Islam Slimani

[TEESSIDE1]

Well, this is just wrong. Look at Southampton, both this season and last season. Or Danny Rose (not Walker) this season.

Southampton can afford to send the full backs forward all the time as they have Schneiderlin and Wanyama protecting the centre backs... we have no one and until this changes, we're leaving ourselves wide open at the back if we're reliant on the full backs to provide the width. I'm all for them pushing up if we have a DM, if not then to support an existing winger.

 

[Kalim]

Or fullbacks that can cross, hence the move for Trippier?

PS #fatpirana wrote this before I read your response.

 

[fatpiranha]

Rose yes to an extent, Walker no. Dier is a centre back and will hopefully be returning there. We need players who can consistently put quality balls into the box. Secondly, relying on our full backs for width as shown this season is a recipe for disaster as we get murdered on the counter attack with the centre backs left exposed. To rectify this we either need a natural winger or wing backs (Rose and Trippier whilst playing 3 centre backs (Dier, Verts, Wimmer). Signing Slimani without these changes won't allow us to utilise his strengths.

Your objection only applies if the full back is out of position far up the pitch. Trippier crosses from deep and therefore has plenty of time to get back to defend even though he's not the quickest. Walker and Rose cross from far higher up the pitch and despite their obvious pace are often out of position leaving the defence vulnerable to a counterattack. Burnley (playing 4-4-2) conceded the same number of goals as us in the premiership last season with much worse possession stats and no Lloris in goal. This wouldn't be the case if Trippier was being caught out of position upfield.