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Finding a system and sticking to it

idontgetit

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2011
14,404
30,804
The best football we played was 4-2-3-1 with Dier at CM dropping back into the defence and the wing backs bombing on. You then had 3 at the back, Dembele bossing the center assisted by the fullbacks and then Alli, Eriksen and Lamela/Son playing freely behind Kane. You'd also often see Kane dropping deep to create and Alli running past him unmarked.

The problem with that formation is it relied on Dembele being a beast and running a whole midfield on his own. Wanyama can defensively but not offensively, Dier is too passive. Winks the jury is still out on whether he can dominate a game rather than just string things together.

Dembele simply is not at that level of form anymore so I'm not sure we can really go back to it. I think it was glaringly obvious we need to buy a world class box to box CM this summer and it should really be the focus in January.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 have suited us fine, Poch just needs to stop playing players in stupid positions.

Moura should play on right side on either formation (either in the two or three) and Dier should not play on side of a stupid 4-2-1-2 formation ???

We’re losing in midfield at the moment as well and since we were so inept at scouting anyone for midfield engine room we need to throw Skips and Arnos in if others are too fucked with injuries or just out of form.
 

hellava_tough

Well-Known Member
Apr 21, 2005
9,429
12,382
4-2-3-1

The sitting DM should be a great passer of the ball. The other CM should be someone who can drive forward with the ball (a decent shot on him wouldn't hurt either)

Plus 2 x full backs who can bomb forward at pace

And then the usual 4 forward players

We should just stick with that and find the players who can slot into the system. 95% of the time you wouldn't even need to change the tactics, as the talent levels and (hopefully) players' motivation would be too much for most opponents

Also, sticking to a set formation and system makes squad rotation easier; everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing when they come off the bench, and if they've been purchased to perform a specific task in the team, then we're cooking on gas

However, not signing anyone this summer was absolutely criminal. Even laying down all the transfer budget (£50 or £60 million, perhaps more...) on one quality CM would probably be worth 12 to 15 more points at the end of the season

If we finish outside of the top 4 come the end of the season it'll be so frustrating; it's fair enough if you get beaten by better opposition, it's another thing if you shoot yourself in the foot!!
 

SEANSPURS1975

Well-Known Member
Sep 21, 2005
1,929
4,787
The title near misses against Leicester and Chelsea were both playing 4,2,3,1

That’s how our squad is set up and how we should play going forward

It wasn’t though was it. Don’t understand why people continually forget the season we finished 2nd to Chelsea we played the majority of the season 3-4-2-1.
We played some brilliant football, we scored the most goals, we conceded the least and lost the least games.
We played 3-4-2-1.
Dier played in the back 3, Wanyama and Dembele in midfield with Dele and Eriksen behind Kane.
Season before when Leicester won the league agreed it was a 4-2-3-1.
I prefer 3-4-2-1, but 4-2-3-1 can be used on occasions.
It’s when, like Saturday, when yet another formation is being used with players totally unsuitable for it where we struggle badly.
Against the best teams I’d always go with a 3 at the back??
 
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