Ishmael

A lot to do with that Arsenal game from a few years back?

Good. I think a few of you are taking his world cup attempted heroics into consideration.

I think I love Minister Babatunde, he's saved me a lot of time with his excellent posts.

Enough of this Robert/Solano talk. It's depressing.

Only the less knowledgeable weren't aware of the role up until Makalele tbh Some shocking opinions and beliefs in this thread.

Not really. It's a myth that a team needs an AM and DM to be successful. It's the defender's job to defend. As long as there's two CMs willing to track back from time to time, we're fine. It's not a myth that every successful team of the modern era has been built around a system that operates with at least one (in some cases 2) player who plays as a shield to the back 4. Find me one that hasn't.

You're just thinking of a Barcelona type system. You need to expand your tactical horizons.

Provide me with a strong case for us not needing one. Just try.

... we don't have one - of Premiership quality at least. Fuck off Smith! Anyway, as a result it's worrying that we haven't seen a strong link appear this summer. I mean, there have been rumblings of us signing Arevalo, but it seems like agent gossip, or maybe our new transfer policy is doing what it says on the club statement? Who else shares my fears? Why isn't there a smiley at hand that can emphasize my worries?

Harper was comparable to Given for a few years. Unfortunately he's now completely immobile. I do wonder how they get him out onto the pitch at times.

Harper needs transporting on down to the glue factory - pronto.

I couldn't really qualify West Ham tbh

You've listed my comparable sides plus Birmingham who I feel are slightly ahead of us at present. It's seems your glass is half-full opposed to my empty glass, which is smashed in tiny pieces all over the floor.

We're only getting a goal if they switch Evans to left back AND are in a comfortable position AND all simultaneously faint.

I'm being pedantic here, but there are 3/4 comparable sides. 1 definite lesser. /straws

There is one 'lesser' team in the EPL in comparison to us.

You couldn't keep that up on a weekly basis. Anyway, you couldn't operate a team like that in the EPL. Defensive suicide.

I imagine this is similar to the struggle the Argentinian backroom staff had with Maradona (yet he still managed to get a winger in defence).

OK. Well then. In our current predicament we lack a holding midfielder of sufficient quality. Therefore, especially in the opening game of the season, we need to make sure that the people operating in midfield are well covered defensively. Personally I'd opt for a flat 4 in midfield. The result would be almost like operating with 2 banks of 4 defenders when not in possession. I would also employ two forwards to ensure that there would be constant pressure on the opposition defence. At the moment I'd favour Carroll and Best as they offer the best aerial threat and I think that's where we'd get the most joy. We'd have to attack through counters and play with sufficient speed and a directness - opting for as many direct cross into the box as possible. The problem is ensuring that Barton and Guthrie are disciplined enough to play almost as holding midfielders. Jonas Guthrie Barton Taylor is probably our best bet at present (purely from a defensive balance). If we have some room and a bit of freedom than I would use Rutledge as opposed to Taylor. Yes, we do lack a holding midfielder though. It's bad.

Massive arse getting hammered? .... WHAT?

Oh so which wouldn't then? Should be interesting Employing a holding midfielder would be a start... Yes in the ideal world, but we're not linked with any And to compensate we play an extra attacker? Awesome.

We are going to get DESTROYED. Just in case I hadn't nailed my colours to the mast already. 5-0

Oh so which wouldn't then? Should be interesting Employing a holding midfielder would be a start...

We'd get turned over on a weekly basis with a team like that.