The Channels

[ono]

We were superb today and even 11 vs 11 felt we had the better chances. They got into good areas but only actually had one chance which Eddie saved well.

I like the 3-5-2 because of the angles it gives us on the ball and obviously also lets Kun and Jesus play together. It was also good to see Stones push out with the ball at times as well.

However, it's important to remember that at times early on, we looked very much like conceding, particularly when attacked down our left hand side channel. Otamendi doesn't have the pace to play 1 v 1 in the channels, and he's too rash to ever be positionally sound. There were also moments where he followed Mendy as he pressed (to back him up) but left a huge gap behind him.

On the other side of the pitch, Danilo was excellent and rarely troubled. He was positionally fine, didn't get drawn in too often and looked utterly comfortable. Which leads me to my point. Maybe the way to crack this system defensively is to actually employ pacey, physical and athletic full backs either side of the central defender. Someone with the profile of Mendy (you wouldn't use Mendy due to his attacking capabilities) who is tall enough to win ariel dules but comfortable in 1 v 1 battles in the channels. Maybe someone like Fabinho at Monaco would be useful. Anyone else got any suggestions on perfecting an otherwise very useful system?

 

[hobbsisablue]

Spanish Dave at Chelsea (can't spell his name) has been converted from a right full back to a right sided centre half in the 3 in the way in which you explain, and he hasn't done too bad.

 

[ono]

Spanish Dave at Chelsea (can't spell his name) has been converted from a right full back to a right sided centre half in the 3 in the way in which you explain, and he hasn't done too bad.

I think it's the only way. I remember us playing Zab there under Pellers (I think) and he was fine. Think even Clichy did it last season and did ok. A pacey Kokarov would have been perfect for it.

 

[mccity]

We were superb today and even 11 vs 11 felt we had the better chances. They got into good areas but only actually had one chance which Eddie saved well.

I like the 3-5-2 because of the angles it gives us on the ball and obviously also lets Kun and Jesus play together. It was also good to see Stones push out with the ball at times as well.

However, it's important to remember that at times early on, we looked very much like conceding, particularly when attacked down our left hand side channel. Otamendi doesn't have the pace to play 1 v 1 in the channels, and he's too rash to ever be positionally sound. There were also moments where he followed Mendy as he pressed (to back him up) but left a huge gap behind him.

On the other side of the pitch, Danilo was excellent and rarely troubled. He was positionally fine, didn't get drawn in too often and looked utterly comfortable. Which leads me to my point. Maybe the way to crack this system defensively is to actually employ pacey, physical and athletic full backs either side of the central defender. Someone with the profile of Mendy (you wouldn't use Mendy due to his attacking capabilities) who is tall enough to win ariel dules but comfortable in 1 v 1 battles in the channels. Maybe someone like Fabinho at Monaco would be useful. Anyone else got any suggestions on perfecting an otherwise very useful system?

I was going to post in the Kompany thread how it might have been a blessing in disguise. His injury forced us into playing Danilo, lo and behold Mané has a quiet game.

Although, don't underestimate Walker's role. He's actually a very good defender, or at least appreciates the role enough to occasionally prioritise it over attacking.

Mendy is always going to be more the defend from the front kind of guy. Combined with him probably not being 100% fit is does leave Otamendi a bit isolated.

 

[hilts]

Mangala is much more suited to lcb in a 3 over ota but pep has a bee in his Bonnet. Signing another cb or left back might have been wise.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

We were superb today and even 11 vs 11 felt we had the better chances. They got into good areas but only actually had one chance which Eddie saved well.

I like the 3-5-2 because of the angles it gives us on the ball and obviously also lets Kun and Jesus play together. It was also good to see Stones push out with the ball at times as well.

However, it's important to remember that at times early on, we looked very much like conceding, particularly when attacked down our left hand side channel. Otamendi doesn't have the pace to play 1 v 1 in the channels, and he's too rash to ever be positionally sound. There were also moments where he followed Mendy as he pressed (to back him up) but left a huge gap behind him.

On the other side of the pitch, Danilo was excellent and rarely troubled. He was positionally fine, didn't get drawn in too often and looked utterly comfortable. Which leads me to my point. Maybe the way to crack this system defensively is to actually employ pacey, physical and athletic full backs either side of the central defender. Someone with the profile of Mendy (you wouldn't use Mendy due to his attacking capabilities) who is tall enough to win ariel dules but comfortable in 1 v 1 battles in the channels. Maybe someone like Fabinho at Monaco would be useful. Anyone else got any suggestions on perfecting an otherwise very useful system?

Probably worth trying Danilo on the left of a 3, with Stones and Vinny? but that would mean all 3 full backs on the pitch at the same time. We are a defender short tbh.

 

[Marvin]

We were superb today and even 11 vs 11 felt we had the better chances. They got into good areas but only actually had one chance which Eddie saved well.

I like the 3-5-2 because of the angles it gives us on the ball and obviously also lets Kun and Jesus play together. It was also good to see Stones push out with the ball at times as well.

However, it's important to remember that at times early on, we looked very much like conceding, particularly when attacked down our left hand side channel. Otamendi doesn't have the pace to play 1 v 1 in the channels, and he's too rash to ever be positionally sound. There were also moments where he followed Mendy as he pressed (to back him up) but left a huge gap behind him.

On the other side of the pitch, Danilo was excellent and rarely troubled. He was positionally fine, didn't get drawn in too often and looked utterly comfortable. Which leads me to my point. Maybe the way to crack this system defensively is to actually employ pacey, physical and athletic full backs either side of the central defender. Someone with the profile of Mendy (you wouldn't use Mendy due to his attacking capabilities) who is tall enough to win ariel dules but comfortable in 1 v 1 battles in the channels. Maybe someone like Fabinho at Monaco would be useful. Anyone else got any suggestions on perfecting an otherwise very useful system?

Don't use it against teams with very quick and mobile wingers.

 

[pee dubya]

Don't use it against teams with very quick and mobile wingers.

Isn't that why we're using it?

If you play 4 at the back, with 2 attacking full-backs and get hit on the break in behind, then you only have 2 central defenders, plus maybe the holding midfielder in defensive positions.

With 3 at the back, plus 2 wing-backs, you can have Salah breaking in behind, but you still have at least 3 defenders. So one can come to the winger (and if it's Otamendi get skinned), and you still have 2 guys defending the box.