I think it's interesting at some level.
JWP has come back, gone straight in and been a permanent fixture. That for me is a position to upgrade as whilst he's safety first and helps control possession it would be nice to see someone in that position with a bit more ability to spot a forward pass. Soler?
Alvarez has obviously also started to look better and valuable again, and he's seeing a lot of the ball as well as going and pressing aggressively. But again, he's not great on the ball when in possession and even in the current setup, we could maybe do with someone who offers more in possession (without losing that out of possession aggression)....Paqueta?
Soucek is clearly there for all the work he does 'unseen', his leadership skills, and his effectiveness in both boxes. But he's obviously very limited on the ball, and slow as they come so always somewhat behind the play in open play...but that physical presence would be sorely missed wouldn't it? But maybe a physical striker maintains the box presence without losing all that much in open play?
I'd like to see Potter go back to attempting to play 3-4-3.
With Fullkrug back to fitness, and Ferguson fit (all be it not firing) we have two strikers with physical presence to lead the line.
Bowen and Kudus both seem to relish playing more centrally together, and no reason to think the couldn't drop in behind a physical striker, both with the pace to run beyond.
But it all hinges on the central midfield pivot. Perming two from JWP, Soucek, Alvarez, Paqueta, and Soler.
That's the conundrum. "On paper" if like to see Paqueta and Soler there. But it feels like that gives up all the leadership quality and determination that JWP, Soucek and Alvarez bring....but any two of those three on their own leave us deficient either in presence, ball skills, or progression...and of course 'legs'.
So the conundrum goes on. We saw in the first game his preferred approach is 3-4-3....Summerville at wing back on the right, Fullkrug through the middle. Hard to argue that AWB has played the wing back role almost to perfection so Summerville hasn't been missed
So for me, I can't decide what I want to see. I don't like the midfield blend of the 3 stooges, and whilst I like each of them individually, they all have flaws to big to be hidden by a single midfield partner. But we've seen Paqueta give the ball away relentlessly when deep. And Soler be anonymous.
So with all that said, my line up would be:
Areola
Todibo. Kilman. Cresswell
Wan Bissaka Alvarez JWP Scarles
Bowen Paqueta
Fullkrug
Fullkrug is simply a better striker than Ferguson, so if fit must play. Paqueta is needed but can't be trusted deep, and he creates more chances than Kudus. Bowen has to play of course.
So Soucek misses out....with Fullkrug offering the physical presence at the top end, and Paqueta physical enough to drop in and make the extra midfielder, along side JWP who doesn't surrender possession and Alvarez to maintain the bite and aggression.
The backline stays the same. Todibo for whatever reason can't last beyond 65 mins, though is clearly first choice. Cresswell whilst limited offers options at corners and a steady influence for Scarles.
That's what I'd do, at least when at home, to redress the lack of potency in possession.
