26 Jul 2024 07:11:59
So many pundits have spoken about our new managers style of play and in particular the so called "inverted full back. " It obviously escaped there notice but several times last season Poch had Cucarella do the exact same thing and with great effect. Granted this wasn't a tactic used in every game but it's hardly a ground breaking tactic.
I'm more interested to see how we move the ball forward when being pressed and how quickly the transitions happen.
26 Jul 2024 09:43:20
This is a big issues with maresca and isn’t me being negative as lots of Leicester fans will say so, the football when it works, when a team presses and we play through will look great,
When a team doesn’t press, and sits, it’s a lot of sideways passing, keeping it for the sake of keeping it, wear the opponent down and be patient,
Like Sarri, pattern play playing through opponent, only works if opposition falls for traps, for this reason we may not make loads chances v teams who sit, which would be most teams as its been our weakness since Costa, that’s why we need someone clinical in front of goal, not someone with potential who’s below 23y/o, titles are won on clean sheets and goalscorers, GK / ST HAVE TO BE PROVEN.
26 Jul 2024 11:58:58
Perhaps the most interesting thing to keep an eye on this season is how rigidly Maresca sticks to his 'philosophy'. Will he be willing to move away from things that don't work, or will he rigidly stick to what he wants to see? Is he going to be pressured to put the money on the pitch, and if so will he do as he's told even if the returns aren't there?
The squad is the squad, tactics can't cover up everything. I know it was only one game in pre-season, but no one seems to be making a huge fuss of the fact that Colwill was played at LB v Wrexham in the same way that they did when Poch did it. I wonder why that is? Poch beat Wrexham 5-0 in pre-season last year btw.
I think the inverted fullback idea will be discarded if it starts costing us games in the way it did at Leicester. You can't lean on the excuse that the players aren't good enough to execute your vision when your managing the calibre of players that are in a good Prem squad.
26 Jul 2024 14:40:41
RBD, the Colwill at LB for that game was interesting and it made sense because James could comfortably take the inverted role when we had the ball leaving a solid three at the back.
For me Cucarella and James are ideal for that inverted role and they will be able to take it turns. The plus is both can slot into a three at the back as well.
When I’ve seen Arsenal play with an inverted FB it always seem to be on the left side with white staying as a rigid FB and that allows Saka to play further up the pitch without having to worry who is behind him.
Anyway, I can’t wait to see how it works out in a few weeks time.
26 Jul 2024 14:46:08
I don’t get why inverting a full back would cost you games. It ensures the centre of the pitch has sufficient numbers to defend against transition and dominate the ball.
It’s not really different to Gusto pushing on, two holding midfielders and the rest of the back three shuffling across from a 4-2-3-1 starting formation - except maybe less running and a shift in where the width comes from. Either way, you are attacking and defending with 5.
I think we will have to get used to playing patiently. The whole point is to bait the defending low blocking into coming out to challenge, then hitting hard and fast.
26 Jul 2024 16:02:58
Exactly right FD77, I couldn't of put it better myself.
26 Jul 2024 16:21:24
FD77, the natural response to that is that it doesn't matter if the the centre of the pitch is full of players if the opposition just play it into the spaces out wide where the fullback would usually be. And then you end up with your CB having to defend the channels directly against a winger, while the player who has spent their career doing this is stranded in midfield. So you end up with both your CB and RB/ LB being asked to a do a job neither is used to when defending.
And I suppose my next question would be, if you end up attacking and defending with 5 regardless, then why shoehorn your RB or LB into midfield when you could just play them in their natural position where they are best?
It seems to me that all you have done is drag a load of players out of position for minimal gain, and ironically, dragging players out of position is exactly what the opposition want to do to us.
26 Jul 2024 18:22:04
RBD, we did use Cucarella as inverted FB a few times last season under Poch and it did work very well.
For me, it will be about pace of transition.
26 Jul 2024 22:52:22
RBD, you are right about CBs having to cover in the wide positions, which is why you want people who can play at FB or CB and/ or those with pace. So, Cucurella is well suited, Fofana has pace to burn…
It’s going back, but when Venables played 3 at the back in Euro 96, Pearce played LCB which worked because he had both the presence to play that role and was comfortable when dragged out wide.
If Fofana is dragged wide when the ball is played into the channel, his key role is to hold the winger up so James can drop in at RCB. If it’s Cucurella inverting, that role falls to Colwill.
It’s not new, as you said before. If Gvardiol and Ake can do it, neither of whom is a FB profile, I don’t see why Chelsea’s CBs can’t.
27 Jul 2024 00:55:24
TomB Cucurella did work well when inverting but I’m not sure it suits either James or Gusto (although I think James is capable of it) but it removes their greatest strength which is overlapping and putting crosses in.
27 Jul 2024 03:45:54
Waste of another few season appointing Maresca.
27 Jul 2024 04:02:56
fuser, I may be wrong but I think James played a lot of games in midfield while on loan and got good reviews. I think he would work well as an inverted FB.
Gusto, I’m not so sure about but he is young and I’m sure he could adapt.
27 Jul 2024 23:21:17
The thing is until they’re used to the new formation it’s going to be poor at the back. Players aren’t going to know where they’re meant to go on the counter etc. If the ball is played in behind on the left wing where James would be, does James try chase out there or is Fofana meant to go wide and James drop to CB etc. It’s going to take a while for players to learn what they’re meant to do which is contrary to what they’re used to imo.
28 Jul 2024 06:22:04
fuser, although we had some good results playing this inverted system last season as I said at the time, I’m not a massive fan of the tactic. Let’s hope it brings success for this season.
28 Jul 2024 06:58:43
I think it makes more sense to invert the left back. As someone said above, if we do the opposite that takes away our biggest strength which is James or Gusto bombing up the right flank.
I watched the first 2 games and what is worrying is the space in behind the inverted full back. There can be no passengers, wingers must work hard to track back. We also need someone who can cover a lot of ground in midfield.
I still don't think our team has anywhere near enough quality. New keeper is a must. We're lacking a commanding centre back. Most of ours wouldn't get in another team in the top 10. Our wingers are all too hit and miss. We still need a world class striker.
I don't see any of the above being addressed by this board or the recruitment team. I sense another season of struggle and turmoil.
28 Jul 2024 10:30:15
Dan, it’s early days but the lack of communication between James and Fofana was very worrying.
I’m not sure this will make sense but the winger who can occupy and take on a full back needs there RB to stay in position. At the moment we have huge gaps all over the back line made even worse because the CB’s are not dropping to give themselves a chance to cover space.
28 Jul 2024 10:42:05
Hopefully it improves the more training and work they put in. I do worry though that it isn't the system that's the issue again, it's the lack of quality.
You could see last night how much we missed Caicedo and even Cucu. Lavia still looks very raw. Might be a season of learning for him, rather than starting.
28 Jul 2024 11:18:47
Dan, I think Caicedo is top class and will be prove to be one of our top signings. Lavia in my opinion will be a fans favourite before Christmas, if he can stay injury free.