2020/2021 English Premier League

[Slava]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

And saved his job, for another day!

You're right, I was the only one thinking that this fall.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Slava

You're right, I was the only one thinking that this fall.

Hahahahah, woosh.


January 15th isn't the fall to claim “unreal beneficiary of penalty kicks”.

[SuperMatt18]

Biggest issue Frank had is playing guys in their natural positions.

I went and looked at past RB Leipzig formations and Werner generally played more on the left side. Either on the left side of a front three, or on the left side in a two striker formation. Looks like he rarely he was played as a sole striker.

For Chelsea he's played mostly up top as a lone striker or on the right side.

It's the same thing with Havertz. His best season for Leverkusen was this past season when they deployed him in more of an attacking role - some times as the center forward of a three forward formation, or as the Right Wing of the attacking 3 in a 4-2-3-1 set up.

For Chelsea they've had him in a deeper role playing more as a traditional Right Midfielder, which doesn't suit him.

Ziyech played as the Right Wing on the right side in a 4-2-3-1, or in a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax.

Been the same thing with Pulisic - if you look at his last season in Dortmund he played mostly as a RW or CAM. Then goes to Chelsea and they play him on the left almost exclusively.

I'd almost be trying this if I were Chelsea:

Werner - Havertz - Ziyech
Pulisic
Kante - Kovacic

Werner and Ziyech were both used more in these type of winger positions. Havertz actually had a lot of success as the CF in almost more of a False 9 role. Pulisic has stated that he personally thinks playing in the Center is his best position, and then you have Kante/Kovacic/Jorginho behind them to protect.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I'd almost be trying this if I were Chelsea:

Werner - Havertz - Ziyech
Pulisic
Kante - Kovacic

Werner and Ziyech were both used more in these type of winger positions. Havertz actually had a lot of success as the CF in almost more of a False 9 role. Pulisic has stated that he personally thinks playing in the Center is his best position, and then you have Kante/Kovacic/Jorginho behind them to protect.

You cannot have Kante and Kovacic at the base because neither can pass. I think they need to rotate 2 of Mount/Kante/Gilmour, depending on the circumstances. Mount is their best (or, at least, most consistent) performer, so he pretty much is always in there. There are so many extra bodies they have to unload,

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

You cannot have Kante and Kovacic at the base because neither can pass. I think they need to rotate 2 of Mount/Kante/Gilmour, depending on the circumstances. Mount is their best (or, at least, most consistent) performer, so he pretty much is always in there. There are so many extra bodies they have to unload,

I don't know if I agree with Kante not being able to pass but sure pick two of Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Jorginho, and Gilmour and figure out what works best.

[Kipper is King]

This West Ham squad is a joy to watch. Easily the most well-balanced team I've seen.

2015-2016 was fun, but they were so dependent on Payet for offense. This season, there's more offensive weapons, but no one is being lazy defensively either.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

This West Ham squad is a joy to watch. Easily the most well-balanced team I've seen.

2015-2016 was fun, but they were so dependant on Payet for offense. This season, there's more offensive weapons, but no one is being lazy defensively either.

You're back! I was wondering where you were!

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Slava

You're back! I was wondering where you were!

�� I'm happy someone missed me! Good to be back!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

�� I'm happy someone missed me! Good to be back!

Your club looks to be front runner for Lingard. Actually want/need him?

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Biggest issue Frank had is playing guys in their natural positions.

I went and looked at past RB Leipzig formations and Werner generally played more on the left side. Either on the left side of a front three, or on the left side in a two striker formation. Looks like he rarely he was played as a sole striker.

For Chelsea he's played mostly up top as a lone striker or on the right side.

It's the same thing with Havertz. His best season for Leverkusen was this past season when they deployed him in more of an attacking role - some times as the center forward of a three forward formation, or as the Right Wing of the attacking 3 in a 4-2-3-1 set up.

For Chelsea they've had him in a deeper role playing more as a traditional Right Midfielder, which doesn't suit him.

Ziyech played as the Right Wing on the right side in a 4-2-3-1, or in a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax.

Been the same thing with Pulisic - if you look at his last season in Dortmund he played mostly as a RW or CAM. Then goes to Chelsea and they play him on the left almost exclusively.

I'd almost be trying this if I were Chelsea:

Werner - Havertz - Ziyech
Pulisic
Kante - Kovacic

Werner and Ziyech were both used more in these type of winger positions. Havertz actually had a lot of success as the CF in almost more of a False 9 role. Pulisic has stated that he personally thinks playing in the Center is his best position, and then you have Kante/Kovacic/Jorginho behind them to protect.

I think looking at a more fluid formation may be the answer. Back when Chelsea had Drogba and Anelka, they played a front 3 that was essentially a striker as a fulcrum (Drogba) a shifty second striker in the half spaces on the right (Anelka) and a more traditional winger/creator from wide on the other side (Malouda). That then allowed the right fullback to jump in as the extra man wide on attack.



Do that with this team now, and you have Giroud as your hold up/target man, Werner in half spaces on the left, Chilwell joining as the wide option coming forward from leftback, and Ziyech as a creator on the right. Ideally you bring in a better long term striker (Haaland as out and out striker, , but Giroud fits the bill for now.



That midfield 3 back then was immense - we are talking Lampard, Essien, Ballack. It is very tempting to look at the team now and say that there is potential for that kind of a trio again with Mount, Kante and Havertz. That team relied on a dynamic and smart player shuttling (Essien) and two players with eyes for goal/creating and able to break forward to receive the ball in scoring areas.



I would go for this kind of a lineup personally:


Giroud
Werner - Ziyech
Mount - Havertz
Kante
Chilwell - Zouma - Silva - James
Mendy


Looks like Werner on the wing, but he would be drifting in as Chilwell comes up, so in attack it is a 3-3-4 effectively, whereas in defence it is 4-3-2-1, which would allow for more compact pressing, not being stretched and leaving spaces for teams to break and counter as effectively

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Your club looks to be front runner for Lingard. Actually want/need him?

I'm not familiar enough with him to say, really.

A lot of the chatter I've read has said that life it's been a bit difficult personally for him, so he could benefit from some new surroundings.

Tbh, I'm worried about any transfer upsetting the chemistry of what West Ham has now.

[J epworth]

Martinez vs Pope has been spectacular today

[Bagor]

de Gea has zero presence in his own area. A gentle inswinger into the six yard box and he can't even deal with it.

Teams know it and they target it. It's a glaring weakness.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think the only kinda recent United game I can think of where they scored first is when they got blasted by Spurs. The certainly love digging out of a hole.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bagor

de Gea has zero presence in his own area. A gentle inswinger into the six yard box and he can't even deal with it.

Teams know it and they target it. It's a glaring weakness.

I remember early in his career, it occurring and Vida tore into him.

[Bagor]

About time he got one on target.
Gotta wonder why 3/4 of the game in and no changes.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sheffield still probably need a miracle to stay up, but that's a start.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Sheffield still probably need a miracle to stay up, but that's a start.

You would have put money on a last-minute penalty for United.

[Bagor]

Can't argue with that. SHU worth the win. Was like watching van Gaal all over again. Lots of pointless passing. At least Fred will try and make an incisive pass. Matic. Stop and side or backpass. Let's slow the game down. Give the opposition time to get set.

I'd be pissed if I was Greenwood being substituted ahead of that lazy pos Martial. That second goal started with his lazyness. I hope that's it for him. Experiment over. Listen to any offers for him in the summer. Would love to know what the hell he did to justify 90 minutes.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think the biggest shock of that match was not only did Maguire actually get a header on target, he scored too.