02 Nov 2017 18:37:13
Based on the recent posts on this page I'd like to get your opinion on what you think the best starting 11 would be to play against Burnley. Do we look at changing the formation? Which players will deliver best at producing attacking free flowing football that is good to watch on the eye?
Here's my starting 11:
GK: FF
RWB: Cedric
CB: VVD
CB: Yoshi
CB: Hoedt
LWB: Bertand
CDM: Romeu
CM: JWP
CM: Davis
ST: Austin
ST: Gabbiadini

Here's how I imagine and would want it playing. 3 solid CB's against a team that are good at attacking in the air. This would give the wing backs the opportunity to attack using the width of the pitch. I would want JWP and Davis supporting them also, but the triangle in midfield would allow us to keep possession in the midfield with one of the strikers dropping deep to help. It's not a very fast team, so I wouldn't expect it to be much use on the counter, but I think this would be the best line-up for what MP is trying to achieve.

I think the best thing about our midfield especially is that there is a lot of depth. Which does offer us a lot of flexibility, for example if the above wasn't working and we weren't creating chances you could look at swapping off one of the CM's and one of the ST for Boufal and Redmond and play a 5-2-3. One thing that we didn't like Puel doing last season when we were in Europe was rotating the squad. However, this season I don't think we've done it enough. It took MP long enough to start playing 2 up top.

1.) 02 Nov 2017
02 Nov 2017 21:33:41
if I was picking the team I'd go for (basically a diamond pushed further forward)

GK: Forster
RB: Cedric
CB: VVD
CB: Hoedt
LB: Bertrand
DM: Romeu
DM: Lemina
CM: JWP
AM: Davo
AM: Boufal
ST: Gabbiadni

Very fluid with plenty of defensive cover - 2 DM's and Davo can drop back to CM if needed, plenty of attacking power with 2 AM's and Lemina bounding forward, the quality of JWP's set pieces and the ability to put JWP and Boufal on the wings if more width is needed.

2.) 03 Nov 2017
03 Nov 2017 15:01:56
-Forster
-Cedric
-VVD
-Hoedt
-Yoshida
-McQueen (I think Bertrand needs a kick up the ****, not been impressed with him this year. Looks lazy and I think he's the one to watch out for in terms of pulling a VVD. If we're playing 5/ 3 at the back instead of 4, I think we won't miss him as much since Sam is better going forward than defending)
-Lemina
-Romeu
-Boufal (CAM - let's give him a chance to be the centrepiece. Wing backs will provide the width. )
-Austin
-Gabbi.

3.) 03 Nov 2017
03 Nov 2017 20:07:51
If you're going for an attacking LWB in McQueen (or Target, been scoring and assisting in the U23's) then I'd put JWP on as RWB. Need his set piece delivery. With the 3 CB's would be an attacking 352 formation 😇.

4.) 04 Nov 2017
04 Nov 2017 18:18:23
Interesting idea SS. I've been thinking about JWP's role at the club and where he needs to go and RWB isn't a bad idea. I've been thinking he could be developer as a RM a bit like a David Beckham.