Ballers and Balance

[Stevesquash]

So with Wirtz, Ekitike in the starting line up (and i know the opposition wasnt great) and with more cover behind Wirtz we really seemed to click going forward. Ekitike thinking more on Flos level and the rest fitting in around.

The deeper Szob and jones gave a platform.

I think most of us think this worked well, but was 442 the best formation for this very basic underlying structure?

Could it be accomodated in a 433 then it would make room for Chiesa (cough) Cody and Isak?

Would you stick with 442 or is there an (even) better way of gelling these players?

 

[rurikbird]

That’s a great question. It seems like Slot started by trying to build a bespoke system to accommodate Wirtz - which sounds like exactly what one should do for your record signing, but instead this lead to the whole system grinding to a halt and in turn undermining Wirtz. Now with this 4-4-2 he went to plan B - stick the new guy in a less optimal position for him (RW), but this way at least others can mostly play to their strengths. This seemed to work well, but then it was just one game and there is a still a question what you do with Salah.

It would be a brave decision, but if Slot could drop Salah for Brentford this would allow to continue working on this idea and try to build on it. But he won’t do it and with Salah in current form, our possession and presing game will suffer, leading to yet anothet of those disjointed see-saw games we’ve been seeing since the start of the season.

 

[Farkmaster]

I get that we want to see this be the path to success, but I think that if we went into the next game with the same approach, we will just get fucked. I can't think of a more stupid way to play against us than how Frankfurt did.

There's nothing wrong with a 4-3-3 but we can't play two shadows of players as the front three, and we need the midfield three to find some form too.

 

[Modo]

Honestly, I think you guys a drawing too many conclusions based on one game against a terrible side.
Just play the in-form players. That's it.

 

[Stevesquash]

Honestly, I think you guys a drawing too many conclusions based on one game against a terrible side.
Just play the in-form players. That's it.

And you really don't think the formation in which we play them is important?

 

[Modo]

And you really don't think the formation in which we play them is important?

Not really no, because Gravy will come back into the line up. The only reason we played the way we did against Frankfurt was because we were missing him. You'll see on Saturday.
If Gravy is fit, he'll go back to the regular line up. Gakpo, Ekitike and Salah up front. Gravy, Szobo and probably Jones in the middle.
Wirtz, Chiesa and the rest will come on in the second half to save us from losing 😉

 

[Stevesquash]

That’s a great question. It seems like Slot started by trying to build a bespoke system to accommodate Wirtz - which sounds like exactly what one should do for your record signing, but instead this lead to the whole system grinding to a halt and in turn undermining Wirtz. Now with this 4-4-2 he went to plan B - stick the new guy in a less optimal position for him (RW), but this way at least others can mostly play to their strengths. This seemed to work well, but then it was just one game and there is a still a question what you do with Salah.

It would be a brave decision, but if Slot could drop Salah for Brentford this would allow to continue working on this idea and try to build on it. But he won’t do it and with Salah in current form, our possession and presing game will suffer, leading to a disjointed see-saw games we’ve been seeing since the start of the season.

Surely he has to keep Salah (and Mac) dropped for Brentford?

He's really making a rod for his own back if he brings him back in. The only time we've looked potent and he brings back one of the main causes of the impotency. It makes us less likely to get a result and fans will lose more faith in Slot if that happens.

 

[rurikbird]

Surely he has to keep Salah (and Mac) dropped for Brentford?

He's really making a rod for his own back if he brings him back in. The only time we've looked potent and he brings back one of the main causes of the impotency. It makes us less likely to get a result and fans will lose more faith in Slot if that happens.

I think he will drop Macca - he’s been consistently underwhelming this season and Jones, Szobo, Gravvy and now Wirtz should all be ahead of him in the pecking order in midfield.

Salah is a much more difficult conversation…

 

[rubans]

I would hope he keeps it the same but with Gravvy back. Hope we can find a way to be more solid, still looked easy to break through though.

 

[Frogfish]

So with Wirtz, Ekitike in the starting line up (and i know the opposition wasnt great) and with more cover behind Wirtz we really seemed to click going forward. Ekitike thinking more on Flos level and the rest fitting in around.

The deeper Szob and jones gave a platform.

I think most of us think this worked well, but was 442 the best formation for this very basic underlying structure?

Could it be accomodated in a 433 then it would make room for Chiesa (cough) Cody and Isak?

Would you stick with 442 or is there an (even) better way of gelling these players?

It wasn't 4-4-2 though. Out of possession, yes it was, but in possession it was 3-5-2 morphing into 3-2-5. With either Jones or Szobo dropping back to create the 3 deep.

 

[Frogfish]

Honestly, I think you guys a drawing too many conclusions based on one game against a terrible side.
Just play the in-form players. That's it.

But we did play the in-form players - and look what happened ! We've played just as poor teams this season and not buried them (still won but not with the same ease).

 

[Frogfish]

There's nothing wrong with a 4-3-3 but we can't play two shadows of players as the front three, and we need the midfield three to find some form too.

And that is the crux of it.

 

[tomasjj]

A skewed 442, like Real with Zidane starting position out wide left, a bit forward.