ole, even though it’s not been there starting position. Ole’s spoken of Rashford playing on the left, right and centre due to Lukaku’s presence in the squad, so we may have some solutions already in the squad, even if both players haven’t looked as comfortable on that side as through the middle or on the left.
I’d be happy with both having some game time there to develop as players. I’m not of the opinion that young players will just suffer from playing in unfamiliar positions, or ones that they are not as comfortable in, providing that it’s for development purposes rather than just a means to an end.
Look at someone like Mane at Liverpool. Part of what makes him so dangerous is his ability all across the field. When you add Firmino and Salah into the equation it makes it nightmare to defend against as they aren’t limited to one area of the pitch.
City and Spurs attack with this positional freedom and comfort as well.
We’ve been doing it to an extent under Ole with the front three, which bodes well.
I guess one question would be where Mata and Lingard would be left and who'd we'd balance the LHS with in such a case. I guess Lingard or Sanchez could play off the left, effectively doing the same as Lingard does on the right now?
-----------------------------------------------
We may in the future have to imagine a team that doesn't have either of them in it as often.
We don't always have to play with one wide man who hugs the touchline and one who operates inside.
That being said however I do like having Lingard in the team because like yourself I value his movement a lot. It's better than anyone else's in the squad.
-------------------------------------------------
I wonder how much of Pogba's value you'd lose and how valuable Herrera would be effectively performing Pogba's current role. Or could you switch the two?
---------------------------------------------
Stretching the pitch and creating more space for Pogba to work in could benefit him greatly.
Sign in if you want to comment
Our right flank
Page 2 of 3
posted on 4/1/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
posted on 4/1/19
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For me, I'd sooner sign a world class DM to replace Matic than Herrera. Between him and Fred that high pressing role can be masked over imo.
A RB, CB, DM and maybe a RW should be priority imo.
I'm keen to see how Sanchez kicks on.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 22 minutes ago
Mata just shouldn't play that role, he spends too much time on the left and in the middle imo.
As Rosso says there is a balance to be had, Mata offers no protection for Valencia and under Ole we don't have two sitting midfielders to cover.
To counter Rosso's point, Valencia did have the opportunity to attack under Jose I feel, since we DID have two sitting midfielders, often 4 players sat back to only 1, sometimes 2 attackers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mostly that would appear to have been under instruction from the manager though Busby - we had the players but did he have the tactical layout to let the fullbacks overlap and attack?
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Kung Fu Cantona 🙏🏼 🇵🇸 (U18082)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
We do need someone on the right as we don't have any natural player there. The closest we have is probably Sanchez and he hasn't played there properly for years.
The right back position needs sorting. Either allow Dalot to become first choice as the season progresses, or get in someone who is ready to play there while allowing Dalot to improve and establish himself in two seasons time.
Though, the while defence needs improving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashford, Martial and Sanchez should be a fluid front three in my opinion. Maybe a fluid front four with Pogba? They are all full of industry, skill and have positional awareness.
A good right back and world class upgrade on Herrera on the right hand side of midfield would be great. As awesome as Herrera is, I’d prefer it if he was a squad player. Verrati for example would offer everything Herrera does and more. I’d let Dalot and TFM battle it out for right back and bring in a new centre back.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For me, I'd sooner sign a world class DM to replace Matic than Herrera. Between him and Fred that high pressing role can be masked over imo.
A RB, CB, DM and maybe a RW should be priority imo.
I'm keen to see how Sanchez kicks on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferably I’d replace them both and put them on the bench, I’m not sure about the right wing/forward position though. With Rashford, Martial, Sanchez and Lingard able to play in those positions, espeacially in a fluid 3 as we saw against Bournemouth. I’d prefer to give a youth player the opportunity to step up.
As Ole said in one of his first press conferences, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
Failing that Eriksen isn’t signing a new contract at Spurs 👀
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour ago
Robb, you're insulting Chelsea because you got corrected on Willian's contribution this season. Sarri doesn't rate him so let's call Sarri's team boring and average, is that it? I seem to recall you gave Mourinho more time to make his mark on United (as I did), and this season we of course were far more boring and average than Sarri's Chelsea until Mourinho was sacked.
You didn't use to be half as prickly or dogmatic as this, Robb. I recall the days when you were mainly known for posing random theories and mischievous questions that would unfailingly produce 250 comments of thoroughly enjoyable rancour. I think the last few years of three disastrous managers have taken a toll on all of us, with feuds and agendas, and too many people trying to be right about stuff. I hope we (collectively) return to the golden age of less polarisation, where the hatreds are less pervasive but more random, shifting and funnier for the spectator (cf. Arab vs SLM), which is to say this post isn't about you in particular.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I appreciate what you’re saying and I do agree that this whole site is not unlike a science experiment of what happens when a fanbase used to decades of steadiness is exposed to ups and downs of which we’ve mostly never seen before if you were borne of generation X or afterwards
Hopefully we find a manager that unites us all but imo I think the genie is out of the bottle. Hopefully he grants us a final wish tht we can all agree on
posted on 4/1/19
What Russian and Rosso said.
Although that doesn't mean to say we can't improve on our right side, just that the stat isn't so black and white. Mata and Lingard get way too much stick when played out on the right when neither are ever going to be touch line hugging wingers and the managers who play them there know full well that. But an actually RW of quality would be a great option to have, I don't watch the youth sides but maybe long term Chong could be a solution?
posted on 4/1/19
With a good fullback, Herrera has proved to be capable at covering there right side when the fullback bombs, usually recycling the lose balls from there to cross it in. He has at least 3 assists from this.
The issue is when fullback refuses to bomb forward without thinking of the defence. Sounds contradictory but it is what the formation requires. Most fullbacks really don't care about bombing because they know they have the pace to cover too. I don't believe we would have the issue of Valencia been scared of covering if he had Kyle walkers pace. Maybe that's what we need.
posted on 4/1/19
We play with a lopsided system because our best attackers prefer to cut inside from the left onto their right foot.
We don't have the quality on the opposite side, either in the form of a wide player or a dependable full-back and this needs addressed because of how predictable we can be when most of our attacks take shape primarily down the left hand side.
We need variety, somebody to provide some semblance of width and wing play out on the right via a more direct winger or a dynamic right-back and as has already been mentioned a more mobile defensive shield in midfield as well.
When teams sit in against us, it would be an advantage have that option to switch play quickly out to the right to somebody who can make something of the space and isolate the opposition.
While Chong's first thought is usually to cut inside with the ball towards goal or find pockets of space more centrally, he fits the profile of a more conventional wide man for that side more than anyone we have in the first team currently given he is direct and will offer more in the way of high speed wing play and he can beat a man on the inside or out.
A couple of other things about him is his work ethic is very good and something that I think goes a bit unnoticed is how incisive his passing is.
Hopefully Ole's team for tomorrow combines players needing minutes with maybe one or two youth players from the start. It would be brilliant if Chong could make his full debut.
posted on 4/1/19
Tomorrow, I would like to see a front three of Lukaku, Sanchez and Chong. Backed up by Pereira, Fred and Gomes. I think we would learn more about players we want to see going forward than playing the likes of Fellaini or McTominay in centre midfield. Plus Fred would benefit more playing with those players than Fellaini.
posted on 4/1/19
It’s to help the midfield. A change in tactics is probably needed but it’d need a restructuring of the middle. Matic and Pogba gravitate to the left. It often leaves Herrera or whoever else is playing in that position maning the whole right side of midfield. If we had Kante it’d be less of an issue.
posted on 4/1/19
Oh and Willian.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I cannot think of one team that loads as heavily down one side of the pitch as ours that would allow their opposite-flank fullback free rein to take on their opposite number without any defensive support.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
We play with a lopsided system because our best attackers prefer to cut inside from the left onto their right foot.
We don't have the quality on the opposite side, either in the form of a wide player or a dependable full-back and this needs addressed because of how predictable we can be when most of our attacks take shape primarily down the left hand side.
We need variety, somebody to provide some semblance of width and wing play out on the right via a more direct winger or a dynamic right-back and as has already been mentioned a more mobile defensive shield in midfield as well.
When teams sit in against us, it would be an advantage have that option to switch play quickly out to the right to somebody who can make something of the space and isolate the opposition.
While Chong's first thought is usually to cut inside with the ball towards goal or find pockets of space more centrally, he fits the profile of a more conventional wide man for that side more than anyone we have in the first team currently given he is direct and will offer more in the way of high speed wing play and he can beat a man on the inside or out.
A couple of other things about him is his work ethic is very good and something that I think goes a bit unnoticed is how incisive his passing is.
Hopefully Ole's team for tomorrow combines players needing minutes with maybe one or two youth players from the start. It would be brilliant if Chong could make his full debut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree with all of that TRS, barring your first paragraph.
We played with an asymmetrical setup at times under Fergie, at times under LVG and nearly every week under Jose. Part of the reason no doubt would be due to left sided forwards wanting to cut in on their right and the quality we've had there at times, but it isn't and hasn't always been the sole reason. It's one benefit of the approach.
I'm with you on Chong. Inverted wingers are going to remain all the rage, and despite the fact it would require a tactical rebalancing for us across the whole pitch (from the front back to the keeper), he could give us a bit more width whilst still offering the danger of cutting in on his left. His energy and work rate, willingness to work back would also help his cause.
For me, most interestingly, with the rebalancing we'd require, would be watching the natural benefit of additional space to Martial on the left, and how Pogba would cope with returning to a slightly deeper role with greater responsibility.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
Plenty of teams allow their full back to attack the opposition full back and it doesn't result in "suicide".
We have players like Pogba, Herrera, Fred, Rashford and Lingard who are very good at pressing the ball and have done so on numerous occasions since Ole's arrival.
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I cannot think of one team that loads as heavily down one side of the pitch as ours that would allow their opposite-flank fullback free rein to take on their opposite number without any defensive support.
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Real Madrid when they had Ronaldo.
posted on 4/1/19
We played with an asymmetrical setup at times under Fergie, at times under LVG and nearly every week under Jose. Part of the reason no doubt would be due to left sided forwards wanting to cut in on their right and the quality we've had there at times, but it isn't and hasn't always been the sole reason. It's one benefit of the approach.
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I think it plays a huge part though. If it was flipped around and Martial, Pogba, Rashford etc. were predominantly left footed and played from the right, no doubt most of our attacking play would stem from that side if the lack of quality was the same as it is now on the opposite side.
The lack of balance for me is down to a personnel issue more than anything else. I would find it strange if any manager current or previous made any real conscious decision to funnel most of our attacking play down the left hand side, it's what happens as a result of the players we have and don't have. It's just a matter of circumstance in my view.
posted on 4/1/19
With Fergie it was to get the best out of Ronaldo. When he left and we brought in Valencia and Young it reverted to type.
Another big problem we have with funnelling the attack down the left is the lack of threat going forward from full back. Luke Shaw has improved this season but he’s still pretty crap going forward.
posted on 4/1/19
Really interesting discussion TRS, rosso, etc.
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
posted on 4/1/19
And Matic, RR. I’d be interested to see if a midfield of Pogba, Herrera and Fred would give us more balance in midfield and allow for Lingard to stay wider on the right. Especially against weaker teams where Fred, in this instance, has more license to joing the attack and support Lingard and the full back out wide.
Big reason why Lingard and Mata are always coming infield is to get closer to Pogba and Martial, who most of our attacking play goes through.
The latter two don’t need as much support in attack from others as the former as they have the pace and dribbling ability beat men one on one, Lingard and Mata struggle with this so need more help.
posted on 4/1/19
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
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There are points both for and against RR but I believe on having a genuine threat on both sides of the pitch and not focusing on one side or the other as a way of playing long term.
In certain games where a weakness has been pinpointed in a full-back or a particular side of a team, then certainly, focus the attack down that side but it's obviously good to have variety and be able to create and score goals all over the pitch.
We've seen how predictable and easy to defend against we can be by attacking solely down one side although the extremely basic tactic of getting the ball out to Martial, Sanchez or whoever and see what happens doesn't help.
Anyway, I think everybody will agree that quality additions are needed on the right and have been for absolutely ages.
posted on 4/1/19
Having a player on the right that can stretch the play would take pressure off the full back to contribute in attack anyway. So for the sake of defensive balance, instruction to the full back can mitigate issues. I know he hasn’t been amazing for Spurs but I still think we missed a trick signing Moura. He comes inside as well anyway, on and off the ball, so it’s not like it massively upsets the tactical balance of the side.
I wonder if we’ll see Sanchez playing there once he’s up to speed fitness wise.
posted on 4/1/19
A 22/23 year old Nani would be great to have now.
posted on 4/1/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
rosso makes a good point about how rebalancing with more attacking threat on the right isn't without trade-offs and consequences elsewhere, e.g. in its implications for Pogba.
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There are points both for and against RR but I believe on having a genuine threat on both sides of the pitch and not focusing on one side or the other as a way of playing long term.
In certain games where a weakness has been pinpointed in a full-back or a particular side of a team, then certainly, focus the attack down that side but it's obviously good to have variety and be able to create and score goals all over the pitch.
We've seen how predictable and easy to defend against we can be by attacking solely down one side although the extremely basic tactic of getting the ball out to Martial, Sanchez or whoever and see what happens doesn't help.
Anyway, I think everybody will agree that quality additions are needed on the right and have been for absolutely ages.
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I think we are so incredibly lop-sided that some rebalancing is in order however we look at it. And that certainly needs to be facilitated through strengthening of attacking options on the right.
Imagine the value in the flexibility that would come from being able to have as much faith in, say, Rashford, Chong, Herrera and Dalot to overload on the right as you would in Rashford, Martial, Pogba and Shaw to on the left.
I guess one question would be where Mata and Lingard would be left and who'd we'd balance the LHS with in such a case. I guess Lingard or Sanchez could play off the left, effectively doing the same as Lingard does on the right now?
Dalot---Herrera---Pogba
Chong-------Lingard
---------Rashford
I wonder how much of Pogba's value you'd lose and how valuable Herrera would be effectively performing Pogba's current role. Or could you switch the two?
posted on 4/1/19
Yeah definitely. Worth noting that Martial and Rashford have looked threatening when drifting out to the right under Ole, even though it’s not been there starting position. Ole’s spoken of Rashford playing on the left, right and centre due to Lukaku’s presence in the squad, so we may have some solutions already in the squad, even if both players haven’t looked as comfortable on that side as through the middle or on the left.
I’d be happy with both having some game time there to develop as players. I’m not of the opinion that young players will just suffer from playing in unfamiliar positions, or ones that they are not as comfortable in, providing that it’s for development purposes rather than just a means to an end.
Look at someone like Mane at Liverpool. Part of what makes him so dangerous is his ability all across the field. When you add Firmino and Salah into the equation it makes it nightmare to defend against as they aren’t limited to one area of the pitch.
City and Spurs attack with this positional freedom and comfort as well.
We’ve been doing it to an extent under Ole with the front three, which bodes well.
posted on 4/1/19
I guess one question would be where Mata and Lingard would be left and who'd we'd balance the LHS with in such a case. I guess Lingard or Sanchez could play off the left, effectively doing the same as Lingard does on the right now?
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We may in the future have to imagine a team that doesn't have either of them in it as often.
We don't always have to play with one wide man who hugs the touchline and one who operates inside.
That being said however I do like having Lingard in the team because like yourself I value his movement a lot. It's better than anyone else's in the squad.
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I wonder how much of Pogba's value you'd lose and how valuable Herrera would be effectively performing Pogba's current role. Or could you switch the two?
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Stretching the pitch and creating more space for Pogba to work in could benefit him greatly.
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