A change of formation in the summer?

[ChRiStOpHe]

Ta Mr Pete :up:

It's certainly out there, but every new idea's gotta start somewhere

 

[SpurSince57]

I think we'd be very vulnerable down the left, TBH, Chris, and I don't see Bale as a realistic option as LB just yet; his tackling hasn't impressed me at all, and when I checked the stats on the Telegraph I found it was actually worse than I'd thought—the weakest in the entire squad, forwards included. That's got to improve significantly before he takes on the role on a regular basis.

 

[idlepete]

Ta Mr Pete :up:

It's certainly out there, but every new idea's gotta start somewhere

True. And if the four attacking players are good enough (like with Brazil) and you can get them playing fluidly, switching positions etc, then there's no reason it couldn't work brilliantly. We need to get the basics sorted before we get that advanced though.

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

I think we'd be very vulnerable down the left, TBH, Chris, and I don't see Bale as a realistic option as LB just yet; his tackling hasn't impressed me at all, and when I checked the stats on the Telegraph I found it was actually worse than I'd thought—the weakest in the entire squad, forwards included. That's got to improve significantly before he takes on the role on a regular basis.

I agree that Bale's not the player he will be yet, but I still think he's suited to the system.

Bale's main role in the side would be to attack (it's got a touch of the Brazilian style about it), and play more as a midfielder/winger. Poulsen would be essential, with a large chunk of his job being to cover Bale. Gilberto - who plays and almost identical role for the national side - could also take the role.

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

True. And if the four attacking players are good enough (like with Brazil) and you can get them playing fluidly, switching positions etc, then there's no reason it couldn't work brilliantly. We need to get the basics sorted before we get that advanced though.

Ain't that the truth :up:

 

[hellava_tough]

Thanks for this article, Christophe. It's been enjoyable to read. Makes a change from people slagging each other off.

I think it would work if we started with a 4-4-2 and then sporadically changed to your formation, and then back, as the match progressed.

That way, lesser managers (mentioning no names, Kev) wouldn't know what hit them. Even the better managers probably wouldn't have enough time to change their systems until it was too late.

 

[van_Pommel]

Thats true actually. All it would take is to tell Diego to move into the whole when he feels he can do the most damage, and tell Poulsen to look out for this and cover him when he does.

 

[AngerManagement]

really!!?? I think 90% of Italians (including myself) will tell you otherwise!!

Agreed, when I was in Rome my cousins were raving about Amelia (they see him all the time being keen seria a fans ...Roma/Lazio respectively)

 

[Legend10]

I think we'd be very vulnerable down the left, TBH, Chris, and I don't see Bale as a realistic option as LB just yet; his tackling hasn't impressed me at all, and when I checked the stats on the Telegraph I found it was actually worse than I'd thought—the weakest in the entire squad, forwards included. That's got to improve significantly before he takes on the role on a regular basis.

Bale was only available to Ramos 3 times, and 3 times he started him at LB.

I think Ramos very mich sees Bale as an option at LB and rightly so. With Gilberto (who i've seen little of) apparently being able to play both left side roles I think there will be plenty of occasions next season where we see bale rolled out as LB and if the rumours of Capel are true and he signed I would fully expect our 1st choice left side next season to be Bale behind Capel with Gilberto and Steed around for good measure.

 

[michaelden]

maybe Gil ill be put on the LW when fit

 

[hellava_tough]

Am I the only person who thinks Gilberto will be the bollocks because he's Brazil's left-back? :shrug:

Never seen the guy play. Perhaps I'm being naive or opptimistic.

Or both.

 

[van_Pommel]

Bale was only available to Ramos 3 times, and 3 times he started him at LB.

I think Ramos very mich sees Bale as an option at LB and rightly so. With Gilberto (who i've seen little of) apparently being able to play both left side roles I think there will be plenty of occasions next season where we see bale rolled out as LB and if the rumours of Capel are true and he signed I would fully expect our 1st choice left side next season to be Bale behind Capel with Gilberto and Steed around for good measure.

He played centre midfield for Hertha a few times and did really well from what I hear.

 

[Juande]

Juande, why do you say that?

I say it because i have always liked Lennon and still, do and i really hope he can prove me wrong, but many times this season and last i have thought that there are areas of his game that have not improved, i would like to se him take on players more, and yes before you all start he can beat any player for pace, but i think he needs to work at his final ball which is very poor, and become more consistent. i really want Lennon to prove me wrong, but his does not seem to have improved for a couple of season, compared to other like wright phillips, although i would say his defending has improved under Ramos. so i have some hope

 

[hellava_tough]

Juande, I don't think I agree that Lennon will not be first choice next year, because that would mean us buying a right-winger, unless Malbranque plays there.

I do, however, agree with you that Lennon needs to improve. He doesn't take players on as much as he should and his final ball, as you said, is poor.

However, Ronaldo was a bit like that when he first moved to the Premiership, and he's developed into the player he is now through first team appearences.

 

[Juande]

Juande, I don't think I agree that Lennon will not be first choice next year, because that would mean us buying a right-winger, unless Malbranque plays there.

I do, however, agree with you that Lennon needs to improve. He doesn't take players on as much as he should and his final ball, as you said, is poor.

However, Ronaldo was a bit like that when he first moved to the Premiership, and he's developed into the player he is now through first team appearences.

Fair enough but this is Lennons third seasons at the top flight as compared to Ronaldo whi improved every season, to be fair Lennon has probably gone backwards, ie why he is playing in the under 21 again.

 

[hellava_tough]

Fair enough but this is Lennons third seasons at the top flight as compared to Ronaldo whi improved every season, to be fair Lennon has probably gone backwards, ie why he is playing in the under 21 again.

Fair comments.

However, I think you have to take into consideration the craziness that has being doing on at the club since Lennon joined; namely the whole Jol saga, and the fact that some of Jol's coaching methods (eg fitness) did not impress the board.

Also, when Lennon first turned up on the scene, he was an unknown quantity. Now players and coaches know what he can do and take steps to counter act him.

Added to this, we haven't had a left sided midfielder in the team, or a really good attacking central midfielder in the team. When we sign these two players the midfield will have 3 outlets for pacey attack, as opposed to 1 in Lennon. This will give Lennon more space and time to create.

Overall, I'd like to think that Lennon will improve a lot under Ramos, especially next season.

 

[van_Pommel]

Can someone explain to me why the hell Lennon takes our corners! He is awful at corners! Every single one gets headed away by the first man. If we must persist with letting him take them then at least put someone on the front post to try and get a flick on!

 

[hellava_tough]

Can someone explain to me why the hell Lennon takes our corners! He is awful at corners! Every single one gets headed away by the first man. If we must persist with letting him take them then at least put someone on the front post to try and get a flick on!

I would imagine that Ramos wants big, strong players in the box to attack the ball.

Even at the front post, Lennon would be out-muscled, and wouldn't pose much of a threat.

 

[Juande]

Fair comments.

However, I think you have to take into consideration the craziness that has being doing on at the club since Lennon joined; namely the whole Jol saga, and the fact that some of Jol's coaching methods (eg fitness) did not impress the board.

Also, when Lennon first turned up on the scene, he was an unknown quantity. Now players and coaches know what he can do and take steps to counter act him.

Added to this, we haven't had a left sided midfielder in the team, or a really good attacking central midfielder in the team. When we sign these two players the midfield will have 3 outlets for pacey attack, as opposed to 1 in Lennon. This will give Lennon more space and time to create.

Overall, I'd like to think that Lennon will improve a lot under Ramos, especially next season.

I could not agree more that is why i said i hope he proves me wrong. But i just dont feel that he is progressing like he should, i did not know he was playing in the cup final until he was put on the left wing, and consistently he needs to improve, i really hope he proves me wrong, but i just at this moment do not think he is a top four player.

 

[SpurSince57]

Bale was only available to Ramos 3 times, and 3 times he started him at LB.

I think Ramos very mich sees Bale as an option at LB and rightly so. With Gilberto (who i've seen little of) apparently being able to play both left side roles I think there will be plenty of occasions next season where we see bale rolled out as LB and if the rumours of Capel are true and he signed I would fully expect our 1st choice left side next season to be Bale behind Capel with Gilberto and Steed around for good measure.

Be that as it may, Ledge, there's no guarantee he would have persisted with him there, given the degree of experimentation we've seen. And it doesn't alter the fact that Bale's tackling needs to improve significantly before he can be considered a safe option at LB, let alone first choice.