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Post by Trouserdog on Aug 31, 2014 6:03:28 GMT
Whether we go 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 like yesterday, one thing we need to bear in mind is how much competition there is for one place in the team...the attacking midfield/second striker. With Diouf looking like that's his ideal role rather than the line-leading target man that we really needed, it's created a situation where we have FIVE players for one position.
Stephen Ireland- I can't see anywhere else in the team that he can be accommodated. He's too lightweight and floaty for central midfield, and probably not disciplined enough for the right wing either.
Mama Diouf- He can't play with his back to goal, but obviously can cause serious damage if running from a deeper position with that frightening pace. I think a 4-4-2 is needed to really get the best out of him.
Charlie Adam- Offers a real goal threat, but if he plays as part of the deeper two he's always liable to do something ridiculous. Has to play in the hole I think.
Bojan - A bit like Ireland in that he's physically not up to playing where he's likely to get muscled out. In the hole or as a second striker with a free role.
Jon Walters- Made the 'hole' position his own a couple of years ago, but can do a specific job on the wing as well if we're adopting a more direct game.
I think yesterday proved beyond any doubt that we need Peter Crouch leading the line- but there's nobody else at all in the squad who can do the stuff that he can. I would be really concerned if he got injured, despite the list of talent above. Odemwingie is probably the only alternative we've got, but he's still a very different type of striker to Crouch. The wings are less of a problem, as Walters can sort of do a job there, but Arnie blows hot and cold- and seems more suited to 4-2-3-1 than he would 4-4-2- leaving Moses as the only out-and-out winger in the whole squad.
Thinking longer-term, we're unlikely to be able to keep 5 players happy if they're effectively all fighting for one spot, so we might have to look to ease one or two out of the door in January/summer 15 and really try to get a younger version of Crouchy in. I'd still try to keep Crouchy around as well for cover (12 month contract extension please) but whoever we target, we have to absolutely be 100% of what kind of striker they are, and be confident that they can do the job we need them to do.
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Post by thischarmingmanc on Aug 31, 2014 6:12:43 GMT
I think its horse for courses, we will mix stuff up abit this year. Team wont know how we are going to line up before we do.
Not all teams play with a physical striker leading the line and we wont have to also, i juts think we needed the physcial element against city
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Aug 31, 2014 6:18:12 GMT
You can really add Wingie as an option for the second striker/number 10 role as well. Incidentally, on the subject of Wingie, after an indifferent performance against Pompey, I actually thought he looked pretty good as a winger yesterday. Last season he did an ok job in that position mainly due to his pace but I thought his crosses were dangerous yesterday and he's pretty two footed so cutting in is also an option.
Pity he isn't younger, to have versatility AND pace is a rare commodity. Fingers crossed that his injury will not be serious.
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Post by Trouserdog on Aug 31, 2014 6:20:00 GMT
I think its horse for courses, we will mix stuff up abit this year. Team wont know how we are going to line up before we do. Not all teams play with a physical striker leading the line and we wont have to also, i juts think we needed the physcial element against city Having seen the two inept performances we put in against Villa & Hull without a physical presence up-front, I think it's safe to say that we're much better off with one. It's the only position I still think we need to address in an otherwise brilliant squad. |
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Post by jeycov on Aug 31, 2014 7:58:13 GMT
I think its horse for courses, we will mix stuff up abit this year. Team wont know how we are going to line up before we do. Not all teams play with a physical striker leading the line and we wont have to also, i juts think we needed the physcial element against city I agree, MH hinted at this just a few weeks ago. I think that he will adopt this approach as well as recognising those who deserve a place in the starting 11 - managing a squad of players with differing strengths is what he is employed to do |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 8:02:27 GMT
It's up to Hughes to use them right but as a fan, it's just bloody lovely to have different options going forwards for a change. For far too long we've had one option and only like for like replacements.
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Post by FullerMagic on Aug 31, 2014 8:42:10 GMT
It's a good point.
We'd surely exchange 2 or 3 of the good options there for one younger bloke who can pull off the Crouch job.
Doesn't look like Diouf can really do it on the limited evidence we've seen so far - and, as you say, he seems another who's far more at home playing off the main striker, putting in a real shift and attacking space with his pace - rather than playing with his back to goal that the lone role demands.
It's going to be interesting to see how we juggle Diouf, Bojan, Ireland, Adam and Walters.
The Bojan mystery, in particular, continues to grow.
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Post by malisastokie on Aug 31, 2014 8:56:04 GMT
In a 4 4 2 formation is there any room for any attacking midfield player if 2 wingers are used ?
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