Conte's 3-5-2

[Trix]

If that’s the case we might as well go 433 then.

We've spent the last year buying players to specifically play in a back 3, and are currently looking at others that also fit that formation.

We aren't going to play a back four while Conte is here.

 

[Japhet]

If that’s the case we might as well go 433 then.

3 CBs has been a cornerstone of what Conte's built. It's far and away the best system for the CBs we have.

 

[SUIYHA]

We're never going to play high lines and possession based football in our opponents half under Conte, it's just not his style. His approach has always been about sitting deep, drawing the opposition onto us, restricting them to half-chances or potshots from distance and then to break quickly when the opposition make a mistake with players out of position so that we can create the best chances of the game.

Our games almost always follow this pattern. When it works, which it does most of the time, it looks efficient and well executed. When it doesn't, it looks like we've been "dominated".

With Kulusevski in the side we've been a lot more efficient in creating those transitions so could really do with him being back - but at the end of the day this system relies a) on forewards that are clinical with their chances, which ours usually are but this season Kane and particularly Son haven't been as good as we'd expect, and b) the game plan goes out of the window if there are individual mistakes at the back or the opposition pulls out a moment of brilliance to break through - also has happened a couple of times this season.

For those reasons I'd love to see a proper AM like Maddison to play in a 3-5-2 particularly when we're chasing a game.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I think the reason we’re not controlling possession is because conte doesn’t want us to. Last season we were deadly on the counter and we just don’t have the players imo to keep the ball effectively for long periods

So the concept of us "needing" to play 5-3-2 so that we can control the midfield (according to plenty of people on SC) is a bit of a moot point.

 

[mil1lion]

I'd like to see the rock solid CM3 of a combination of PEH, Bentancur, Bissouma, Skipp and ultra attacking wingbacks of Kulusevski and Sessegnon. With the amount of defensive cover available, Kulusevski's role wouldn't be markedly different from what we're used to imo.

No way, do you see how deep Doherty was playing a lot of the time Saturday? Wing back would be a horrible position for him. It's a position he can play in a section of a game if we're chasing a goal like in the final 15 mins but not all game. I'm not sure why anyone would want to move him anyway. We were great with the 343 after we signed Kulusevski.

 

[Japhet]

No way, do you see how deep Doherty was playing a lot of the time Saturday? Wing back would be a horrible position for him. It's a position he can play in a section of a game if we're chasing a goal like in the final 15 mins but not all game. I'm not sure why anyone would want to move him anyway. We were great with the 343 after we signed Kulusevski.

The thing is, it's hardly 'moving him' when there's extra defensive cover down the flanks with 3 in CM. He does a fair bit of defensive covering as it is when we only have 2 in CM.

 

[Albertbarich]

I really enjoyed the 352. I like the midfield trio which only grows as Bissouma gets more confident.

Add Perisic and I hope Spence for real attacking intent and we could fly.

Also I think Kulu could easily compete as one of the two strikers. He has the strength, vision, hold up play and can shoot.

 

[mil1lion]

The thing is, it's hardly 'moving him' when there's extra defensive cover down the flanks with 3 in CM. He does a fair bit of defensive covering as it is when we only have 2 in CM.

Like I say when you look at the position of the wing backs it would be moving him deeper. If you ask one of the 3 to cover instead then you end up short in the middle anyway. You might as well have a better defensive wing back in a 343 instead. There's a big difference between tracking back to help a wing back and starting deep as the wing back.

 

[THOWIG]

352 with a top drawer central midfield and wing backs and I’m board.

 

[djhotspur]

352 with a top drawer central midfield and wing backs and I’m board.

Barella, Udogie and an acclimatized Spence?

 

[mil1lion]

With Moura and Kulusevski back I doubt we'll see it much but its a nice system to have as an option

 

[mr ashley]

With Moura and Kulusevski back I doubt we'll see it much but its a nice system to have as an option

With everyone on form it should just be a rotation option.
We were able to compete and more last season with 343 inc at anfield and etihad.
But in the games that we need a different plan this should be something we see a bit more of.
still need to see how we line up when we eventually rest Kane.
personally I’d be more tempted to play 352 with son and kulusevski in that particular scenario

 

[mil1lion]

With everyone on form it should just be a rotation option.
We were able to compete and more last season with 343 inc at anfield and etihad.
But in the games that we need a different plan this should be something we see a bit more of.
still need to see how we line up when we eventually rest Kane.
personally I’d be more tempted to play 352 with son and kulusevski in that particular scenario

Not sure how well they would do as a front 2 but it's nice to have the option. I fancy Richarlison would straight replace Kane as centre forward though on most occasions. A front 3 of Son, Richarlison and Kulusevski with Kane on the bench is still very strong.

 

[gavspur]

I’d like to see Deki have a slot in a midfield three, but the more advanced of the three. I know he had good numbers at Parma when he was more central - although that was probably just off the striker. Maybe a 3-4-1-2 would suit him better, where he can drop in to make it a three?

 

[djhotspur]

I’d like to see Deki have a slot in a midfield three, but the more advanced of the three. I know he had good numbers at Parma when he was more central - although that was probably just off the striker. Maybe a 3-4-1-2 would suit him better, where he can drop in to make it a three?

Yrah this is where i want to see him. Develop him into de bruyne, he has similar characteristics

 

[TEESSIDE1]

So the concept of us "needing" to play 5-3-2 so that we can control the midfield (according to plenty of people on SC) is a bit of a moot point.

There’s a difference between controlling the midfield and sitting so deep that you’ve no presence in midfield. You still need to have players in the mix pressuring the opposition.

Yes it may lead to the opposition over committing players forward and leaving gaps for us to counter in but as we saw against Arsenal the better sides will still find a way through your defensive line and you’re at risk of a) conceding and b) the opposition getting a quick second, then shutting up shop and leaving us with a very difficult task of getting back into the game.

 

[Phil_2.0]

I am still cautious about the success of the 3-5-2. I argued after the Leicester game we should see more of it and I am glad we have but it's not perfect. We were playing better in the few minutes before Bisouma came on in the 2nd half and then we scored, it played right into our hands and we can keep the ball so much easier in a 3-5-2

There are obvious benefits to it but some drawbacks, we did lack a forward threat for a big chunk of that 2nd half. I wouldn't say it completely ousted the 3-4-3 just yet in my mind but it's nice to have as an option. We still don't quite have the personnel to play a 3-5-2 regularly and make it a success.

I think Perisic will be better in a 3-5-2

 

[kremlyn]

I am still cautious about the success of the 3-5-2. I argued after the Leicester game we should see more of it and I am glad we have but it's not perfect. We were playing better in the few minutes before Bisouma came on in the 2nd half and then we scored, it played right into our hands and we can keep the ball so much easier in a 3-5-2

There are obvious benefits to it but some drawbacks, we did lack a forward threat for a big chunk of that 2nd half. I wouldn't say it completely ousted the 3-4-3 just yet in my mind but it's nice to have as an option. We still don't quite have the personnel to play a 3-5-2 regularly and make it a success.

I think Perisic will be better in a 3-5-2

Agreed ?

What we gain in posession and defensive solidity we lose in our ability to counterattack if we move to a 3-5-2.

I think any team that plays 3 at the back has to be able to do both. I believe it makes sense to start with a 343 and develop a 352 later. Counterattacks are simple to learn so you can ve effective while learning how to defend as a 3. Breaking teams down through posession is much more complex, involving far more patterns of play.

I love 3-5-2 but yesterday it struck me that we're still learning it and are probably only good for 45 minutes before we run out of ideas. However it's clearly where we're heading and it looks very good so far.

 

[mil1lion]

Still prefer 343 when Kulusevski is available but agree we can switch to 352 when defending a lead. Should be 352 against Utd and until Deki is fit.

 

[spids]

I like the fact we can switch between a 3-4-3 and a 3-5-2 depending on circumstance and personnel. It looks like Richarlison will not play for us again until after the WC, I am assuming that Kulusevski can play as one of the CFs in a 3-5-2 if needed.