The wingbacks are so damn important in a 3-4-3, if you dont have exactly the right kind of player there, the whole system just falls apart. I just feel like we need more quality and pace there, we can’t really afford to skimp. Not saying Grant isn’t quality, but I just feel like he doesn’t have the pace for the job anymore. I think that spot has to be a priority in recruitment this off season. Assuming we’re sticking with the 3-4-3 of course.
Surprisingly actually makes more sense than it should
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I wouldn’t take the idea off the table tbh.
Except he hasn’t had to with the 3 CBs, one has always been in position to cover when he pushed up. He’s too slow for a gegenpress 4 Back but the 5 is bringing his attacking prowess out more often.
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Why can’t he be the right sided centre back in the 3? He’s looked reasonable as part of a 2.
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Honestly thats probably the most likely way yo stay in the 11 for him imo.
It would better to use him as the RWB. There’s a little less pressure on him to get back and help defend. His best attributes have always been attacking rather than defending.
As I understand it, the modern wingback has to be able to attack and get back to defend. Otherwise, just play a back 4.
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Did we not just have a back line of 3 that was pulling players back to defend when there was a single striker???
So I know this is park soccer, but we’ve recently tried to play a backline of 3 with 2 CDMs. It was a weird setup, but one of the hardest things to learn was that the marking patterns and what you’re used to doing in a back 4 get thrown out the door. The defending is generally more stressful as you can get very easily caught out in transition, especially if the opposition manages to push through. It’s where you generally jockie, push them out to the side or hold up play as much as you can for players to drop back.
Now not sure if it’s the same at professional level, but if it is, then I really don’t think our hodge-podge defence is good enough for that sort of play. We need more experienced CBs to play it, rather than essentially two converted wing backs and a single traditional CB
He could return to his previous role as a bench sitting utility player. He can play anywhere!
Every attempt to get him to play positionally has failed, so far. May as let him bomb forward from RWB where he genuinely does contribute to the attack.
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Ideally all 3 would be a bit taller, but if we can get someone better at RWB I’d take it for sure.
He would also still defend the right flank, when we’re pushing high on the left and hit the counter. He’s a great option to have out wide in that situation, one of the most intelligent defenders in the league, so long as he can’t just get burnt for pace because there’s someone else to cover.
This is about the only reason I think it is a good idea.
Different times. Pretty sure it was only 4 man benches back then making a decent utility very useful. What are we up to now though? 7 man bench I think?
FWIW I think he still does a pretty good job most of the time anywhere across the backline. Next season definitely still a starter for me
Think it’s a 7 man bench but 2 spots are reserved for youth