Changing personnel will be key. We need to be able to attack the center more aggressively. A good CM and CB upgrade will help here. And then a right back who can consistently get the ball out will help. There’s a lot of personnel issues keeping us conservative. You see the massive differences in how the team flows depending on what we do with Ceballos, Xhaka, Odegaard/ ESR, etc.
Emi Buendia
Claudius wrote:I see Willock as an alternative in 3 of 4231 or in 2 if we switch to 4123. I don’t see him as a CM double pivot player. He’s an attacker
I would love to see us play 4123, and rotate ESR, Odegaard, and Willock in those places. But that implies playing Partey as a single pivot--which is what I was hoping when he came, but so far does not seem the way to get the best out of him.
In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.
Claudius wrote:In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.
The 4123/433 gives us other options in regards to the 235/325. Firstly the 2 #8s as the 2s are both able to slot into the channels as part of the front 5, and allows the FBs to bracket the #6 during transition/out of possession, and still be available to overlap as the extra man in attack rather than being used to make up the front 5 in the first place. If nothing else it reduces the time needed to establish cover into the 5 channels before we take the handbrake off the attack.
5 days later
It's possible Buendia plays next to Partey. Between Odegaard, Bissouma and Buendia we could sign any 2 of them and have positions filled, but maybe Bissouma + Buendia is the best bet.
Claudius wrote:In most games it asked too much of Partey. But if a team is going to lie deep, might as well replace a CM with an AM.
Partey instantly looked better whenever he was asked to play a deeper role. When he started too high, he was almost anonymous. Sure, when he was basically alone in midfield because Ceballos was overlapping to protect Xhaka, he looked stretched, but that isn't what a normal 433 would look like.
Partey can take over Xhaka's DLP role, playing differently with riskier but quicker passes. Bissouma could do the mopping up.
banduan wrote:Partey can take over Xhaka's DLP role, playing differently with riskier but quicker passes. Bissouma could do the mopping up.
This is the hope. Bissouma can actually be turned into a box to box action man like Kante. He covers the entire field well. He scored 2 excellent long range goals against Everton and Blackpool this season. I think people really underestimate his all around game
Bell says we have made our first offer to Norwich for Buendia, over 30m.
Not only that but he says it’s been accepted
I'm gonna yell if we actually sign him. He's perfect for us.
Apparently it’s not been accepted - translation issue.
But talks are ongoing
Klaus wrote:I'm gonna yell if we actually sign him. He's perfect for us.
He is isn’t he. Fancy our chances of creating chances/scoring against anyone with him in the team
Think this gets done
He's fantastic Dools. One of the best technicians around. You just cannot press this midget. Tough as nails too.
Clrnc wrote:Bell says we have made our first offer to Norwich for Buendia, over 30m.
Get the fuck in. Like cream in a donut.
Buendia and Bissouma. Let me upgrade you!!
Klaus has wishlisted him from absolutely nowhere early 2 years ago where Norwich just got promoted to now we are having a chance to sign him.
Indeed Klaus. He’s also got a tasty finish on him
Nice. I can’t imagine we won’t get this done.
Just entering his prime too, the perfect age to sign someone.