Praet on the right

[Lambert09]

I wish this thread was about someone in the stands, alas it is not 

 

What did we think about Praet playing on the right side? He seemed a more narrow winger but imo looked far more comfortable out there than JM did on the wing. It can absolutely work if Timmy is there to provide the extra width. 

 

I’d prefer to not work with square pegs in round holes but the preferred option currently is just that (Perez) 

 

Should definitely be in contention out there for Sunday if Under is still not ready. 

 

 

Edited 23 October 2020 by Lambert09

[HighPeakFox]

Tend to agree. 

[Pliskin]

He works well as a RM, it's his energy, work rate and technical ability. He is starting to become key in my opinion.

[Tom12345]

Agree with all of the above. In the last game, he was everywhere! In the middle, on the right and I swear I saw him on the left! Praet is industrious - exactly someone we need to do the dirty work next to Tielemans but who can also play football with intelligent runs and forward thinking passing. I really like him. Should be amongst the first on the teamsheet every week!

Edited 23 October 2020 by Tom12345

[walkerleeds]

Obviously he's not a natural wide player but he definitely benefits from having Castagne out there with him. You can tell they've played together for a while.

[Deeg67]

Not to belabour it, but (and you can check) I suggested Praet as an inverted RW last season, when he was clearly better than what was playing ahead of him and struggling to get on the pitch under Rodgers.  He's probably the most versatile player on the roster for starters, and seems to prefer the right, so there's no reason this shouldn't work.  And indeed, it has been.  He's not a true winger in the Jesus Navas sense, but he gives Castagne a lot of freedom because he can cut inside and let Timmy overlap, and is also good at proving defensive cover.  i.e. an inverted winger.

 

Praet is probably best as a #8 or advanced MF on the right, but if this position gets him on the pitch along with Maddison and Tielemans, I'm all in favor.  He needs to be starting every meaningful game, wherever you play him.

[Tom12345]

al

Edited 23 October 2020 by Tom12345

[Mark]

Just too slow to play there, against a top team it may work defensively but it just means majority our attacks will come from the left and we’ll be limited.

[Foxxed]

1 minute ago, Mark said:

Just too slow to play there, against a top team it may work defensively but it just means majority our attacks will come from the left and we’ll be limited.

He's impressed me, I'm happy he's on the teamsheet, and I wasn't previously a fan, but I agree: I've never seen many burst of energy and speed. He looks like a solid central midfielder rather than a winger.

[Lambert09]

He may not have the ability to get in the dangerous areas as often as a true winger, but he has the quality to do more with it. 

 

He's one of the players that I trust to deliver something in a dangerous area. 

[AjcW]

I just think he's such a quality player and has been somewhat underrated so far. Nice to see more of him this season.

 

I thought he was good on the right yesterday, so much so I thought he was Castagne on a couple of occasions  

 

I think as OP says, will be better when we have options that aren't square pegs, but he's a workhorse and I think he'd put a decent shift in anywhere we asked him to!

[Ian Nacho]

Arsenal play a bit of a lopsided formation towards the left of the pitch. Would certainly be worth considering playing Praet as an inside right winger for defensive cover.

[jerry]

2 hours ago, Tom12345 said:

Agree with all of the above. In the last game, he was everywhere! In the middle, on the right and I swear I saw him on the left! Praet is industrious - exactly someone we need to do the dirty work next to Tielemans but who can also play football with intelligent runs and forward thinking passing. I really like him. Should be amongst the first on the teamsheet every week!

Rotate with Tieemans ? He seems to have one good game in three in my opinion.

[UHDrive]

I find him better in CM next to Tielemans on his right but yesterday he still shone with his technical ability on the ball.

[Max Power]

It can work. A bit of a lopsided shape with Barnes higher and wider, Castange providing the proper width on the overlap on the right side. Can see it being the team on Sunday. 

[Ric Flair]

He has a good link up with Castagne which helps but it wouldn't be something I'd want us to do except for maybe against the top sides away from home when another box to box midfielder could make it harder for teams to play their expansive game.

[StanSP]

I think against better more organised opposition it'll be an unwise move. A lot of the time their left midfielder or left back found a lot of space because Praet was in towards the middle and then Castagne had to deal with 2 players. There was one occasion where Youri had to fill in for both and track back quick to help stop their attack. 

 

With more talented opposition I can see it being taken advantage of. 

 

However, what it does give us is another formation and tactic to play with. Another option if others become unproductive. 

[CosbehFox]

3 hours ago, Mark said:

Just too slow to play there, against a top team it may work defensively but it just means majority our attacks will come from the left and we’ll be limited.

Not quite sure on that; it gives Castagne more license than he may have with a Barnes type winger but Stan is right in its limitations 

Edited 23 October 2020 by Cardiff_Fox

[CosbehFox]

51 minutes ago, StanSP said:

I think against better more organised opposition it'll be an unwise move. A lot of the time their left midfielder or left back found a lot of space because Praet was in towards the middle and then Castagne had to deal with 2 players. There was one occasion where Youri had to fill in for both and track back quick to help stop their attack. 

 

With more talented opposition I can see it being taken advantage of. 

 

However, what it does give us is another formation and tactic to play with. Another option if others become unproductive. 

This was very true last night. It meant the channel between Little Wes and Castagne was huge 

[Mark]

Shambles