Change in Style?

[Stadt]

35 minutes ago, UPinCarolina said:

Have thought that 3-5-2 is our best formation for a while now...

 

I think that's what we're heading towards: 4-4-2 at home and 3-5-2 away. We have all the pieces. 

Based on a run of 7 games 2 years ago

[Dan]

I definitely think we need to get better at holding onto the ball to kill a game rather than soak up pressure (which we can be good at) but that doesn't mean I'd refuse to look the long ball when it's necessary.

 

The worst thing we can do is become a weaker version of someone like Man City, bit like what Southampton are - because more and more teams, especially the top teams base their defending around keeping out teams like that. We'd become too predictable. Leicester are devastating at times because we're a bit different and teams are less prepared for us.

[The Prince]

I think we do need to evolve and have the capability to control games when winning. 

 

Most important thing for for me is to get back to consistently high pressing, especially early on. I always feel we are going to play well when we are winning the ball back in the oppositions defensive third. 

 

We we actually did this well against Man Utd for 25-30 minutes and then got pinned back. I guess we start to run out of steam. Control of the football when we have it would certainly help a high press for 90 minutes. 

[Clever Fox]

We were to one dimension, Now we have alternative options plus the ability to retain possession of the Ball better. This is progress make no mistake.

I've also noticed that since Appleton came in our passing has improved greatly. I know he likes to play a possession game so all is looking good for the future.

I'm sure between him and Shakey they will work out a few alternative systems to change how we approach games or change mid game to get a result.

 

Our system was unique and though still effective was becoming too predictable after so many seasons. it's time to move on and keep the opposition guessing as to how we'll play. Hopefully, we'll be a couple of Goals up before they figure us out.

It's all looking very positive and I believe more exciting times ahead. Long may it continue.

[ZeGuy]

3 hours ago, Vardinio'sCat said:

 

I think 'changing style' reminds me of CR's failiures, but we don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water, buying players who are bit less 'narrow' than some of our current first XI makes sense.

 

How much better we look with Mcguire's distribution skills, even if we lose a bit of defensive solidity

CR was bang on the money and saw it right when he tried to transform the team into a more possession based one. The second half of the title winning season proved that we couldn't afford to be one dimensional as the opponent refused to be torn apart by playing high.

 

The problem was that Ranieri tried to do it with Huth, Simpson, Morgan at the back, Amartey in the middle and Shinji forward. It was never going to work with those and he ultimately paid for his obstination. Now with Maguire, Silva, Ndidi and Nachoman that's a whole other story. As other said it doesn't mean we have to renounce to what is our main strenght and our trademark. We just need more options. 

[st albans fox]

1 hour ago, Wookie said:

Based on a run of 7 games 2 years ago

Nope - based on the second half home to atleti and first 20 mins of the second half home to Spurs. We suffocated two excellent sides with our high pressing which is so much easier with a 3-5 formation.

 

 

[dayday]

Its about time we stopped becoming a 1 trick pony, the Man Utd game was horrible to watch , we've just come to predictable.

 

We have the players to mix it up now which will make a refreshing change, if we can add that and the counter attacking game, teams will be more wary of us.

[Stadt]

17 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

Nope - based on the second half home to atleti and first 20 mins of the second half home to Spurs. We suffocated two excellent sides with our high pressing which is so much easier with a 3-5 formation.

 

 

right 

[the fox]

A new change, shakey wouldn't be forced to play kingy/amartey if we got another situation like the arsenal one,

[Clever Fox]

1 minute ago, the fox said:

A new change, shakey wouldn't be forced to play kingy/amartey if we got another situation like the arsenal one,

Very true

[Filberts lovechild]

I think it's more tweaking what we have and as someone said before if it improves game management then all the better. Nothing wrong at all with bringing better players to the club, exciting times.

[Gazza M]

We need to learn to keep the ball a bit more especially at the big clubs away. We can't just keep hoofing it clear anywhere as in a flash it comes back in our box and we are defending again. We need to slow it down at times and pass the ball and keep possession. Now we have Dragovic, I am hoping he will be able to play a bit like Maguire and pass with some direction from the back. I would like to see 4-5-1 in these matches away so we can frustrate in the midfield also. 

[CloudFox]

Sort of relevant, this is an interesting analysis of our tactics against United: http://1.ftb.al/zNTc/JOQE5Mdi7F

 

Basically, we happily sacrifice possession to the opponent to retain shape and restrict opportunities.

 

Being able to 'put our foot on the ball' would then become a good tactical option to catch teams by surprise and actively choose to go on the front foot with possession as opposed to relying on our pressing style all the time.

 

[the fox]

There is so some man management to do.

[UPinCarolina]

1 hour ago, Wookie said:

Based on a run of 7 games 2 years ago

I don't think we were set up for it then, but we certainly have the personnel now. At the very least we look to be a more possession capable side.

[vanity]

7 hours ago, Stevosevic said:

We've needed more players comfortable on the ball - Silva, Iborra, Iheanacho, Maguire are definitely a move in that direction.

 

It doesn't mean we have to lose our counter attack ability either.

 

Precisely. We don't need to gift the other team possession to be a  counter-attacking team. Against Man. U., we were unable to reliably move the ball from our backline to their side of the field. It was absolutely wretched, we all saw it. But if we start Dragovic and Maguire in back, replace James with Silva, and replace Shinji with Iheanacho, and play Iborra if we are against a team with a great press, we suddenly have a team that can keep possession. On paper anyhow.

 

Really appreciate Dragovic's passing btw, he is a really accurate leg, we don't have that on the backline at the moment. He can bring the ball out a bit, prefer Maguire doing that, but if we need to get the ball forward 20-30 yards, Dragovic's my choice for the guy to do it. 

 

[UniFox21]

I think "changing style" is a way to look at it, But it's more us becoming more comfortable on the ball when we need to be rather than losing it straight away, as long as we have the pace of vardy etc we'll always be a counter attacking threat 

[Bossman Blessed It]

Flexibility seems to be the key with our recruitment with regards to the system. Take Atletico Madrid; just before our game against them they went away to Real Madrid and snatched a 1-1 draw. They barely had the ball, played very deep and managed to get a goal - the majority of that game they were pegged back but, due to the quality they have when in possession, could still inflict damage while remaining resolute. When we played against them, particularly in the first leg they dominated. They could move the ball well and could easily have scored a couple more - taking nothing away from how solid we were. The ability to keep teams guessing is pivotal to their success; moreover, the ability of their players to utilise possession effectively in tight games is key to managing the game well. While Drinkwater is a loss; signing Silva; someone who seems to be more dynamic and is used to keeping the ball is a great benefit to us. Likewise, Iborra, Iheanacho, Dragovic and Maguire are all more inclined to possession football - with the ability to remain flexible. The fact that we've kept Schmeichel, Mahrez and Vardy means that our style will always fixate around the counter, but gives us the chance to deviate. I honestly never thought I'd say this, but fair play Rudkin; once everyone is fit and up to steam I think we've got quite the squad on our hands. 

[sylofox]

I think the players we have now we have a lot of options. All out 442 or a 4411. We could still go 352 or even a 3511.

 

We can play with pace up front two big men or even Vardy Okazaki.

 

I still think 442 will be our weapon of choice but see the 352 being used with the big boys. We still without much change can alter from one to the other last 20 mins. Either to protect a lead or go for a goal.

[sylofox]

Saying what I have a little like our 442 our 352 has a weakness. LB or LWB is covered by Fuchs or Chilly.

 

We only have one RB and one player that can play RWB Albrighton. Although I think he can cover RB.

 

RB or RWB has to be the January priority.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

The idea is not to give up counter attacking, but rather to be able to keep the ball, play the quick one twos and triangles on the floor and to be able to create and score goals when we are on the front foot as well. Also to take the sting out of games when we need to at times.

 

Remember how we played in the Championship under Pearson? Streaming forward quickly at all times but often dominating games too? that's the goal and the dream to replicate that in the PL.

[Dames]

As long as Simpson and Morgan are in the team we'll lack composure coming forwards from defensive situations. Hopefully having people like Iborra and Silva being available as a short pass outlet we might see less of those aimless hoofs that invite pressure back on us straight away. Those extra few seconds passing into midfield will give the team extra time to transition and get into position.

[SpacedX]

On 02/09/2017 at 13:49, lgfualol said:

We can still keep our system but we would be much more effective if players can actually pass to another player in blue. 

I dunno, we seemed very good at this last time we were away to Chelsea and Everton. 

[SheppyFox]

I don't want to leave the counter attacking style we have, i would like us to dominate possession more and use the ball more effectively against anyone outside the top 8.

[mozartfox]

Cutting out the hoofing clearances to the opposition will be a major and positive step in the right direction.