Teddy Eagle
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- Country
Scotland
Our present squad
- Topic starter DANGERCLOSE
- Start date
doombear
Member
- Location
- Too far from Selhurst Park
- Country
England
An interesting idea, especially as he's very comfortable on teh ball and is Guehiesque when driving forward with it.
RubinsCube
Member
- Location
- Wimbledon
- Country
-
England
I think team shape is absolutely pivotal to how we are likely to fare post Glasner. I am conflicted on several aspects.
We all have our views on the respective defenders in the team right now (Munoz, Mitchell, Lacroix, Richards, Canvot, Riad, Lerma. I am not including Devenny or Clyne). Do we know how good these players might be in a back four, or where their best positions might be?
Mitchell I think suits a back 4 better. Apart from that I think all would be starting with a relative blank sheet of paper.
Richards has been brilliant for us in the last two seasons. But I've never been convinced by him in a two centre back set up. The jury is out on Canvot and Riad. Lerma is a midfielder who does a job at the back in a three when needed. Lacroix looks the first pick but is he as imperious in a back two? Not so sure. Maybe Canvot can play at full back but does he get in ahead of Munoz or Mitchell? Unlikely.
Defence aside, in a back four you need to stop supply centrally and out wide otherwise opposition teams will constantly put that back four under pressure; we concede a lot from crosses as it is.
So we will need a Jedinak/Cabaye/McArthur type player which I do not currently see we have: Wharton, Kamada and Lerma seem to get bypassed as this is not their strong point. Someone made the interesting point of Canvot doing that job. It's an interesting idea but I see him as a walking red card marauding the midfield.
Munoz especially worries me: he may well not suit the shape, especially if we are then playing with wingers and he is paired up with Johnson who is unlikely to do much tracking back. The right side might end up becoming a real weakness rather than the relative strength it is right now.
But if we stay with a back three, how many teams actually make that work? Apart from some of the Conte teams and us I can think of precious few. Maybe Alonso will do something with a 3 at Chelsea next year. But it is rare.
So it is something I am conflicted about.
We all have our views on the respective defenders in the team right now (Munoz, Mitchell, Lacroix, Richards, Canvot, Riad, Lerma. I am not including Devenny or Clyne). Do we know how good these players might be in a back four, or where their best positions might be?
Mitchell I think suits a back 4 better. Apart from that I think all would be starting with a relative blank sheet of paper.
Richards has been brilliant for us in the last two seasons. But I've never been convinced by him in a two centre back set up. The jury is out on Canvot and Riad. Lerma is a midfielder who does a job at the back in a three when needed. Lacroix looks the first pick but is he as imperious in a back two? Not so sure. Maybe Canvot can play at full back but does he get in ahead of Munoz or Mitchell? Unlikely.
Defence aside, in a back four you need to stop supply centrally and out wide otherwise opposition teams will constantly put that back four under pressure; we concede a lot from crosses as it is.
So we will need a Jedinak/Cabaye/McArthur type player which I do not currently see we have: Wharton, Kamada and Lerma seem to get bypassed as this is not their strong point. Someone made the interesting point of Canvot doing that job. It's an interesting idea but I see him as a walking red card marauding the midfield.
Munoz especially worries me: he may well not suit the shape, especially if we are then playing with wingers and he is paired up with Johnson who is unlikely to do much tracking back. The right side might end up becoming a real weakness rather than the relative strength it is right now.
But if we stay with a back three, how many teams actually make that work? Apart from some of the Conte teams and us I can think of precious few. Maybe Alonso will do something with a 3 at Chelsea next year. But it is rare.
So it is something I am conflicted about.
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viveasheagle
Member
- Location
- perth
- Country
Australia
I would not worry about Munoz - he is class and i could see him playing right back as good as he plays right wing back. Lerma could provide an additional defensive midfielder if we play 4 3 3. I think the Kamada will be missed a lot more than we expect as he is very much up to speed in the premier league now and is an important cog in our system.
DANGERCLOSE
Member
- Location
- London
- Country
-
England
Willo
Member
- Location
- West Sussex - On the coast
- Country
-
England
Hear Hear
I concur with these sentiments.
BromleyMonkey
Member
- Country
-
England
I’m not so sure, although my favourite player in recent years and you’re right he is class, defensively he is left wanting sometimes
Nicholas91
Member
- Location
- The Democratic Republic of Kent
- Country
Veneto
Willo
Member
- Location
- West Sussex - On the coast
- Country
-
England
At Genk he contributed 19 goals and 20 assists in 148 games being deployed primarily as a right-back in a back four.
I accept that the PL is far more demanding and challenging than the Belgian League.
DANGERCLOSE
Member
- Location
- London
- Country
-
England
Strand larsen x2
Certainly relatively weaker in defence. We should get a good look at him in a back 4 for Colombia in the WC. All the way, hopefully
That has to be the worst highlights show I have ever seen
I wouldn’t overlook the need for goals from our squad, particularly if Mateta departs.
In recent seasons he has a been a very reliable source of goals for us and even in a relatively poor and injury hit season for us he still managed 15 goals.
Sarr had an excellent season, but has not been a prolific goalscorer in his career so it would be a risk to rely solely on him continuing his recent goalscoring rate.
We’ve also lost the goals and assists from Eze together with his ability to score goals from out of the blue.
As many on here have commented we don’t have goals from midfield either.
Some may contend (optimistically) that we have more than enough to make up the shortfall through Larsen, Johnson, Nketiah and Pino.
I wish that I could share their optimism, even if these players improve upon their current form.
Perhaps the new manager will wave a magic wand and allay those concerns.
In recent seasons he has a been a very reliable source of goals for us and even in a relatively poor and injury hit season for us he still managed 15 goals.
Sarr had an excellent season, but has not been a prolific goalscorer in his career so it would be a risk to rely solely on him continuing his recent goalscoring rate.
We’ve also lost the goals and assists from Eze together with his ability to score goals from out of the blue.
As many on here have commented we don’t have goals from midfield either.
Some may contend (optimistically) that we have more than enough to make up the shortfall through Larsen, Johnson, Nketiah and Pino.
I wish that I could share their optimism, even if these players improve upon their current form.
Perhaps the new manager will wave a magic wand and allay those concerns.
ASCPFC
Member
- Location
- Pro-Cathedral/caravan park
- Country
Ireland
Completely agree and I had the slightest worrying thought about our transfer policy. We bought a couple of wide players. Any rumours on Sarr? I just had a nagging doubt we've bought Johnson to replace Sarr. I doubt I'd be the only person angry and concerned if we hear Sarr and Mateta are going.
I also considered Glasner. Wherever he goes, who of ours would he want? Sarr is the one who did the most for us overall with goals when we needed them. Sarr is absolutely crucial to us currently.
Don't worry too much, just a little nagging thought that entered my mind when I considered our transfers.
I had the same thought on Glasner and Sarr. There is big mutual respect there and both have been very good for each other's career.