AVB's System

[brasil_spur]

To play the pressing game I really feel that you need pace up-front. Defenders are then forced to back off a few yards which then allows us to play further up the field. Although Benteke is more mobile than Ade, I still don't see him fitting into this system. Someone like Remy would be a better fit.

Suarez would be scoring for fun for us i feel if we had him in the team right now.

 

[TottenhamLegend]

I think, from his time at Porto, AVB certainly favours the 4-3-3 and I think he was planning to build his team around a midfield of Dembele/Sandro/Moutinho, and having failed to get Moutinho he basically had to change that system entirely.

Bingo.

 

[Kendall]

I would argue with that and say that both Sig and Holtby are capable of playing in a midfield 3 and probably couldv'e done a good job there. A front 3 could then have been Bale, Lennon and striker.

I don't really think losing out on Moutinho justifies his sticking-with-Harry's formation. Because it showed up the same limitations.

The fact that, even with Tom Carroll and Livermore in the squad, he didn't even trial it all season says a lot.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I think a lot of the time its essentially been a 4-4-2 (especially when Dempsey plays there).

Agree about needing technical creative players to make it work, but also intelligent players off the ball. On the whole our play in the 'danger area' between the oppositions midfield and defence is woeful (Bale has his moments, but is still learning the role and his play is all about himself too often). Pretty much none of our players are adept at looking to get into that area for time and space and then try and play the pass in from there. Watch our matches, when our players have the ball you will see people standing in the midfield block, or attacking block, never between the lines that a Mata, Silva etc will look to do.

As I have said all season, I'd like to see a 4-3-3, and I think we need a creative player in the centre of the park, plus another in the front three.

I think we should give credit to AVB for understanding that since VDV/Modric left we really lack a player that is comfortable receiving the ball in between the lines and playing intricate, incisive football under pressure and to create a side based on fast transitional play, hitting opponents quickly before they can re-organise. Siggy can see a pass, but he's not in the Silva/Mata/VDV mould and needs a bit more time and space to see that pass and isn't great at popping up into space like those mentioned are. You only have to look at how many fewer passes we make in he final third than a lot of the teams around us (Everton on Sunday an exception) and at one point we'd averaged the most goals per final third passes in the EPL, backing up our ability to break quickly when we win the ball.

I think we'll gradually see a shift towards 4-3-3, more intricate play in the final third etc over time, particularly if AVB gets his transfer targets, but I think he deserves credit for making the most of the tools he has available.

 

[mpickard2087]

I think we should give credit to AVB for understanding that since VDV/Modric left we really lack a player that is comfortable receiving the ball in between the lines and playing intricate, incisive football under pressure and to create a side based on fast transitional play, hitting opponents quickly before they can re-organise. Siggy can see a pass, but he's not in the Silva/Mata/VDV mould and needs a bit more time and space to see that pass and isn't great at popping up into space like those mentioned are. You only have to look at how many fewer passes we make in he final third than a lot of the teams around us (Everton on Sunday an exception) and at one point we'd averaged the most goals per final third passes in the EPL, backing up our ability to break quickly when we win the ball.

I think we'll gradually see a shift towards 4-3-3, more intricate play in the final third etc over time, particularly if AVB gets his transfer targets, but I think he deserves credit for making the most of the tools he has available.

Yes I agree, think AVB has pretty much done the best he could with the tools he was given. He's built a functional, and on the whole effective unit based on power/pace and although helped by Bale, he did change things to get the maximum out of him from a central role.

What we do next is key though... cannot rest on our laurels and must add to this squad.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

I think, from his time at Porto, AVB certainly favours the 4-3-3 and I think he was planning to build his team around a midfield of Dembele/Sandro/Moutinho, and having failed to get Moutinho he basically had to change that system entirely.

I'm not quite sure how Holtby/Sigurdsson/Dempsey fit into that system though, and even Lennon might struggle in that formation, so it could require a bit of a squad overhaul to properly implement the 'Porto system'.

Having said that, AVB could equally have shifted his view on what system he prefers now that he's in a different league so it's not easy to know what he'll go for. Hopefully though, whichever system he wants to implement, he'll actually be allowed to get the players who fit that system.

I think in a few years Holtby may be able to play a similar style to that of Moutinho. A tenacious little man who is both creative and a good recycler of possession. NOt saying he will ever be as good as Moutinho, but it would have been nice to have Moutinho this season with Holtby as his understudy.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Yes I agree, think AVB has pretty much done the best he could with the tools he was given. He's built a functional, and on the whole effective unit based on power/pace and although helped by Bale, he did change things to get the maximum out of him from a central role.

What we do next is key though... cannot rest on our laurels and must add to this squad.

Agree, I think credit should is also due for improving our collective work off the ball, the pressing and not being so very open. It has been let down by individual errors on numerous occasions particularly at the start of the season and has crept back in the last few games, but for me it has been so much better than some of the anarchy we saw last season which was mitigated by having such outstanding individual quality in VDV/Modric and also a fit and firing Adebayor. There has been less lottery about our play this season, and whilst there have been teething problems like adopting a high line, collective pressing and obviously having to adapt to a coach with an entirely different way of doing things - and also factoring in injuries to key players I am extremely satisfied with what I have seen

I think all things considered, AVB has done a fine job.

 

[double0]

I believe next season we will be seeing more of the 433 formation AVB prefers. That system of play would definately require a ball playing (play maker) type midfielder to cement that formation with basically three interchangable front three.

Having watched Remy at QPR we should trigger that 8 million clause at get him at Spurs no f-ing about he would be ideal as he can play on the right left centre is very quick and scores. Townsend would be great cover so then all we'd need is a No.9 to complete a nice attacking compliment, my choice for the main striker would be Diamo Leandro, retain Adebayor and Defoe.

The midfield option hoping that Carroll will continue to improve and SP will be upgaded or given a more defined water carrier instrutions if played with Dembele and a playermaker/Carroll in a 3... its left for us to finding that Modric replacement.

Another area whereby attention is needed is at left back, now it looks like AVB doesn't favour BAE, is Danny Rose good enough? personally I think we should give Rose his chance promote Zik and more BAE on along with Huddlestone Gallas Friedel Dempsey Bentley Falqua and others

Hope to see next season

...............Lloris
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen(C) Rose
..Sig/Holt Moutinho Demb
.....Remy Leandro Bale

GK; Lloris/GK
RB; Walker/Smith
CB; Kaboul Dawson Vertonghen Caulker
LB; Rose/Zik
DF: Sandro Parker(given clear instruction) Livermore
MF: Moutinho Carroll Dembele
AM: Holtby Sigurdsson
AF: Remy Lennon Townsend Bale
CF: Leandro Adebayor Defoe

 

[Krafty]

On sunday I thought how we started to line up was extremely interesting and looked like it could be very productive.

We appeared to line-up much more like a 4-3-3. Hotlby was alongside Dembele, Parker was sitting deep, and for Adebayor's goal you see him running to the middle of the goal, Sigurdsson running towards the near post, and Dempsey attacking the far as Vertonghen lines up to cross.

I think this, apart from set pieces, was the first time this season we had three people attacking a cross.

Then for some reason we stopped this shape. Parker started pushing on, Dembele dropped deep, Siggy went further left, Holtby moved behind Adebayor and Dempsey vanished. It was a shame, and also led to Anichebe getting the ball to feet or bringing high balls down on his chest far too easily. I recall when we lost to Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi a few years back, Portsmouth put a man in front of Crouch as well as behind and he was unable to bring the ball down, and as a result we had no one to build attacks from. Everton did, and Anichebe bullied our centre backs all day.

How we lined up looked like it would be a better route to victory than how we ended up looking after fifteen minutes (irrespective of the timing of the goals scored and conceded)

With Bale and Lennon (especially) out, the 4-3-3 system, with narrow wide forwards, very attacking fullbacks and an anchor man to cover them, could suit the players we have available.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I know people see this differently and it's not always easy to tell but for me 4231 is usually playing with 2 defensive midfielders, 3 attacking midfielders and a striker.

Where as in a 433 the front 3 are more like strikers and it's a midfield 3. Usually within 1 holding and 2 operating a bit further forward.

Different styles can be implemented no matter what formation you use though really but I think now a 433 would suit us more even though we don't have the wide forwards and a real metronome like Moutinho or Modric. I think it suits Dembele, Carroll, Holtby, Sandro even Hudd more.