Nagel 8:08 Mon Aug 10
The diamond midfield
|
|
In the last few years the only decent football we've played has been with a diamond midfield. I was under the impression that Bilic would likely follow the crowd and go for the 4231 but glad to see he didn't for the Arsenal game and I just hope he sticks with it, unlike Zola and Allardyce, for whom it seemed like a plan B to be got rid of as soon as other players were available.
I don't think we have a single wide attacking player worthy of a place in the starting 11. Jarvis and Amalfitano are probably the only naturally wide players while the likes of Valencia, Zarate, Lanzini and Payet could all play wide but are better suited to more central positions.
If we wanted to mainly play 4231 then we'd need to get in 2 quality wide players and still have no decent backup. Stick with the diamond and we only need a decent striker and central midfielder and the squad will be in much better shape and find it easier to cope with injuries and suspensions.
Good to have options to play different formations depending on the opposition but I'd like to see us go with the diamond for the majority of games..
|
|
|
Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Stubbo
2:10 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Ludo re your 3-5-2...that's not far off what it was really, given Oxford was primarily sweeping in front.
|
ironsofcanada
1:25 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Alex V 1:07 Mon Aug 10
I agree about the more withdrawn of the attacking players but we did play very narrow, something Arsenal could not would not (arrogantly) deal with. (Why they did not just keep giving it to Oxlade-Chamberlain and later Walcott and have them run down the flanks, I don't know. O-C made Payet and a number players look silly with one run in the first half. Or target Tompkins more, Sanchez did that and could have scored a couple.)
I do agree with what you have said before about maybe struggling against team that tried to play like we try to play before - wings and crosses - with the current lineup.
You need you forwards to press on the wings to deal with that.
Zarate has something to offer, always has, when he kept himself fit, but not sure he is the man to press consistently or drive in from the wing and hit something at the far post.
|
Alex V
1:07 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
>>> In one of Bilic's interviews, he stated that he doesn't favour rigid formations but insteads prefers versatility from his players across the park.
I think you could see that yesterday, and from the fact that I think most of the sites and news sources mis-labelled the formation as a diamond. Zarate and Payet were sometimes wide, sometimes central, sometimes up front and sometimes dropping off. For an opposition that must be a constant issue, because one marker can't follow those players everywhere.
Playing a system like that, is a formation decision - it takes strategic thinking about formations. Managers/coaches have to think deeply about these things. It's not just a case of shoving players on the field and wishing them luck.
|
ludo21
1:01 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
For example...
I would really love to see us give 352 a go against the right opposition.... a solid three at the back (Reid & Ogbonna with Tomkins / Oxford sweeping in front of them) with Cresswell and Jenkinson playing further forward.
|
Alex V
1:00 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Well we'll see Ludo. I don't think that formation would work against some opponents. Hopefully Bilic will adapt.
|
mallard
12:59 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Monk~koknee 11:19 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
People are too obsessed with formations (or at least labelling them).
Totally agree - In one of Bilic's interviews, he stated that he doesn't favour rigid formations but insteads prefers versatility from his players across the park.
|
ludo21
12:56 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Horses for courses.... we now have a manager who can think and is not a blinkered fool.
|
Alex V
12:55 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
⚒ 12:39 Mon Aug 10
Well said. I don't think we used the diamond at any point in the match.
|
⚒
12:39 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
we didn't play diamond in the first half. apart from labelling it diamond before the game. zarate was left and right switching with payet
second half payet was definitely more central but still sakho up front alone
|
1985
11:26 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Bulldog!! That would be awesome,loved it
|
Northern Sold
11:25 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
DIAMOND
TWITTER
DIAMOND
|
Mr Polite
11:24 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
1985 11:21 Mon Aug 10
and instead of penalty shootouts a game of Bulldog!
|
Willtell
11:22 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Didn't work for the last few seasons though did it?
|
1985
11:21 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
I think we should play kick and rush formation, like at school.
|
Mr Polite
11:21 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
Monk~koknee 11:19 Mon Aug 10
Yep.
for me the tempo and movement is far more important that what you want to label where people are standing at kickoff.
|
Monk~koknee
11:19 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
People are too obsessed with formations (or at least labelling them).
|
Fluke
11:17 Mon Aug 10
Re: The diamond midfield
|
The diamond works well in a defensive formation, but I think we might be better with the 4-2-3-1 in a game we need to break down the opposition
|
| 
