Well, our version of a cup final. But it's been a while since we've been involved in a real winner-takes-all league match. Unfortunately our record this season against big teams or in big matches has been... well, abysmal.
So how would you approach this one? Fly out all guns blazing? Get on the front foot, expend energy and leave everything out on the pitch? That would be the traditional way to approach such a match, although it's also most likely to open up our defence and allow a pacy Man Utd front line the run of our defence. It didn't exactly work against Spurs, however much possession we gained in the process. Ole essentially has a template of how to deal with this.
Or is discretion the better part of valour? To sit in, protect our makeshift defence and bet on a Vardy counterattack, with the option of changing things up in the second half? Or would this hit the problem of not maximising our chances of scoring a goal and likely being forced to push up through the gears in the second half. Does the team have the confidence to play that way right now? Plus it takes no advantage of the fact that we've had a few days' extra rest as it would likely reduce the pace of the game to a crawl in the first half.
I think it's a really difficult call to decide how to approach this match - attack or defend, press or sit; each has advantages and disadvantages. I can't see any tactic that makes us anything other than a rank outsider to get the win we need. (I fully believe Chelsea will get enough against Wolves, although that may well be just a point.)
The other possibility, which I have seen discussed elsewhere and has gained some traction, is to ask Hamza Choudhury to do a Kamark special on Fernandes. Whether he'd have the discipline and concentration to carry this through, I don't know; but he'd have the physicality. Perhaps worth considering him in a free role around a 3-4-2 or 4-4-1?
Tactics for the cup final
posted on 25/7/20
We need the high press early on to see if we can nick an early goal from mistakes but then need to settle into attrition and make the game break down. Utd have issues at left back so we need someone to attack there either with crosses or direct running. Also WB at RB whilst excellent on the ground doesn’t look as comfortable dealing with deep crosses (coming under them and losing his man). I’d want Albrighton on the right to take advantage of this and us doubling up on WB with Barnes and Vardy. That means we need someone to keep their centrebacks honest so Iheanacho or Perez.
Schmeichel
Justin Evans Morgan Thomas
Ndidi Tielemans
Albrighton Barnes
Perez Vardy
posted on 25/7/20
comment by Keep_the_faith1 (U8129)
posted 17 hours, 35 minutes ago
I guess it’s a fine balance - too reserved and a feeling of fear may set in ours’ and the opponents’ mind set; all out attack and an early goal against us will probably encourage the same mindset.
For me, I would like us to start how we did against Chelsea in the cup. Keep our shape, but chase down constantly and defend from the front. Commit to defence and attack as a team. Hound and chase from the front.
I had initially considered a similar thing DM about Fernandes, but, with all due respect, I don’t really see in him what Pulisic has done at Chelsea: a stand out player pulling the team at times. I think Fernandes has come in and performed well and this has galvanised the rest of the team. I may get shot down - but I think he may turn out to be a little overrated.
4231 (in reality this would play out more as a 42121. With the two inexperienced full backs, I think we categorically need two CMs helping out. People will say ‘no width’ but what is the point is having wingers for the sake of it - we, and most teams, simply don’t play that way. I’d much prefer our with come from Vardy and Barnes dropping out to collect every now and then as this will be much harder to mark....and also would hopefully create a little chaos and space in the middle at times, for Perez and Tielemans to drive forward( no point playing him as AM if we aren’t going to tactically look to give him some room to do what he does best with regard to those cheeky passes into the area)
Ironically, with the discussions of Ricardo and Maddison and Chilwell, Albrighton and Fuchs are a loss for me. We desperately need experience and calm heads. If Vardy gets a decent chance, I’m positive he will score at least one.
Back 5 picks itself at the moment due to injuries.
I’d then have:
Ndidi
Choudhury
Barnes
Tielemans
Perez
Vardy
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I would have gone with your formation if we have decent full backs that can create very well in attack. In the absence of that I'll play 4-2-3-1 with full backs sitting back and Gray instead of Tielemans.
Harvey Barnes in the middle of the 3 switching to two with Vardy, and have Gray and Perez on the wings, then Ndidi and Hamza sitting deep to deny spaces for counter attacks.
posted on 25/7/20
I know nobody agrees with me, but I would play Tielemans behind Vardy as a 10.
posted on 25/7/20
I would also play Tielemans behind
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Junior Lewis
posted on 25/7/20
Peter Taylor in goal as kasper is filling in for Dave as he is having a bit of a to do.....
posted on 25/7/20
Thought you guys would be up for that 🙃
posted on 25/7/20
Not saying he isn't a good player, he obviously is as he showed last Season, he's just been absolutely awful this Season, I understand Rodgers keeps him in the Team because his confidence can easily be knocked if he's dropped, sorry but the team comes first surely?
posted on 25/7/20
I personally think he’s being asked to do a job for the team at the expense of his best position. I agree he’s not performed in the role he’s been asked to do.
He also suffers without Maddison offering an out ball in front of him.
posted on 26/7/20
Agent Evans or agent Maguire to have biggest say on the outcome? https://youtu.be/TrUf2Sdih6Y
posted on 26/7/20
Love him and his responses.......