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THREAD TIME Been a while since I've done this, feels good to be back.
In this thread I'll be analysing how we've set up against Palace and Southampton, and why including Ziyech and Reece into this set up is a massive challenge, and could disrupt the balance of the side
First off, I want to start the thread by taking a leaf out of the current Champions' book, to show how the best teams in the world use the system of 3-2-5 or 2-3-5 while attacking.
This is Liverpool under Klopp, with TAA and Robbo forming part of the front five.
This is Liverpool under Klopp, with TAA and Robbo forming part of the front five.
Even City under Pep used a similar system, however he asked his wingers to stay wide (hence left footed wingers play LW and similarly on the right).
The full backs, instead of bombarding front move into midfield, which allows the attacking midfielders to get into spaces.
The full backs, instead of bombarding front move into midfield, which allows the attacking midfielders to get into spaces.
We can also include Conte's hugely successful 3-4-3 system in the 2016/17 season, with Alonso and Moses joining Hazard, Pedro and Costa upfront to achieve the 3-2-5 system.
All the aforementioned systems proved to be a huge success, and two used the 4-3-3 formation, while Conte used 3-4-3.
However, with Lampard using the 4-2-3-1, its harder to create the 2-3-5 and 3-2-5 scenarios in attack.
This is how Lampard tackled the problem against Palace.
However, with Lampard using the 4-2-3-1, its harder to create the 2-3-5 and 3-2-5 scenarios in attack.
This is how Lampard tackled the problem against Palace.
We can notice Hudson-Odoi (who is right footed) staying wide on the right flank, while Werner cut in from the left allowing Chilwell to overlap.
Azpi did not join the attack, and this allowed us to achieve the 3-2-5 system, which is balanced.
Zouma LCB to cover for Chilwell.
Azpi did not join the attack, and this allowed us to achieve the 3-2-5 system, which is balanced.
Zouma LCB to cover for Chilwell.
Similarly, this is how we lined up against Southampton.
Pulisic on the right (right footed) and Mount cutting in to allow Chilwell space.
Once again, Azpi staying back, allowing us to form the 3-2-5 formation.
Not a desirable result, but that's secondary.
Pulisic on the right (right footed) and Mount cutting in to allow Chilwell space.
Once again, Azpi staying back, allowing us to form the 3-2-5 formation.
Not a desirable result, but that's secondary.
This is where the problem now arises. Ziyech, who is now fit, is a left footed player often deployed on the right.
He can't generate numbers like an inverted winger (Salah or Mane) but is rather a playmaker, who likes to cut inside from the wide position.
He can't generate numbers like an inverted winger (Salah or Mane) but is rather a playmaker, who likes to cut inside from the wide position.
When he does cut inside, there's an awful lot of space available on the right flank.
Reece loves to drive forward into this area and cross the ball into the box.
Reece loves to drive forward into this area and cross the ball into the box.
However, when he does bombard ahead, there's a massive gap that opens up behind him.
This can be exploited by the opposition, especially by cutting out RJ's cross and hitting on the counter.
A pacey winger would most definitely cause serious problems for us.
This can be exploited by the opposition, especially by cutting out RJ's cross and hitting on the counter.
A pacey winger would most definitely cause serious problems for us.
This is also the issue with the "attacking 8s" formation that has been doing rounds.
It's a combination of Liverpool's high fullbacks and City's two attacking 8s, which would leave us all over the place in transition, and is nothing short of suicide.
It's a combination of Liverpool's high fullbacks and City's two attacking 8s, which would leave us all over the place in transition, and is nothing short of suicide.
The solution? There's two.
1) Azpi has to partner either of Chilwell or RJ to provide stability. However, with inverted wingers, it would leave a lot of space on the wings unexploited.
2) Chilwell and RJ have to form an understanding so that both do not drive forward together-
1) Azpi has to partner either of Chilwell or RJ to provide stability. However, with inverted wingers, it would leave a lot of space on the wings unexploited.
2) Chilwell and RJ have to form an understanding so that both do not drive forward together-
-When one goes front, the other stays back.
Sometimes, one of the 8s (either Mount or Havertz) could go wide if space is available.
This would make our attack very fluid and hard to defend against.
However, this is understandably very hard to achieve, and patience is required.
Sometimes, one of the 8s (either Mount or Havertz) could go wide if space is available.
This would make our attack very fluid and hard to defend against.
However, this is understandably very hard to achieve, and patience is required.
All in all, Lampard has a huge task on his hand, and we've to wait and see if he can deliver.
However, the important bit is to remain patient to see if he can pull it off. If he can, we could arguably have the best of both Liverpool and City and would make us unstoppable.
However, the important bit is to remain patient to see if he can pull it off. If he can, we could arguably have the best of both Liverpool and City and would make us unstoppable.
The downside?
If the system does not work and opponents manage to get us on the counter in every game, we're screwed and Lampard gets sacked.
Regardless, now is not the time to call for his head.
Likes and RTs appreciated as it took a while to put together
If the system does not work and opponents manage to get us on the counter in every game, we're screwed and Lampard gets sacked.
Regardless, now is not the time to call for his head.
Likes and RTs appreciated as it took a while to put together
