Can We Use A 3 Man Midfield?

[southstandblue27]

I think it is quite clear to everyone that the two man midfield of Yaya and Fernandinho isn't working as neither of them have brilliant defensive capabilities and are fairly similar players in that they are both 'box to box'.

In our first few games against relatively poor opposition we have looked exposed as soon as one of Yaya or Fernandinho misplace a pass. Yaya takes an age to get back in position whilst Fernandinho has to cover a ridiculous amount of ground to clear it up.

The obvious solution would be to play a defensive midfielder in behind them. My personal choice would be Javi Garcia (yes, I know). We have only seen Garcia play in a two man midfield and it is clear that he is too slow for that formation. However, he continually gets selected for the World and European champions, Spain, who use a three man midfield. This way Javi doesn't have to cover too much ground and does what he does best, tackling.

However, the question I ask is: Is playing this formation practical?

Although it seems like the best solution, I fear that we have too many attacking players competing for just three more positions on the pitch.

Silva and Aguero I think it can be agreed should be guaranteed starters, leaving one position to be competed for by Jovetic, Negredo, Dzeko, Navas, Milner and Nasri.

Personally I can't see Manuel going for the three man midfield although in my opinion it would give us a lot more balance and would ease the pressure on the defence.

Maybe we should only use it for away matches?

Thoughts?

 

[Bazzmand Show]

I personally think a midfield 3 of Milner, Toure and Fernandinho would be the most beneficial.

 

[cibaman]

I think its an awful idea.

Too congested. The threats posed by Yaya and Fernandhino stem from their ability to get forward from deep. Start them 20m ahead of a defensive midfielder and they will be easily nullified.

Can you imagine us playing Palace at home with Garcia, Yaya and Fernandhino in midfield and Aguero relegated to the bench?

 

[Silva Service]

I agree with the three man midfield but the answer is to drop Silva deeper to play just in front of Ya Ya and Dinho. He has the ability to turn defence into attack with a single pass but is also great at keeping possession.

That way, an attacking three of say Jovetic, Negredo and Aguero could concentrate on doing what they do best.

 

[southstandblue27]

I think its an awful idea.

Too congested. The threats posed by Yaya and Fernandhino stem from their ability to get forward from deep. Start them 20m ahead of a defensive midfielder and they will be easily nullified.

Can you imagine us playing Palace at home with Garcia, Yaya and Fernandhino in midfield and Aguero relegated to the bench?

I'm not talking about playing them as attacking midfielders, I'm talking about playing them either side of a better tackler, that way they can both get forward without having to worry that as soon as we lose the ball it's up to the defenders because Javi Garcia or whoever it may be just stays back in front of the defence.

Agreed, that's why I asked whether it should only be used for away games.<br /><br />-- Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:52 am --<br /><br />

I agree with the three man midfield but the answer is to drop Silva deeper to play just in front of Ya Ya and Dinho. He has the ability to turn defence into attack with a single pass but is also great at keeping possession.

That way, an attacking three of say Jovetic, Negredo and Aguero could concentrate on doing what they do best.

But does that solve the problem of being left exposed? All three of those midfielders like getting forward and have limited defensive capabilities.

 

[giokingkladze]

I hope the one good thing to come out of Barry's loan is Milner getting a chance in his self-declared best position. Milner and Fernandinho sitting deep, Yaya in front. Means more competition up front but as the OP said, there've been to many massive gaps v Cardiff and Hull.

 

[Dribble]

Personally I think in the modern game a three man midfield is a must. That´s not to say to do away with a dual attacking threat but it´s also esssential to have an attacking threat coming from midfield too..
.
The one thing I think that is hindering us, is playing with two defensive midfielders. I reckon we only need one in Fernandinho and ahead of him we should have Yaya/Rodwell alongside Jovetic/Silva/Nasri just behind the main striker Negredo/Aguero..
.
If we then had Navas on the right and Milner on the left, we would have power, skill and ability in abundance from midfield to the forward line. Fernadinho can also provide protection to the central defenders. He can bring the bsall forward, pass and create sttacks from deep and join in if necessary.

This for me would be a better option for us than wasting two talented players just loitering in front of the defence and waiting for something to occupy them as they increrasingly seem to be doing

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

As already stated Yaya and Fernadhino is currently not working and IMO we would be better playing Rodwell next to Fernandhino and pushing Yaya further forward. This will mean only one CF who for me will be Aguero.

Hart
Micah Kompany Nasty Clichy

Rodwell Fernandhino

Yaya
Navas Silva

Aguero

 

[@BluePhil8]

Can we? Yes.

Should we? No.

Arsenal play with Arteta and Wilshere as a midfield two. United have been using Carrick and Cleverley. Chelsea Ramires and Lampard. Dortmund Bender and Gündoğan. None of these teams play with a destroyer.

It will take time. Just like how when Mancini first came in, we got better defensively, but were awful attacking for a while. Except this time, it could be the opposite.

One thing I have noticed is that against Hull, three of their attacks came from Toure and Silva giving the ball away cheaply in advanced areas. If you want to play a high pressing game, it is suicide to give the ball away and leave Lescott to deal with it.

Just have patience and in a year I know we will be playing the best football in the League.

 

[gio's side step]

The problem is also down to the fact Pellegrini is playing Yaya slightly deeper than Ferna. They are a relatively flat two in midfield at the moment but against Hull, Yaya was the one slightly deeper. This is completely the wrong way around. However I suspect this is down to two reasons.

1. Pellegrini knows Yaya when from the Spanish league and where he played at Barca

2. He's probably worked out that Ferna is a box to box player and not a holding player.

Which means unless we change the shape - these two will not offer balance in the middle of the pitch.

But playing Ferna slightly deeper than Yaya will be at least one way of getting the best out of Yaya. Either way, its a fuck up