Our midfield set-up

[The_Adder]

Looking at the way we set up in midfield we currently have Can (or Henderson) deepest with Gini next to them and Ox with the biggest licence to get forward.

 

Against the so called smaller teams, such as Swansea last night, we seem to struggle in general with this set up and we did at times when Phil was her in the position Ox is currently playing.

 

Wondering if we could be a bit more expansive now, especially with Lallana back playing.

 

Instead of Can, Wijnaldum and Ox, which was something that worked well against City when we need to defender more, could we go Can, Ox and Lallana against these type of teams.

 

It is almost the way City set up with one more defensive minded mid in Fernandinho and then with Silva and De Bruyne (and sometimes Gundogan) much more attacking, giving them an extra option going forward.

 

So something that would look like:

 

Can

 

Lallana - Ox

 

Lallana and Ox supporting the three lads up top against the smaller teams feels like it would have a lot more chance of breaking teams like Swansea down and we wouldn't lose much defensively either as both are hard working players.

[Rimbeux]

Lalllana can pass and attract players, but not to the level of Silva and KDB can do everything like run, pass, dribble to a real high level, Ox is a morues of v good, good & ok.

 

It would help having someone other than Gini needing to get on the ball a lot and his spoiling & support runs aren’t as necessary against ten men sat deep.

 

I think overall such games highlight how much we miss someone like Alonso or Gerrard who can see and make early passes through the lines, rather than rely on space opening up. Henderson is just ok at this, better than Can but it’s a big miss if you haven’t got Silva, KDB, Coutinho or Pogba to thread balls through from midfield. Would also be good to have a controlled head there when we need to take pace out of a game when comfortably ahead

[Bailo]

We definitely didn't need Gini and Can starting last night. But what else is there? Suspect Lallana isn't trusted for the whole game and hooking him after 65 for Gini wouldn't have gone down well.

[Red Yoda]

We definitely required our midfielders to break the lines last night, there just wasn't enough of it, it would have drawn defenders out of position and left gaps that our more attacking players could have exploited. It's something we must continue to improve at.

[Conrad]

We definitely didn't need Gini and Can starting last night. But what else is there? Suspect Lallana isn't trusted for the whole game and hooking him after 65 for Gini wouldn't have gone down well.

they did well against City. no reason not to start them, and we aren't exactly bursting with alternatives

[Rimbeux]

they did well against City. no reason not to start them, and we aren't exactly bursting with alternatives

Completely different challenge though, Man City give you a target to aim for and gaps if you manage to press the ball from them. But yes the cupboard is pretty bare which is why dealing with games like this should be a priority

[tag]

Think we should play 4-4-2 against the 'smaller' teams

 

Back-5

      Can Ox

Salah         Mane

  Firmino Ings

[Hassony]

Think we should play 4-4-2 against the 'smaller' teams

 

Back-5

Can Ox

Salah Mane

Firmino Ings

One bad game (where all three of our strikers missed sitters in) and suddenly we change the whole system?

 

We've done pretty well against these smaller teams this season

[RBM]

Ings?????

[Ombudsam]

I like Ings for what it's worth. Was playing well before the first injury

[Rimbeux]

Think we should play 4-4-2 against the 'smaller' teams

 

Back-5

Can Ox

Salah Mane

Firmino Ings

Put Mane right and Lallana or Ox on the left or visa versa. Salah through middle tho

[The_Adder]

Think we should play 4-4-2 against the 'smaller' teams

 

Back-5

      Can Ox

Salah         Mane

  Firmino Ings

 

Know what you're saying, but I'd much rather have Lallana on the pitch than Danny Ings.