Mata much like any number 10, is best playing off the striker in a 4231 system, 442 does not work for mata, no does 433 unless its seen has a 4231. 352 can work, but not when our forwards and midfield are pretty much slow and lacking creativity. We have a problem with Rooney/RVP axis that is colliding with fitting mata into the team, and all 3 are not the most mobile of players, so our strongest point of our squad does not dove tail because of the lack of pace in the forward line. That means you need speed and creativity from your wide players, and mobility from your CM. You basically have to build a system around mata, and 352/442/433 does not work, especially if mata is used has one of the front 3. 4231 is the only way to get the best out of mata
Take our system, it does not work with mata, why? because of certain pieces/players in our system that makes mata ineffective. Hernandez is very ridged, he stays up top, rooney is not very quick, and we have no wide players playing, and our midfield is not very good, herrera can be, but fletcher is a squad player at best. So you bring all these factors to the table, no wonder mata is struggling. The simple fact is we need another wide player, we need another CM player and a defender to play 4 at the back, and 2 natural wide players who can bring mata into play, and help the front man
If LVG can sign a wide player CM and a defender, we can play 4231 with
------DDG--------
?? smalling jones shaw
herrera ??
?? mata janazaj
rooney/RVP
So for mata to work, it has to be 4231, not 352. The worry we are sticking to 352 when our forwards have no pace. which is the same problem has last season