Which of our attackers gets relegated to the bench with the move to 4ATB?

Fortitude

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4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-3-2 and so forth leaves us with one expensive or star turn benched. We’ve spent £200m on our new attackers, plus there’s Amad, Bruno and Mount already here, I think at most that’s 5 positions taken across the attack, but realistically 4 with a surplus of two on the bench.

We don’t play enough games in the remainder of the season for it to be a question of rotation as the permanent fixtures in the XI will always start, outside of fitness issues, so who do believe those players are, and who do you think gets dropped with a bunch of excuses as to why?

Is Mbeumo/Amad the elephant in the room, or can they actually play together and be optimised?

I’m thinking Cunha and Sesko get the chop.
 
It'll depend on the game I reckon. I feel like when playing at home against smaller teams a 4231 with Bruno behind Sesko, Cunha on the left and Mbuemo on the right makes a lot of sense. For the majority of games, though, I'd rather have a 433 with Bruno as an advanced midfielder with some freedom to press high, Amad on the right, Mbuemo centrally and Cunha.

But again, now we'll have options so whoever performs better can start. That's what a top club should be doing
 
In theory, Amad. Mbeumo is probably a better player than him, and both would ideally play in the same spot. And while you could bench Sesko instead, that would presumably involve playing Cunha at CF, where he is a much worse player. And benching Amad is easier than benching a recent, big money signing. And there are obvious tactical benefits to having Sesko's physical profile at CF.

In practice, there will probably be rotation, injuries, variances in form and a reluctance to play someone like Zirkzee (meaning Sesko/Cunha cover each other at CF), so there probably won't be a definitive answer. Players will shuffle in and out until the season ends.
 
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For me, our attackers in order of importance:

Fernandes > Amad > Mbeumo > Cunha > Mount >> Sesko

Not really counting Zirkzee, he’ll be gone soon.

Whilst he’s the only out and out striker, Sesko for me on form, seniority, and current ability should be the one dropped out. It would then be up to him to get back into the starting XI by proving himself in substitution appearances etc.
 
Sesko all day.

I’d love to see a Cunha Amad Mbeumo floating front three. Really hope that’s what Fletcher and presumably Ole go for.

It’s not ideal but I’d continue with Bruno alongside Casemiro and Mount ahead of them in the ten. But realistically Mount will never maintain fitness so it’s a chance for Mainoo to re establish himself.

On a side note I’d also like to see Yoro tried at RB ahead of Dalot.
 
I'm sure there will be rotation but the obvious answer is Amad. Mbeumo and Bruno are among the first names on the team sheet and are best in the two positions where Amad can play. In addition, almost every team in the PL that plays 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 nowadays wants a big, physical CF who can wrestle with CBs and also be a target for long balls to go over the press. Neither Mbeumo nor Cunha are really good fits in this role, so Sesko will play a lot. Even if Amad is a better player than Sesko, most managers will not move other guys into worse tactical roles just to get the best players on the pitch.

In addition, the political reality is that Wilcox made a big bet on Sesko and will want him to play. Amad is just another young player he inherited from the previous regime.
 
Sesko, he's yet to show enough to warrant starting in games.

I would probably start with Mbuemo up top with Cunha, Bruno & Amad behind but with much more fluidity so to an extent they could interchange positions.
 
Dropping Amad to force in Ugarte or Mainoo two players who haven't earned their spots doesn't sit right with me.
 
Bruno is the obvious #10. From there you have a LW and RW and striker to pick.

Cunha, Mbeumo, amad, sesko the main options and then Zirkzee and Mount also rotating in. I think Sesko starts off on the bench unless he starts banging them in before the guys come back from AFCON, but he'll rotate in and get plenty of time that fits him more anyway.

I think we are Mbeumo and Cunha rotating with LW and CF while Amad locks in the RW mainly. Good options to have. Funny how it works.
 
Smores said:
Dropping Amad to force in Ugarte or Mainoo two players who haven't earned their spots doesn't sit right with me.
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You aren't dropping amad. You are finding balance and playing 3 of Cunha, amad, Mbeumo, Mount and sesko. So probably the first 3 will be the mains.

Honestly the biggest impact to this is Mount. The biggest impact to any formation is whoever is competing with Bruno Fernandes for minutes. If Ole sees Bruno as a 10, then it's whoever else competes for the 10 spot will see a big reduction in game time.
 
I'd rather have a balanced attack instead of shoehorning players into positions where they've hardly played before:

Mbeumo - Bruno - Cunha
Sesko
​
 
After AFCON, I'd say Sesko and/or Cunha. Maybe Mount if he's even fit.

I'll be super pissed if Amad is benched anytime soon unless he really performs badly.
 
Ludens the Red said:
Sesko all day.

I’d love to see a Cunha Amad Mbeumo floating front three. Really hope that’s what Fletcher and presumably Ole go for.

It’s not ideal but I’d continue with Bruno alongside Casemiro and Mount ahead of them in the ten. But realistically Mount will never maintain fitness so it’s a chance for Mainoo to re establish himself.

On a side note I’d also like to see Yoro tried at RB ahead of Dalot.
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Could be possible. Ole loved a fluid front 3 with Rashford, Martial and Greenwood. But I recon with him being a ST himself he may work on improving Sesko and getting goals from him.
 
Chip said:
After AFCON, I'd say Sesko and/or Cunha. Maybe Mount if he's even fit.

I'll be super pissed if Amad is benched anytime soon unless he really performs badly.
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After the AFCON he’s having, any manager would be stupid to drop him. He’s red hot
 
It'll be Amad or Sesko this season, with this being our likely attack:

Mbeumo...Bruno...Cunha
Sesko​

Or

Amad...Bruno...Cunha
Mbeumo​

I expect Bruno will leave next season, and I'd like to see Cunha then play through the middle with our playmaking coming from deeper.

That'll free up the right wing, but Amad isn't particularly suited there.

Mbeumo...Cunha...Amad
Sesko​

Maybe a place for Rashford when Barca inevitably back out of the permanent deal? :o
 
Cunha or Mount

Amad and Mbeumo need to be in

Sesko is our only striker and Mbeumo plays better off one

Bruno is in midfield
 
Feels like we potentially have lots of different options/combinations for different games and scenarios. We have already seen with Bruno, Mount and Mainoo being injured that there will be plenty of opportunities for all of the players and it's up to those involved to fight for their place.

I have seen numerous posters getting a bee in their bonnet about Amad/Mbeumo competing for a spot when they would like both included, but are we forgetting the not so distant past when we were comfortable benching players such as Nani? Competition is good and having quality options off the bench is great.
 
We need a CF, unless we’re going to with a false 9.

The three first choice front line players are Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo. Unless Sesko drops turds, he’s not getting dropped. That leaves Amad and Mount coming off the bench, unless Darren and/or his successor uses Mount in midfield over Mainoo, which is a possibility.

But I wouldn’t overthink this. Injuries and suspensions always haunt us and Amad will get his minutes.
 
Mbeumo and Cunha right and left respectively, with Amad and Mount queuing behind them and fighting for a first team place. Would be amazed to see anything else. Occasionally we might see Cunha at no 9 in away games, with Sesko dropping out to the bench, but that's about it.
 
lex talionis said:
We need a CF, unless we’re going to with a false 9.

The three first choice front line players are Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo. Unless Sesko drops turds, he’s not getting dropped. That leaves Amad and Mount coming off the bench, unless Darren and/or his successor uses Mount in midfield over Mainoo, which is a possibility.

But I wouldn’t overthink this. Injuries and suspensions always haunt us and Amad will get his minutes.
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Sesko vs Cunha will be the 9. Ole during his time here played Martial often, but he also went with Cavani the other half of the time. I'd say Cunha and Sesko are both pretty similar in style as those 2 players. Cunha himself plays that role and position for the Brazil national team.

I honestly don't see Amad not playing when fit. He provides something nobody else does in our squad, Ole brought him in 6 years ago or so, and he's our best performing wide player coming off a brilliant AFCON now. Sure they'll rotate a bit, but I think Amad will be seen as the most important front 3 player pretty quickly while Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko primarily fight for the other 2. But it's a good problem, it's actually a very healthy grouping for a front 3 to have those 4, Mount and Zirkzee being a distant 5th. You need options to challenge and come in off the bench and it's not a clear 1st choice thing, just like it's hard to say at Man City who will be their first choice wingers when they have Semenyo, Doku, Foden, cherki and Marmoush to pick from.
 
——Mbuemo—-
Fernandes Amad
——Mainoo——
Ugarte Casemiro

Is interesting

Otherwise

—-Mbuemo—-
Cunha—amad
——Fernandes—-
ugarte Casemiro
 
Sesko currently.

Cunha
Amad Bruno Mbeumo
Casemiro Mainoo
Dorgu Martinez De Ligt Dalot
Lammens

If we are in a high attacking game, we can put Amad where Dalot is and put Mount for Amad on the LAM​
 
One of our weaknesses are our fullbacks and their attacking capabilities.

I wouldn't mind seeing a back 4 with four center backs, or four defenders who are prioritize defense first.

That could leave room for Bruno in midfield, alongside Casemiro, with Cunha as the 10. We saw in the Leeds game, Cunha is happy to come back and do the dirty work.

Then go with Amad, Sesko, Mbeumo as the front three.

Seeing 5 attacking minded players, and 5 defensive minded ones, makes sense.

Far better than the 7 defenders / 3 attackers that we have seen under Amoirm.
 
DWelbz19 said:
For me, our attackers in order of importance:

Fernandes > Amad > Mbeumo > Cunha > Mount >> Sesko

Not really counting Zirkzee, he’ll be gone soon.

Whilst he’s the only out and out striker, Sesko for me on form, seniority, and current ability should be the one dropped out. It would then be up to him to get back into the starting XI by proving himself in substitution appearances etc.
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I would have mount higher.
 
I know this is off topic, but still, seems most people line up Martinez and de Ligt, and I'm not too sure of that partnership, we need some recovery pace. And what do we do with Heaven? "Thank you, you're getting better and better but back to the bench". I think Heaven has earned the right to play. And I'd pair him with de Ligt.
 
If we play a 4-2-3-1 then it should be

Sesko/Zirkzee
Cunha/Mount Bruno/Mainoo Mbeumo/Amad

Which means a we need a CM to help rotate with Casemiro and Ugarte.
 
Bastian said:
I know this is off topic, but still, seems most people line up Martinez and de Ligt, and I'm not too sure of that partnership, we need some recovery pace. And what do we do with Heaven? "Thank you, you're getting better and better but back to the bench". I think Heaven has earned the right to play. And I'd pair him with de Ligt.
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Licha needs to be tried as an Ugarte replacement. I'd go with De Ligt and Heaven as our cb partnership as well.
 
It's not a problem. Having options is what big clubs and good squads do.

It will change each game with fitness, form and injury.

And that's absolutely the way it should be.

Expect Mount, Cunha and Bruno to play in various different positions.
 
Desert Eagle said:
Licha needs to be tried as an Ugarte replacement. I'd go with De Ligt and Heaven as our cb partnership as well.
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I was just thinking that. Not averse to that at all. But I would also like to see Mainoo back in the side. For me the players that unquestionably have to play if fit are Amad, Mbeumo, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Lammens. I'd put Mount in that category too if he wasn't always injured.
 
Powderfinger said:
I'm sure there will be rotation but the obvious answer is Amad. Mbeumo and Bruno are among the first names on the team sheet and are best in the two positions where Amad can play. In addition, almost every team in the PL that plays 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 nowadays wants a big, physical CF who can wrestle with CBs and also be a target for long balls to go over the press. Neither Mbeumo nor Cunha are really good fits in this role, so Sesko will play a lot. Even if Amad is a better player than Sesko, most managers will not move other guys into worse tactical roles just to get the best players on the pitch.

In addition, the political reality is that Wilcox made a big bet on Sesko and will want him to play. Amad is just another young player he inherited from the previous regime.
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How on earth is it the obvious answer. He's probably in our top 3 best players
 
Sesko

Is this even a question? He's clearly the worst player of the 5. If Mbeumo/Amad/Cunha don't work for whatever reason then you re-evaluate
 
nah, you guys are rough on sesko. this guy's ready to turn it around, just wait. i'm excited about our existing squad (minus Zirkzee), i just want them unleashed now without the constraints of the previous regime's utter nonsense
 
I think Sesko is the obvious answer as Amad or Mbeumo can play on the right, Cunha or Mbeumo can play on the left, Bruno or Cunha can play as a 10 and Mbeumo or Cunha can play up top and out of those four the other big thing is them being able to be interchangeable so pulling defenders out of position whereas Sesko can only play up top.

If I could choose when everyone is fit in a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 and based on compatibility and form as much as ability I’d go with Lammens, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Heaven, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Amad, Bruno, Cunha and Mbeumo as the starting 11 with Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mount and Sesko as main back up although I wouldn’t be against Martinez in midfield alongside Mainoo either.
 
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