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In the last 2 season Moyes has played the following players in the No 10 role: Fornals, Benrahma, Soucek, Downes, James Ward Prowse, Paqueta and Kudus. Such constant changing would be understandable if it was because of injuries or for tactical purposes, but it just seems to be that Moyes doesn’t know how to get this 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 formation working.
Because our wingers are instructed to cover the flanks defensively, the no 10 is usually highest up the pitch behind the striker. If a player like Paqueta or JWP gets the ball in that position he has only one passing option unless he plays the ball backwards again or waits for others to join the attack, nullifying the only benefit of playing counter attacking football.
The only player who has really excelled in this role under Moyes was Lingard, because he was able to carry the ball forward at pace and pass or score himself. We do actually have one player who can do exactly that in Kudus. He’s started 3 games as the no 10 this season, less than Flynn Downes did last year.
If we must play low possession counter attacking football, wouldn’t it be better if we switched to a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 formation, with all 3 central midfielders focused on regaining possession and passing the ball forward quickly to the 3 attackers, who should all be pressing in the opposition half but not retreating deep into our own.
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