Player Watch - Tanguy Ndombele

[COYS Forever]

We play in a pivot, too-- but if, say, Winks were leaving we wouldn't be trying to land a DCM as his replacement, right? I mean DCM and CM are, in fact, two very different things, no? One shields the back four and almost never bombs forward (Dier, Wanyama) whilst the other is the guy who receives it from the DCM (or just gets it himself) and then sets about igniting our offense, either via passing (Modric) or dribbling (Dembele) through the opposition's defense, primarily in the center of the park- correct?

Not doubting you at all mate-- just honestly trying to figure it out. To me a # 6 is a DCM, period- a guy whose primary job is being a defender, while a # 8 is far more of a "Push it/move it forward/get us going up the other way"-type of guy, which is not at all the same thing. Where am I wrong? (And again: this is not said as a challenge to you-- rather just an honest question)

In a double pivot you actually don’t need a #6 (typical holding DM e.g. Wanyama, Dier) if both in the pivot are capable at defending.

A double pivot works by one of the central midfielders pushing forward to link up with the attack, while the other sits back and provides cover. Often teams will use a #6 with a #8 in a double pivot, where the majority of the time the #6 acts as the sitting player which allows the #8 to roam forward.

However, the double pivot can be played with two #8’s, who are at least both competent when it comes to their defensive duties. When one pushes forward, the other covers and vice versa. This adds an element of unpredictability and variety, as this doesn’t rely on one individual to be responsible for linking the defence and the attack (which was one issue which Poch mentioned when playing Dembele, as when he sat next to Wanyama or Dier all of our play went through Dembele and we became predictable).

So, I could potentially see a pivot of Ndombele with Winks/Sissoko (or even just Winks and Sissoko which we often used this season, if Tanguy is unavailable). Winks and Ndombele are both defensively sound, and can each link defence to attack extremely well so could prove to be very effective against teams that sit back, as well as both being insanely press resistant. Sissoko can always be rotated in if we need more defensive cover.

 

[Gbspurs]

Or Modric.

Or Carrick

 

[C0YS]

In a double pivot you actually don’t need a #6 (typical holding DM e.g. Wanyama, Dier) if both in the pivot are capable at defending.

A double pivot works by one of the central midfielders pushing forward to link up with the attack, while the other sits back and provides cover. Often teams will use a #6 with a #8 in a double pivot, where the majority of the time the #6 acts as the sitting player which allows the #8 to roam forward.

However, the double pivot can be played with two #8’s, who are at least both competent when it comes to their defensive duties. When one pushes forward, the other covers and vice versa. This adds an element of unpredictability and variety, as this doesn’t rely on one individual to be responsible for linking the defence and the attack (which was one issue which Poch mentioned when playing Dembele, as when he sat next to Wanyama or Dier all of our play went through Dembele and we became predictable).

So, I could potentially see a pivot of Ndombele with Winks/Sissoko (or even just Winks and Sissoko which we often used this season, if Tanguy is unavailable). Winks and Ndombele are both defensively sound, and can each link defence to attack extremely well so could prove to be very effective against teams that sit back, as well as both being insanely press resistant. Sissoko can always be rotated in if we need more defensive cover.

While it's possible its very unusual for top teams to play with two '8's', or box to box players, not since the 90s. I certainly can't think of any that come to mind. Rotating players is very hard to effectively make work defensively or offensively, Particularly when most of a defensive midfielders job these days is protecting the flanks, often by dropping between the two CB. Its not really about getting a few tackles in, but rather about discipline, reading the game and decision making.

In any case Winks played most of last season as a holding midfielder, and he can do that job competently. Particularly as Sissoko does a lot of ball chasing. I do think though that Winks is better playing further forward. Get Ndombele in I suspect him and Winks will be starters. We probably do need one more defensive minded midfielder, particularly if Toby goes and Dier drops to CB. But its not an intimidate priority. At this moment Winks-Dier-Wanayama are decent in the position.

 

[Lou3000]

While it's possible its very unusual for top teams to play with two '8's', or box to box players, not since the 90s. I certainly can't think of any that come to mind. Rotating players is very hard to effectively make work defensively or offensively, Particularly when most of a defensive midfielders job these days is protecting the flanks, often by dropping between the two CB. Its not really about getting a few tackles in, but rather about discipline, reading the game and decision making.

In any case Winks played most of last season as a holding midfielder, and he can do that job competently. Particularly as Sissoko does a lot of ball chasing. I do think though that Winks is better playing further forward. Get Ndombele in I suspect him and Winks will be starters. We probably do need one more defensive minded midfielder, particularly if Toby goes and Dier drops to CB. But its not an intimidate priority. At this moment Winks-Dier-Wanayama are decent in the position.

Poch's first season with Bentaleb and Mason.

Granted we leaked goals, but with better players there is no reason it couldn't have been effective.

 

[hellava_tough]

So if we sign this guy, do people on here think we'll be playing with a 2 man midfield and 3 forwards, or a 3 man midfield and 2 forwards?

Basically 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Noise has ramped up re: PSG and Man Utd. I’ve seen Herc’s info but that news has definitely made me jittery.

This is the key transfer. I hope it’s just (typical) nonsense. Crunch time coming up

 

[hellava_tough]

Noise has ramped up re: PSG and Man Utd. I’ve seen Herc’s info but that news has definitely made me jittery.

This is the key transfer. I hope it’s just (typical) nonsense. Crunch time coming up

We'll be okay

For some bizarre reason I'm actually quite optimistic about this one

 

[synththfc]

Noise has ramped up re: PSG and Man Utd. I’ve seen Herc’s info but that news has definitely made me jittery.

This is the key transfer. I hope it’s just (typical) nonsense. Crunch time coming up

PSG scare me too, but they've already signed Ander Herrera from United and they're in talks for Allan, who going by reports is their #1 target and Napoli are willing to negotiate for him.

Thankfully, it seems the stars are aligning for us once again.

 

[hellava_tough]

PSG scare me too, but they've already signed Ander Herrera from United and they're in talks for Allan, who going by reports is their #1 target and Napoli are willing to negotiate for him.

Thankfully, it seems the stars are aligning for us once again.

Must have missed that - is it confirmed?

 

[synththfc]

Must have missed that - is it confirmed?

All but, tier 1 sources etc. saying he's signed and it'll be announced July 1st like most free transfers.

 

[hellava_tough]

All but, tier 1 sources etc. saying he's signed and it'll be announced July 1st like most free transfers.

Thanks

Always liked AH; can certainly do a job

 

[JacoZA]

Remind me how many assists and goals Dembele had? Let’s not measure players by stats, hey?

Or rather, let’s measure them by the relevant stats.

 

[nedley]

Well Levy's balls are certainly on the line for this one.

He's our no 1 target for sure.

He's open to coming.

If we're beaten to the punch then we have a problem. It's make or break for Levy and his ability in the transfer market this window.

 

[Yiddo100]

Well Levy's balls are certainly on the line for this one.

He's our no 1 target for sure.

He's open to coming.

If we're beaten to the punch then we have a problem. It's make or break for Levy and his ability in the transfer market this window.

It depends who we’re beaten by

 

[Wsussexspur]

Well Levy's balls are certainly on the line for this one.

He's our no 1 target for sure.

He's open to coming.

If we're beaten to the punch then we have a problem. It's make or break for Levy and his ability in the transfer market this window.

100% agree..

Unfortunately I have no faith when it comes to Levy and these types of transfers (involving the money they do). Really hope this is the window he proves us all wrong and pulls the transfers Potch wants off and we don’t get to end of July, August time as we usually do working our way down the list on to our 3rd/4th choice bargain basement targets.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

I refuse to wet the bed until at least July

 

[Insomnia]

I refuse to wet the bed until at least Bedtime

fyp

 

[Matecheck]

So if we sign this guy, do people on here think we'll be playing with a 2 man midfield and 3 forwards, or a 3 man midfield and 2 forwards?

Basically 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3?

The question you ask and the formations you name afterwards have nothing to do with each other.

 

[midoshairband]

probably got my head in the clouds, but I reckon this is done, hence Lyon pressing ahead with their replacement.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Should this transfer not materialise, I hope we have good alternatives in mind and it just so happens that the press haven’t got wind of it.

Also, am I the only one who thought ‘why don’t we go for Lyon’s potential replacement for N’Dombele as that player will probably be worth £65m next year himself’?