Taken off a far smarter source than lil ol’me...
The last time Man United met Tottenham, Mourinho switched to a 3-5-2 formation to mirror the system Pochettino was using at the time, and although Spurs have since moved back to a 4-2-3-1, the Portuguese might be tempted to stick with five at the back. There is no doubt Mourinho will look to defend in high numbers and limit space on the wide Wembley pitch, but he will also be keen to play both Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku.
It is hard to see how both can successfully feature in a 4-3-3. Sanchez doesn’t like tracking back, which means United would leave too much space down their right for Christian Eriksen or Erik Lamela. Considering the visitors will spend so much time camped in their own half, it makes more sense to field Sanchez and Lukaku as strikers in a 3-5-2. That way, not only can the two star players hang up front for the counter but United’s wing-backs can push up to meet the Spurs full-backs.
Pochettino’s tactical system is very narrow; they swarm the number ten space in the hope of sucking opponents inwards before suddenly switching the play with a long diagonal to overlapping full-backs. This tactic is notably less successful against confrontational wing-backs who benefit from the added security of a central defender behind them, as proved by defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal this season. In both defence and attack, 3-5-2 is the best option for Mourinho.
As it says we’re likely to sit back tonight and break. Sanchez and Lukaku up top imo would be best as both would offer pace and directness that would keep Spurs’ defenders busy as well as offer us security at the back as I doubt Sanchez would be doing much tracking back.
I’d go with this side tonight....
—�—�—�—�—�DDG—�—�—�—�—�
—�Lindelof Jones Smalling—�
Valencia Matic Pogba Young
—�—�—�—�-Lingard—�—�—�—�—
—�—�-Lukaku Sanchez—�—�—
When attacking have Jones step into midfield to help Matic as Pogba moves forward. When defending have the full backs drop back to make a back 5 and have Matic shield.
Argument for playing 3 at the back tonight
posted on 31/1/18
I mentioned this yesterday in a thread.
I think our poor records at WHL and Stamford Bridge is partly down to the pitch dimension (as they look much smaller than OT), which doesn't suit our style of play.
Didn't have dimensions to back it up though.
posted on 31/1/18
comment by _Viva_Vida (U6044)
posted 8 seconds ago
I mentioned this yesterday in a thread.
I think our poor records at WHL and Stamford Bridge is partly down to the pitch dimension (as they look much smaller than OT), which doesn't suit our style of play.
Didn't have dimensions to back it up though.
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This may help
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/15122/10989411/will-the-bigger-wembley-pitch-affect-tottenham-this-season
posted on 31/1/18
Thanks DC77.
I thought Premiership teams got to choose their own pitch size within a range set by the league.
I appear to be wrong and it seems 15 clubs have the same pitch dimension. From this though I still think our problems at WHL, The Bridge is partly down to pitch size.
posted on 31/1/18
comment by _Viva_Vida (U6044)
posted 10 minutes ago
Thanks DC77.
I thought Premiership teams got to choose their own pitch size within a range set by the league.
I appear to be wrong and it seems 15 clubs have the same pitch dimension. From this though I still think our problems at WHL, The Bridge is partly down to pitch size.
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I thought that as well but, I suppose to be fair, it's better that they are all a standard size. Perhaps we should throw out teams that can't comply!
It could well make a difference as, even under SAF, we struggled at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea were not the force they are now.
We did have a great record at Spure though but perhaps that was down more to them not being very good at all most of the time.
posted on 31/1/18
Lindelof ffs...he should be nowhere near a start if majority are fit.
posted on 31/1/18
comment by Shugs (U14253)
posted 40 minutes ago
my biggest worry with the 3-5-2 is how poor we were defensively against Arsenal with it (in regards to allowing shots on goal)... if we give Kane et al half the shots on goal we gave Arsenal we'll likely get stuffed
I don't think it suits us
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Spurs themselves missed a couple of great chances against us
posted on 31/1/18
It is a horrible formation for us to be honest.
Lindlehof struggles in a back four, so should never be
in a back three. Also, the wing backs do not play it the right way.
Valencia and Young end up doubling up on players who are already covered by the back three.
posted on 31/1/18
I think Spurs have been playing 4 at the back recently (might be wrong), so I think we should stick with what has been working for us recently.
4 at the back, 3 man midfield with Matic, Pogba, Lingard.
posted on 31/1/18
Hope you get stuffed
posted on 31/1/18
Not looking good for the bus boys