LlorisThat's how we get some pace on the wings, a more solid presence in the centre and an extra man in central defence to cover for the mistakes that the other two will inevitably make.
Dier ----Toby----Sanchez
Lucas ---------------------------------- Reguilon
PEH--------Ndombele
Bale
Kane--------Son
If we could add better CBs and a proper Eriksen replacement to this side, without losing Kane or Son, we'd do well
Sanchez AND Dier before Rodon & Tanganga?
Personally speaking, if we did go with what you suggest (and I actually see the reasoning behind your thoughts) I'd have Tanganga & Rodon either side of Toby.
They're both considerably calmer than Dier & Sanchez and, in my opinion, already better 'defenders' and have a significantly higher ceiling than the often calamitous Dier & Sanchez. And they'd struggle to have a better mentor than the almost always calm & assured Alderweireld beside them.
As A&C would say. Onions!![]()
I actually like the system Mason tried to implement Sunday. I hope he sticks to it for the remaining games just with a few player changes. Having 3 in midfield allows the front players to venture forward and not leave us too exposed. Hojbjerg was covering to the right and Lo Celso to the left. That allowed Son and Moura to push on. The trouble is against City we just couldn't get on the ball enough. If we can on the ball more I would look to play Ndombele central but not dropping to deep. Lo Celso and Ndombele putting fires out either side and playing more box to box.
Lloris
Aurier----Alderweireld----Rodon----Reguilon
Hojbjerg----Ndombele----Lo Celso
Bale----Kane----Son
I actually like the system Mason tried to implement Sunday. I hope he sticks to it for the remaining games just with a few player changes. Having 3 in midfield allows the front players to venture forward and not leave us too exposed. Hojbjerg was covering to the right and Lo Celso to the left. That allowed Son and Moura to push on. The trouble is against City we just couldn't get on the ball enough. If we can on the ball more I would look to play Ndombele central but not dropping to deep. Lo Celso and Ndombele putting fires out either side and playing more box to box.
Lloris
Aurier----Alderweireld----Rodon----Reguilon
Hojbjerg----Ndombele----Lo Celso
Bale----Kane----Son
Sanchez did well as part of a three man defence in his first season but has generally been poor since we switched back to two CBs, and Dier's best two seasons for us came as first a DM sitting just in front of the two CBs, and then as part of a three man CB team. I don't see either fulfilling the potential they looked like they had in about 2017 but I think both would benefit from going back to three at the back.
I would love to see Rodon and Tanganga coming through and replacing them - always good to see young talent, particularly home grown like Tanganga, breaking into the side, but when our defending has poor as it has this season and neither of those two have been able to step up and make a first team spot their own, I start to worry about whether they'll ever be good enough - I know Tanganga has been injured but even still.
We have actually played 4-3-3 at times this season. For example, against Man City it was a flat three in CM - Hojbjerg, Winks & Lo Celso. I really wish we had been playing 4-2-3-1, because out of possession City passed straight through us (the 3rd CM was redundant) and in possession we had no CAM to link the attack and midfield.Everyone always says that but I don't see it that way; formations affect lineups, which in turn affect games.
I agree that we need a more consistent CB pairing. While I hope Tanganga and Rodon can become top CBs and form a strong partnership, I haven't yet seen anything to suggest they will be the next Toby & Jan or Rio & Vidic etc. I think we need to sign a more proven and experienced CB, with the two of them competing to become the regular partner to the new signing. That's a more realistic way of achieving a solid defence, rather than putting the team in the hands of what would almost certainly be the youngest and least experienced CB pairing in the league. To plan the squad around the hope that two out of two players with potential will fulfil their potential would be extremely naive.Long term, whether it's 3 at the back, or a flat back 4. I think Tanganga & Rodon could (should) be at the heart of our back line, building up a partnership that could last a decade & actually provide some consistency in our defence. Hopefully seeing the end of the constant chopping & changing we're getting in recent times.
Even simpletons like all of us on this site are able to realise that the one area of the pitch that requires a constant when it comes to team selection, is the defence. With Reguilon (24), Tanganga (22) & Rodon (23) we have 3 very good young options to build upon. If we can find/add a 4th young option for RB, we really could build on something.
I have thought myself that Moura would make a decent RWB. A couple of times this season when Doherty was struggling in a back five I thought we should have switched Moura in for him in the second half.LlorisThat's how we get some pace on the wings, a more solid presence in the centre and an extra man in central defence to cover for the mistakes that the other two will inevitably make.
Dier ----Toby----Sanchez
Lucas ---------------------------------- Reguilon
PEH--------Ndombele
Bale
Kane--------Son
If we could add better CBs and a proper Eriksen replacement to this side, without losing Kane or Son, we'd do well
I agree that we need a more consistent CB pairing. While I hope Tanganga and Rodon can become top CBs and form a strong partnership, I haven't yet seen anything to suggest they will be the next Toby & Jan or Rio & Vidic etc. I think we need to sign a more proven and experienced CB, with the two of them competing to become the regular partner to the new signing. That's a more realistic way of achieving a solid defence, rather than putting the team in the hands of what would almost certainly be the youngest and least experienced CB pairing in the league. To plan the squad around the hope that two out of two players with potential will fulfil their potential would be extremely naive.
In my defence. I've never been known for intelligence.
One of your best posts you've ever made on SC