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Formation for 2019/20

H-SF

Well-Known Member
Jan 2, 2020
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I really hope Ndombele isn’t played as the most defensive of the three. It would be such a waste.

I just can’t imagine a Jose team without a defensively-minded midfielder filling in the gaps and intercepting the ball. The way football is going tactically at the moment, this player need to b quick across the ground to be effective.
Think I agree with this, if we decide to play without an out an out defensive midfielder but for example play Ndombele, GLC and Gedson in a dynamic midfield 3 then I can get behind it but I don’t think shoehorning Ndombele into being a 6 is a good idea, one of his key strengths is his progressive and powerful dribbling which obviously leaves space behind, and this would have to stop if he was forced to play deep. His creativity would also be wasted imo.
 

danielneeds

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May 5, 2004
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Think I agree with this, if we decide to play without an out an out defensive midfielder but for example play Ndombele, GLC and Gedson in a dynamic midfield 3 then I can get behind it but I don’t think shoehorning Ndombele into being a 6 is a good idea, one of his key strengths is his progressive and powerful dribbling which obviously leaves space behind, and this would have to stop if he was forced to play deep. His creativity would also be wasted imo.
I just don’t see a “dynamic midfield” being defensive enough. Look how much Liverpool improved when Fabinho started to purr. And their pressing was top notch. Just gave them a far better balance.
 

H-SF

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Jan 2, 2020
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I just don’t see a “dynamic midfield” being defensive enough. Look how much Liverpool improved when Fabinho started to purr. And their pressing was top notch. Just gave them a far better balance.
Agree to an extent but I think Fabinho’s influence on Liverpool’s output is overstated as his arrival coincided with their brilliant before Christmas last year. He didn’t start properly playing until November 2018 and they’ve been just as good whenever he’s been absent. I personally think we need a 6 though.
 
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WiganSpur

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Aug 31, 2012
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I really hope Ndombele isn’t played as the most defensive of the three. It would be such a waste.

I just can’t imagine a Jose team without a defensively-minded midfielder filling in the gaps and intercepting the ball. The way football is going tactically at the moment, this player need to b quick across the ground to be effective.
I wouldn't worry, there's no way Jose isn't targeting a DM in the summer. Across his whole career in management he's operated with one, and when he came in Dier was a regular. I think this combined with the fact Dier has been taken out of the team because he's not good enough and Wanyama has played about 15 minutes should tell you we'll be looking to bring somebody in.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
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Agree to an extent but I think Fabinho’s influence on that team is overplayed as his arrival coincided with brilliant form. He didn’t start properly playing till November 2018 and they’ve been just as good whenever he’s been absent. I personally think we need a 6 though.
No, they probably would have won the league if he’d adapted a little quicker.
 

H-SF

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Jan 2, 2020
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No, they probably would have won the league if he’d adapted a little quicker.
Not at all, they enjoyed their best form last season before Christmas when he either wasn’t playing or was still adapting. Their form post-Christmas in January cost them the title.
 
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ravo

SC Supporter
Jun 4, 2004
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A lot of good posts in here. I'm a big fan of the 4-3-3 and glad we seem to be going that way. As others have said, a 4-3-3 really is dependent on a skillful yet athletic DM. You can see why they're not easy to find. JM has been mentioned on here as saying he wants Ndombele for that right (for the time being anyway), which is interesting.

I do think Dele will fit well in the centre, next to or instead of Lo Celso with Sissoko and Gedson as the very handy back-ups. All coming together nicely.

It's also great that we're looking at pacey players, as we look so slow at times. The last piece will be new fullbacks come summer, the Max Aarons type...
 

Havre

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
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I would rather have someone like Berge than Ndidi/Kante. It sacrifices the intensity Ndidi/Kante got without the ball defending, but it gives us someone that can release the likes of N´Dombele and Lo Celso with better passing. Berge is also useful defending set pieces and crosses. Not to mention he is very fast so he can join counter attacks.

As for N´Dombele he has played as a winger. To me he is close to a perfect no. 8, but not a DM.
 

Gloryhunter

Well-Known Member
Jan 31, 2013
157
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Our CM 3 need not have a pure DM. Lo Celso. NDombele, Winks/Gedson have to be coached to be tactically disciplined not to swarm all forward when we counter. When teams attack or high press us, the CM3 must be tactically aware to close out spaces or passing channels and be ready to transit quickly to our now really pacy frontline.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
Jose seems to be looking at a 4-3-3 which turns into a 3-2-5 in possession, and a low block 4-5-1 when out of possession and after initial transition if the press fails.

Starting XI:
Lloris
Aurier Toby Sanchez Tanganga
Gedson Ndombele Lo Celso
Bergwijn Kane Son

In Possession:
Lloris
Toby Sanchez Tanganga
Gedson Ndombele
Aurier Bergwijn Kane Lo Celso Son

Low Block:
Lloris
Aurier Toby Sanchez Tanganga
Bergwijn Gedson Ndombele Lo Celso Son
Kane


 

stevenqoz

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
2,776
553
Looking at the array of small skillful fancy dans we have I'm thinking we go with the old 3 6 1 I last used with my U16's a decade ago when faced with a similar problem. Continual midfield rotation is the go with interchangeable players. Of course the problem will be who is the one up front? Probably need a big mobile lump of a player. Of course we don't have anyone like that so we will push Dier up as a makeshift target man.
 
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