4-2-3-1 has to stop

[jezz]

5 games and this thread appears?

 

[Krafty]

Someone just needs to take responsibility in midfield. I agree we need to change the formation, and get rid of that '2' in central midfield. Dembele was almost standing on Capoue's toes, we would have four players (2 centre backs, two midfielders) sitting, covering one WBA attacker! Its ridiculous, especially at home, especially against a team without a win, and especially with our midfielders whoa re far too happy sitting deep, playing square or backwards passes, always being the back or square option. Capoue at least showed some long range passing to switch the play and inject some tempo, Dembele, Paulinho and Bentaleb are crabs on the ball.

 

[DaSpurs]

Pjanic is the ideal choice for me. We'd never get him though

Yeah we can only dream on to that regard. There are others out there though, don't necessarily have to be top quality. Really just anyone willing to pass forward would work at this point.

 

[DaSpurs]

Someone just needs to take responsibility in midfield. I agree we need to change the formation, and get rid of that '2' in central midfield. Dembele was almost standing on Capoue's toes, we would have four players (2 centre backs, two midfielders) sitting, covering one WBA attacker! Its ridiculous, especially at home, especially against a team without a win, and especially with our midfielders whoa re far too happy sitting deep, playing square or backwards passes, always being the back or square option. Capoue at least showed some long range passing to switch the play and inject some tempo, Dembele, Paulinho and Bentaleb are crabs on the ball.

I don't agree with absolving the midfield formation, as a creative midfielder could work in the "two," but as for the problems you mention you could not be more spot on.

 

[Blake Griffin]

I keep saying it but I really think Holtby could do a job,I would of liked to see him come on for eriksen today

hate to break it to you but he plays for hamburg now.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

5 games and this thread appears?

Its code for "Poch Out"

 

[SoulDog]

hate to break it to you but he plays for hamburg now.

Yeah its a shame though we needed to change it today and I think he could of replaced eriksen who done Fuck all all game, I think Holtby is quite a creative player and could of made something happen maybe I'm wrong but I still think pochs subs were pointless and boring

 

[Krafty]

I don't agree with absolving the midfield formation, as a creative midfielder could work in the "two," but as for the problems you mention you could not be more spot on.

Indeed, a true playmaker would be grand, but I don't see one at the club save Eriksen, and I'm not sure I'd want him in that '2'. In a two ahead of Capoue, now you are talking. 4-1-2-3

 

[DaSpurs]

I keep saying it but I really think Holtby could do a job,I would of liked to see him come on for eriksen today

Would have played him over Capoue today. Capoue needs a break, and isn't supplying much at all. Don't like this mobile position he seems to be playing of late. I know it's how he did things in France, but his best performances for us have been when he's held a shielding position in front of the back line, and used his positioning constantly facing forward to ping crisp passes forward. That assured protection also allowed Mason and Holtby to get forward in preseason to interact with the attacking players and cause problems for the opposition.

Why we have since reverted to continuing to play two cloggers in midfield, each ordered to play similar roles, and with no dynamic in their combined play is just baffling. We aren't doing the forward passing that allows the two holding mids to work, so we need someone who can do something to pin the opposition back anyway. Holtby is unfortunately gone (and playing well for Hamburg), so I'd really like to see Poch get a bit risky and play Mason soon alongside a designated CDM.

Honestly, I'd love to see Mason and Stambouli together at the Emirates. We need change, don't really have anything to lose at this point, and quite clearly the overloaded central physicality doesn't work (and certainly wouldn't be an advantage against Arsenal's midfield).

 

[whitelanefever]

This fad formation from a couple of seasons ago needs to go.

It simply doesn't suit us.

A proper 4-3-3 is what we need with 2 wide forwards (Lamela and *gulp* Townsend?)

Until we get another in January anyway, maybe J Rod.

You do realise players don't just stand still.... I'm sure I saw Dembele on the right hand side on occasions.. but how could that be if he was in a 2

 

[DaSpurs]

Indeed, a true playmaker would be grand, but I don't see one at the club save Eriksen, and I'm not sure I'd want him in that '2'. In a two ahead of Capoue, now you are talking. 4-1-2-3

I agree, don't want Eriksen in the holding two. Ideally a DLP behind Eriksen would be fantastic, as not only would it open up our entire field but for Eriksen in the No 10 hole, and Lamela in his "just off-center creative" position, in particular. As such they would see considerably more space to work with. Otherwise, we're so damned predictable it's so easy to shut us down since all teams have to do is shut off central supply to Eriksen. This is exactly why we get so abused by quality teams, and struggle to break down teams of equal or lesser quality.

 

[godemand]

It doesn't matter which formation we play if we move the ball around as slowly as today... we lacked movement, the only player to make runs behind the opposition defense was Danny Rose... no one takes a man on, and with inverted wingers we become to narrow and so easy to defend against. I can see us struggling against teams in the bottom half this season if the don't improve quickly.

Not a lot of positives from today's game, but it is still early days.... Don't panic... I think...

 

[DaSpurs]

It doesn't matter which formation we play if we move the ball around as slowly as today... we lacked movement, the only player to make runs behind the opposition defense was Danny Rose... no one takes a man on, and with inverted wingers we become to narrow and so easy to defend against. I can see us struggling against teams in the bottom half this season if the don't improve quickly.

Not a lot of positives from today's game, but it is still early days.... Don't panic... I think...

Width isn't the problem. In fact, if anything, we resort to too many crosses, they just aren't quality enough. It's movement through the center at which we are so poor.

 

[dondo]

Don't think it's about the systems IMO it's about the players

 

[stevenurse]

You do realise players don't just stand still.... I'm sure I saw Dembele on the right hand side on occasions.. but how could that be if he was in a 2

But those positions (generally) correspond to instructions they are given and how these interact with another is what matters.

For example, having Stambouli and Capoue sweeping left/right would allow the wing forwards to be in a more advanced position more often and reduce the workload on the lone forward to hold the ball up, as well as allowing them to press higher. Couple that with a ball recycling midfielder and you have a mixture of defence and attack.

Just my view and I'm not the gaffer so it means sweet FA.

Just hope for better on weds and at least a plan B

 

[Damian99]

You can play what ever formation you like but if you don't select the right 11 and those you do select cannot be fucking bothered, it won't matter a shit.

 

[SoulDog]

Don't think it's about the systems IMO it's about the players

Bit of both Imo but I have to say this is not a one off performance it is starting to become a regular thing and this must come down to our players like I said in another thread is it our players are just not good enough footballers for the premiership????

 

[DaSpurs]

Bit of both Imo but I have to say this is not a one off performance it is starting to become a regular thing and this must come down to our players like I said in another thread is it our players are just not good enough footballers for the premiership????

I think they are for the most part, just that we're still lacking a few vital pieces.

 

[whitelanefever]

But those positions (generally) correspond to instructions they are given and how these interact with another is what matters.

For example, having Stambouli and Capoue sweeping left/right would allow the wing forwards to be in a more advanced position more often and reduce the workload on the lone forward to hold the ball up, as well as allowing them to press higher. Couple that with a ball recycling midfielder and you have a mixture of defence and attack.

Just my view and I'm not the gaffer so it means sweet FA.

Just hope for better on weds and at least a plan B

The formation has nothing to do with it... it's football not chess, players move in all directions, so the formation is always changing.. It's the personnel in the team balance & lack of vision & forward movement that is the problem, changing formation will not change that

 

[SoulDog]

I think they are for the most part, just that we're still lacking a few vital pieces.

It is a hard one because I really rate all our players and I think most have the potential to become class players but something is not right