Isn't it about time we went 4-5-1 (4-3-3)?

[Yiddo1982]

We were easily stifled today. THe CM pairing struggled to penetrate, whilst the wide men rarely made an impact.

Surely now is the time to at least work on a 4-5-1 (4-3-3) in training, so we have the option of at least implementing something different when things aren't working out....I'd even be starting with this formation on occasions.

We have had the summer to work on developing a Plan B, but it still seems we don't have one. This was almost our un-doing in the race for fourth last year, with a few dissapointing defeats against 'park the bus' outfits.

Also, we do have the players for this, bar the striker, arguably, which will hopefully be rectified within the next 72 hours.

When deployed in the 4-5-1 (4-3-3) formation, doubling up on Lennon or Bale will create oodles of space for Huddlestone and Modric to pull the strings and find the killer pass.

Would something like this have worked today?

----------Cudicini----------

Kaboul----King--Dawson--BAE

-----------Wilson-----------

------Huddles---Krancjar----

Lennon------------------Bale

------------Pav-----------

With the rumoured signings, and injuries permitting, this formation could work very well:


---------GOMES------------

CORLUKA-KING-DAWSON-BAE

---------DIARRA------------

---HUDDLES---MODRIC-----

LENNON---------------BALE

----------FABIANO--------

Bale could get 15 goals a season from there, and the extra space could see Hudd and Modric push on and score more. :shrug:

I'm just disappointed in a lack of Plan B today.

 

[wizgell]

About 20 minutes in we were saying at the game we should have gone 3-5-2. The 4-4-2 just wasn't working and Wigan were no threat to our back 4. I'm not jumping on the Redknapp critic bandwagon, however I do feel that at times he lacks that tactical bravery. It was clear our system wasn't working, and he simply changed the personnel.

 

[Legend10]

oh my!

 

[talkshowhost86]

4-3-3 isn't the be all and end all of winning. United played 4-4-2 pretty successfully today and Chelsea have played 4-4-2 in the last year or so at times.

We don't need to definitely start with 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 but we need to have the capability to do both.

 

[Rackybear]

4-5-1 is more of a defensive formation for me and so would have not helped at all today, as all it would have meant was that we pack out the midfield against a team who stick 10 behind the ball (not really needed?).

3-5-2 would have been better as we would have been more of an attacking threat, but also more susceptible to the counter attack.

I think 4-4-2 at home is fine.

 

[Yiddo1982]

4-3-3 isn't the be all and end all of winning. United played 4-4-2 pretty successfully today and Chelsea have played 4-4-2 in the last year or so at times.

We don't need to definitely start with 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 but we need to have the capability to do both.

I'm not advocating the formations full-time employment; just the option to have it in our arsenal. ( excuse my French )

 

[Samson]

I think the problem is with our 4-4-2 is that it is very rigid. No natural 10 to pull off the centre halves, 2 head down wingers, but no breaking midfielder. Prem teams don't get bullied in the air, either.

 

[stevenqoz]

Before you answer that question ask yourself what it takes to play that way. As a long time coach I have only had two players in 18 years who could play up front in a 4 5 1. The player needs to be strong, pacy, able to hold the ball up well and possess deep stamina reserves. I can't see anyone on our roster who fits the bill at the moment.

 

[cwy21]

We had trouble between the CM's and the strikers. Thats what a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 fixes.

The problem is, we don't have someone who can play lone striker.

 

[StockSpur]

4 wins 5 draws and 1 loss?

 

[DerrySpur]

the problem yesterday was the over reliance on bale/lennon and became too predictable, we had nothing through the middle. huddlestone had an off day and palacios is generally just not comfortable on the ball. with modric in there it may have provided more creative options.as mentioned in a previous thread i would really like to see our centre midfielders to push on and get more shots on goal, particularly in these type of games.gettin it wide and getting crosses in will not work all the time, we need plenty of varaition.
4-3-3 is something that worked really well at stoke last wk but not sure if it really would have made a difference yesterday. it is a system i expect us to use more often this season ,particularly in europe and tough pl away games, however as stevenqoz mentioned we currently don't have that typical number 9 striker who can play up effectively up on his own.

here's hoping we get this player b4 tues, don't think rossi is the answer as he is quite similar to defoe. i personally would love to see fabiano but despite recent itks, i just can't see this happening.

 

[Black]

Probably should have put jenas on