AFCON - Who's going to be hardest hit? And how will it benefit us?

[Frogfish]

AFCON (21st Dec thru 18th Jan.).
When will the players report for international duty? FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) state that players called up for an international tournament must be released by their clubs and start to travel “no later than Monday morning the week preceding the week” that the tournament begins.

First off the full list (so far) is here : https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3w9vv22xx0o

Worst hit BY FAR (seven !!! missing) are Sunderland. Unfortunately we play them (3rd Dec.) well before the date players have to report.

Wolves are going to miss 5 - they are well and truly fucked and a cert for relegation. We play them on the 27th Dec.

United will lose 3 players but all potentially part of their starting team. Mbuemo, Diallo and Mazraoui. Unfortunately we don't play them during this period.

Spurs will lose Sarr and Bissouma (if fit to go). We play them on 20th Dec.

Fulham will miss Iwobi, defender Calvin Bassey and winger Samuel Chukwueze. We play them on the 4th Jan.

Burnley wil miss Tuanzebe, striker Lyle Foster and Hannibal Mejbri. We play them on the 18th Jan.

No-one else we play lose more than one and Arsenal none.

 

[KopRed]

So it has come to this.
Am not interested at all.
Like it's really none of my business.
AFCON is shit.
Had to say it.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

Never thought I'd say this, but this time losing Salah may well make us a better team.

 

[Brizzle]

AFCON gives us the opportunity to try 442. What I fear is that around AFCON we will get Frimpong back and just start playing him at RW instead.

This is a one month opportunity to test the evolution of this team. I hope Slot takes it. I also hope the players step up - and that in itself is a sign that some players don't give it their all as they just rely on Mo to bail them out.

 

[keniget]

AFCON gives us the opportunity to try 442. What I fear is that around AFCON we will get Frimpong back and just start playing him at RW instead.

This is a one month opportunity to test the evolution of this team. I hope Slot takes it. I also hope the players step up - and that in itself is a sign that some players don't give it their all as they just rely on Mo to bail them out.

How does 4-4-2 work in terms of the midfield?

 

[JohnnyRocket]

How does 4-4-2 work in terms of the midfield?

I guess this:

- - - - - Gravenberch
Szobo - - - - - - - - -MacAllister
- - - - - - - -Wirtz
- - - Ekitike - - - - - Isak

Although this may be more fluid:

- - - - - Gravenberch - - MacAllister
- -Szobo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wirtz
- - - - - - - Ekitike - - - - - Isak

 

[Brizzle]

Yep the first one from Johnny.

I might be wrong, but we will never know unless we play that team. I think our players are best suited to a 442 diamond

------Gravy-----
Szobo----Macca
------Wirtz

It might turn more into a box

---Gravy---Macca---
---Szobo---Wirtz----

But I think these formations allow us to have one of the full backs more attacking (allowing Frim or Kerkez back into the side) and then two forwards more central.

It gives fluidity where Wirtz could push forward and play like a false 9, but also lets the forwards play more narrow. I see it working well with Ekitike & Isak. Gakpo can also play in this formation. I think Salah can make it work too versus being isolated on the wing.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I do like the idea of Wirtz drifting in from the left and having two strikers in front of him when he does.