We could do way worse than sticking Kyle Shaw in the middle (unit, will win aerial duals that none of the others currently can), King to LCB if needed, JCP to left wildcatback and Lolley to literally anywhere else on the pitch as opposed to being diagonally opposite of where he’s the best player in the comp.
The issue with this system was highlighted midweek, in the first half the 3 CB’s again called Lolley back to constantly pickup Mizunuma so that they could mark literally just Lachie Rose between the 3 of them. Even then, they failed on the opener, and the one time Joe didn’t come back we got done by his man at the far stick anyways. Comical that the 2 things clearly intended to stop still ended up occurring.
Then there’s the donut in the middle of the park. Ouahim is possibly the only lazier / worse guy at tracking back than Costa or Sena. Caceres was immense, at times carrying the entire midfield on his own.
Stanton and Zdrilla have not proven themselves capable of winning anything. Hell, he might have been assistant, but even Bimbi won the NYL at a canter before we signed him.
I’m on team Ufuk out but there are worse options. Let the minnows have them.
In theory you should be able to leave a 1v1 at the back and push those defenders either side forward. Then in theory the 6s should be able to drop in and cover. Etc, etc. except we’ve proven, over about 3 seasons, that we can’t make that shit work.
I think these fancy positional systems are employed by your Man City’s and Barcelona’s etc whose resource disparity is such that they have the best player on the pitch in every position, right? Maybe these systems don’t really apply in this league?
Ive been interested, for while, in this tension between the successful systems of the past (Arnie-ball) and some new inventive way that I’m convinced the club is trying to find. I like the concept of positional play, but watching “aleague-good” players simply unable to execute it, despite persisting for this long? I’m starting to wonder when is the right time to abandon it.
I love the idea of being tactically innovative. I wish we’d apply a bit more critical thinking than just parroting whatever is the tactic-du-jour in the Premier League.
The unfortunate answer is the back 3 doesn’t work because the players being asked to play CB are not of sufficient quality either technically but especially mentally. They are all over the shop organisation wise, especially when the opposition plays 1 striker. They literally have no idea what to do, who to mark or when to call for help.
It’s like watching a park team who have only ever played 4-4-2 start trying something different because the team manager started reading The Blizzard
The back three would probably work better if we had actual CBs playing there. In saying that if we’re sticking with it next week I’d go:
JCP - Shaw - Popovic.
A major issue with this system is sooo much relies on your wing backs, and we don’t really have any good options there at the moment.
I know Uffies trying to go Amorim ball and use a winger there in Lolley, but that role realllllly doesn’t suit him. I’m not against trying to use wingers there, but we don’t really have any wingers that suit the role. The only players we really have for the roles are King and JCP for the left, Rhyno and De Jesus for the right. Not overly inspiring.
