With more than a few selection headaches, what should we do against Manchester United on Saturday? Should we play our usual 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 with a similar side to that which played against Tottenham and try to exploit wide areas? Should we go 4-5-1 with an extra central midfielder and try to frustrate them and play on the break? Should we go all-out attack and play 4-3-3 - although we'd probably have to sacrifice Schlupp to do so? Or should we play a crafty diamond and flood the game with centre mids?
And that's before we even go into what the personnel in each of those formations should be...
Lots of options this weekend; I just hope that, whatever we decide, we set up a well thought-out substitutes bench so that we have options to change things if needed.
Attack or defend?
posted on 30/1/15
This is a tough one.
United are a completely different proposition to when we met them back in December. The defence has tightened up considerably and their ball retention and possession is good. This ultimately means playing away that winning and keeping the ball wont be quite as easy as last time.
This improvement has come at the cost of pace though. Uniteds build up play is painfully slow and they are struggling for creativity, which is amazing when you consider the talent they have.
I expect them to be less susceptible to the counter this time around. If we had won at Stoke then we could afford to flood the midfield, stifle them and play for the draw. Losing at Stoke though means we really could do with something here. That being said I would favour utilising RDL (cant believe i'm typing this....) due to his attacking threat and look to punish them in wider areas again
posted on 30/1/15
*Back in September (not December!)
posted on 30/1/15
Attack 4-3-3.
A few months ago I enquired about ticket(s) through a High Street travel agent. They were doing a £99 hotel & ground entry package with a seat amongst the United supporters.
posted on 30/1/15
The 13 match winless run began when we tried to change things around and be too clever. I say 4-4-2 with 2 out and out wingers. There is a strong case for Nuge to start but i would go-
Schwarzer
Simpson, Wasy, Morgan, Konch
Albrighton, Hammond (if fit), take your pick, Jeffrey
Kramaric, Ulloa.
posted on 30/1/15
If you’re going for 4-3-3 it would be interesting to state who you’re picking.
Does Schlupp fit into a 4-3-3?
Do you play Schlupp as a wide forward and Krammy or Vardy as the other wide forward?
Do you play Ulloa slightly in front of Krammy and Nugent (or Vardy)?
Do you get your width by playing Schlupp and De-Laet as overlapping full backs?
When I think about it the best way to accommodate the players that are fit and in form is a 4-4-2. I’d like to see Albrighton and Sclupp as the wide players, but I think that NP will try to get Vardy in the side somewhere – possible out of position again on the wing.
My only concern is that my selection (and Dunge’s in the OP) doesn’t accommodate Nugent. We only tend to win games when Nugent starts. Even against Spurs the recovery came when he was on the pitch. Coincidence? Probably not. That’s not to say that I think Nugent is great as I don’t. Rather than a good thing it probably highlights a lack of midfield creativity or someone to carry the ball for the strikers.
In short, we could either do with a better version of Nugent - or a better midfield. If we flood the midfield with another stopper (in a 3 man midfield) we starve ourselves of our best creative outlets this season (Schlupp and, when he’s back, Mahrez).
posted on 30/1/15
I'd just like us not to show them too much respect, get stuck into them high up the pitch and make them make mistakes, that may mean using Vardy but of course it would have to be a tactical plan as he can't do it all on his own.
Even being fourth they seem to be under pressure still so lets get them rattled early on and shut the Prawn sandwich crowd up.
posted on 30/1/15
I would go 4-5-1.
Schwartzer
Simmo, Waz, Wes, Konch
Albrighton, Hammond, Nugent, Cambiasso, Schlupp
Ulloa
Pace on the flanks and Ulloa to hold the ball up when we are in trouble.
Would love to see Kramaric get half an hour and it would be interesting to see what Vardy could do (in place of Albrighton) in the last twenty minutes. But we can't afford two up front and will have to play on the break.
posted on 30/1/15
I agree with "Prawn", for this game.
Though I'll be surprised if Kramaric is sacrificed.
He's cost too much lolly !
posted on 30/1/15
We have had quite a efw games we created a lot o chances but not taken any or enough.
Anyway reckon Man utd to hit Leicester City or 6 and win then watch comedy Clattenburg decide the outcome of Chelsea Man City game.I said ater that 5-3 game Leicester would struggle to score goals as you barely had a legitimate shot all game.
posted on 30/1/15
unnily enough since then Man utd have a great defensive record and Leicester have a really poor attacking record.