Right tactics for the right game

[Chewy]

So after the first three games, it strikes me that we're going to come across three types of games this year, which are games against the big guns, games at home where teams park the bus, and games away where teams try and high press against us, trying to beat us at our own game. We seem to have got our own high pressing game in order, but we struggle with the other two scenarios. Each type of game will have its different challenges, so I wondered what people think of the tactics we should be adopting for all scenarios.

 

High press

Against the top sides we need a strong defensive midfield, pace for the break, and a target man who can win free kicks and hold up the ball. We also need excellent set piece delivery to take advantage of whatever chances we get. Forgetting the back 4 and gk who pretty much pick themselves, I'd say we should have a midfield 4 of cork, spider, wanyama and jwp with Rodriguez and srl up front. If we get a goal, add Davis in for Rodriguez. Jwp offers set piece delivery, Rodriguez pace, and srl is our best bet for being a target man.

 

Parking the bus

Maximum creativity needed, and maximum goal threat. Don't worry about dm so much so have 5 players who can create and our most destructive midfielder to balance an attacking 5 and cover for the full backs. I'd go for wanyama and jwp, and a front 4 of lallana, srl, osvaldo and Ramirez. Lallana and Ramirez would operate as inside forwards, being overlapped by the full backs who won't be too concerned with defensive duties

 

Countering the high press

Need our own dms to be able to play the ball effectively, and creative types who can use the space higher up the field, as well as maintain our own high press to try and push them back. I'd therefore have spider and cork (better on the ball than wanyama), Davis (great at pressing higher up the pitch) and a front three of Ramirez, lallana and osvaldo. Mayukas and rodriguez's pace could be added if things aren't going well, for lallana or Ramirez. Or possibly if things are going well and we are looking to break?

 

Might explain why yesterday was such a disappointment. Wanyama had time but couldn't use the ball, but is clearly a dominant presence which will be needed in the right type of game. Srl and osvaldo offer the best goal threat, but only one can play without destroying our shape unless we are dominating the game. We also badly missed our full backs who provide the width.

 

Probably too much football manager going into this, but interested in people's thoughts. We have a good squad, but we don't seem to be getting the best out of it in the more low key games.