WOLVES vs Arsenal

Injuries:
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Ruben Neves
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Brahim Diaz
11 youths

Tough game against a high flying Arsenal, Jet seems to favour a 4-3-3 so we’ve shuffled the pack again, switched to a 4-3-3 to match them up man for man, dominate them physically and get a foothold in the game and bully these north London lightweights.

……………………………………….Pickford…………………………..
Carvajal………………Konate………………Bastoni……………Ferland
……………………………………….Bissouma……………………………
………………………Kroos………………………..Locatelli…………..
Mane………………………………Vlahovic………………………..Insigne

Subs: Green, Spinazzola, Luiz, De Vrij, Asensio, Ronaldo, Keane

Jet has some great players at his disposal but we can match them man for man, plus with our home advantage there’s no reason to pay them too much respect, we can get at them and punish any errors they make.

Slick pass and move football today, we’re going to play on the front foot, dictate the tempo and look to get in behind this Arsenal side, their FB’s are attacking by nature and we expect Jet to let them play their game, so with that in mind, our wingers will look to stay high and wide in the early phases of our attacks, if we break down an arsenal attack the quick ball into the channels is the out ball, get them running in on Arsenals goal, their FB’s won’t be able to just step in and nick it away.

Pickford gets the gloves today with Gigi out injured, channeling his “England Pickford” rather than his Everton one, his little T-Rex arms grow a foot longer so even top bins can be saved, we need him to stay calm, none of this running around screaming like a ginger kid out in the sun. decent shot stopper and quick off his line, will just need to do the basics.

Carvajal and Ferland, you don’t get to be first choice full-backs for Real Madrid if you have that elite ability, Carvajal is physically strong and pretty quick, will look to get up and down his flank, providing assistance to Mane who will be looking to come infield, Dani unlike a lot of modern FB’s does the offensive duties whilst still maintaining good levels defensively. So whilst we want him up running the line he still has his defensive tasks. Bendy Mendy is the full-back Dani used to be, quick and direct, looking to run the line and put in as many crosses as he can, this is perfect for us as Insigne is only a winger in name, he’ll be given the freedom to roam, so Ferland is gonna need to get his legs pumping and control his flank.

The key to this game and so many others is the midfield, so many sides in this league have great midfields and Jets is right up there, but we can outwork them and out play them.
Bissouma is the arch-typal DM in this system, pure athlete that can dominate a game on his own, will screen the defence so anything played into a #10/SS/AM will be in direct competition with Bissouma. Because his natural game works so nicely with sitting, this gives us the cover we need for our FB’s to attack as we can just drop into a 3 man defence in the early phase of an Arsenal counter.

Kroos is the deep lying playmaker, will collect the ball and look to move it on, clever player with great vision, they call him the German Xabi Alonso. Locatelli comes in alongside and goes B2B, has a great eye for goal but more than capable defensively… this trident gives us that little bit of everything needed to compete against the top four sides.

The front-three are the perfect blend in attack, the pace and directness of Sadio Mane, throwing out top level numbers again this season, will look to come inside off the wing and play closer to Vlahovic, attack those spaces and get between the defenders, Lorenzo on the LW is such an intelligent little player, he’s pretty given the freedom of a #10, Mendy will cover the flanks as Insigne links the play between the different areas of the pitch, And big bad Dusan is the powerhouse that every great side needs, links everything together, bullies the CB’s and gives their soft underbelly a tickle.

Subs 65 mins

Ronaldo > Insigne (and switches wings with Mane)

Luiz > Locatelli

Spinazzola > Ferland

LIVERPOOL vs Man Utd

Injuries:
Jordan Henderson
Philippe Coutinho
James Ward-Prowse
Calvin Stengs


Home game against United is always a tricky fixture, Nadz has a packed roster of talent and has the tactical versatility to mix it up, so double guessing him is well hard, so I might have to borrow Lubo’s scouts and get the low-down on how he’ll play. We’ve always tried to play attacking footy and go for the win… it’s the cup so there’s precious little at stake, we go with a pretty attacking 4-3-3 that I guess is more like a 4-1-2-3, not blessed with ball winners, but if you control the ball you don’t need to win it do you?


……………………………………………..Kasper……………………
Trippier……………..Bonucci………………….Botman…………Zinchenko
…………………………………………..Biscuits………………………………..
………………………Tonali……..…………………….Grealish………………………
Doku…………………………………..Scamacca…………………………..Neto

Subs: Sa, Johnson, Gomez, Ake,James, Raspadori, Icardi


Fast paced one touch passing today, not every pass has to move forwards this is about holding the ball and taking the energy out of Man Utd’s legs, slick pass and move, rinse and repeat, no need for the risky Hollywood pass, play the percentages and pass them to death.

Kasper the friendly dane comes into the side for this one, he’s on par with Sa, but we need a calmer head in there for these tactics, we don’t need a keeper that thinks he’s Xabi Alonso, just do the essentials like commanding your box and stopping them scoring.

Trippier is back after missing 5 games through a recurring fruity based injury, a great baller with a beautiful delivery, doesn’t need to rampage forward will look to drop in alongside Busquets (still out wide though) and act as a shield in the half space, good on the ball so no reason why he can’t do this for us.

Zinchenko is he a LB or is he a CM? who knows, possibly not even him, but everything I’ve said of Trippier applies to him to, so we get him to sit on the other flank parallel to Biscuits so we have a line of 3 just ahead of the back two, they can press in tandem (tandem is clearly two, but whats the word for three?)

Bonucci and Botman, master and apprentice, Left Foot Right Foot, and all that jazz… are a pretty decent combo at the back for us, the wily know-how of Bonucci and the brute force and physical nature of Botman mean we should be able to stand-up against anything that Man Utd throw at us.

The midfield trident, I know that people will say it’s too much to expect Biscuits to do the defensive work of 3 men and that we’ll be too soft etc etc…. Biscuits has made a career of mopping up for 3 men, Xavi and Iniesta were no better defensively than Tonali and Greasy. Biscuits will sit and do what he does as good as anyone else in the game, Tonali and Greasy are given the freedom to roam, drop deep, surge forward or drift wide, the two of them should give us some lovely link up play and they fit perfectly in our ball retention set-up, but with the nouse and vision to spot the defence splitting passes.

Doku and Neto are rapid, direct wingers, they’ll stay high and wide stretching the play, if Man Utd’s FB’s push on we’ll rinse them on the counter with a slide rule ball into the gaps. We don’t want either man drifting infield as a rule today, we have two AM’s in those spaces, and very defensive FB’s so we need them to be the width.

Uptop is Scamacca, unwanted almost everywhere in this league but has bagged himself 13 goals in 32 league games, our 6ft4 wrecking ball, will spend a fair bit of time back to goal, being the springboard for our other outlets to feed into and then get lay offs, will try and bully this solid Man Utd defence.

Subs 65 mins

James > Doku, like for like
Raspadori > Neto

75th Minute
Icardi > Scamma

------------------------- Oblak ------------------------

T.Meunier ---- Kalidou ---- Varane ---- J.Cancelo

------------ Declan Rice --- Fr. de Jong ------------

M.Diaby -------------- F.Wirtz ------------- Mbappe

------------------------ Haaland ----------------------

Johnstone, G.Inacio, Mendes, Tielemans, Eriksen, R.Leao, Dembele

Obviously a tough game, but we take the game to them, we are at home so fancy our chances of spoiling there title chances.
We play possession football as usual, especially the midfield where we want to 'try'dominate them which of course will be difficult, they will be on top at times so we need to remain calm and focussed and push them, we have the energy, aggression and athleticism there which allows us to do this, quick on the break and really pressurize the opposition with an in your face performance from the front, they have a good midfield so we need to be aggressive and press them quickly when they have possession, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with the midfield ahead of them harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 and our midfield will be in and around the half way line, stop them coming forward from the back, however, if they do push forward onto us and we get the ball they will be on the back foot and will really struggle with our front 3 with Fullbacks who are always ready to pounce and hit them with pace.

Kalidou picks up the main CF he wont let much passed him he is a pacey, very powerful, he will look to dominate the CF, Varane spare picks up the AM/SS if he gets away from our midfield, both top CBs so keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, look to intercept quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get to our midfield quickly, Both are comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass to those in front to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, with the midfield 3 we have, then both can go at the same time to make extra numbers as we drive on, we look to gain that extra body(ies) in the opposition half, If either get caught up field I want the midfielders to help them out by filling the gaps so we don't get exposed, this allows the fullbacks to make their way to midfield to cover. CBs to go up for corners, with the fullbacks and Rice sitting back.

Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM and not allow him to control the game, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. de Jong will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front three to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing through balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Wirtz is essential to our style of play, he gets a free role today, I want him to drag his marker around the pitch which will hopefully create space for others to move into, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.

Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Leao will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Wirtz more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.

Captain - Declan Rice
Free Kicks - Wirtz
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland

Losing -
60 mins - Dembele for Wirtz, we go more direct to two in form strikers
70 Mins - R.Leao for Diaby, switch with Mbappe
80 Mins - Eriksen for Meunier, 3 at the back, Eriksen to No.10 3232 attack

Winning -
75 mins - Tielemans for Wirtz, drop back into midfield
82 mins - Mendes for Mbappe, help the defensive side

Drawing -
70 mins - Leao for Diaby, Eriksen for Wirtz, Leao switch with Mbappe, change it fresh legs
75 mins - Tielemans for de Jong

ARSENAL v Wolves

------------------- Maignan -------------------
Hakimi --- Stones --- Gabriel --- Tierney
------------------ T. Partey -------------------
--------- Guimaraes --- F. Ruiz --------------
Mahrez -------- P. Dybala ---------- D. Jota

Subs: Onana, Saliba, Alba, Sanches, Smith Rowe, Abraham, Aubameyang

Wolves are a good team, but we feel we have the better quality all across the park and we can win this big cup tie. Expecting to face a deeper block, we have packed the team with creative quality that will enable us to dominate the ball high up the pitch and unlock the Wolves defence. We have great pace in the back four to ensure we can protect ourselves defensively too.

Maignan – The Milan stopper is one of the best in the world at the moment in his position. In possession he has the back three to pass into, or skip a player and clip it wide to the marauding wing backs.

Hakimi – Hakimi’s qualities ensure he can offer us a dynamic outlet in possession and a strong defensive unit to combat what Wolvesthrow at us. As he advances up the right in an attacking sense, he has the athletic Partey can both cover his space and combine with him, this gives that right flank a serious double threat on the inside and out.

Stones - Stones has top level experience and he will use his awareness and pace to ensure we can deal with Wolves today. Reads the game incredibly well. He has experience at right back and as a RCB, he gives Hakimi that protection needed to get forward. His technical ability on the ball will be a real asset to spring tactical diagonal balls - this will break the Wolves shape and create chaos.

Gabriel – Gabriel in his ideal LCB role - has become a strong and important player for Arsenal in the league, the fact he is left footed also opens up the pitch for us.

Tierney - Defensively he has the pace, experience and tactical nous to snuff out what Wolvescan throw at us. On the left he can be a real outlet when crowded in central areas, can drop into a back three build up shape when needed, due to his CB experience. Tierney should stay back when we attack.

Partey – Partey has been chosen for his physical dominance and ability to turn and play at pace. The dynamic midfielder has the qualtity and experience to add to our midfield. With the attacking players ahead of him, Partey will sit and marshall the right half space, allowing Hakimi the attacking freedom. Partey has played at right back before so this is well suited. He will sit at the heart of midfield both in and out of possession, offering a shield to the defence and helping to nullify Wolves.

Ruiz – Ruiz will dictate that left side of the midfield. Very calm on the ball, looking to progress and carry the ball through the lines when received from the central defenders. He can combine with Tierney on the left too in order to create an overload. He is a master of slowing or quickening the tempo of a game.

Guimaraes - Guimaraes is one of the most on-form midfielders in the league right now, tenacious presence and engine in the middle and is now adding goals and assists to his game. He is perfect in a three man midfield system like this.

Jota – Jota is in incredible form for Liverpool - he’s a player we know can make the difference with his pace and end product. He will look to get high up and beyond Dybala in this game, as he does so well with the Liverpool CF in their formation.

Mahrez - Mahrez is a brilliant link player with finishing ability also. He will cut inside and combine with the overlapping Hakimi on the right, he will also look to combine well with Dybala, playing one-twos and getting in advance positions, like he does so well at club level.

Dybala – An elegant striker, we expect to dictate possession so we’ve chosen a forward who consistently breaks deep blocks for club and country. A fantastic link man, he has pace either side in Mahrez and Jota and the full backs to ensure we have multiple channels of attacking threat. Dybala almost forms the tip of a midfield diamond for us, with Jota and Mahrez then acting as wide forwards.

Subs on 60 - Smith Rowe and Abraham for Mahrez and Dybala
Sub on 70 - Aubameyang for Jota

*** The above is for the league game despite it saying cup in the tactics. The below is for the Cup game 9th May, also against Wolves ***

ARSENAL v Wolves - FA CUP SEMI FINAL

------------------- Maignan -------------------
Pereira --- Stones --- Kounde --- Tierney
------------------ T. Partey -------------------
--------- Guimaraes --- F. Ruiz --------------
Mahrez -------- P. Dybala ---------- B. Saka

Subs: Onana, Saliba, Alba, Sanches, Smith Rowe, Abraham, Aubameyang

A huge day for us as we aim to get to the next stage and close in on silverware.

Maignan – The Milan stopper is one of the best in the world at the moment in his position. In possession he has the back three to pass into, or skip a player and clip it wide to the marauding wing backs.

Pereira – Pereira’s qualities ensure he can offer us a dynamic outlet in possession and a strong defensive unit to combat what Wolves throw at us. As he advances up the right in an attacking sense, he has the athletic Partey can both cover his space and combine with him, this gives that right flank a serious double threat on the inside and out.

Stones - Stones has top level experience and he will use his awareness and pace to ensure we can deal with Wolves today. Reads the game incredibly well. He has experience at right back and as a RCB, he gives Pereira that protection needed to get forward. His technical ability on the ball will be a real asset to spring tactical diagonal balls - this will break the Wolves shape and create chaos.

Kounde – Kounde possess great pace and reading of the game, also good on the ball so alongside Stones, offers a great platform for us to build from.

Tierney - Defensively he has the pace, experience and tactical nous to snuff out what Wolvescan throw at us. On the left he can be a real outlet when crowded in central areas, can drop into a back three build up shape when needed, due to his CB experience. Tierney should stay back when we attack.

Partey – Partey has been chosen for his physical dominance and ability to turn and play at pace. The dynamic midfielder has the qualtity and experience to add to our midfield. With the attacking players ahead of him, Partey will sit and marshall the right half space, allowing Pereira the attacking freedom. Partey has played at right back before so this is well suited. He will sit at the heart of midfield both in and out of possession, offering a shield to the defence and helping to nullify Wolves.

Ruiz – Ruiz will dictate that left side of the midfield. Very calm on the ball, looking to progress and carry the ball through the lines when received from the central defenders. He can combine with Tierney on the left too in order to create an overload. He is a master of slowing or quickening the tempo of a game.

Guimaraes - Guimaraes is one of the most on-form midfielders in the league right now, tenacious presence and engine in the middle and is now adding goals and assists to his game. He is perfect in a three man midfield system like this.

Saka – Saka is in incredible form for Arsenal - he’s a player we know can make the difference with his pace and end product. He will look to get high up and beyond Dybala in this game, as he does so well with the Arsenal CF in their formation.

Mahrez - Mahrez is a brilliant link player with finishing ability also. He will cut inside and combine with the overlapping Pereira on the right, he will also look to combine well with Dybala, playing one-twos and getting in advance positions, like he does so well at club level.

Dybala – An elegant striker, we expect to dictate possession so we’ve chosen a forward who consistently breaks deep blocks for club and country. A fantastic link man, he has pace either side in Mahrez and Saka and the full backs to ensure we have multiple channels of attacking threat. Dybala almost forms the tip of a midfield diamond for us, with Saka and Mahrez then acting as wide forwards.

Subs on 60 - Smith Rowe and Abraham for Mahrez and Dybala
Sub on 70 - Aubameyang for Saka

------------------- Ederson -------------------
R.Araujo -- Garcia --- P.Torres -- Reguilon
------------ Fabinho --- De Bruyne ----------
---- L.Messi --- K.Havertz --- Dembele ---
------------------- G.Jesus --------------------

Subs:
Sanchez, Mitchell, Tchouameni, Sancho, Werner, Griezmann, Lukaku

3 points will be the order of the day up against a struggling Leeds side. Whilst Lubo may well be a diehard Lilywhite with the clubs best interest always at heart, his unwillingness to engage in any transfer talks leaves the club feeling a little stale and in desperate in need of some fresh blood as they form continues to plummet. We look to take advantage of the unrest at Elland Road by putting them to sword.

The injury gods have also smiled on us taking away the oppositions main man in Harry Kane. 4-2-2-2 seems very fashionable at the moment and we go with a hybrid version of this today. Kai Havertz’ versatility is a key cog in our attacking arsenal, out of possession he drops into AM, giving us an extra man in midfield in a 4-2-3-1. When on the attack he will push forward alongside Jesus as we transition to a 4-2-2-2.

------------- Fabinho --- De Bruyne -------------
---- L.Messi ---------------------- O.Dembele ---
------------- G.Jesus --- K.Havertz --------------

This allows us to really pin back the opposition, if they play with a back 3 then we look to overwhelm them with our front 2 occupying their CB’s and our wingers looking to exploit the space down the flanks.

Defence:

We go with a strong defensive unit at the back, packed with pace and quality as we look to nullify the threat posed by the oppositions attack. If the opposition play one up top then Torres will mark. Strong, aggressive and a great reader of the game we feel he has all the tools to deal with any opponent. Garcia will act as cover, sweeping up and offering cover in behind to eliminate any balls over the top.

Araujo comfortably slots in at fullback. Strong and quick he has 2 goals in his 4 starts at RB this season, including the honour of being one of the few players to have Vinicius Jr in his pocket and also getting himself on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Real in the recent El Clasico. Reguilon gives us plenty of pace and energy on the other side. We want him to get up and down the flank, combining with Dembele as we look to overwhelm them out wide.

Midfield:

Fabinho will be our main holding player in the middle. An all action player we rely on his fantastic tenacity and high level work rate to break up the opposition play, winning back possession and setting us up on the counter as we look to get the ball into our creative players as quickly as possible. He’ll pick up their most advanced AM and cut out their supply line. He’ll also act as cover behind Messi, allowing the Argentine maestro to get forward and cause havoc in the final third.

De Bruyne slots alongside him giving us a world class CM duo as we look to take hold of the game. Starting in a slightly deeper role he has freedom to roam and pull the opposition apart, he’ll look for the early ball in behind with his precision passing. He also has license to push forward alongside when we’re in possession, causing them a defensive nightmare as we have a threat from every angle. With a fantastic strike from range we also encourage him to go for goal with a potential thunderbolt on the cards at any moment.

Forwards:

In attack we go with four heavy hitters as we aim or goals. The interchange of Messi, Havertz, Dembele and Jesus will be a joy to behold.

Messi will be doing what he does best, going at the opposition with the freedom to create and cause havoc as he sees fit. Taking opponents on at will as he cuts in from the right and utilises that wand of a left foot. Quick one two’s in the final third should open things up in the opposition box with the Argentine deadly in front of goal.

Dembele offers frightening pace and verticality to stretch their defence. Capable of going off either foot he’s a nightmare match up in a one on one. KDB will be looking for his runs early on as we look to get in behind. This contrasts with the ball into feet for Messi as we hit them with differing problems on each flank.

Havertz will play a key role, dropping into the 10 role to link up play whilst also having license to push up top alongside Jesus in a front two. A fantastic finisher he’s also great in the air making him a real dual threat.

Completing our attack we have Gabriel Jesus, one of the most in-form strikers around. 6 goals in 3 games he’ll thrive off the service of Messi & KDB. He’ll get himself in the box and knock home any chances that fall his way. His pace combined with Dembele will give their defence problems all day.

Subs:

If winning:
60 mins: Dembele off, Sancho on. Fresh legs.
70 mins: Havertz off, Tchouameni on. Dual DM along Fabinho, KDB moves to AM.
85 mins: Jesus off, Lukaku on.

If drawing/losing:
70 mins: Reguilon off, Tchouameni on. Move to 3-2-3-2. KDB moves to AM and Havertz up top alongside Jesus.
80 mins: Havertz & Dembele off. Lukaku & Sancho on.

Watford v BRENTFORD

----------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Andersen, Guehi, Grimaldo
-----------Koopmeiners, Höjbjerg
Ødegaard-----Baumgartner—-Saint-Maximin
-----------------------Broja

Subs: Simón, Salisu, Colwill, Ampadu, Laimer, Vale, Ibrahimovic, Lucca

Captain: Höjbjerg
Free Kicks: Ødegaard/Koopmeiners
Penalties: Broja/Ibrahimovic

Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen Marc Guehi paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Alex Grimaldo at left-back, with Teun Koopmeiners and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.

This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Koopmeiners and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.

The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Koopmeiners can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.

Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.

Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.

With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Teun Koopmeiners.

Koopmeiners is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Koopmeiners such a talent.

The attacking unit consists of Martin Ødegaard, Christoph Baumgartner and Allan Saint-Maximin as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.

Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.

In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.

Once we have won the ball back, often by Koopmeiners or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.

Livramento and Grimaldo can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Koopmeiners and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Martin Ødegaard and Allan Saint-Maximin, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.

Christoph Baumgartner, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Baumgartner is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Ødegaard, Saint-Maximin & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..

Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.

Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.

Subs on 75 mins
Ibrahimovic on for Broja

A real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.

NEWCASTLE 4-3-3

____________Mendy
Trent____Dias____VVD___Scally
____________Casemiro
________Modric___Verratti
Bernardo_____Lewa________Son

SUBS: Tomori, Gundogan, Nmecha, Bentancur, Diaz, Llorente, Sane

Captain: VVD
Penalties: Lewa
Corners: Trent
Freekicks: Trent


The formation deployed today is so that we regain as much possession as possible higher up the pitch. We expect to have a fair portion of the ball so patience is key. Today we have pace all across the pitch. We also expect the four behind the striker to drift around a bit, getting into positions where their natural play can cause damage. The striker up front presses when we don’t have the ball and the entire team will support him cut passing lanes to help win the ball higher up. The quality of our players will allow us to break through the oppositions press. When we have the ball we will want to attract the press and use the spaces that they open up to attack.

Full backs will get forward when the opportunity arises. Our full backs are good at feeding our forward line with their ability on the ball and we aim to utilize that with their ability to get up the pitch and tactical arareness. Both fullbacks are our playmakers. We also need our full backs to widen the pitch for us. Our centre halves are good on the ball, and a long punt every now and then to utilize our pace out wide is encouraged. Both fullbacks will just keep hitting early crosses.

The DM will tactically astute in his positioning acting as a base and be in charge of driving our midfield forward. Our midfield will be flexible, if one of their midfielders steps forward, one of ours will move into the space they vacated. The DM will be the link between our defence, midfield, and forwards and because of the way he plays, he will draw the opponents forward towards him to attack the ball, pulling their team’s lines apart. This will create more spaces between the lines for our midfield and forward lines to move into. The right centre mid will be the more attacking one in his box to box role, closing down space and cutting passing lanes with his incredible energy and also driving the team forward. Playing alongside the DM will give him less areas of the pitch to cover, and shorter distance needed to win the ball back to start the next attack. Both centre mids will float between the lines during the attacking phase just behind our forwards.

Our wide forwards are space investigators and main goal threat. Drift into the crentre often to get into goal scoring positions.

If short passing options aren’t available the passing range and accuracy of our keeper will safely transfer the ball forwards via our full backs. The keeper can also dink the ball into space for the striker or wide forward to control taking out 6 or 7 opposition players in the process.

Striker will play his natural game.

When we don’t have the ball we will expect our four behind the striker to drop into a 4-5-1 in support of our midfield. We will also create triangles to trap the opposition players that have the ball, cutting the passing lanes and others putting pressure on players that might receive the ball. We stop the oppositions rhythm and force them into mistakes with our pressure. To stop their counter attacks after we lose the ball, three players will swarm the ball carrier before he can get his head up to play. If they beat the immediate press when the team’s main goal is to push their play wide where they can do the least damage. Our midfielders are an integral part to our play, when we win the ball back we will create space and time for them with our team shape. There will be times when we are under the cosh and will have the option of deploying a bowl shaped 5 at the back, with the right centre mid dropping in to make closing down the opponents very effective.

Subs

70 mins: Gundogan comes on for Modric, our legs will start to tire, so will theirs, Gundogan will add box to box ability and energy late in the game.

75 mins: Diaz comes on for Bernardo, a different style of forward play for the opposition to think about.

If winning 80 mins: Llorente comes on for Verratti to close out the game.

If losing/drawing 80 mins: Sane comes on for Verratti and play 2 up front.

----------------Neuer

----White----Carlos----Hernandez

Walker------Jorginho------------Digne

--------Phillips---------SMS

----------Depay----Chiesa

Meslier
Simakan
Castagne
Doucoure
Foden
Toney
Olise

A change in formation today, and a tough game back after my leave of absence. Trying something new in the way that we set up, with a narrow focus, packing the midfield full of industry and energy, behind two false nines that can stretch the attacking play, and a firm basis at the back. I want to see us moving the ball with some pace, but am willing to accept the fact that Tottenham may well dominate the possession. The key is transitioning the ball into the attacking areas quickly, and stretching the opposition on the counter attack. The industry in the midfield should hopefully prevent them from dominating the possession in this area, and allow us to recycle the ball and retain possession on a regular basis. The width that we possess will come from Walker and Digne, but I want them to sit deeper today, so as to not leave ourselves overly exposed.

Defensively, we are using the three at the back today, with White, Carlos, and Hernandez providing an abundance of pace, maneverability and ball playing prowess, allowing us to better transition the ball out from the back. Carlos serves as the sweeping defender, covering the space in behind the other two, whilst White and Hernandez will look to stretch the line, pushing up to break us forward. We want to mark the space at the back, and I believe that these are the best place players to do that. Jorgy sits in front, using his blend of tenacity and passing ability to help us win back the ball, and move it up the field quickly, looking for the long angled balls to get Depay and Chiesa in behind. He screens the defense, and will operate in a shuttled line across. Walker and Digne sit slightly deeper today, and will use their pace to better support their CBs, not leaving us overly exposed in the wide areas, against Tottenham’s dangerous attack. Phillips operates more as he does for England in this system, as a defensive box-to-box, harassing the opposition midfield players, and never committing too far forward, so as to not be outnumbered in our own half. Again, I want to see him looking for the ball over the top, to try and push in behind Tottenham’s defensive line. Phillips and SMS will play across the middle third, in a conjoined press, and both can move into wider areas to support their WB if necessary. I believe both players to be energetic enough to sustain this style.

Because of the way we set up, the attacking instructions are to be direct, and not too fancy in possession. Depay and Chiesa will look to start in central areas, before pushing wider, and stretching the play. SMS will operate as a box-to-box player, looking to provide supporting runs into the attacking areas, straight through the middle, exploiting spaces created if their CBs decide to track our runs wide. Depay and Chiesa are both naturally dynamic players, with pace and skill in abundance, and they will look to stretch the play. Early runs in behind can provide us with opportunities to aim these longer balls into positions where we can best utlise their skills, and both players will look to create these chance. When we lose the ball, the key is to reform into our tight, narrow shape, and not leave ourselves exposed to the attack. This is why we keep men behind the ball, and look to utilise the counter attack wherever possible.

Substitutions

Doucoure on for Phillips 65 mins

Fresh legs into an immensely draining role.

Foden on for Chiesa 70 mins

Again, fresh legs.

If losing

Toney on for White 75 mins

Switch to a 4-3-3, with Toney operating as the central striker.

If winning/drawing

Castagne on for Depay 80 mins

Switch to a 4-3-2-1, with Walker and Hernandez at FB, and Castagne and Digne playing wide midfielders, covering the space in front of them. Foden will operate as the sole attacker.

------------------- Ramsdale ------------------
B.Pavard -- De Ligt --- P.Torres -- Reguilon
-------- Tchouaméni --- R.Neves ------------
----- L.Messi --- De Bruyne --- G.Jesus ----
------------------- R.Lukaku -------------------

Subs:
Ederson, Dest, Garcia, Sancho, Dembele, Griezmann, Werner

Cup semi final time against Don Tino’s boys! Everyone’s favourite Italian Stallion has clearly been working his magic, last time we faced his Liverpool side they were a bunch of spotty faced teenagers and now they are one step away from the FA Cup final. With a huge win in the last round we take them deadly serious, no rotation, no underestimating, we go with a strong side as we continue our push for silverware.

We look to move the ball at speed as we go with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation today as we aim for the win.

Our DM & CM pivot will marshall the middle of the park allowing De Bruyne free reign in the #10 role. He will be flanked by Messi and Jesus who both offer goal threats out wide with Lukaku playing through the middle. Providing that blend of pace, power and trickery as we look to cause their defence plenty of problems.

Defence:

We go with a strong defensive unit at the back, packed with pace and quality as we look to nullify the threat posed by the oppositions attack. If the opposition play one up top then De Ligt will mark. Strong, aggressive and a great reader of the game we feel he has all the tools to deal with any opponent. Torres will act as cover, sweeping up and offering cover in behind to eliminate any balls over the top. The Spaniard sweeping up from the back and immediately looking to get us on the counter with his fantastic vision and passing.

In Pavard we have one of the best defensive fullbacks in the business. He’ll sit in, no need to bomb on with the quality with have further up the field, see your man down the line and don’t let him cut inside. On the other flank we have the more adventurous Reguilon, he has license to push forward, when doing so Pavard slots in as a third CB ensuring we always have plenty of cover defensively. Reggie will provide width which in turn allows Jesus to push up alongside Lukaku as we look to overwhelm their defence with our attacking quality.

Midfield:

Tchouaméni will be our all action player in the middle. One of the most exciting youngsters around this lad has it all, pace, power, loves a tackle an absolute menace in the middle. He also has strong ball carrying abilities and a heck of a strike from distance.

He combines perfectly with the the technical brilliance of Neves. A delightful player his passing ability will allow us to dictate the tempo of the game as he links up with KDB. Alongside Tchouameni he gives us a big man/small man combo with both players equally adept at breaking down the opposition as we look to dominate the middle of the park. They will protect the defence and get in the face of the opposition. We look to set the tempo and these two will be the catalyst, dispossess the opposition, get the ball to our playmakers and wreak havoc at the other end.

Forwards:

In attack we go with four heavy hitters as we aim or goals. De Bruyne plays centrally, looking to drift between the lines making himself extremely difficult to be picked up and causing a mismatch in this area of the field. We look to get him on the ball and let him work his magic in the final third.

KDB is also a massive boost for our number 9 Lukaku. The two of them proving themselves a deadly combo at international level big Rom will thrive on the service he receives today. The Belgian is a predator and we look to do what he does best and get himself in the box. He’s shown that he thrives in attacking set ups as evidenced by the goals he plundered for Inter and Belgium. Chelsea’s pragmatic approach doesn’t suit his game however our attacking set up today is perfect for the hitman to fill his boots.

Messi and Jesus give us a dual threat on the flanks. Leo will be doing what he does best, going at the opposition with the freedom to create and cause havoc as he sees fit. Taking opponents on at will as he cuts in from the right and utilises that wand of a left foot. Quick one two’s in the final third should open things up in the opposition box with the Argentine deadly in front of goal.

In Gabriel Jesus we one of the most in-form attackers around. 6 goals in 4 games his confidence is sky high and he’ll look to be direct. Use his pace and fantastic movement to get himself in goalscoring position’s with the Brazilian full of energy and a real nightmare match up for the oppositions full back. He and Messi will both be looking to feed off Lukaku’s knockdowns whilst the service of KDB should see us create plenty of chances as we go for goals and look to book our place in the final.

Subs:

If winning:
70 mins: Jesus off, Dembele on. Fresh legs and extra defensive workrate.
80 mins: Lukaku off, Werner on.

If drawing/losing:
65 mins: Tchouameni off, Griezmann on. Two up top.
75 mins: Lukaku & Reguilon off, Sancho & Dembele on. 3-4-3.

WOLVES vs arsenal

Injuries:
Manuel Locatelli
Sadio Mane
Stefan de Vrij
Jordan Pickford

Another week and another game against Jet, this man either has the hoodoo over me as I never win, or he has some erm dirt on fan or the fruity, I think I come into this with 7 straight losses against Jet in all competitions but yeno, cup games are difficult to call and form flies out of the window.

Jet has a great side, of that there is no doubt, but his side lack a winning mentality short of Mahrez and to an extent Dybala none of his side have won anything of note, and in these big games you need thos big game matchwinners, so we’re going heavy handed today, as we look to finally chalk up a positive result against everyones favourite Spurs fan.

…………………………………………Donnarumma………………………
……………………………Tomiyasu……….Konate…….Bastoni………..
Carvajal…………………….Kroos……………….Bissouma……………….Ferland
……………..Asensio……………………..Ronaldo…………………Insigne………….

Subs: Green, Romagnoli, Elmas, Brahim, Pulisic, Vlahovic, Firmino

That starting XI combined when they empty their pockets they drop out, 4 European Championship winners medals, 1 World Cup, 15 Champions leagues, 23 Domestic league titles, 35 Domestic Cups, 12 Uefa Super Cups and a very decent 16 FIFA World Club Cups – 106 major trophies between them (and counting)

That trophy haul is testament to my sides winning mentality, They won’t be fazed by the big occasion of playing infront of a sell-out Wembley crowd

3-4-3 gives us the most flexibility today, we know Jet tends to stick with a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 variant so we will be out-gunned in the middle in terms of numbers atleast, but the key to this formation is the fact our wingers are “tucked in” They’re playing more as inside forwards than traditional wingers, this gets them closer to Ronaldo and causes us to potentially have some pretty tidy overloads in and around the Gunners Box.

Gigi Donnarumma is without doubt one of the top shot stoppers in the game, a man mountain will fill his defence with confidence and his sheer presence in the side will reopen fresh wounds for Jets English contingent.

Tomiy gets the shout at RCB as the pace he brings in will be key to covering for Carvajal as he pushes forward, he’s a nice utility player to pop in there as he’s equally adept at RB and CB.
Konate as part of a possible quad-squad slots in as the central CB, will look to man-mark the focal striker of the Arsenal side, bigger faster stronger, will look to bully his man just force him to play with his back to goal and lay off to a team-mate… Dibbles is not all that, he’s weak mentally and you must break him, if he dies he dies.

Bastoni, A Cyborg sent from the future with a deadly mission, sorry wrong film, left footed CB’s always have that bit of finesse about them, and this 6ft4 beast is no different he’s much more than just a clogger, comfortable with the ball in to feet will look to play it out

Dani C – is still arguably one of the very best RB’s in world football, good pace great engine and football intelligence, will look to get down the line and over-lap Asensio stretch that narrow Arsenal shape and wreak havoc.

Kroos, has been there, done that, and got several T-Shirts. He’s the rhythm master of this side. Minimum effort for maximum efficiency, won’t get flustered won’t get frustrated if Arsenal dictate the early phases, we stick to the plan and wait for Don Carlo’s eye-brow.

Bissouma - Doesn’t Feel Pity, Or Remorse, Or Fear, And It Absolutely Will Not Stop, Ever, Until You Are Dead. Is the Iron Fist that fits inside the velvet glove that is Kroos. Will absolutely monster this Arsenal midfield. Keep it simple, pass and move and make those late runs into the edge of the box.
Ferland – Another with this Real Madrid winning mentality, will mirror Dani C, both push on both drop deep, it’s all done in tandem, don’t dive on your man, maybe pull his shirt 50 yards out if needs be, but just chase him down and send him in to Bastoni to clear out.
Asensio gets the nod on the right hand side, his Madrid chemistry giving him real life link ups with Dani C, Kroos and of course Ronaldo, they know each others game, so it’s not a hypothetical theory of what they can do, we all know what they can do, it’s their written in the history books, he’ll be coming inside attacking the FB’s blind side allowing Carvajal the space to pull the left-back out to him


Insigne on the left hand side is the perfect inside forward really, low centre of gravity, great touch, and of course naturally right footed, so when he cuts inside he’s coming onto his stronger foot, we all know he has great link up play so linking up with Ronaldo should be pretty simple for him.

Ronaldo, I’ve done loads of Terminator quotes already, but this man really is a machine, even in a poor United side he’s still banging goals in, in this side everything is in place to revolve around him, he’s got no defensive duties we have others that can do that job, we want him in and around the box, the greatest goal scorer of all time will pull the trigger. He’s the dictionary definition of “winning mentality”


Subs 65 mins:

Pulisic > Asensio, quick and direct, will be dangerous against tiring legs
Firmino > Insigne, clever clever player, will thrive in the pockets of space
75 mins

Dusan > Ronaldo – one goal machine replacing another, Big Strong imposing figure vs tired bodies should see us over the line

LIVERPOOL vs Spurs

Oleksandr Zinchenko
Sandro Tonali
Jack Grealish
Kieran Trippier

Big big game this, Imagine beating Leicester in the quarters to be rewarded with Sours in the Semi, Tab has a peak squad, is Peak still a word the kids use?

we know we can’t match him up man for man on a good day, thankfully it’s always shiete in London so on a shiete day we always have a chance. The fruity just like a PCSO has a boner for power and robs us of 4 first team starters. I guess it’s great as an excuse for a loss.

I text Lubo the other day enquiring about the availability of his crystal ball and epiphany moments it produces, but as with everything he just ignored me so we’ll stick with the 4-3-3 we used against Lesta and see how the cards fall.

…………………………………….Jose Sa…………………….
Mukiele………………Bonucci………….Botman……………Ait Nouri
………………………………………Biscuits…………………………………..
………………………Coutinho…………….Henderson………………..
Doku……………………………….Scamacca…………………………Neto

Subs: Kasper, Schuurs, Gomez, JWP, James, Raspadori, Icardi

Sa, Arguably the best keeper in the prem this season, has been immense in a goal shy wolves side that sit 8th in the league rapid off his line and great with ball to feet, will look to spring us out in fast counters, turning this who’s whos of footballing pensioners on their heels and sending them back towards their own goal.

Nordi and Ait Nouri are two young modern FB’s quick and good engines, will use that stamina to get up and down the pitch, support their winger and try and get the over-loads down the flanks, defensively don’t do anything silly, use your pace to nip in and steal the ball, don’t lunge in cus their wingers will just skip past you.

Bonucci and Botman are a formidable pairing in the heart of this defence, Bonucci is the elder, his vast experience is a huge thing for our relatively young side, he’s the brains of the operation, master of the dark arts, Sergio Ramos sleeps in Leo Bonucci pyjamas. Whist Leo is the brains, Batman (not typo) is the muscle, he’ll look to learn from the master and silence the threat from Tabs ST. get him hard on his touch and bully him out of the game.

Our midfield is probably our strongest suit, Tab is a master baiter, but he’s also a top tactician and to try and get one over on him takes more cunning than I have, so we lay it out just like this.
Biscuits, the worlds greatest ever enforcer, just the kind of man you’d want on your side in a bar fight, holds the midfield, the mans won more silverware than 95% of football clubs in their history, will sit and dictate the play, he’ll cover off their AM and stop the ball coming in to feet, I refuse to accept he can be dominated, he held Spains midfield single handedly in the Euros vs Jorgy,Verratti and Barella, will keep it simple on the ball, short sharp passes, gets us out of trouble all the time playing in slippers chugging on a pipe.
Someone said on talksport the other day that Henderson is a better captain for Liverpool than Gerrard ever was, I’m not sure I would go that far but he comes in today anyway, he’s won just about everything there is to win with Merseyside reds, and there is no-one NO-ONE no-one in the game past or present better than him at putting crosses into the box (and not finding his man) from the “half-spaces”

In an attempt to not have a boring midfield we bring in Coutinho as the 3rd spoke, a nice heads up show-pony, scores a worldy, goes missing for 6 weeks, scores a worldy and then gets injured for 6 months after dropping his wallet on his toe.

Doku and Neto are pure wingers, fast and direct, will play high and wide, we don’t need them tracking back, as Tab’s FB’s advance. They stay up, when we get turnover ball I want them on their bikes, we’re gonna hit the spaces Spurs leave behind and hit them smash and grab style.

Scamacca up top is the bulldozer, he’s more than just a big ole lump *cough* Lukaku *cough* but we can’t deny his physical attributes are an advantage as a spring board for our attacks.

Subs – 60 mins

JWP > Henderson, missed a trick at the start so, we dive like feck for the last 30, and our front men aim for deflections hoping for corners, we want “wish” Beckham on as many set-pieces as possible

Icardi > Scammaca, whilst Scama is the biggest lad in the team, Mauro is the biggest but he’s ice cold in front of goal

James > Doku, known affectionately as “Hamez” to the lads in the dressing room, quick and direct a nice replacement

comment by JET (U22613)
posted 1 week, 3 days ago
*** The above is for the league game despite it saying cup in the tactics. The below is for the Cup game 9th May, also against Wolves ***

ARSENAL v Wolves - FA CUP SEMI FINAL

------------------- Maignan -------------------
Pereira --- Stones --- Kounde --- Tierney
------------------ T. Partey -------------------
--------- Guimaraes --- F. Ruiz --------------
Mahrez -------- P. Dybala ---------- B. Saka

Subs: Onana, Saliba, Alba, Sanches, Smith Rowe, Abraham, Aubameyang

A huge day for us as we aim to get to the next stage and close in on silverware.

Maignan – The Milan stopper is one of the best in the world at the moment in his position. In possession he has the back three to pass into, or skip a player and clip it wide to the marauding wing backs.

Pereira – Pereira’s qualities ensure he can offer us a dynamic outlet in possession and a strong defensive unit to combat what Wolves throw at us. As he advances up the right in an attacking sense, he has the athletic Partey can both cover his space and combine with him, this gives that right flank a serious double threat on the inside and out.

Stones - Stones has top level experience and he will use his awareness and pace to ensure we can deal with Wolves today. Reads the game incredibly well. He has experience at right back and as a RCB, he gives Pereira that protection needed to get forward. His technical ability on the ball will be a real asset to spring tactical diagonal balls - this will break the Wolves shape and create chaos.

Kounde – Kounde possess great pace and reading of the game, also good on the ball so alongside Stones, offers a great platform for us to build from.

Tierney - Defensively he has the pace, experience and tactical nous to snuff out what Wolvescan throw at us. On the left he can be a real outlet when crowded in central areas, can drop into a back three build up shape when needed, due to his CB experience. Tierney should stay back when we attack.

Partey – Partey has been chosen for his physical dominance and ability to turn and play at pace. The dynamic midfielder has the qualtity and experience to add to our midfield. With the attacking players ahead of him, Partey will sit and marshall the right half space, allowing Pereira the attacking freedom. Partey has played at right back before so this is well suited. He will sit at the heart of midfield both in and out of possession, offering a shield to the defence and helping to nullify Wolves.

Ruiz – Ruiz will dictate that left side of the midfield. Very calm on the ball, looking to progress and carry the ball through the lines when received from the central defenders. He can combine with Tierney on the left too in order to create an overload. He is a master of slowing or quickening the tempo of a game.

Guimaraes - Guimaraes is one of the most on-form midfielders in the league right now, tenacious presence and engine in the middle and is now adding goals and assists to his game. He is perfect in a three man midfield system like this.

Saka – Saka is in incredible form for Arsenal - he’s a player we know can make the difference with his pace and end product. He will look to get high up and beyond Dybala in this game, as he does so well with the Arsenal CF in their formation.

Mahrez - Mahrez is a brilliant link player with finishing ability also. He will cut inside and combine with the overlapping Pereira on the right, he will also look to combine well with Dybala, playing one-twos and getting in advance positions, like he does so well at club level.

Dybala – An elegant striker, we expect to dictate possession so we’ve chosen a forward who consistently breaks deep blocks for club and country. A fantastic link man, he has pace either side in Mahrez and Saka and the full backs to ensure we have multiple channels of attacking threat. Dybala almost forms the tip of a midfield diamond for us, with Saka and Mahrez then acting as wide forwards.

Subs on 60 - Smith Rowe and Abraham for Mahrez and Dybala
Sub on 70 - Aubameyang for Saka
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here you go fan

------------------------- Martinez --------------------------
------- Skriniar ---- Schlotterbeck ---- Lisandro -------
Mazraoui ------ N.Kante ---- H.Aouar ------ B.Chilwell
-------------------------- Nkunku ---------------------------
--------------- P.Schick ---------- J.David -----------------

Bazanu, T.Malacia, A.Onana, J.Ramsey, Coman, Gouiri, Niguez

When we don't have the ball, we will press high up the pitch, conceding very little space, Nkunku in a free role will look to steal the ball within the attacking third and hopefully, quickly get it to those ahead of him. We do not give them any time on the ball and our front 2 prevent their defense hanging on to it too long or trying to play form the back as we pressurize them all the time.

If they do get to our half then we have a strong back 3 and double pivot ahead to prevent play through the middle, meaning they will need to push wide, I want Nkunku and J.David t to close them down in these wide areas and support the wingbacks, lots of pace in the front three to get at players.

When we have the ball it starts from the back moving the ball around between defense and center midfield until the moment arrives when a pass can be made through to the front line, , there is no rush, if they come pressing we simply move it to the wide areas for them to bomb down the line and look to either cut it back or get a pass into the front three.

Martinez is our sweeper keeper, he always makes himself big, I want him involved with the defense playing out, if he has the ball I want him to find players especially the wingbacks when we are ready to attack

Skriniar and Lisandro, Cover the wingbacks when they have pushed forward and take the ball out of defense, use there positional sense well as they may be out paced., must do this with confidence, if they lose the ball then all numbers back to cover, if they are being pressurized then a simple pass even back to the keeper and start again, stay wide (depending on what side) to cover wingbacks if they are forward.

Schlotterbeck in great form, He will press the opposition striker, when we lose the ball he needs to be on top of the CF very quickly, he must intercept everything, don't take any risks as the CF will also be on him so move it quickly when he gets it.
Mazraoui and Chilwell, must work very hard, they have great work rate but this must done for the whole game, get down the line, get the crosses in, two great forwards to aim for, don't worry so much about what's behind you as their is plenty cover, I don't mean forget your defense duties, just play with a bit of freedom, crosses, one-twos, cut backs and all with pace to hurt them.

Although Kante's primary role in front of the defense is to control possession and then start an attacking phase, he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 will likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. Take care of the No 10/SS is also a main focus, he will stick to him like glue and stop him becoming a threat, very good in the air so can attack long/high balls before they get to our defenders. Once he is in possession of the ball nice simple balls to those around him.

Aouar has responsibility throughout the pitch. He is expected to score goals and create chances for the front 3, whilst also helping in the defensive third. One requirement of this role are high fitness levels due to the amount of running he is expected to do and he does a lot. The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks..

Nkunku is in a free role, give him the ball and he will produce, I want him to dictate proceedings in the final third, either playing the through ball to the front two or use the wingers, pass in between the lines and give them something to run onto as the drive passed the defender, making late runs into the box and look for any loose ball to have a pop at goal, Nkunku is a great finisher as his stats show this season, so look to make late runs into the area and latching onto crosses from wide areas, defending wise, I want him to harass who ever has the ball in that area, get it and move it forward as quickly as possible, also can draw players into him, therefore winning a lot of free kicks

J.David I want to be making all the runs behind the defense, a tireless worker always making it hard for defenders, I want him to drift wide and pull defenders away, quick and skillful, look to move out to create an outlet for the wingbacks to use or indeed link with Nkunku and Schick to get in on goal, he and Schick both fantastic in the air, so while they aim for Schick, David will be making the late runs into the danger area and with a head start look to get up early and attack the crosses coming in. Again, really put the pressure on their back line, they are great going forward but today, pretty weak at the back and without Rodri shielding they may struggle to cope with Nkunku

Schick, is our out an out No.9, fox in the box, a bully and powerful striker, he is there to finish off chances created by other, I want him always on the last man, no defending required from him, always ready to pounce, if however he cant get in on goal he has plenty round him to lay it off to, or just a quick pass and look to get into space where he can get his shot off, end of, he is in to score goals and that is what he shall do.

Captain - Skriniar
Penalties - Schick/replacement
Free Kicks - Nkunku
Corners - Nkunku

Subs:-
Losing
65 Mins - Gouiri for Chilwell, Coman for Mazraoui wingers not wingbacks, Nkunku to RCF, 343 attack, attack, attack
73 Mins - Ramsey for Aouar

Winning -
75 Mins - A.Onana for J.David, he goes to DM and will anchor us home, Niguez for Kante fresh legs to run them down
83 Mins - Gouiri for Schick

Drawing -
65 Mins - Niguez for Aouar, Gouiri for David, Malacia for Chiwell, fresh legs

------------------------- D.Costa --------------------------
J.Cancelo ----- Kalidou ----- Romero ----- Robertson
----------------------- Declan Rice -----------------------
------------ J.Bellingham --- H.Calhanoglu ------------
F.Torres ------------------------------------------ Mbappe
------------------------- Haaland --------------------------

Johnstone, N.Mendes, F.Wirtz, E.Fernandez, M.Diaby, R.Leao, Dembele

We play possession football, especially the midfield where we want to dominate, we have the energy, aggression and athleticism there allows us to do this, quick on the break and really pressurize the opposition with an in your face performance from the front, they have a good midfield so we need to be aggressive and press them quickly when they have possession, when we defend, the back 4 must stay solid with the midfield ahead of them harassing the man with the ball before they get to our back 4 and our midfield will be in and around the half way line, stop them coming forward from the back, however, if they do push forward onto us and we get the ball they will be on the back foot and will really struggle with our front 3 with Fullbacks who are always ready to pounce and hit them with pace.

Romero picks up the CF he wont let much passed him he is a pacey, very powerful, he will look to dominate the CF, Koulibaly spare picks up the AM if he gets away from our midfield, both top CBs so keep the forward(s) away from the danger area, look to intercept quickly, take the ball away from them and play it out of defense, look to get to our midfield quickly, Both are comfortable on the ball so can bring it out when in no danger and look for the pass to those in front to hit them with pace, both must attack high balls to get the ball away from the opposition big men. Fullbacks keep the wingers quiet, stop their attacks. Keep them away from shooting areas and stop them becoming dangerous in any position by standing tall against them and keeping them on there 'bad' foot. When they attack, with the midfield 3 we have, then both can go at the same time to make extra numbers as we drive on, we look to gain that extra body(ies) in the opp half, If either get caught up field I want the midfielders to help them out by filling the gaps so we don't get exposed, this allows the fullbacks to make their way to midfield to cover. CBs to go up for corners, with the fullbacks and Rice sitting back.

Rice, he is our deepest midfielder sitting just in front of the CB's he will shadow there AM probably Odegaard so must close him down quickly to stop him dictating proceedings, must be aware of all that is around him, be in the right place at the right time and look to cover for defensive players moving forward, he has to impose himself early on the AM to make him wary of holding onto the ball too long, once on the ball look around, head up and pick the pass that will get us moving forward quickly always making himself for a return ball from a deeper angle as he spreads it from side to side then eventually forward he is always looking for the ball to start again if need be, can be out to the fullbacks or indeed a longer ball to the front three to take the opposition out of it as they are still high up the pitch. Bellingham our box to box will help stop the run of play quicker to make our defenders jobs a lot easier, protect our defense as best as possible, in possession push forward get it to the front 3/4 but also look for fullbacks as they move into space, keep it simple, he has a very good range of pass. Either pass and move(triangles) into space or look for a piercing through ball to our front 3/4 to drive onto. Can move forward to assist and look for balls coming out so he can either, shoot or whip straight back in, he will also look for piercing through balls for the front 3 to drive onto and go for goal. Calhanoglu is essential to our style of play, he is a very good player on his day and will be a threat, he is the link between defense and attack he controls the pace of the game, as we break quickly he will look to set up our front three along with Bellingham, also, he will drop back at times to pick it up then look to his dribbling and passing capabilities to get him around player and if their is space he will into the danger area to unleash a powerful drive, sometimes taking a foul as he is a tricky player to mark gaining cheap freekicks, which he will take and hoipefully bury When in possession always head up looking for the movement of our front three to play them in, he draws players in, so as he does this he will pass the ball away sometimes taking 2/3 players out of the game leaving a lot more room for others to make something dangerous, he will pass and move to always make himself available. After the pass he can push wide or central to make that extra man When he doesn't drop deep i.e when the defenders go long, he will look to form a front four as they move around and look to tear the defense apart and create space for the front 3. All of our midfield three must press the opposition and get to grips with this game very early on.

Our wingers are extremely quick, young and full of energy, when we don't have the ball they drop back a bit to make up the numbers as opposition attack, push into the faces of the opposition to force them into mistakes and hopefully in the end they lose the ball, Ferran and Mbappe will cause them problems drifting in an out, taking men on and getting in behind their fullbacks, thus allowing Hakan more time and space to pick his moment to move into space as an attacking threat and eventually to Haaland who can beat any defender with power/pace and the other wingers who will look to get into space to get a shot off, if their defense is on top then we can always go direct at times and fire early crosses especially from deep from the fullbacks to midfield and Haaland, we must always make sure Haaland is well supported, especially wingers who at times will be right on his shoulder or alongside.

Captain - Declan Rice
Free Kicks - Calhanoglu/replacement
Corners - Wingers
Penalties - Haaland

Losing -
65 Mins - Dembele for Calhanoglu 442
75 Mins - Cancelo to LCB, R.Leao for Robertson, he goes to LM, Mbappe to RCF 343 attack, Diaby for Ferran

Winning -
75 Mins - Enzo Fernandez for Calhanoglu, he and Bellingham go either side of Rice to shore it up and direct proceedings
84 Mins - Mendes for Haaland, Mbappe up top, Mendes to LM 451

Drawing -
65 Mins - Diaby for Ferran, F.Wirtz for Calhanoglu
75 Mins - Leao for Haaland, he goes left, Mbappe up top

Watford: League fixture 18 (away to Wolves)
Captain: Palhinha
Vice-Captain: Remiro

----------------Remiro
Mário--Maripán--Quarta---Angeliño
----------Palhinha --Nunes
-----------------Otávio
Gonçalves---------------------González
---------------- Evanilson

SUBS: Grabara, Moura, Ibañez, Walace, Alzate, Correa, Arezo


SUMMARY: This week we go with a 4-3-3 set up although we will be a tad more conservative and operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Palhinha) who will be complimented with an energetic box to box midfielder (Nunes). In front of them Otávio will operate as the link between midfield and attack. This I feel will give us a better balanced midfield and while being absolutely defensively sound with 2 ‘sitting’ Nunes will also be allowed the freedom (when the time arises) to link with Otávio and attack. I think this set-up lets us link up quickly with our attack while at the same time that little bit of extra cautiousness means it will be easy for us to close the door in midfield with all 3 players as comfortable sitting and breaking up attacks if necessary.
We want to play a nice tidy and crisp passing game. Our aim is to move the ball forward as quickly and as effectively as possible. When we have the ball we will use it wisely and when we don’t have the ball then we will press our opponents all over the park with high urgency to win it back. We want to keep the ball on the deck and attack as a team and equally as important defend as a team. This team is bursting with pace. We will utilise that to our advantage and make the pitch wide and use our flying wingers to cause all sorts of mayhem. It will also be a tool that we use to hit opponents on the counter where we know we can out pace any team.
Goalkeeper: Remiro is a big mobile keeper and very athletic. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.
Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.
Midfield: We will operate with one holding/defensive midfielder (Palhinha ). He will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. He will be complimented with a deep sitting box to box midfielder (Nunes). He has a more conservative role this week and while being a little more constrained than normal he will still have the opportunity to bomb forward when the time is right. They will both have to put a defensive shift in and both are very strong in the tackle. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition. In front of them Otávio will operate as the link between midfield and attack. He will be our creator and can find that magic pass to break open a defence and release one of our front three.
Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Gonçalves and González will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Otávio, Nunes and Evanilson in to play. They can vary their attacks as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Nunes may sit a bit deeper allowing Otávio to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF.
As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.
Evanilson starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great playing off the shoulder of the last man he is deadly in and around the box. A bag of energy and very strong we will also look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his lightning pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.
Free Kicks/Corners: Otávio, González or Gonçalves with Maripán , Quarta, Palhinha and Evanilson to offer an aerial threat. Otávio and González (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.

Substitutions: (80 mins) If winning, then 3 like for like subs – Ibañez for Maripán , Walace for Palhinha and Arezo for Evanilson.
If losing (60 mins) then switch to a 4-1-3-2 and replace Nunes with Arezo and Gonçalves with Correa. Fresh legs and 2 attackers that carry a goal threat about them. We will look to their pace and freshness to offer us something different.
----------Palhinha
Correa---Otávio---González
-------Arezo --Evanilson

BRENTFORD v Chelsea

----------------------Kelleher
Livramento, Andersen, Guehi, Maatsen
-----------Koopmeiners, Höjbjerg
Ødegaard---------Djuricic—-Baumgartner
-----------------------Broja

Subs: Simón, Salisu, Colwill, Ampadu, Laimer, Vale, Ibrahimovic, Lucca

Captain: Höjbjerg
Free Kicks: Ødegaard/Koopmeiners
Penalties: Broja/Ibrahimovic

Our defensive unit consists of Joachim Andersen Marc Guehi paired up at centre-back, Tino Livramento at right-back and Ian Maatsen at left-back, with Teun Koopmeiners and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg as our midfield ‘double pivot’ screening them.

This ‘double pivot’ is the key to our team and in Koopmeiners and Höjbjerg we have a perfect pairing to initiate attacks by distributing the ball in an intelligent fashion, to be key players in circulation and to prevent dangerous opposition attacks, being disciplined in positioning and limiting space in between the lines.

The strength of our double pivot is that Höjbjerg can press the ball without leaving lots of space, as Koopmeiners can maintain a good position to react if the initial press is bypassed. Our double pivot will offer huge defensive stability and will ensure that a structured shape is maintained.

Having two defensive midfielders centrally prevents others being dragged out of position to press.

Helping the defenders maintain solid positioning is a key part of Höjbjerg's role, he will press almost anywhere in his own half to allow defenders to stay in the defensive line.

With Höjbjerg running his socks off for the team, our high tempo will be dictated by his partner in holding midfield, Teun Koopmeiners.

Koopmeiners is not just your “win the ball and pass it on to the closest player” – there is a real creative mind in his locker, but it’s his ability to be the shield of the back four and then be creative once he gets the ball that makes Koopmeiners such a talent.

The attacking unit consists of Martin Ødegaard, Filip Djuricic and Christoph Baumgartner as our band of three attacking midfielders with Armando Broja as our lone central striker.

Our 4-2-3-1 is set up to have that wonderful ‘springy' quality - it absorbs pressure without breaking and then snaps back with surprising force.

In defence our 4-2-3-1 covers space very effectively, with the band of three attacking midfielders and centre forward able to press the opposition high up the pitch while the two defensive midfielders ensure that there is no space left in front of the defence. Then the back four can either play a high line, compressing the space even further, or drop deeper as preferred.

Once we have won the ball back, often by Koopmeiners or Höjbjerg, then our 4-2-3-1 can spring into attack.

Livramento and Maatsen can surge up the wings in the knowledge that Koopmeiners and Höjbjerg can drop into the space left behind if needed. As they come up the wings, both Martin Ødegaard and Christoph Baumgartner, who are excellent in tight spaces and fantastic dribblers, will cut inside or make runs into the box.

Filip Djuricic, our attacking central midfielder’s low centre of gravity will enable him to navigate away from defenders. Djuricic is blessed with an instant first touch and can dribble with the ball at such a close proximity to his feet that it makes him almost impossible to tackle this creative passer with his quick flicks and one-touch passing, will combine exceptionally well with Ødegaard, Baumgartner & Broja to create openings and goal scoring opportunities for each other..

Upfront Broja is our classical style all round centre forward, a real number 9 who has the ability to be a bully, but also has the technical ability to be more than just a menace to our opponents defenders.

Whilst 6ft 3in tall he isn’t just about his height, he is a great ball player and has great positional awareness. He'll cause our opponents some big problems with his ability to play off the last man, draw defenders wide and drop in and link up with midfielders. But most of all, he is a lethal finisher and a natural goal poacher.

Subs on 75 mins
Ibrahimovic on for Broja

A real focal point for the attacking midfielders in Ibrahimovic during the last 15 minutes to look to unlock the opposition’s defence for a late goal regardless of the score line.

Sorry one too many subs - loose Lucca

ARSENAL (H) vs. Leeds

------------------- Maignan -------------------
Hakimi --- Stones --- Kounde --- Tierney
------------------ T. Partey -------------------
--------- Guimaraes --- Maddison -----------
Mahrez -------- P. Dybala ---------- B. Saka

Subs: Onana, Tapsoba, Xhaka, Barnes, Smith Rowe, Abraham, Aubameyang

It’s a tight race for top four and this is one we need to win to stay in it. At home, we will play with confidence and domination in mind.

Maignan – The Milan stopper is one of the best in the world at the moment in his position. In possession he has several ball playing defenders to go short to, or skip a player and clip it wide to Saka on the left, or Hakimi/Mahrez overload on the right.

Hakimi – Hakimi’s qualities ensure he can offer us a dynamic outlet in possession. As he advances up the right in an attacking sense, he has the athletic ability to get up and down the wing - Partey can both cover his space and combine with him, this gives that right flank a serious double threat on the inside and out.

Stones - Stones has top level experience and he will use his awareness and pace to ensure we can deal with Leeds today. Reads the game incredibly well. He has experience at right back and as a RCB, he gives Hakimi that protection needed to get forward. His technical ability on the ball will be a real asset to spring tactical diagonal balls - this will break the Leeds shape and create chaos.

Kounde – Kounde possesses great pace and reading of the game, also good on the ball so alongside Stones, offers a great platform for us to build from.

Tierney - Defensively he has the pace, experience and tactical nous to snuff out what Leeds can throw at us. With Hakimi getting forward more, Tierney can drop into a back three build up shape when needed, due to his CB experience. Tierney should stay back when we attack, allowing Maddison more freedom to join the front three when we attack on the left.

Partey – Partey has been chosen for his physical dominance and ability to turn and play at pace. The dynamic midfielder has the qualtity and experience to add to our midfield. With the attacking players ahead of him, Partey will sit and marshall the right half space, allowing Hakimi the attacking freedom. Partey has played at right back before so this is well suited. He will sit at the heart of midfield both in and out of possession, offering a shield to the defence and helping to nullify Leeds.

Maddison – Maddison will dictate that left side of the midfield. Very calm on the ball, looking to progress and carry the ball through the lines when received from the central defenders. He can combine with Saka on the left too in order to create an overload. He is a master of slowing or quickening the tempo of a game.

Guimaraes - Guimaraes is one of the most on-form midfielders in the league right now, tenacious presence and engine in the middle and is now adding goals and assists to his game. He is perfect in a three man midfield system like this.

Saka – Saka is in incredible form for Arsenal - he’s a player we know can make the difference with his pace and end product. He will look to get high up and beyond Dybala in this game, as he does so well with the Arsenal CF in their formation.

Mahrez - Mahrez is a brilliant link player with finishing ability also. He will cut inside and combine with the overlapping Hakimi on the right, he will also look to combine well with Dybala, playing one-twos and getting in advance positions, like he does so well at club level.

Dybala – An elegant striker, we expect to dictate possession so we’ve chosen a forward who consistently breaks deep blocks for club and country. A fantastic link man, he has pace either side in Mahrez and Saka and the full backs to ensure we have multiple channels of attacking threat. Dybala almost forms the tip of a midfield diamond for us, with Saka and Mahrez then acting as wide forwards.

Subs on 60 - Smith Rowe and Abraham for Mahrez and Dybala
Sub on 70 - Aubameyang for Saka


IF red card subs
If keeper - Onana for Maddison - 441
If defender - Tapsoba for Maddison 441 - if its a FB, Stones/Kounde go to FB, Tapsoba CB
If midfielder - no change, 441, Xhaka for Maddison after a bit of time has passed
If striker - no change, Saka/Mahrez as wide mids/fwds

-------------------- Ederson -------------------
B.Pavard -- De Ligt --- P.Torres -- Reguilon
------------- Fabinho --- R.Neves ------------
----- L.Messi --- De Bruyne --- G.Jesus ----
------------------ K.Havertz -------------------

Subs:
Ramsdale, Araujo, Tchouaméni, Dembele, Sancho, Griezmann, Lukaku

We look to move the ball at speed as we go with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation today as we aim for the win.

Our DM & CM pivot will marshall the middle of the park allowing De Bruyne free reign in the #10 role. He will be flanked by Messi and Jesus who both offer goal threats out wide with Havertz playing through the middle. Providing that blend of pace, power and trickery as we look to cause their defence plenty of problems.

Defence:

We go with a strong defensive unit at the back, packed with pace and quality as we look to nullify the threat posed by the oppositions attack. If the opposition play one up top then De Ligt will mark. Strong, aggressive and a great reader of the game we feel he has all the tools to deal with any opponent. Torres will act as cover, sweeping up and offering cover in behind to eliminate any balls over the top. The Spaniard sweeping up from the back and immediately looking to get us on the counter with his fantastic vision and passing.

In Pavard we have one of the best defensive fullbacks in the business. He’ll sit in, no need to bomb on with the quality with have further up the field, see your man down the line and don’t let him cut inside. On the other flank we have the more adventurous Reguilon, he has license to push forward, when doing so Pavard slots in as a third CB ensuring we always have plenty of cover defensively. Reggie will provide width which in turn allows Jesus to push up alongside Lukaku as we look to overwhelm their defence with our attacking quality.

Midfield:

Fabinho will be our main holding player in the middle. An all action player we rely on his fantastic tenacity and high level work rate to break up the opposition play, winning back possession and setting us up on the counter as we look to get the ball into our creative players as quickly as possible. He’ll pick up their most advanced AM and cut out their supply line.

He combines perfectly with the the technical brilliance of Neves. A delightful player his passing ability will allow us to dictate the tempo of the game as he links up with KDB. Alongside Fabinho he gives us a big man/small man combo with both players equally adept at breaking down the opposition as we look to dominate the middle of the park. They will protect the defence and get in the face of the opposition. We look to set the tempo and these two will be the catalyst, dispossess the opposition, get the ball to our playmakers and wreak havoc at the other end.

Forwards:

In attack we go with four heavy hitters as we aim or goals. De Bruyne plays centrally, looking to drift between the lines making himself extremely difficult to be picked up and causing a mismatch in this area of the field. We look to get him on the ball and let him work his magic in the final third.

Messi and Jesus give us a dual threat on the flanks. Leo will be doing what he does best, going at the opposition with the freedom to create and cause havoc as he sees fit. Taking opponents on at will as he cuts in from the right and utilises that wand of a left foot. Quick one two’s in the final third should open things up in the opposition box with the Argentine deadly in front of goal.

In Gabriel Jesus we one of the most in-form attackers around with his confidence sky high he’ll look to be direct. Use his pace and fantastic movement to get himself in goalscoring position’s with the Brazilian full of energy and a real nightmare match up for the oppositions full back. He and Messi will both be looking to feed off Havertz link up whilst the service of KDB should see us create plenty of chances as we go for goals.

With a dream supply line around him we expect Havertz to thrive through the middle. A player that is really beginning to justify the hype and another in top class form in his best position. He has fantastic link up play, if he drops deep he pulls a CB with him which opens up a hole for Messi or Jesus to exploit. In the final third he’s the perfect target man, deadly in the air with a Bergkampesque first touch he will thrive on the service around him and has shown how deadly he is in front of goal.

Subs:

If winning:
70 mins: Jesus off, Dembele on. Fresh legs and extra defensive workrate.
80 mins: Havertz off, Lukaku on.

If drawing/losing:
65 mins: Fabinho off, Lukaku on. Two up top.
75 mins: Havertz & Reguilon off, Sancho & Dembele on. 3-4-3.

Attacking 4-3-3

We go with an attacking team full of energy, playing with a high tempo in defence and attack (plus Benzema and Neymar who do the business and take advantage of the space the rest make). A fluid front three with real quality and pace.

They are missing their best creative midfielders, so we dominate and force them deep, make it difficult for them to play out, we press them high put them under pressure. Force them to play in areas they don’t want to, and force them to play hit and hopes and to make mistakes.

We look to dominate possession, so we obviously play a high line. This high line also allows us to press high up the park and retain possession. At home, and with the quality we have we look to dominate and simply create more chances, more chances more goals. This will leave space in behind when they do beat our press, this is why we have a defence full of pace and that are good on the ball. Round pegs in round holes. Our strength in attack is out wide so we look to switch the ball quickly from one end to the other looking for opportunities to play our wingers in and looking to create space for the fb and wingers to create. If not Thiago and Barella have a mean cross from deep.

Theyre fbs can be got at, look to use the pace of Sterling and Neymar to get in between the fbs and cbs. The fbs both look to attack and over an overlap, giving us good numbers in the box. Thiago in the deep playmaker role covering. Committing numbers forward means we will outnumber them, it’s a risk at the back but they’d have a lot ground to make up, and we have fantastic pace. So the attacking play should work in our favour.

Outnumber them in attack, and defend high in a 4-3-2-1 formation with the wingers simply socking space outside the cms. We have a very strong back 4 and 3 Cms that get stuck in, while the wingers and fbs will commit forwards they have great pace to get back into shape.

Our usual game is this attacking style, playing with a high line and looking to work attacking overloads in certain areas of the park (wide today) and using movement of players to create half spaces for our quality in attack to make the difference. This suits us perfectly, we deliberately have pacey ball playing cbs, the high line and their ability on the ball is key for us to dominate possession (as you expect and need for real possession football).

Up top Benzema is the in form player in world football, even our balls into the box are terrible or he’s outnumbered we expect he’ll somehow end up controlling it perfectly.

A champions league winning cm partnership reunited, Thiago plays zonally in front of cbs offering cover in the midfield for both fbs to attack, Goretzka the big boy cm doing the box to box role offering us a pillar of strength in cm. Barella gets nod as third cm, hard worker and his long passing will be key today as we look to dominate possession and switch the play quickly to create quickly. Also more of a cm than Mount which we need given the two attacking fbs and no natural dm.

Key to our attack is quick passing play, not looking to force the play but moving the ball quickly. Pass and move. Getting the fbs and wingers doubling up on their fbs or wbs and get balls into the box for everyone’s favourite striker.

We have a cm duo who can both drop deep to offer an option and collect the ball from defence. Likewise a fluid front four, who can switch positions or drop deep to collect the ball from midfield. This fluidity will help the players to get away from their markers, catch the opposition out and create space.

————————————- Alisson
R.James — Marquinhos —— Alaba —— Theo.H
————————-— Thiago —— Goretzka
———————————— N.Barella ——
Sterling ————————————————— Neymar
———————————— Benzema

Subs. Trubin, Vitinha, Mount, B.Fernandes, Vanderson, Felix, Osimhen

Defending high

When we lose the ball the closest player presses the ball, the second closest presses the obvious passing channel. As they’re doing this everyone gets into a narrow rigid formation behind the ball in position to press high up the park. Stop them breaking and press them high up the park.

Marquinhos the man marker next to Alaba who is free to use his pace and intelligence to sweep up. In midfield, Thiago plays zonally in front of cbs, with Goretzka and Barella ball side. The fbs and wingers narrow in front to the side of play City are attacking, in spaces on either side of their cms and supporting cbs. In a position to block passing lanes central or wide.

In a narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Keep them from advancing to positions where they can’t hurt us, by trying to win the ball back very quickly. Then break quickly in these high positions when we do win the ball.

As City get into our half, the wide players drop deep to add protection in front of the fb and next to the 2 pressing cms. Closing down the space, narrowing to the side of play.

Alisson is the perfect sweeper keeper for us, not as good as some on the ball, but that’s not what we need, we need the best one on one keeper, which stats show he is by a distance.

Subs. If winning after 68 mins bring on Vanderson for Sterling. Fresh pace, on fire, hard working and a rb so strong defensively.
If winning after 72 mins bring on Mount for Barella.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Felix for Neymar. Diego has played him lb before, so could be a defensive move? Na that’s silly, but hard work and fresh pace.

If drawing after 70 mins bring on Osimhen and Felix for Sterling and Barella. 4-2-2-2. Felix and Neymar playing in more central roles, to give us control, with fbs combing on.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Gnabry for Theo. James to rcb. 3-5-2.

If losing after 62 mins bring on Osimhen and Felix for Theo and Barella. 3-5-2. Play direct to the front 2, with Felix behind.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Vanderson for Sterling. Fresh pace and energy on right needed.

WOLVES vs Watford

Injuries:
Alessandro Bastoni
Douglas Luiz
Alessio Romagnoli
Marco Asensio



Home fixture against Watford, on paper we should be looking at this as a home win, but we can’t take anything for granted they have a solid side and we have to show them the same amount of respect as anyone else in the league, well other than Arsenal, cus yeno fack arsenal.

Going back to our 4-2-4 roots, gives us some nice possession in the engine room and enough fire-power up top to get the job done.


…………………………………Donnarumma………………….
Carvajal…………De Vrij……………Konate………Ferland
………………………..Bissouma………..Kroos……………….
Mane…………………………………………………………Insigne
……………………Ronaldo………..Vlahovic………..

Subs: Pickford, Spinazzola, Locatelli, Brahim, Pulisic, Firmino, Tomiyasu

Judas Donnarumma is having a difficult time in Paris but he remains an elite keeper, big physical presence, will look to dominate his box, any balls coming in are his to go for, with the ball nice an simple, clear the lines don’t take stupid risks.

Carvajal and Ferland will be our marauding full-backs, we have two inside forwards so these two will be the ones to add the attacking width, take a man away and let our front-line do it’s thing, defensively sound this pair can force their man wide and into dead ends.

De Vrij and Konate are a physically imposing combo, Watford traditionally play 4-3-3 so Konate is the man marker, will look to bully their man out of the game, hit him on his touch and not let him settle into the match, De Vrij is the libero, the secondary ball is his to win, with ball to feet he can bring it out and link with our midfield


Kroos and Bissouma make up the leagues most boring pivot, but also one of it’s most effective, Kroos is the velvet glove encasing the iron fist that is Bissouma, normally I’d use one as a B2B but not today, Kroos is the deep lying playmaker and Bissouma is the midfield enforcer, I think theyre a pretty decent blend and will give us a solid foundation to run the game.

Mane and Insigne are playing as inside forwards operating in the half spaces between Watfords FB’s and DM’s as mentioned our own full-backs add our width so these two will be coming inside attacking those spaces we create through numerical advantages, I know this gives LC an easier job because his DMs wont have to watch our CM’s running but that’s fine we’ll still have 6 men in the final third which is more than enough for us to conjure up some chances.

Ronaldo and Vlahovic are a deadly combo, big and strong, but both blessed with good technical ability, playing 2 up top against 2 CB’s means we cant get bullied out of this game, so LC has to bring people back form somewhere to help out, the FB’s can’t tuck in cus they’re up against our FB’s so it’ll have to be a CM dropping deep.

Subs 60 mins
Firmino > Ronaldo
Pulisic > Insigne (and switch with Mane)
Locatelli > Kroos

Sours vs LIVERPOOL
Injuries:
Mauro Icardi
Kelechi Iheanacho
Jack Grealish
Nordi Mukiele

Games don’t come much harder than away days against Londons biggest club, we may have squeezed past them in the cup, but the league is their bread and butter and they’re gonna come at us hard today to put us back in our box.

We’re lining up with a 3-4-2-1 man for man we can’t compete with them, short of lesta and Newcastle no-one can. So we look to stifle them for as long as we can and then hit them with a sucker punch, collect all three points and a fat brown envelope from RoF


…………………………………………………Kasper………………………………….
……………………...Gomez…………….Bonucci…………Botman…………….
Trippier………………..Busquets……………….Tonali…………………Zinchenko
……………………………..Coutinho…………………Neto……………………………..
……………………………………………Scamacca……………………………………………….
Subs: Sa, Nouri, Ake, JWP, Henderson, Raspadori, Vardy

We’re gonna be time wasting from minute 1, throw insa, goal kicks the lot, we’re slowing this game right down, all the dark arts are coming into play… Bonucci and Busquets and have been running training this week so the boys are right upto speed. All the niggly fouls that aren’t enough for a card but are enough to knock sours off their rhythm, we’ll see a latin masterclass today.

Kasper the great dane comes back in between the sticks for this one, a born winner will dominate the box and marshal his defence channelling the none dead ghost of his dad Peter.

The back three has a little bit of everything, the cool calm nature of Leo, the imposing figure of Botman and the pace of Gomez, between them they have the skillset to deal with any combination of attackers that TAB throws at us. Gomez and Botman pick a man each – whether it be a central striker or an AM running from deep, no zonal marking that adds unnecessary confusion, take a man and own him… Bonucci is the sweeper, takes two steps back and acts like the queen on a chess board, shuffling side to side to help out on any breaches.

Trippier and Zinchenko are quality footballers, versatile and technically excellent, they will be used in the same way Pep would at City, they push forward into spaces rather than regimented routines, both can hit those 50 yard diagonals that kill defences, so with them pulling strings from the half-way line way leaves us much less susceptible on quick counters.

If you had to pick 2 Cm’s you cold trust to marshall the side, keep it watertight but still maintain that technical touch to be able to pick a pass and move us forwards then you’d be hard pressed to get better than Biscuits Tonali – Sandro “Biscuits” sounded too much like a wiseguy from the Bronx. Defensively theres not much that gets passed them, both are good in the air too so if Sours mix it up to go long we have enough their to make life difficult for the Sours striker. With the ball to feet these two are that good they can make a 2 man passing triangle, we’ll just keep the ball and wait for Bonucci to step out and we can have some Tik-Italia, take the legs out of the Spurs midfield.

Whilst most of our side can be considered functional, the top three are genuinely exciting players, Couts and Neto as twin tens will operate in those half spaces, trying to drag out the Spurs DM’s, Coutinho isn’t explosive anymore in terms of running at a side but that touch and eye for a pass are still there, he’ll get the ball down attack the gaps and then slide the ball in where it’s gonna hurt. Neto is very much an explosive player, fast, direct and left footed that’s everything you need in a front man, he’ll take the team downfield in a heartbeat, drawing men to him before laying it off.

Playing one up top needs a good focal point, Scamacca is perfect, very tall, well built and as strong as an ox, perfect build for leading the line but also the perfect spring board for not only our “tens” to play off but also our FB’s to go long to, knowing he can bring it down and lay it off giving the others chance to connect with him, Ball in the box he’s a machine, 16 goals for Sassuolo in Serie A this season puts him 4th in the scorers charts for the season.

Subs 65 mins

Henderson > Tonali
Raspadori > Coutinho
Vardy > Scamacca

Balanced 3-4-1-2

We go with an attacking team designed to control the tempo of the game, and target Newcastle out wide, attacking the fbs and in between the cbs and fbs. We look to control the tempo by controlling the space, as we don’t expect to completely dominate possession given the opposition. But we have a team full of energy and play with a high tempo.

Newcastle’s wide players play narrow, so with the 3 at the back we are effectively going man for man. Key to this is defending the space higher up the park and not allowing Newcastle to create. Their fbs are their playmakers and so we push our wing backs high up the pitch. Not giving them space and looking to pin them back.

They like to press high, so we will be direct in attack. Using the excellent long passing of our back 3 to find the front 3 and wing backs in advanced positions. Sterling plays in a free role playing off two strikers. The front two occupying their cbs, with Sterling moving wide from side to side, and through the middle, unsettling their defenders. Sterling looking to get in behind and beyond their defence, and taking advantage of space left by their fbs attacking. Force their fbs to either stay deep, or taking advantage on the counter when they lose the ball.

We also though have the quality at the back and in cm, to pass around their high press. Lewa and Modric would be useless high pressers anyway, so we can easily play through with the quality we have if the direct ball is not on.

In possession, we make the ball do the work, playing direct to the front two and wing backs. Spreading the play from side to side, looking to move their defenders/mids out of position and create half spaces for our quality to tell.

Both wing backs bomb forward in attack, offering width, stretching the game and getting at the Newcastle fbs. With the front two and Sterling’s movement this is where we see we can create by outnumbering their back 4.

Barella has license to attack and a free role in attack playing as the attacking midfielder. Getting into the spaces left by Sterling, getting in and around the box and supporting the wbs. His crosses from deep will be a real threat.

Rodri plays zonally central when we are attacking, getting forward and narrowing slightly to the play, looking to offer an option to create from deep, and switching play offs our quick direct attacks hit a wall. The cb on the side of play also narrows and advances higher leaving the back 2, getting in a position to offer a pass backwards, and also in the right position defensively if we lose the ball here.


————————————— Alisson —————————————
——— Marquinhos —— Laporte —— Alaba —————
R.James ————— Rodri —— Barella ———— Theo.H
————————————— Sterling ———————
———————— Benzema ——— Lautaro ————————

Subs. Henderson, Vanderson, Thiago, Goretzka, Mount, Gnabry, J.Felix

Shape

With our cms and am looking to control the space, we look to play a deeper line than usual (not deep, just not high). When they win the ball we let them have it in their own third, we will play in a compact shape, narrowing to the side of play.

They have pace on the break out wide, but we also have great pace at the back. Importantly they drop to a 4-5-1 in defence, so when they win the ball the counter isn’t a great worry as Lewa doesn’t have the pace against our cbs for a quick transition. So getting back into our defensive 3-5-2 shape, pressing as a unit when they get into the final third.

And so by setting up in a narrow shape, the wide cbs picking up their wide forwards once they get forwards, we know they play narrow which plays into our shape ensuring no space. The midfield line in front we have the quality to deal with their threat. Key is to stop the supply. We’re not worried about Casemiro. Lautaro will sit in between Casemiro and the cbs (who Benzema looks to split). This gets Lautaro in a position to split the 3 deepest players, blocking passing lanes, and ready to nip at Casemiro’s heels if he is in position to steal the ball, and leaves him in space for when we win the ball back.

Sterling has the simple job of man marking Modric(or Verratti), while Barella presses the space next to Rodri, and picks up Silva/Verratti when he advances. This importantly allows Rodri to play in a role sweeping up in front of the 3 cbs, dropping to cb if need be. This is key given the wide forwards look to come inside against our cbs.

Defending in a narrow formation, limiting the space for Newcastle to play in. In a rigid defensive structure we make sure there is no space in between the lines, and with wingers that like to come inside they will run in to two deep defensive lines. The defence and midfield press as a unit, ensuring there is no space between the lines for Newcastle’s cms.

Defence

When we lose the ball we get back into the shape, and drop, let them have the ball in their own third but if we lose it in our own or middle thirds the closest player presses hard and fast (assuming not last man!), the second closest players covers or presses inside passing lane, dependent on cover behind.

In a narrow, rigid formation, we will look to press the space, not allowing them options. Man marking the danger players as above. Keep them from advancing to positions where they can’t hurt us.

When Toon get higher up the park, we drop deeper into a narrower tighter formation narrowing to the side of play, ensuring there are no gaps in the formation set out above. Our defence have fantastic pace up against their forwards, bide their time, not diving in. Push their forwards wide.


Subs.
If winning after 67 mins bring on Goretzka for Barella. Fresh legs, power and energy for attack and defence.
If winning after 72 mins bring on Felix for Sterling. Fresh energy and pace in a demanding role.
If winning after 75 mins bring on Gnabry for Lautaro. Pace to stretch tired legs.


If drawing after 65 mins bring on Gnabry for R.James. Attacking rwb, played there for Bayern so gives us more pace and quality in attack.
If drawing after 70 mins bring on Goretzka for Rodri. Fresh power in cm. No dm, box to box.
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Felix for Lautaro.

If losing after 65 mins bring on Gnabry for Laporte. 4-2-2-2. Gung ho, still direct.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Felix for Lautaro. 4-2-1-3. Push wingers higher, and get more control in centre.
If losing after 80 mins bring on Goretzka for Barella. Gives us another tall option in the box, for balls lobbed in.

------------------- Ederson ------------------
---- B.Pavard --- De Ligt --- P.Torres -----
----------- Fabinho --- B.Kamara ----------
--- L.Messi --- De Bruyne --- J.Sancho ---
--------- K.Havertz --- R.Lukaku -----------

Subs:
Ramsdale, Reguilon, Araujo, Neves, Zaniolo, Antony, Griezmann

Whilst the 3-2-3-2 formation can look very attacking when broken down it has a nice balance, the Fabinho & Kamara pairing are integral as they provide a powerhouse DM duo to protect the defence giving us 5 solid defensive players and 5 attacking goalscoring players.

An obvious exposure of the set up is our flanks however playing with a natural RCB & LCB means we’re well protected, with Fabinho & Kamara both possessing the ability to seamlessly drop in as a utility CB’s another weapon in our defensive arsenal.

The opposition have bags of pace however we’re happy to let them have the ball out on the flanks, our 3 CB’s will stay compact and central, don’t go out and engage the wingers instead force them to come infield, with a compact central area there will be simply no room to manoeuvre and with three towering CB’s we are comfortably dealing with any crosses in the air.

In possession we’re stacked with firepower as we go for goals, De Bruyne pulling the strings with Messi & Sancho causing problems out wide and Havertz & Lukaku a dangerous duo up top.

Defence:

We go with a perfectly balanced back three, strong defensively but also with great ball players which will allow us to retain possession and play out from the back. If they play one up top then De Ligt will mark, Pavard and Torres will act as cover and stay relatively centrally at all times. We don’t want them to drift out wide, let then wingers come to us, keeping the central area’s compact will make it extremely difficult for the opposition to play through us.

Our brick wall of Fabinho and Kamara will shield our defence, limiting the supply to their attack whilst also having bags of pace and energy to scamper across and deal with any threats out wide.

In this set up we also have the flexibility for Fabinho or Kamara to drop in alongside De Ligt, allowing Pavard & Torres to cover the flanks in a conventional back 4. Tactical flexibility is our greatest weapon.

Midfield:

Fabinho and Kamara will act as our enforcers in the middle. They will sit in front of our defence stifling the oppositions creativity and more importantly, cutting off the supply line to their forwards. We want to physical impose ourselves in this area of the pitch and these two are absolute warriors.

If their wingers break at pace then we want one of Fabinho/Kamara to drift across to engage them whilst the other stays central and picks up their AM. Importantly this will allow our back three to stay intact and deal with their forwards.

If they look to build from the back slowly then this is when we will drop into a deeper defensive shape with Kamara dropping in at CB and KDB dropping in alongside Fabinho forming a DM/CM partnership. As soon as we win back possession we spring in to attack with KDB terrorising them from AM as Kamara slots back in alongside Fabinho at DM.

Forwards:

In this set up our attack is where the fun really begins. With a back three and DM defensive pivot this allows us to essentially play with a front five when in possession and enables us to really cause some damage.

De Bruyne will be instrumental as plays his strongest position in the AM role. A player with superb vision he will look to get on the ball as much as possible, running at the opposition drawing them in and committing a defender before playing that decisive pass. He’s also a great goal scorer perfectly capable of striking a thunderbolt from distance at any moment, if the opposition drop off he has license to go for goal at any moment.

Messi will be doing what he does best, going at the opposition with the freedom to create and cause havoc as he sees fit. Taking opponents on at will as he cuts in from the right and utilises that wand of a left foot. Quick one two’s in the final third should open things up in the opposition box with the Argentine deadly in front of goal.

We want Sancho to hug the touch line, make the pitch as wide as possible and exploit any space on offer. We want him to be direct, get on the ball and go straight at the opposition, looking to either supply one of our front two, cut the ball back to KDB or go direct for goal themselves.

Up top we go with the duo of Havertz & Lukaku. Both offer a great aerial threat which will make them difficult to handle. Havertz will be the link up player whilst Lukaku will be looking to get himself in the box as he thrives off quality service. Both also have the ability to hold the ball up and bring the trio behind them into play, KDB & Messi in particular will be looking for any knockdowns to fire home as we go for the 3 points.

Subs:

If winning:
70 mins: Havertz off, Reguilon on. Pavard to RB as we move to 4-2-3-1.
75 mins: Kamara off, Neves. Allows us to control the midfield as we see out the win.

If drawing/losing:
70 mins: Kamara, Sancho & Havertz off, Neves, Antony & Griezmann. Triple change as we go for the win!