Three at the back

argietoffee · May 4, 2014

We got our first glimpse of Roberto´s preferred defensive formation today and I was not overly impressed. Maybe we cant judge the summer on one swallow but I thought there was a huge amount of space to be had in around our defense, especially from the wings.

Without Barry it is difficult to tell. I thought Baines liked it but Seamus ended out playing absolutely nowhere in particular. I thought he was a centre midfielder at one stage.

Thoughts?

DerekIsLiving · May 4, 2014

Our back three were scary at times yesterday, but I don't think the overall formation was that bad. We looked reasonably threatening in attack and
kept good possession, although I do feel like the play got stuck in midfield at many points during the game.
No doubt, there did seem to be a lot of space along the wings. At one point I remember seeing the entire left side being left wide open for extended periods.

Also, Howard always seems to be very vocal in organizing our back four, but with a back three didn't seem to do this as much on Saturday. Maybe he wasn't so comfortable with it either.

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing us try this again but with Distin instead of Alcaraz.

Saaby · May 4, 2014

I agree I dont like that formation and it did expose us last night

ilikecheese · May 4, 2014

Meh...we've basically been playing three at the back for ages now. Barry dropping back into the center of it.

Billy Dean · May 4, 2014

Wouldn't be against trying it again next week TBH. I liked how the midfield and attack was fluid yesterday, with players rotating and popping up in unexpected positions. I think the system has potential but needs work obviously. Does no harm to have an extra system in our repertoire if plan A isn't working.

Rook · May 4, 2014

The D and the keeper made mistakes + injuries. I don't the formation had anything to do it today. I'm for 4 at the back though as I think with the exception of Chelsea we have the best back 4 in the prem, when healthy.

We also had to play for the win hence the attacking formation. Draw would do us no good. I think we played well enough to get at least a draw and much better against Palace and Soton.

mccole · May 4, 2014

If you play 3 at the back it has to be DISTIN JAGS STONES.

We have pace, height, strength & best positional partnerships.

Sadly, we need to think replacement for Distin sorted this pre-season.

Also we are forgetting we missed Barry very much as cover to the defence plus Yaya Toure is World Class.

Alcaraz just hasn't worked and with Duffy & Browning, he need him gone.

ToffeeDan · May 4, 2014

3 is fine, just no Barry today and as for Escapade well.. stay on the bench or move soon please.

MACCA75 · May 4, 2014

Thought it looked a bit of a mess tbh, especially when playing for offsides. Not a fan myself.

Matthew mcdonnell · May 4, 2014

Not again please, ridicolous how much space they were getting in wide areas to then cut in to the box.

CahillsCornerFlag · May 4, 2014

They didn't seem to know where they were meant to be. Positionally all over the place, for Dzeko's header they were nowhere near him, and with 3 of them stood in the box that's terrible. Similarly for their third, nobody goal side of the striker, or even close enough to worry him for that matter.

I think like communism 3 at the back is boss in theory but just isn't a tactic that ever really works.

Jeff Jones · May 4, 2014

DerekIsLiving said:
Our back three were scary at times yesterday, but I don't think the overall formation was that bad. We looked reasonably threatening in attack and
kept good possession, although I do feel like the play got stuck in midfield at many points during the game.
No doubt, there did seem to be a lot of space along the wings. At one point I remember seeing the entire left side being left wide open for extended periods.

Also, Howard always seems to be very vocal in organizing our back four, but with a back three didn't seem to do this as much on Saturday. Maybe he wasn't so comfortable with it either.

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing us try this again but with Distin instead of Alcaraz.

Against Hull, maybe, but that's all. I don't want Distin or Alcarez to be featured in our future. Distin has been great but his time is up. Alcarez has looked good at times but at others he's been very loose.
We need a new CB, possibly two if Duffy hasn't come up.

nsno-chris · May 4, 2014

it was we play virtually every week, just with barry dropping deep and filling the gaps when the centre backs split

edie wakefield · May 4, 2014

I like the fact hes got different ideas up his sleeve, in this fixture last season if we'd have had a loan player out against his parent club, soft arse would have just played Neville regardless of who it was and whatever position. Neville, furiously pointing and shouting at random patches of turf, good god im im so happy hes gone.