One signing away

[Fiery Zac 1,066]

Yes I know it’s been mentioned a few times.

A DM to sit and allow Gilmour to dictate the pace (like Leitner alongside Tettey) with PLM as a box to box. I like the 4-3-2-1 we used yesterday and think it’s a good system for the season. It allows the freedom for the full backs to get forward with a bit more security centrally. Cantwell likes to come inside and Rashica showed promise at being someone dangerous when running at goal. No10 has always been a debatable position for us too, Vrancic never comfortable there, McLean better deeper, Buendia never really tried (and after yesterday maybe we can see why - Villa fans not happy) etc. Not since Wes have we had a really effective no10 and in the PL we can’t afford luxuries and square pegs…

So a starting 11 of

 

Krul

Aarons  Hanley  Gibson  Giannoulis

Gilmour  DM  PLM

Rashica  Cantwell

Pukki

looks pretty decent to me and more than enough quality to get some results. With Sargent/Idah and Tzolis pushing for starts we also have some good competition for places.

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,749]

We need a Gary Megson of the start of the 92/93 season type 

 

[Fiery Zac 1,066]

Reading through various threads about yesterday the consensus seems to be we’ll revert back to 4-2-3-1 with a DM signed.

Am I the only one that liked the formation yesterday? Needs a DM to sit in between Gilmour and PLM but I like the look of Lees Melou and with a DM he will have more freedom to get forward to be an option around the box - without being an out and out no10 (an upgrade on Howson/Fer).

Gives our extremely talented full backs (Giannoulis our best player by a mile yesterday) more freedom to push forward which in turn means Cantwell and Rashica can roam centrally and wide. When this happened yesterday, Cantwell was able to supply Pukki with the sort of ball he thrives off, that it happened once in the game is a disappointment but probably more to do with the fact we were playing Liverpool than playing without a no10.

Its a system that works for Liverpool, I’d like to see us continue with it.

[cambridgeshire canary 6,716]

I did question Gilmor playing as a defensive midfielder when I saw the lineup. 

[Aggy 755]

Gil our a little out of position defensively a few times, which is concerning as even with a DM he would need to track runners better.

I’m not sure a DM would have made a huge amount of difference yesterday, and I actually thought the system looked okay. Quality opposition, couple of lapses in concentration the issue.

[Yellow and Green 334]

2 minutes ago, Fiery Zac said:

Reading through various threads about yesterday the consensus seems to be we’ll revert back to 4-2-3-1 with a DM signed.

Am I the only one that liked the formation yesterday? Needs a DM to sit in between Gilmour and PLM but I like the look of Lees Melou and with a DM he will have more freedom to get forward to be an option around the box - without being an out and out no10 (an upgrade on Howson/Fer).

Gives our extremely talented full backs (Giannoulis our best player by a mile yesterday) more freedom to push forward which in turn means Cantwell and Rashica can roam centrally and wide. When this happened yesterday, Cantwell was able to supply Pukki with the sort of ball he thrives off, that it happened once in the game is a disappointment but probably more to do with the fact we were playing Liverpool than playing without a no10.

Its a system that works for Liverpool, I’d like to see us continue with it.

I like the fact that we have the option to play 4-3-3. It gives us the opportunity to populate the midfield and hit teams on the counter.

Having said that, I do like the proposition of having Tzolis, Cantwell and Rashica behind Pukki, in our familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

A physical DM presence is a must for us. Rupp is a decent player but he doesn't have the attributes to be able to make any real impact at PL level.

[Terminally Yellow 2,448]

38 minutes ago, GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary said:

We need a Gary Megson of the start of the 92/93 season type 

Everyone needs a Gary Megson in their life.

[Capt. Pants 4,228]

Yesterday's defects were largely formation not signings.

That said it is clear we need  DM to sit allowing other mids to support the attackers.

We need specialist cover at FB too especially at this level.

[horsefly 4,298]

48 minutes ago, Fiery Zac said:

Reading through various threads about yesterday the consensus seems to be we’ll revert back to 4-2-3-1 with a DM signed.

Am I the only one that liked the formation yesterday?

Nope! I'm completely with you on that one, and I think Farke is too. It allows for greater defensive solidity, and an emhasis on a quicker counter-attacking style of play. The issue will be how to fit Pukki's natural abilities into that style. Perhaps Sargent's impressive cameo yesterday may presage him starting a few games to see if he can get on the end of those impressive Rashica crosses.

Edited August 15, 2021 by horsefly

[Aggy 755]

2 minutes ago, horsefly said:

Nope! I'm completely with you on that one, and I think Farke is too. It allows for greater defensive solidity, and an emhasis on a quicker counter-attacking style of play. The issue will be how to fit Pukki's natural abilities into that style. Perhaps Sargent's impressive cameo yesterday may presage him starting a few games to see if he can get on the end of those impressive Rascica crosses.

Agreed. I think in the 433 formation particularly, Pukki needs to restrict his instinct to come deep and be everywhere. Even yesterday there were times he was putting in a shift at right back! That’s not to be criticised at all, but in the 433/4321 especially, without that central attacking midfielder who can stay high if Pukki goes deep, you need that central striker to hold position. He does like to get in behind and makes very clever runs off the last man, so I think he’s very capable of being the main striker in a 433, but might need to be more disciplined in this system.

[glory.win or die. 270]

Anyone else hoping skipp plays today and man City rip spurs apart just so they have a rethink onoaning him out.

We need a really strong nasty CDM I think, not just as defensive cover but one who will shout at cantwell or Gilmour or any other player out of position.

[Pegz 3]

If we had Skipp in the side yesterday do you think the outcome would have been any different? 

 

 

[Worthy Nigelton 1,044]

3 minutes ago, Pegz said:

If we had Skipp in the side yesterday do you think the outcome would have been any different? 

 

 

Not yesterday as Liverpool are one of only four teams that can win the league and ultimately if they're playing well (as they were yesterday) it doesnt matter who we put in the starting line up, but he may make a difference against the other 15 teams in the league.

[East Rider 549]

8 minutes ago, Pegz said:

If we had Skipp in the side yesterday do you think the outcome would have been any different? 

 

 

I suspect the outcome might not have been but there is a good chance the result would.

As mentioned it's not the result against the Liverpools of this league that will particularly hurt us. However, a committed and tenacious Oliver Skipp can (I believe) make a difference against most other teams in this league.

 

 

[RobertRosariosBeefTomatoes 31]

Would like to see Sorensen in that position ahead of Rupp. Thought Rupp was ok yesterday but Sorensen's defensive ability would be key in there.

[BigFish 1,986]

2 hours ago, Fiery Zac said:

Reading through various threads about yesterday the consensus seems to be we’ll revert back to 4-2-3-1 with a DM signed.

Am I the only one that liked the formation yesterday? Needs a DM to sit in between Gilmour and PLM but I like the look of Lees Melou and with a DM he will have more freedom to get forward to be an option around the box - without being an out and out no10 (an upgrade on Howson/Fer).

Gives our extremely talented full backs (Giannoulis our best player by a mile yesterday) more freedom to push forward which in turn means Cantwell and Rashica can roam centrally and wide. When this happened yesterday, Cantwell was able to supply Pukki with the sort of ball he thrives off, that it happened once in the game is a disappointment but probably more to do with the fact we were playing Liverpool than playing without a no10.

Its a system that works for Liverpool, I’d like to see us continue with it.

I think it pretty much works for us with the personnel we have, or could have when the window closes. Gilmour is best very deep, but isn't a defensive player. So effectively he ends up playing alongside the two deeper midfielders that we are used.

[Mr. Raumdeuter III 77]

I agree that we will look to sign a new midfielder. Not a traditional screener/destroyer though. My reason for this is the evidence in the pursuit of Billing, and the long-standing link with him. He’s the type of player we’re after. He’s usually deployed as an 8 or a 10, and he’s also left footed. Very important subtlety when thinking about where he’d play. He’s not the type of player to sit infront, or in between the CB in possession of the football. I believe Gilmour was signed to play the Kalvin Phillips Leeds role for us, as a deep lying playmaker to help us efficiently pass around a high press. I don’t mind it all, as much as it worries me and makes me a little nervous, as it’s the next-step and growth to being a Farkeball team. A proper high quality distributor in one of the key areas of the pitch to play our style effectively. 
I believe the signing we make will be a number 8 in the box-to-box Rupp/McLean role but hopefully a significant upgrade. Someone who is both tidy at feet, has an engine and can help break up play. My betting is it will also be a player with height, as this player (off the ball) could drop into a back 3 when out of position to give Aarons and Giannoulis cover to press in wide positions as proper Wing backs. 
 

Yes, everyone is correct to suggest a defensive midfielder I’m just not sure that’s how Farke is looking to play this season. 

[astro 360]

How wonderful to read a well thought out, informed, and respectful to others opinions thread on here. My thanks to all participants - it’s a great read. 

[Don’t be Krul 399]

I completely agree. I said on other threads that Skipp made a huge difference in the Champs protecting the back 4 and that was the foundation of our success. All good PL teams have someone who is either an enforcer and / or reads the game well. Fernandinho/Rodri at Man Citeh, Kante at Chelsea, Fred/McTominay Man U, Fabinho at Liverpool, Ndidi at Leicester. No coincidence that these teams are and will be at the top of the league. Skipp may or may not be ready for the PL, IMHO I believe he is and would love to see him back for a season. Either way, a CDM is absolutely key in this league

[pete 319]

To play 3 at the back necessitates a new CB.

DM at least try Sorensen there in next 3 games, 3 games where we can try to get the fitness up a notch.  3 games where we are unlikely to pick up points.

Bournemouth fixture success or not will depend on the side they put out but feel we need to select a strong side perhaps with the three new signings forming the attacking force.

Billing playing as AM this season possibly not so keen on DM, scored in all 3 games.

Interrupted pre season use next three to get up to level needed.  And maybe points from Arsenal onwards.  

[Fiery Zac 1,066]

47 minutes ago, pete said:

To play 3 at the back necessitates a new CB.

DM at least try Sorensen there in next 3 games, 3 games where we can try to get the fitness up a notch.  3 games where we are unlikely to pick up points.

Bournemouth fixture success or not will depend on the side they put out but feel we need to select a strong side perhaps with the three new signings forming the attacking force.

Billing playing as AM this season possibly not so keen on DM, scored in all 3 games.

Interrupted pre season use next three to get up to level needed.  And maybe points from Arsenal onwards.  

Whilst unlikely, we can’t just write off the next 3 games in favour of fitness. As good as it was to finally get a competitive 90 mins for a lot of players yesterday, we still need to be working towards our preferred formation/tactics and best 11 rather than just play for minutes.
 

Tough games certainly but as we showed 2 seasons ago, the next two opponents are beatable and Brentford have shown Arsenal are really nothing special. We could be Artetas last opponents as Arsenal manager.

[Sean 11]

Definitely agree with this. Thought the midfield was OK yesterday and liked gilmour's range of passing. Skipp playing alongside gilmour would make so much difference I think..one can dream!