Dropping players to change tactics.

[TheMightySystem]

If we are to become a side that passes more and keeps possession we may need to start dropping some players that have started the season very well or been a main stay for a long time.

 

Morgan - Probably been our best cb at defending but his passing isn't the best and is prone to hoofing. Time for Dragovic to get some game time. Also important that we actually play Dragovic if we want him on a permement deal after his loan ends.

 

Simpson - One of the most consistent defenders we have but again with morgan prone to hoofing and doesn't support the attack. Amartey played well tonight and would be needed if we are to retain possession. Would help Mahrez as well and can at times drop into midfield to support.

 

Fuchs - Been poor most games this season. Chilwell deserves his chance now, is more attacking, quicker and more skillful.

 

Albrighton - Poor start to the season and loses the ball under pressure though no look hoofs behind the defense. Gray can come in, keep possession and use some skill to try and force attacking play where possible.

 

Vardy - Probably going to be the most unpopular opinion but he hasn't scored in a few and missed some decent chances. His name wouldn't be mentioned if not for the fact we have both Slimani and Iheanacho who would thrive in his position and cost us alot of money. Would drop him for Slimani.

 

I'm prepared for critisism for this post but remember, when we won the league it was because we had a whole team of individual players who fit into a counter attacking system. If we are trying to change the system and have players at our disposal to do so then maybe it would be better to drop those that don't fit as well, as harsh as it may seem.

In the end my passing based team would be.

                       Schmeichel

Amartey - Dragovic - Maguire - Chilwell

  Mahrez     - Iborra - Ndidi -         Gray

                         Okazaki

                         Slimani

The only players not great at passing are Okazaki and Ndidi but Okazaki is needed for a link between the midfield and attack and Ndidi can do the leg work for Iborra which is needed as he isn't the quickest.

Would still keep Morgan, Albrighton and Vardy on the bench so if we need to go all out attack and hoof balls we have the option.

(To anyone who argues that its just the cup, surely we should be rewarding good performances no matter the oposition)

[Stevosevic]

Morgan is on borrowed time imo and will no longer have a manager/assistant that will have any loyalty to him.

 

Puel will want passers - Maguire and Dragovic.

[Fosse93]

Just now, Stevosevic said:

Morgan is on borrowed time imo and will no longer have a manager/assistant that will have any loyalty to him.

 

Puel will want passers - Maguire and Dragovic.

Agreed.

 

Just wonder how long it will take him to implement these changes.

[Max Power]

Will be tough because I'm sure Simpson, Fuchs and especially Morgan are big figures in the dressing room. Will probably need to be done gradually but I agree it seems to be the right course of action. 

[StanSP]

You can't keep chopping and changing about 4 or 5 players each game though. You'll lose that sense of cohesion between the players and in turn, players won't be able to pick up form if they're in and out of the side. You'd get some unhappy players as well. 

 

The one player I'd change right now is Fuchs for Chilwell as it appears he's going through a rough patch of form (I'm not having that his off field social stuff or business away from football played a part; everyone is allowed their life away from football and I won't criticise him for that). 

 

Vardy and Okazaki should be the starters. They compliment each other so well and it'd be tough it break that up unless they both go a while without scoring or get injured. Or if we have lots of games in short time frame. 

[cityfanlee23]

I feel like Simmo can do a job still, I rate him as an all round defender, and we've never really seen him as a fullback because he simply cannot afford to do it with mahrez ahead of him. 

Amartey needs to be the long term Right back replacement though. Then again the way he played tonight is RB a waste for him, could he do a proper job in maybe a CDM role or even CM over time?

[TheMightySystem]

7 minutes ago, cityfanlee23 said:

I feel like Simmo can do a job still, I rate him as an all round defender, and we've never really seen him as a fullback because he simply cannot afford to do it with mahrez ahead of him. 

Amartey needs to be the long term Right back replacement though. Then again the way he played tonight is RB a waste for him, could he do a proper job in maybe a CDM role or even CM over time?

CDM would be alright for him but not CM, in possession he is fine and can pass a ball but his awareness with runners in behind is poor and playing at Rb minimises that weakness, I do rate Simpson as well and I don't want any of them to be kicked out of the side instantly (Bar Fuchs but thats just because I feel like Chilwell has caught up to him and he has been out of form). Its just that over time we should be looking to bring these more technical players into the team, preferably before christmas. It depends of how the new manager wants to play though.

 

7 minutes ago, StanSP said:

You can't keep chopping and changing about 4 or 5 players each game though. You'll lose that sense of cohesion between the players and in turn, players won't be able to pick up form if they're in and out of the side. You'd get some unhappy players as well. 

 

The one player I'd change right now is Fuchs for Chilwell as it appears he's going through a rough patch of form (I'm not having that his off field social stuff or business away from football played a part; everyone is allowed their life away from football and I won't criticise him for that). 

 

Vardy and Okazaki should be the starters. They compliment each other so well and it'd be tough it break that up unless they both go a while without scoring or get injured. Or if we have lots of games in short time frame. 

If I was the manager and had to pick the team for the Everton game then I would also make the Chilwell change and bring Gray in as well. Tonight Gray was better then Albrighton for me, though they both didn't play well Gray now deserves a run of games like Albrighton has had since the start of the season.

The Vardy one is purely because we have spent so much money in the striker area so if he isn't performing (while I know he brings alot more then goals but he should be scoring goals similar to the chance at Swansea) then we have quality options available that we can make changes.

7 minutes ago, pmcla26 said:

Interesting, I would say we would be a weaker side playing that way to be fair, but not against Dragovic and Chilwell entering the starting 11 soon in place of Morgan and Fuchs - both have looked good in the cup so far. Think it would be unfair to drop Simpson for Amartey after one good game for Dan but he certainly looked a better player tonight. 

 

Strikers wise, if you want to play possession then can't have Okazaki for sure, Iheanacho and one of Slimani or Vardy for possession style for me, but I personally would like to see counter attacking keep going but with a bit more better football involved. 

I agree a slow posession game isn't our style thats why I called it a passing game as I couldn't think of what else to say. Basically we have a team that are capable of passing the ball at speed like we have been doing in the past 2 games which still allows counter attacks but are more controlled rather then hopeful. But when we are then infront we can retain possession and slow the game down to suit us.

[TheMightySystem]

Just now, pmcla26 said:

Yeah for sure, it's important we build on the structure in place, not tear it up and start from scratch?

I guess my original post did sound a bit like getting them all out the team straight away, just my excitement at seeing these new and fringe players playing so well tonight

[Scotch]

24 minutes ago, cityfanlee23 said:

I feel like Simmo can do a job still, I rate him as an all round defender, and we've never really seen him as a fullback because he simply cannot afford to do it with mahrez ahead of him. 

Amartey needs to be the long term Right back replacement though. Then again the way he played tonight is RB a waste for him, could he do a proper job in maybe a CDM role or even CM over time?

I think RB is the perfect place for him. 

 

No pressure to be clever with the ball, can use his pace and physique more effectively, knowledge of CB and CM means there should be a better understanding of the players around him. 

 

The more he plays at RB the better he'll get I reckon. 

[TheMightySystem]

Just now, pmcla26 said:

It's fine lol, exciting to see the players that aren't currently in the Prem starting 11 showing a bit of promise, some of the crap we've had as back up over the years has been dreadful haha, quite happy with our squad tho right now, just waiting on Silva but Iborra is doing a pretty fine job holding his place right now!

Silva will bring an interesting question on where he will fit. Obviously he will be at least 3rd choice but would he replace Iborra if he keeps up his current performances or Ndidi if we need him for his ability to run with the ball and break up play (Im not entierly sure how quick Silva is, how well he can break up play and how well he can carry the ball). We could even go for 3 in midfield but then who will miss out in attack as we will have to sacrifice a striker. Good questions to have though, a change from our first prem season when we had GTF in midfield at Chelsea away!

 

Just now, pmcla26 said:

I'm not sure whether they are doing it with him, but like Fuchs did for Chilwell, surely Simmo could take Amartey under his wing in training and teach him a few things? Defensively, Simpson is as solid as anyone at right back about, would only be good for Dan I think.

I noticed tonight his positioning had improved greatly, he even had the trademark Simpson backup into the box to not get beat but close enough to stop crosses. If Amartey can learn the positional play from Simpson and keep his attacking play then we will have a very good Rb. Something I didn't think I would say about Amartey as I have always slated managment for playing him there last season as his positioning was god awful, letting runners in behind constantly.

[sdb]

There's so much potential for 3142 or 3412 or even 343 with our squad. Chilwell, Fuchs and Albrighton can play as wing backs, Simpson can play in a 3, Amartey, Dragovc and Maguire can be ball playing CBs in a 3. Mahrez, Gray, Okazaki can play as advanced midfielders or second strikers, 2 of those and Vary could play wide in a front 3 too. 

 

We need an open minded tactical genius to get these players out of their mouldy, predictable, rigid 442. Hopefully Puel is that man.