Borys
Statistics Wizard
Switch to 4-3-3, but switch Pogba and VdB (I thought we got him for deep midfield position?).
Guerreiro, Cancelo, Semedo?Portugal haven’t got the most attacking fullbacks and it works for them, we would need Martial to put up big numbers though as they have Ronnie up front..
You’re asking an, essentially, attacking player to make a full switch to a defensive role. It’s not a case of Giggs/Martial/Cristiano etc., where players had to slightly adjust.My theory relies on his abilities (attributes) which you don’t deny and on the simple assumption that a players traits (which you listed as weaknesses) can be changed. Martial, Alaba, Ox, Giggs, CR7, there is an endless list of players who changed their traits (and often positions) to be more productive for the team.
Semedo would do the most attacking, better than AWB a n that regard but AWB still gets forward a lot so I don’t see how it wouldn’t work..Guerreiro, Cancelo, Semedo?
We could have easily played that formation with Fred as the 3rd midfielder. Fact is he went with Matic, and even when Fred did play the shape was the same.My theory is he had no choice with the MCs and AMs he inherited. Also, Ole is a great tactician, he can use any formation depending on players at his disposal. He will opt for 4-3-3 because it’s simply the best formation for dominating teams.
Yeah, I pretty much agree with that. Don’t see a diamond formation working at all with us, but it’s a good problem to have with more quality in the squad..Its a strange one.
We've got 4 box to box midfielders in Bruno, Pogba, Fred and VDB. With Fred being the most defensive.
Then we have Matic as a CDM and McT being groomed for the position. But honestly, he doesn't impress me there.
I think the diamond on paper makes sense for the midfielders and atrackers. It negates or issues/depth on the wing. But our wing backs don't offer enough width to make it work. We'd need to buy attacking full backs to make it work.
With 3 in the middle, I think the most balance is from Pogba, Bruno and Matic. With VDB rotating with Pogba/Bruno.
So in summary, I don't think much has changed in terms of balance of the first 11. We just have more depth with VDB.
I’m not against 4-2-3-1, it was great. Signing VdB instead of DM is intriguing, and I’m thinking of it as an implication of some tactical changeWe could have easily played that formation with Fred as the 3rd midfielder. Fact is he went with Matic, and even when Fred did play the shape was the same.
4231. Get used to it.
It really only works if your fullbacks are good enough to run the entire 90 minutes and provide quality width. In attack it's essentially the False 9 with the two inside forwards and the 10 being more of a deeper striker, while the fullbacks are pushed super high to provide the width still. Only works with the proper fullbacks and deadly pressing though, neither of which we are good enough at.I'm always very suspicious of the midfield diamond. Fans tend to love it when talking about formations, but in the real world its not very well used. If it really was as useful as us fans seem to think, I feel like it would be a lot more common.
I actually think he could be really good in a. team that presses like demons, where he could just clean up the loose balls, recycle possession, and foul people to prevent counters a la Liverpool and City. But in any game where we have to defend in our own half more, he'd be pretty dreadful because he isn't great at nicking the ball or positioning himself defensively near our own box.If Pogba is to be our defensive midfielder then we are in for a shit season.
He’s pretty bad defending when in a double pivot, never mind on his own.
No he will rotate with Bruno and Pogba. His best position is as a 10 but can play a little further back. Would be wasted playing deep.Switch to 4-3-3, but switch Pogba and VdB (I thought we got him for deep midfield position?).
No he doesn’t Bernardo Silva is the one playing in that role not Bruno!Doesn’t Bruno play on the right for Portugal in a free roaming position we could always play 4-3-3 like that.
DeGea
Wan Bissaka Lindelöf Maguire Shaw
Matic Pogba
De Beek
Fernandes Martial Rashford
This is the diamond.Wonder if we could play the following,
4-1-3-2
With Matic sat deep and Pogba and Van Der Beek to the left and right of Fernandes who is in a slightly more advanced ten role.
Then rotate Rashford, Martial, Greenwood and Igahlo up top.
Agree with this. Given our current options, Matic has to start. I think VDB was purchased for depth/rotation. I don't see him replacing Pogba, Matic or Bruno but rotating with the latter and starting FA Cup games.Matic is a must, unless we buy an even better defensive midfielder.
This.Pogba is not a DLP. This is not FM or FIFA.
It will be Matic or Scott or Fred.
McTomainy is not a CDM, and neither is van de Beek. McTominay is a hard working nr. 8, and Donny is a nr. 8 or a nr. 10.Then we have Matic as a CDM and McT being groomed for the position. But honestly, he doesn't impress me there.
Sounds like Matic. He will end up there no doubt, but it won’t come natural for him. Doing it now would be a waste of his attacking talents. It’s already a shame to see him to stuck to his position and not arriving in the box at all.Pogba dwells too long on the ball and has had it taken off him quite a few times last season. He cant be the dm.
Pogba can play as a deep-lying playmaker (indeed that's how he was used this season, and in fact most of his time here), but not as the most defensive-minded member of the trio which is how you've got him listed in the OP. He simply is not good enough defensively to do so. He needs somebody else next to him who is focused more on that aspect, whether that's through good defensive positioning or huge workrate. Both Bruno and VDB seem to have good workrate but probably more in pressing in offensive areas rather than deeper areas.let‘s stop being arrogant by using cliche referrals to FM or FIFA. FM terminology is handy to explain tactics and deservedly widely used. constructive criticism is welcome.
What attributes MCT and Scott possess (Matic can be a DLP) that make them better than Pogba in that positions.
P.S. sick and tired of all these “smart“ posters
Agree. No way Pogba can be trusted as DMF. Even VDB would make a better choice in 12 months time (as DMF), but not yet. I doubt we will play all 3 unless we are chasing a goal. 532 is possible with 3 CB, but only in a few games. On a typical 433 or 4231, 1 will be rested, which is what VDB is for. Unless you expect Bruno will play 50 games a season.This is fairly typical when a club signs any player and fans put them into the 'first 11' but I think in this case DVB is depth and Ole unlikely to stray from the system he has just had great success with
I remember back in the day people putting 'Varela' in their 'first 11' after we signed him, the logic being all players are signed to start as many games as possible
He has been played as DLP indeed. It’s just overlooked.People talking like Pogba hasn't already been our deepest midfielder since he returned?
VDB will play the role Fred has. The first one to press, the first to join the attack when we have position in their half. He will get up alongside Bruno to give Martial more help in the box, as that's where he's best.
Pogba has already been doing the job of a "DLP" just with Matic along side him, but that rarely works as they're just both too big and slow to accelerate.
What you are describing is a system with a DM and a DLP (although I'd argue Pogba is more B2B as he joins attacks too). And with VdB it will make a significant change to that system, swapping the DM for a B2B. That seems to be a lot more offensive and unbalanced midfield, in my opinion. And I doubt we will see it against any high pressing team.People talking like Pogba hasn't already been our deepest midfielder since he returned?
VDB will play the role Fred has. The first one to press, the first to join the attack when we have position in their half. He will get up alongside Bruno to give Martial more help in the box, as that's where he's best.
Pogba has already been doing the job of a "DLP" just with Matic along side him, but that rarely works as they're just both too big and slow to accelerate.
That's how it should beOne of Bruno, Pogba or VDB will be on the bench. The other two will play with Matic.