BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 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. Well thanks for the lesson in tactics was really worth reading that. I know i'd rather have the line-up of my midfield with KPB dropping back into the a central position when we loose the ball. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 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). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
QBG Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 We could easily play the 4-2-3-1 formation with HBA and KPB in the team. Guthrie and Barton are capable of playing some sumptuous balls forward and with quality like Ben Arfa, Boateng and Jonas further up field Carroll would get a bagful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 What team do you know that plays 2 wingers and 2 attacking midfielders in the same team? The strain that line-up places on Guthrie/Barton is absolutely insane man Did you even watch KPB in the world cup? When Ghana lost the ball he dropped back central and was tenacious along with anan in the middle, part of the reason why they progressed so far. Then why the fuck have you got him playing almost as a striker in that line-up? I don't care what you say that team is batshit mental. Hardly mental if we are playing effectively 5 across the midfied when we don't have the ball, but with KPB pushes forward to support Carroll when we do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 KPB plays nowhere near as deep as you're making out though. He's very much an attacking midfielder. It would have made slightly more sense if you'd posted a 4-4-1-1 with KPB alongside Barton/Guthrie rather than making it look utterly barmy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 KPB plays nowhere near as deep as you're making out though. He's very much an attacking midfielder. It would have made slightly more sense if you'd posted a 4-4-1-1 with KPB alongside Barton/Guthrie rather than making it look utterly barmy. lol He was playing pretty much as a 2nd striker supporting gyan on the break and dropping back into centre midfield when defending Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 You couldn't keep that up on a weekly basis. Anyway, you couldn't operate a team like that in the EPL. Defensive suicide. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 You couldn't keep that up on a weekly basis. Anyway, you couldn't operate a team like that in the EPL. Defensive suicide. Who said you could? That would be something you'd play at home against the lesser teams I never stated playing it week in week out anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 There is one 'lesser' team in the EPL in comparison to us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 There is one 'lesser' team in the EPL in comparison to us. I think not About 5 or 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 I'm being pedantic here, but there are 3/4 comparable sides. 1 definite lesser. /straws Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 I'm being pedantic here, but there are 3/4 comparable sides. 1 definite lesser. /straws Well this dependant on us getting the 2 players suggested Blackpool - lesser WBA - Lesser West Ham - Lesser Wolves - Lesser Wigan - Lesser Birmingham - Maybe lesser Think if we get quality additions we'll surprise a few people. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmk Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 We could easily play the 4-2-3-1 formation with HBA and KPB in the team. Guthrie and Barton are capable of playing some sumptuous balls forward and with quality like Ben Arfa, Boateng and Jonas further up field Carroll would get a bagful. :toke: ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Blackpool are the only team I'd definitely expect you to finish above. I think West Brom will do their usual thing of playing well but not pressing home their advantage in games they're the better side in. In what way are Birmingham and West Ham lesser? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 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. Well you need to get a grip and be a bit more positive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishmael Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 I couldn't really qualify West Ham tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaizero Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Blackpool are the only team I'd definitely expect you to finish above. I think West Brom will do their usual thing of playing well but not pressing home their advantage in games they're the better side in. In what way are Birmingham and West Ham lesser? Lesser teams: Everton Just cause. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Blackpool are the only team I'd definitely expect you to finish above. I think West Brom will do their usual thing of playing well but not pressing home their advantage in games they're the better side in. In what way are Birmingham and West Ham lesser? Oh yeah forgot to mention Everton in that list also Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Why do posters with capital letter names always suck? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teasy Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Blackpool are the only team I'd definitely expect you to finish above. I think West Brom will do their usual thing of playing well but not pressing home their advantage in games they're the better side in. In what way are Birmingham and West Ham lesser? We finished above West Brom in the relegation season and ahead of them again last season, since then they haven't improved more then us, I'd absolutely expect to finish above them (even if we didn't sign the likes of Ben Arfa). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
afar Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Blackpool are the only team I'd definitely expect you to finish above. I think West Brom will do their usual thing of playing well but not pressing home their advantage in games they're the better side in. In what way are Birmingham and West Ham lesser? We finished above West Brom in the relegation season and ahead of them again last season, since then they haven't improved more then us, I'd absolutely expect to finish above them (even if we didn't sign the likes of Ben Arfa). And we finished comfortably ahead of them. West Brom, were awful defensively last year, if they perform like that in the Prem they'll be shipping shed loads. Absolutelly expecting us to finish higher than them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 We could easily play the 4-2-3-1 formation with HBA and KPB in the team. Guthrie and Barton are capable of playing some sumptuous balls forward and with quality like Ben Arfa, Boateng and Routledge further up field Carroll would get a bagful. Agree in principle, just fixed a small detail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
QBG Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Yeah would work with Routledge as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 That Christian Larrson who goes by the name of FreddieBoswell7 on Twitter reckons we're in for Kevin-Prince Boateng but expects him to go to Italy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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