Great to get a win yesterday and we looked sharp. Diego is painfully low on confidence but the good news is three chances came his way and he scored with the third, which hopefully gives him a boost. Eden looked back to his old self but we also need him to get a goal, because we mustn't underestimate the importance of confidence. The other players to catch the eye? Our midfield duo, and that is the point of my post. We simply have not solved our midfield conundrum and in that respect I'm surprised at Mourinho. It's the most important area of a football pitch and I'm still concerned we're going to come unstuck in the tougher games.

 

Norwich came to park the bus and in games like these Fabregas has the ability to excel in the pivot, or the quarterback role, or whatever you want to call it. We all know by now away at Tottenham next weekend a midfield two of Matic and Fabregas leaves us vulnerable. Matic is not a holding player in the traditional sense. If you noticed yesterday, on the few occasions Norwich broke, they seemed to be able to run directly at our defence, because Matic doesn't sit in front of the back four as Makelele did, say. That's not his game.

 

Against better teams, and away from home, we have to change it, and we've been changing it for a long time now, since the last time we visited WHL, at the beginning of the year, halfway through last season, the game that changed our approach for the remainder of the season. That was the day we got worked out, to a degree, and the expansive approach away from home stopped.

 

We can be got at.

 

So what's the solution? My solution is to play a DM alongside Matic in the pivot, and for me that man would be Zouma. Jose played Zouma in that role a few times last season and we did well. It's a defensive ploy but needs must IMO. We have to start getting a run together and that means being pragmatic away from home. Trying to shut the opposition out and playing counter-attack, as we did in the second half of last season away from home. Zouma plays the DM role as a defender would, screening the back four, the emphasis on destroying rather than playing. He gives us physicality, strength and presence in that role and that's what we need right now. We are way too vulnerable. It may not be the prettiest but so what? Stop the opposition and when you have the ball give it to one of our ball-players, that's what I would tell him. Keep it simple, stay stationed in front of the back four, I don't think the opposition would like it. He is a pretty formidable opponent and he has a bit more experience than last term.

 

I have to choose a player in that position who I think the opposition can't get past. Somebody who won't let them past him. That's where we're at right now, it's that simple. Nobody else is really convincing in midfield, whatever formation we play. Time to get back to basics. Be hard to beat, be hard to play against. Zouma has the heart of a lion, he's physically imposing and athletic, he can run and he can jump. He can be a barrier. I'm quite happy with that for now.

 

We have massive issues in midfield and they need to get sorted in the summer. None of our midfield combinations really tick the boxes for the tougher games. We need to find that perfect combination but we're not there yet, so in the meantime, pragmatism should win out and Zouma should be pushed into midfield.

 

This would give us the best platform to go away from home and keep clean sheets, and hopefully start putting our wretched away form to bed, and maybe make a push for that fourth spot.

Agree with you davey for the Spurs game.

Zouma at dm, where he did so well in the league cup, but for me in a midfield 3 with matic and ramires.

I agree with your thoughts on zouma playing Dm to add more reassurance in defense. Especially in away games like Spurs.

Ivan Cahill terry azibi

Zouma

Matic fabregas

That would be my choice of a midfield 3 and a back 4. Adds Stabability in midfield and defense

I don't like Zouma in midfield, his passing game is too slow and limited.

Great defender but he's not a midfielder in the same way he's not a right back.

Matic and Fabregas are our best pairing in my opinion.

For the game against the Spurs I don't think Zouma is the sollution but neither is a Matic - Fabregas pivot in my opinion.

Zouma is frustrating on the ball but would give us something more in defence, a pivot of Matic - Fab gets overrun and doesn't shield our defence enough. 

I don't think Mikel is the sollution to our midfield problems either but he is probably the one I'd go with. 

how about Ake? 

 

Oh....

I don't think we'd want to lose Zouma's pace next to Terry vs Spurs. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Cahill-Zouma-Terry as a CB 3 with either Zouma or Cahill just playing that little bit infront, Azpilicueta RB and Kennedy/Rahman LB but able to push forward. Matic and Cesc in the Pivot with Willian and Hazard floating bhind Costa and just using their intelligence for positioning.

Pretty much what you're saying but not taking out Cesc and having Zouma behind Matic and Cesc instead of beside Matic. Then Zouma's distribution won't nearly matter as much as he'likes have plenty of good ball moving outlets near by.

Matic and Fabregas are our best pairing in my opinion.

 

Would you be happy going to WHL with the same team as yesterday?

 

It's a recipe for disaster IMO.

Yeah look what Spurs just did to west ham... We need to be back to our best at the back, and as a team in general. Or we may ship 5 again.

Agree with you davey for the Spurs game.

Zouma at dm, where he did so well in the league cup, but for me in a midfield 3 with matic and ramires.

Please not Ramires.

Good post and I agree we need additional coverage shielding the back 4. Zouma to me is just not suited for that role, he can play it of course, but he is not natural on the ball and really leaves our attack at a disadvantage. 

The answer could be coming in January though. Michael Hector who is on loan from Reading, is a player I would call for early as has been rumoured. Hector is excellent on the ball and his first pass and vision are top notch for a CB. He has effectively played the DM role at Reading and also Internationally for Jamaica. If you can get your hands on a tape of Jamaica's last WCQ match vs Haiti you can see how well he plays the role (Jamaica played a 4-1-4-1 formation last match with Hector in front of the back 4)

 

Something like this after January might serve us well:

 

------Diego-----

 

Hazard--Cesc--Willian

 

---Matic--Hector----

 

Azpi--Zouma--JT--Ivan

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by cobean

Maybe matic was told to be more attacking this game, i have no doubt he could sit and protect in the big games, only 4 months ago he was being touted as the best in the world in that position

Watched Spurs today and they were very free in attack. Fabregas wouldnt stand a chance against them. I'm a bit fearful of the Spurs game. Time for a Mourinho masterplan to stop them.

Maybe matic was told to be more attacking this game, i have no doubt he could sit and protect in the big games, only 4 months ago he was being touted as the best in the world in that position

 

Think you're right, the whole team were given licence to express themselves, but, Matic and Fabregas away from home, particularly against good sides, is no longer an option. Last time we did it was City away this season, and that was madness. Yes, you can bring in Ramires and play 3 in midfield, or push Fabregas further forward but it doesn't give us the solidity we need, we've seen this time and time again. Solidity is Zouma's middle name although he did admittedly change that to Happy.

Good post and I agree we need additional coverage shielding the back 4. Zouma to me is just not suited for that role, he can play it of course, but he is not natural on the ball and really leaves our attack at a disadvantage. 

The answer could be coming in January though. Michael Hector who is on loan from Reading, is a player I would call for early as has been rumoured. Hector is excellent on the ball and his first pass and vision are top notch for a CB. He has effectively played the DM role at Reading and also Internationally for Jamaica. If you can get your hands on a tape of Jamaica's last WCQ match vs Haiti you can see how well he plays the role (Jamaica played a 4-1-4-1 formation last match with Hector in front of the back 4)

 

Something like this after January might serve us well:

 

------Diego-----

 

Hazard--Cesc--Willian

 

---Matic--Hector----

 

Azpi--Zouma--JT--Ivan

 

With all due respect, he's playing in the Championship, and he's playing at a very low level internationally, for Jamaica against Haiti, we can't take his performances too seriously.

 

I've not seen him myself and I take your word for it that he's playing well and might make the grade, but there's no way on earth he's getting into our side for the latter half of the season.

 

There's more chance of him being transported to the moon.

I think i'd prefer ivanovic alongside matic instead, especially considering how spurs tore us open down his side last season. i know it's a random move, but what other choice do we have? either RLC, rami or mikel next to matic. we really need to reinforce that area in jan, so i hope jose is bluffing when he says we don't need to sign anybody. considering we'll have the latter stage of the CL to take into consideration after jan too

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by enigma

Would you be happy going to WHL with the same team as yesterday?

It's a recipe for disaster IMO.

I'd make two changes, Dave for Kenedy because I don't think Kenedy playing left back is a long term solution.

And Oscar for Pedro. I don't think Pedro had any particular impact against Norwich and Oscar will offer Fabregas opportunities to get forward and help with the pressing.

But regarding the central midfield I don't think we have to change anything and if we did Zouma for me isn't the answer.

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by ForeverCarefree

With all due respect, he's playing in the Championship, and he's playing at a very low level internationally, for Jamaica against Haiti, we can't take his performances too seriously.

 

I've not seen him myself and I take your word for it that he's playing well and might make the grade, but there's no way on earth he's getting into our side for the latter half of the season.

 

There's more chance of him being transported to the moon.

 

I am not suggesting he come in and be an immediate starter but against certain opponents he is much more suited skill wise for that role than someone like Zouma. 

 

Haiti was just the most recent match that I used as an example. He was also playing in the Copa in the summer vs teams like Argentina and Uruguay and performing well. The Jamaican "Back 6" was hailed as one of the best performing groups all tournament. So he has shown he can face some of the best and not look out of place. 

 

When he is playing CB he is also next to Wes Morgan from Leicester and does not look out of place at all. 

Im scared to suggest Jon Obi alongside Matic, but I will anyway   

and Id have Oscar instead of Pedro just because of his willingness to hassle, press and track back. Maybe he can rotate between left wing when we have the ball, and number 10 when we dont, letting hazard swap with him for maximum effectiveness and defensive pressing

I'm certain Ramires will play against Spurs if he's available, no way in hell we could rely on Matic/Cesc sharing the midfield defence duties. Ramires is clueless unlocking deep defence, but a far more better player when there's room to move or space to run into.  Zouma is our best chance to contain Kane, let's not mess around with him. I'm pretty scared if Ivanovic get picked again, not convinced despite a decent game on Saturday. 

It is a puzzle, our midfield needs a bit of work in the summer I think.

We really need a strong and creative centre mid to possibly replace Fabregas, someone who takes the ball, one look and darts off or else passes it on forward at speed.......and a confident tackler to break up the play to help Matic.

Edited November 23, 201510 yr by Zola

It is a puzzle, our midfield needs a bit of work in the summer I think.

We really need a strong and creative centre mid to possibly replace Fabregas, someone who takes the ball, one look and darts off or else passes it on forward at speed.......and a confident tackler to break up the play to help Matic.

 

 

RLC, in an ideal world, but since the villa game (which I thought was his best) he seems to have fallen from grace some what 

I'd make two changes, Dave for Kenedy because I don't think Kenedy playing left back is a long term solution.

And Oscar for Pedro. I don't think Pedro had any particular impact against Norwich and Oscar will offer Fabregas opportunities to get forward and help with the pressing.

But regarding the central midfield I don't think we have to change anything and if we did Zouma for me isn't the answer.

 

Can't believe you're saying this. We went with Oscar, Fabregas and Matic last season at WHL, and we've tried it away from home once or twice since, and it doesn't work. It's too lightweight to go to tough away grounds in the Prem. Unfortunately we have to be way more pragmatic, IMO.

Can't believe you're saying this. We went with Oscar, Fabregas and Matic last season at WHL, and we've tried it away from home once or twice since, and it doesn't work. It's too lightweight to go to tough away grounds in the Prem. Unfortunately we have to be way more pragmatic, IMO.

My personal opinion is that we have to try and move away from being pragmatic, especially in these sorts of games.

The trio of Fabregas, Matic and Oscar are more than talented enough to take the game to Spurs.

They can press and harass the Spurs midfield into making mistakes to turn over possession.

Putting a player as slow and plodding as Zouma I the middle is never going to see us improve or evolve as a side.

I can see both points here.

With Zouma in there much like the cup final we would be more solid as a unit defending wise and it could work.

However it's no good to Zouma as he's a defender plus we suffer in the creative aspect of our game which is suffering now as is without ditching a creative midfielder for a centre back.

Going forward playing CB in midfield positions does more harm than good and we really need to sort this out as its been being done since Luiz was here and it's highly irritating to see time and time again.

As FCF says we should in theory have enough quality with Matic, Oscar and Cesc in there but I do get we got an utter battering playing that way against them last season at the festive period.

I think Jose will go with Davey's lineup and I can see why he would but I can see the argument against this. I myself don't know what I'd go with as I just cant see us getting anything from this game sadly.