It's Quiet - a new dawn

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

We're essentially a back five when we play a three?

I would love to take a look at Stones because as things stand, we have spent £50m on a central defender who is not going to get the opportunities to build up a run of games and hone his talents.

Stones is quick, he's tall, he can tackle and, most importantly, he's a Rolls Royce when it comes to passing through the midfield if his confidence is up.

Funnily enough, Southgate has hinted that he could do it, and he's a former central defender.

Would love to see Stones, Kompany and Ota, behind any of the front 6, with Walker and Mendy pushed on.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

If he goes to,a back five, can Stones not do it?

Stones doesn't read the game well enough.

Peps use of the pivot position is based on us always having the ball. Even the best sides in the history of the game haven't enjoyed 100% possession. I dont think Fernandinho, Yaya or Gundogan are particularly suited to the position for the 30% of time we don't have the ball. Having said that I don't think there are many around who are excellent for the 70% of the time we have the ball and the 30% we don't.

 

[BufordUSABlue]

We're essentially a back five when we play a three?

I would love to take a look at Stones because as things stand, we have spent £50m on a central defender who is not going to get the opportunities to build up a run of games and hone his talents.

Stones is quick, he's tall, he can tackle and, most importantly, he's a Rolls Royce when it comes to passing through the midfield if his confidence is up.

Funnily enough, Southgate has hinted that he could do it, and he's a former central defender.

Without trying to be wise after the event, i always thought that JS would make a terrific DM operating just in front of the back four, but with license to break out of defense. He has a great engine, superb passer of the ball, great in the air and a decent tackler. Plus, when he gets caught square on in that position, he should have the back line as cover. Right now he does not and any such mistake is magnified. But WTF do i know, I've only been supporting our beloved club for nigh on 50 years!!

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

You mean something like this? Can't see it, but there is plenty of height in the team and also provides the scope for Pep to rotate Sane, Sterling and Sergio.

.........................EDERSON........................
.....WALKER......KOMPANY.....OTAMDENI......MENDY...
......................STONES.................
............KDB...................SILVA.......

...BERNARDO........JESUS...............SANCHEZ....

 

[pavelsrnicek]

You mean something like this? Can't see it, but there is plenty of height in the team and also provides the scope for Pep to rotate Sane, Sterling and Sergio.

.........................EDERSON........................
.....WALKER......KOMPANY.....OTAMDENI......MENDY...
......................STONES.................
............KDB...................SILVA.......

...BERNARDO........JESUS...............SANCHEZ....

I think the same players would line up like so

.........................EDERSON........................
.....WALKER......KOMPANY.....OTAMDENI......MENDY...
......................STONES.................
.....KDB...................SILVA..........BERNARDO
SANCHEZ
JESUS

Can see us lining up with one reserved striker and no defined wide men.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

You mean something like this? Can't see it, but there is plenty of height in the team and also provides the scope for Pep to rotate Sane, Sterling and Sergio.

.........................EDERSON........................
.....WALKER......KOMPANY.....OTAMDENI......MENDY...
......................STONES.................
............KDB...................SILVA.......

...BERNARDO........JESUS...............SANCHEZ....

Looks a good set up to me but does Pep - £100million dollar question.

 

[BufordUSABlue]

You mean something like this? Can't see it, but there is plenty of height in the team and also provides the scope for Pep to rotate Sane, Sterling and Sergio.

.........................EDERSON........................
.....WALKER......KOMPANY.....OTAMDENI......MENDY...
......................STONES.................
............KDB...................SILVA.......

...BERNARDO........JESUS...............SANCHEZ....

Now we're talking Tolm! Except i would play Bernardo in a diamond. right behind the front 2 & in front of Merlin & KDB ......... as long as the 2 Silva's don't take each others space, it would work IMO.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Stones doesn't read the game well enough.

Peps use of the pivot position is based on us always having the ball. Even the best sides in the history of the game haven't enjoyed 100% possession. I dont think Fernandinho, Yaya or Gundogan are particularly suited to the position for the 30% of time we don't have the ball. Having said that I don't think there are many around who are excellent for the 70% of the time we have the ball and the 30% we don't.

Entirely different level to reading the game from centre back and a midfield screen, though?

Less pressure, knows he has the back-up behind. One thing is very clear, teams are happy to let Otamendi or Kompany have the ball, and we need someone who is five years younger than Yaya to come and receive.

Gundogan does not have the physical presence to put out the amount of fires this teams creates.

 

[BufordUSABlue]

This really is easy, the question you have to ask is ................do we need Pep ??

Why don't we just employ decent coaches/trainers to take the training, then let Bluemooner's pick the team and formation for games........

Cant see any flaws in this thinking personally..

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Have to say it is a little frustrating and in fairness probably unavoidable given the Alves and Sanchez situations, that we are in the last few days of the transfer window and there are some glaring issues in our squad that haven't been addressed.