4-3-3 & our squad suitability

[Saint Charlie]

Simple question:

 

Koeman clearly prefers a 4-3-3 with genuine wingers.

 

Do we have the players in the squad to carry this out?

 

Our last two Managers havent played with genuine width so we havent really bought a traditional winger since Steve de Ridder.

 

I wonder if we can make that formation work with what we have?

 

When bringing in a Manager with a clear preference for that system, have we done enough to support him?

[Dig Dig]

Without Rodriguez being available, we don't have players for an effective 433 formation. Tadic and Gaston are best used in a central 10 position but can obviously do a job wide. If we are to improve in the final third, a winger is a necessity, someone with the ability to carry the ball and get defenders facing the wrong way.

[Colinjb]

The performance at Liverpool showed that the performance of the central midfielders is crucial, they need to take charge and support in all areas. A fully motivated Morgan Schneiderlin would be ideal, Victor will always be more inclined to support the back four and sit deep. We need our midfield to push up and support Pelle and distribute wide when pushing forward. I would actually look to bring in Taider for Morgan Schneiderlin and use Jay Rodriguez on the left of the front three. 4-3-3 was not too dissimilar to Pochettino's preferred formation, I hope it will click in soon with our new blood.

[Saint Charlie]

Jay plays wide but moves inside. Lallana floated all across the front line.

 

Koeman wants the wide players to play wide like Tadic has.

 

We dont have any genuine wide players who are good enough (Tadic aside).

 

Also if you play like that then you need a central midfielder who bursts into the box and is likely to get 8 or more goals a season. We don't have that either.

 

Also worry that Pelle won't create anyrhing for himself, although may score with good service.

 

If you play with one up and two wide men then the central striker has to be capable of running in behind otherwise the defending side will just push really high up the pitch and condense the space, not allowing the wingers space to move, as WBA did really well.

 

Really need someone who can carry the ball and is a threat running in behind too. A player with the attributes of Dries Mertens, Kevin Mirrallas or Jesus Navas if obviously not their quality.

 

Have seen Redmond mentioned but he isnt that type of direct runner and has no club goal record to speak of.

Edited 25 August, 2014 by Saint Charlie

[shurlock]

Jay plays wide but moves inside. Lallana floated all across the front line.

 

Koeman wants the wide players to play wide like Tadic has.

 

We dont have any genuine wide players who are good enough (Tadic aside).

 

Also if you play like that then you need a central midfielder who bursts into the box and is likely to get 8 or more goals a season. We don't have that either.

 

Also worry that Pelle won't create anyrhing for himself, although may score with good service.

 

If you play with one up and two wide men then the central striker has to be capable of running in behind otherwise the defending side will just push really high up the pitch and condense the space, not allowing the wingers space to move, as WBA did really well.

 

Really need someone who can carry the ball and is a threat running in behind too. A player with the attributes of Dries Mertens, Kevin Mirrallas or Jesus Navas if obviously not their quality.

 

Have seen Redmond mentioned but he isnt that type of direct runner and has no club goal record to speak of.

 

Redmond's a very direct runner and can stay outside and come inside.

[Saint Charlie]

Redmond's a very direct runner and can stay outside and come inside.

 

Not in the same way Townsend is. He can beat a man, but usually in a tighter space. He isnt as powerful and in terms of being a goal threat is someone that is likely to get 1-3 a season which isnt enough for us IMO.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

I think Saturday showed that it doesn't work. I'd much rather see us playing with 2 up front. Good old 4-4-2.

[Saint Rees]

We could have done with Ramirez in JWP's position Saturday, some creativity in midfield and someone not afraid to get a shot off. With him back in the team and another winger / Rodriguez back I think we will be at our strongest (with Gardos in too assuming that he's better than Maya!)

 

Hopefully Gaston can stay fit for far longer this season to build some good form and help the team out, I think him and Tadic together could be great as we saw first half at bournemouth, seems he's been injured for longer than he's been fit since he's been at saints!

[Baird of the land]

I'd be much happier with us playing the 4-2-3-1 we played last season.