Who will be AVB's no1 pick in the holding role??

[hoodlum]

I agree with everyone here.

 

[sbrustad]

I think that one of the main problems for Sandro has been playing alongside Livermore. This isn't a critique of Livermore, but the two aren't really creative midfielders. Sandro is a great defensive midfielder but he does not possess the ability to start an attacking move. We spend way too much time on the ball in the midfield, leading to fuckups and loss of possession. Sandro is obviously a great tackler and enforcer, but he needs to play together with a more creative type. In our first three matches we haven't really had any of those lining up for us in central midfield. I think he worked very well when playing together with Modric, for example. He would get the ball, pass it to Modric (or VDV for that matter, he liked coming deep to get the ball), and job done. I think this is what he's best at. Regaining possession and then picking a simple pass to a more creative player.

I'm very curious about AVBs preferred tactics now that we've got Dembélé in. Will he be playing alongside Sandro in a 4-2-3-1 as a sort of playmaker? How do people think we'll be utilising him? Like many others on here I've not been terribly impressed with Sigurdsson, will Dembélé play the AMC role, or will Dempsey?

I hope the new signings will settle quickly, because we really looked devoid of creativity vs Norwich.

Edit: I really rate Parker, and look forward to him playing for us again.

 

[ultimateloner]

I think that one of the main problems for Sandro has been playing alongside Livermore. This isn't a critique of Livermore, but the two aren't really creative midfielders. Sandro is a great defensive midfielder but he does not possess the ability to start an attacking move. We spend way too much time on the ball in the midfield, leading to fuckups and loss of possession. Sandro is obviously a great tackler and enforcer, but he needs to play together with a more creative type. In our first three matches we haven't really had any of those lining up for us in central midfield. I think he worked very well when playing together with Modric, for example. He would get the ball, pass it to Modric (or VDV for that matter, he liked coming deep to get the ball), and job done. I think this is what he's best at. Regaining possession and then picking a simple pass to a more creative player.

I'm very curious about AVBs preferred tactics now that we've got Dembélé in. Will he be playing alongside Sandro in a 4-2-3-1 as a sort of playmaker? How do people think we'll be utilising him? Like many others on here I've not been terribly impressed with Sigurdsson, will Dembélé play the AMC role, or will Dempsey?

I hope the new signings will settle quickly, because we really looked devoid of creativity vs Norwich.

Edit: I really rate Parker, and look forward to him playing for us again.

Livermore runs around intercepting. Sandro gets the ball off the other guy, gives it to Dembele. Dembele passes it down the flanks. Cross in Dembele/Ade/whoever is on the other side of the flank attacks the cross.
Parker is a Sandro/Livermore hybrid. Does both jobs but neither as well as the other.

 

[sbrustad]

Livermore runs around intercepting. Sandro gets the ball off the other guy, gives it to Dembele. Dembele passes it down the flanks. Cross in Dembele/Ade/whoever is on the other side of the flank attacks the cross.
Parker is a Sandro/Livermore hybrid. Does both jobs but neither as well as the other.

So you think we'll be playing Sandro and Livermore together in a 4-2-3-1 like we have up until now? I'm not sure I think that's a good thing, it's a bit too negative for my liking.

 

[ultimateloner]

So you think we'll be playing Sandro and Livermore together in a 4-2-3-1 like we have up until now? I'm not sure I think that's a good thing, it's a bit too negative for my liking.

Yes, because you need posession/turnover and that system is the best at turning defence into offence. There are least defenders around if you get the ball off them while they are trying to attack from center of park. Just that when you do get the ball you need to work it...which without Modric we arent as good at.

 

[fatpiranha]

The solution seems simple enough to me. At least until January we have limited options. Dembele is our only playmaker and Parker our best option as a pure DM. We need to keep Bale wide on the left where he does what he's good at (beating players and delivering crosses). Playing Dempsey tucked infield on the right with Ade up top will allow Walker to overlap and deliver crosses from the right. This way we will always have 2 goal threats who are decent in the air on the receiving end of crosses (Bale and Ade from Walker and Dempsey and Ade from Bale). The final midfield place goes to Siggy who despite his limitations can thread a pass and offers a goal threat from distance (especially away from home where he doesn't have to shoot through a crowded defence - check his record, of his 8 goals last season 7 came away from home). More importantly he is by far our best set piece taker. Dempsey will also help our ball retention and make use of Walker's pace (Lennon is too quick to be effectively overlapped) as is Bale so BAE needs to concentrate on defence rather than getting forward and joining the attack.

 

[Spurger King]

If everyone is fit Livermore won't be in the starting 11. I'll bite my own nuts off if he is.

 

[chinaman]

With our present staff, the middle 3 should be Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdson.

 

[Franchise60]

Yes, because you need posession/turnover and that system is the best at turning defence into offence. There are least defenders around if you get the ball off them while they are trying to attack from center of park. Just that when you do get the ball you need to work it...which without Modric we arent as good at.

You think we should start both Sandro and Livermore when we have our full strength squad? Have you watched us play this year?

 

[lillywhites61]

I think Parker at the moment, he is so reliable. And this break may have done him some good as well. Sandro is still learning and will be the future but for now I think Parker

 

[not_tenth-again]

With our present staff, the middle 3 should be Sandro, Dembele and Sigurdson.

I like that but option but in my opinion Sigurdsson needs a month or so to settle in first, he's only 22 and coming from Swansea to here is a big move, he's currently being asked to fill VDV's boots and I'm sure it's a bit daunting at the moment. I think the best thing for his development is actually to take some pressure off him in the next few games, maybe a few starts from the bench, let him attack tired defenders for the last 30 minutes until he gets comfortable. He'll be a great player for a long time but IMHO good man management is what he needs right now.

 

[beats1]

But there's only really Sig or Hudd in the squad that offer any creativity now. I've only really seen glimpses of quality from Sig and until he can perform more consistently I don't like the idea of him being a regular starter.

Dembele was easily Fulham's most creative player and his passing was really good last season, siggurdson last season wasnt very creative but was always a threat on goal

 

[AX-Spur]

Right now, and perhaps the main choice for this season, Parker. Right now we need heart and motivation in the team, and for that Parker is outstanding. I like Sandro, but feel that he has not developed as much as I had hoped. Perhaps he will!

I still would like to give Livermore the chance in cup-matches, he may lack technique and vision - but he has heart and determination. Perhaps he too can learn...

Going O/T now - but DAMN!! That´s a lot of smileys!!

 

[Snarfalicious]

It's my personal belief that the squad needs a leader in midfield right now.

Livermore looks out of control running around shoving attackers, giving up horrendous free kicks in the most inopportune places (The goal against Norwich most likely would not have happened had Livermore not given up the free kick which was then cleared just to be sent back in and then cleaned up by Snotass), and simply not being smart on the ball. I will admit, Livermore can play a beautiful driving pass at times, but he also gets too sloppy in his passing as he just sends it up field trying to hit a guy like Lennon/Defoe in the midst of centerbacks.

As for Sandro, I want so much for him to be a complete player but it might not be reasonable right now. If he's going to be the holding midfielder, his role should simply be to seek and destroy and then give it off to either a guy like Vertonghen, Benny, Walker, Siggy, or Dembele and then let them distribute. He did have a beautiful run last week, and I'd like to see that become a part of his game as he is powerful on the ball. I still think he's getting comfortable with the PL and I do believe he will be a special player even if it takes a year or two.

That brings me back to my original point. Leadership. And, I know you know who I'm going to say. I still believe Parker has plenty to offer, and I love the idea of him being in midfield right now for a team that sometimes lets the game get out of their hands and begins to play as though they could shit diamonds their assholes are so tight.

Parker could bring that calming presence and reliable performance to the heart of our midfield. The other thing that would be beneficial of this is that if we are presumably going to go with a Siggy-Parker-Dembele midfield, Sandro could be a huge bonus coming off the bench late to solidify the defense and maintain the lead.

 

[ItsBoris]

Sandro at his best is heads and shoulders above everyone else, but he looks like he needs a break imo. Also from what I've seen he usually plays much better as the only defensive midfielder in the team. It did work a few times when he played with Palacious against AC milan, but when Parker and Sandro have played together in the middle neither of them have looked as effective imo.

 

[$hoguN]

As long as it is not Livermore I'll be happy

 

[Ribble]

We'll need all 3 plenty this season, the DM spot is going to see a hell of a lot of work.

 

[thePessimist]

When fit i expect Parker to be a certain starter alongside Dembele and/or Sandro