1 hour ago, El regreso said:

You still haven’t explained why it needs to go just that “ it needs to go to kick start our season”. 
 

I'll explain then. Not having that extra player in attack is limiting. We got a nice 3-0 win yesterday, but let's not forget that after the first goal, it took us until midway through the second half to get going again. Jackson, as good as he was, was isolated when the ball was played to him. He was up against 4 or 5 Luton players with the closest Chelsea player being 20 yards away from him. This formation relies on a bit of individual brilliance a lot of the times from the attackers because they will know they will be up against 2-3 attackers by themselves, which is exactly what we need from both Chukwuemeka with his goal against West Ham and Sterling's against Luton.

Also, against teams that sit back, this formation is a massive hindrance. If the opposition manages to get ahead, they can sit back and just see it out through the sheer number of players they have defending against the lack of attackers we have. When teams sit back against us, it feels like we are a man down at times because there just aren't enough players in attack. Just look at the West Ham game when they went ahead, we had no answer, we were clueless. A team playing this formation against a team sitting deep needs somebody in midfield with something a bit extra to open a team up, like a through the needle pass or somebody with tricky feet. Relying on wing backs in this situation will more often than not result in failure. With only a few attackers in the box, it's an impossible ask for wingback because the attackers in the box are so out numbered. It's also incredibly difficult just to get a cross into the box in this situation because the wing backs get crowded out.

20 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I'll explain then. Not having that extra player in attack is limiting. We got a nice 3-0 win yesterday, but let's not forget that after the first goal, it took us until midway through the second half to get going again. Jackson, as good as he was, was isolated when the ball was played to him. He was up against 4 or 5 Luton players with the closest Chelsea player being 20 yards away from him. This formation relies on a bit of individual brilliance a lot of the times from the attackers because they will know they will be up against 2-3 attackers by themselves, which is exactly what we need from both Chukwuemeka with his goal against West Ham and Sterling's against Luton.

Also, against teams that sit back, this formation is a massive hindrance. If the opposition manages to get ahead, they can sit back and just see it out through the sheer number of players they have defending against the lack of attackers we have. When teams sit back against us, it feels like we are a man down at times because there just aren't enough players in attack. Just look at the West Ham game when they went ahead, we had no answer, we were clueless. A team playing this formation against a team sitting deep needs somebody in midfield with something a bit extra to open a team up, like a through the needle pass or somebody with tricky feet. Relying on wing backs in this situation will more often than not result in failure. With only a few attackers in the box, it's an impossible ask for wingback because the attackers in the box are so out numbered. It's also incredibly difficult just to get a cross into the box in this situation because the wing backs get crowded out.

That’s good explanation and that’s something I also thought when seeing it on paper however when we actually attack the framework looks like  a 3-1-4-2 so Poch is using the wingbacks as wingers in attack and as traditional Wingbacks in defence. I think he is doing this to help the new players bed into the system and style of play (not formation). 
I am sure he sees why more than we can especially with the data they get post match and knows why he’s playing this formation, if he thought at this moment in our development a back four was better he would be playing a back 4 without question so I trust him until he gives me a reason not to.

The image illustrates our attack patterns.

55 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I'll explain then. Not having that extra player in attack is limiting. We got a nice 3-0 win yesterday, but let's not forget that after the first goal, it took us until midway through the second half to get going again. Jackson, as good as he was, was isolated when the ball was played to him. He was up against 4 or 5 Luton players with the closest Chelsea player being 20 yards away from him. This formation relies on a bit of individual brilliance a lot of the times from the attackers because they will know they will be up against 2-3 attackers by themselves, which is exactly what we need from both Chukwuemeka with his goal against West Ham and Sterling's against Luton.

Also, against teams that sit back, this formation is a massive hindrance. If the opposition manages to get ahead, they can sit back and just see it out through the sheer number of players they have defending against the lack of attackers we have. When teams sit back against us, it feels like we are a man down at times because there just aren't enough players in attack. Just look at the West Ham game when they went ahead, we had no answer, we were clueless. A team playing this formation against a team sitting deep needs somebody in midfield with something a bit extra to open a team up, like a through the needle pass or somebody with tricky feet. Relying on wing backs in this situation will more often than not result in failure. With only a few attackers in the box, it's an impossible ask for wingback because the attackers in the box are so out numbered. It's also incredibly difficult just to get a cross into the box in this situation because the wing backs get crowded out.

A 3-4-3 with Sterling-Jackson-Nkunku up front wouldn't be a bad idea, but using Chilwell as a left winger with only 2 attackers definitely isn't the right move.

 

Personally, I think we should go for a 4-2-3-1 like Brighton play, once Carney and Nkunku come back

6 minutes ago, Drogba1 said:

A 3-4-3 with Sterling-Jackson-Nkunku up front wouldn't be a bad idea, but using Chilwell as a left winger with only 2 attackers definitely isn't the right move.

 

Personally, I think we should go for a 4-2-3-1 like Brighton play, once Carney and Nkunku come back

4-3-3 is probably the best formation fit for the players that we currently have available.

Chilwell left back or left out 🙂 

 

I would agree. 433 or 4231 with Enzo at CAM. Nkunku and Sterling as the inside forwards whilst James and Chilwell provide the width. Think this team provides the most balance.

 

Sanchez

James Fofana Colwill Chilwell

Lavia   Caicedo

Enzo

Sterling            Nkunku

Jackson

 

 

 

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I would agree. 433 or 4231 with Enzo at CAM. Nkunku and Sterling as the inside forwards whilst James and Chilwell provide the width. Think this team provides the most balance.

 

Sanchez

James Fofana Colwill Chilwell

Lavia   Caicedo

Enzo

Sterling            Nkunku

Jackson

 

 

 

Petrovic now an option at GK 🙂 

Just now, Sexyfootball said:

Petrovic now an option at GK 🙂 

Is promising. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I would agree. 433 or 4231 with Enzo at CAM. Nkunku and Sterling as the inside forwards whilst James and Chilwell provide the width. Think this team provides the most balance.

 

Sanchez

James Fofana Colwill Chilwell

Lavia   Caicedo

Enzo

Sterling            Nkunku

Jackson

 

 

 

This was the idea until nkunku got injured once we got a full fit team this team is OP, we just need more depth in attack and we will be fine

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I would agree. 433 or 4231 with Enzo at CAM. Nkunku and Sterling as the inside forwards whilst James and Chilwell provide the width. Think this team provides the most balance.

 

Sanchez

James Fofana Colwill Chilwell

Lavia   Caicedo

Enzo

Sterling            Nkunku

Jackson

 

 

 

Fofana?

Won't see him this season, will we?

1 hour ago, WhiteWall said:

Fofana?

Won't see him this season, will we?

When everyone fit, and to be honest the only reason I didn't put Badiashile at RCB was because it was followed by 'most balanced'. 

Still think Badiashile will be a better CB than Fofana. 

Happy enough with the results bar the West Ham one. Poch needs to get this team away from the 3 at the back system, I get that we have so many CBs out but putting Chilwell on constant running duty will only lead to injuries again. Chilwell’s best game is when he can bomb forward in limited amount.

Maybe he can play Enzo in a free 8/10 role where he can go deep and roam further upfield as play develops (when Lavia is up to speed). Our play is suffering from not having a creative player further up the pitch, Jackson is too isolated. I like Gallagher but his all action play isn’t quite at the level of Gerrard and he doesn’t become the spare man enough like Lamps either.

Sterling is getting into form but our LW is dire. Mudryk needs Meulensteen or someone that can get him to focus on scoring goals. We need goalscoring wingers/forwards instead of creative ones. 
 

Hopefully in a month or so the squad will have that chemistry

A lot of people are asking us to play more attackers. The plan this season was to start with

Jackson 

Nkunku - Carney - Sterling 

Enzo - Gallagher 

Chilwell - Colwill - Silva - James 

Those are 4 attackers. So why poch didn't replace Nkunku and Carney with attackers? 

Madueke is at his best as rw, but no way you want to remove Sterling from rw right now

Murdyk, you are not sure Mudryk is better than Chilwell as lw. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Bob stark said:

A lot of people are asking us to play more attackers. The plan this season was to start with

Jackson 

Nkunku - Carney - Sterling 

Enzo - Gallagher 

Chilwell - Colwill - Silva - James 

Those are 4 attackers. So why poch didn't replace Nkunku and Carney with attackers? 

Madueke is at his best as rw, but no way you want to remove Sterling from rw right now

Murdyk, you are not sure Mudryk is better than Chilwell as lw. 

 

 

In my opinion, it’s not that we need more attackers, it’s that Mudryk and Madueke are terible attackers/out of form imo. If Nkunku was healthy and firing, we’d probably win all 3 games.

I’d say this side suits a 433. Enzo and Gallagher as two 8’s with Chilwell and Gusto adding more firepower in attack depending on situations. We just need Jackson, Sterling and whoever at LW to perform at high levels with Caicedo quickly getting fit.

1 hour ago, Deino said:

In my opinion, it’s not that we need more attackers, it’s that Mudryk and Madueke are terible attackers/out of form imo. If Nkunku was healthy and firing, we’d probably win all 3 games.

 

Madueke and Mudryk are young players.. and even more than Mudryk - Madueke was the only player who made something happen last season. i dont know why you have to call them out.. Young players are like this and have always been like this but not even 3 games and people are already on their back.

2 hours ago, Deino said:

In my opinion, it’s not that we need more attackers, it’s that Mudryk and Madueke are terible attackers/out of form imo. If Nkunku was healthy and firing, we’d probably win all 3 games.

I’d say this side suits a 433. Enzo and Gallagher as two 8’s with Chilwell and Gusto adding more firepower in attack depending on situations. We just need Jackson, Sterling and whoever at LW to perform at high levels with Caicedo quickly getting fit.

That's ridiculously harsh on them players, especially Madueke who was excellent when he played last season. He missed some preseason due to an international tournament and is being eased back in. To claim he's terrible is over the top nonsense.

18 hours ago, El regreso said:

That’s good explanation and that’s something I also thought when seeing it on paper however when we actually attack the framework looks like  a 3-1-4-2 so Poch is using the wingbacks as wingers in attack and as traditional Wingbacks in defence. I think he is doing this to help the new players bed into the system and style of play (not formation). 
I am sure he sees why more than we can especially with the data they get post match and knows why he’s playing this formation, if he thought at this moment in our development a back four was better he would be playing a back 4 without question so I trust him until he gives me a reason not to.

The image illustrates our attack patterns.

Can you not see how isolated Chilwell is there though? Not much of our attacking play is coming from that side. 

Listen I agreed with Poch using it against Liverpool, we didn't have the midfielders to protect a back 4, I still saw the logic in it for West Ham. But Luton surprised me, because we already had Caicedo who was capable of the 90 minutes, and it's Luton, they are rubbish. 

Said it for a while that at the moment there is a tactical conundrum playing both Chilwell and Mudryk on that left side. Chilwell loves to operate in that attacking space, as does Mudryk who looks lost when asked to be an inside forward. 

Chilwell as vice captain has to play too. 

 

37 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Said it for a while that at the moment there is a tactical conundrum playing both Chilwell and Mudryk on that left side. Chilwell loves to operate in that attacking space, as does Mudryk who looks lost when asked to be an inside forward. 

Chilwell as vice captain has to play too. 

 

With the injuries we have and the late arrival of both Lavia and Cacedio it’s very much about taking each game one at a time. 

I would imagine it won’t be long before Poch is able to set up with a 4 at the back and get some sort of balance to the midfield.

But not having Nkuku available is perhaps the biggest miss because he would have created the extra dimension on 5he left and yes it is something that is evident.

 

Watching Newcastle they attack exactly how we do at the back Tripper moves up To what looks like a winger role and the rest of the defenders Burns, Botman and Schar go into a three literally exactly how we setup in attack but in defence we have more cover.

 

Liverpool is exactly the same Trent goes into midfield and the three other defenders go into a three.

Matip, VVD and Robertson for a three.

Edited August 27, 20232 yr by El regreso

Why don't we adopt the "Low Block " system ?

Apparently no one has figured a way to penetrate it , and leaves plenty of counter attack goal opportunities.

Even we find it difficult to play against, so what are we waiting for ?

Come on you BLUES ?

 

Here's a question for the purists. Could we offer Hazard a pay as you play deal and have him coming off the bench or could Hazard do a job in this side with Sterling? I'd enjoy it. Just think we're short on guile and a half fit Hazard off the bench would create with the legs that would be around him in this side now. 

And signs look promising for Jackson. 

22 minutes ago, olderschoolcfc said:

Here's a question for the purists. Could we offer Hazard a pay as you play deal and have him coming off the bench or could Hazard do a job in this side with Sterling? I'd enjoy it. Just think we're short on guile and a half fit Hazard off the bench would create with the legs that would be around him in this side now. 

And signs look promising for Jackson. 

Truth is nobody can answer that but all the evidence suggests the answer is no. He hasn't looked like a player of calibre for seasons now and, despite being a free agent, there is as much interest in him from  a top team as there is in my eBay advert for people to buy shares in my mortgage.

We all have a soft spot for Hazard for all he did in a Chelsea shirt but I don't think he is remotely equipped to make an impression in the Premier league anymore.

27 minutes ago, olderschoolcfc said:

Here's a question for the purists. Could we offer Hazard a pay as you play deal and have him coming off the bench or could Hazard do a job in this side with Sterling? I'd enjoy it. Just think we're short on guile and a half fit Hazard off the bench would create with the legs that would be around him in this side now. 

And signs look promising for Jackson. 

It's a NO from me   !

10 hours ago, olderschoolcfc said:

Here's a question for the purists. Could we offer Hazard a pay as you play deal and have him coming off the bench or could Hazard do a job in this side with Sterling? I'd enjoy it. Just think we're short on guile and a half fit Hazard off the bench would create with the legs that would be around him in this side now. 

And signs look promising for Jackson. 

Not sure what a half future Hazard could offer as one of his main attributes was running with the ball. One of the worst aspects of his game was defensive responsibility so I just think we would be getting all of the bad and very few glimpses of the good.

It's a no for me. Best to leave him where he is, snug in our Hall of Fame.

Poch has shown how simple it is to play football. You don't need some fancy system, inverted fb, or false 9.

Sterling as winger, get him the ball quickly and often, get him to work. Get the ball to enzo as much as possible, let him have the freedom to move around so he can affect play more. 

Done.