Who plays and where when Harvey Barnes is fit again?

[Tuna]

Barnes will be an impact sub, plays up front alongside Vardy/Nacho.

[eblair]

2 hours ago, kingfox said:

3 at the back isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; however in recent games, there’s been numerous signs that it’s starting to click.

 

With the kind of form the back 3 and Iheanacho are in, it would be ridiculous to revert back to 4-2-3-1, even when Barnes becomes fit again.

 

With stats like that, plus Iheanacho’s current goal tally, why would you change a working formula...

sheffield united, west brom, southampton - they are all pants

 

let's not get ahead of ourselves

[fuchsntf]

    How about...Leaving it to Brendan..he gets paid vast sums to do it..!!

 

I have chosen, Moved around, settled on.   At least 20 permatations,even went to the Local Aquarium for the octopus's suggestions..

If anything this season,because of Chronic-injuries Brendan has shown some players Dont have problems

and are comfortable playing other positions & formations..

Far off a finished project...Also there were Hanging questions...what would we do when this or that player are out for several games...

We aint covered all positions, though probably for the First time...an high percentage....

 

 

Plus when returnees find their Full game Fitness & Routine, We have hell of a front/First 15-16 squad of players, and some Damn decent fringe players...

Plus a couple of loan-returnees, will be Throwing in their claim to be part of the next phase...

[enmac]

9 minutes ago, messerschmitt said:

As a central striker some right footed forwards naturally drift over to the left as it gives you more options when shooting and a better angle.

Yes, that makes sense. 

[kingfox]

26 minutes ago, eblair said:

sheffield united, west brom, southampton - they are all pants

 

let's not get ahead of ourselves

And the other...

 

A 3-1 win over Man Utd.

 

It hasn’t worked at times in the past, but the last few defensive performances, especially the one against Southampton, showed that 3 at the back with the right personnel, is potentially starting to click.

[sacreblueits442]

2 hours ago, filbertway said:

No offence taken at all, I just think we're better playing the 4 2 3 1, simple as that really. Vardy would be the one I would drop aye. I'm the last person that would want to shoe horn Albrighton into the side as well

 

Apparently Under isn't ever allowed to play and I rate Albrighton would be better on the wing than Vardy.

 

.....how many times does it have to be stated, Nacho is not a lone striker....never, not ever...never!!!

[filbertway]

45 minutes ago, sacreblueits442 said:

.....how many times does it have to be stated, Nacho is not a lone striker....never, not ever...never!!!

Why not though? If he's got support from two inside forwards and an attacking midfielder, why can't he do his work in the box?

 

He wouldn't work as a literal lone striker who's expected to run the channels and win physical battles. As someone in the box who's there to finish chances he would be absolutely fine. As both of his goals against West Ham showed.

[Captain...]

Depends on the opposition and available players, a fully fit squad with some additions in the summer mean we can play horses for courses. 

 

However if we want to keep this formation the natural place for Barnes is the Vardy role, a bit wider than Nacho but lots of direct running, and being as much a provider as goal scorer.

[deanolegend1989]

2 hours ago, Genesis1 said:

I think a better question would be when Justin is fit who gets the boot between him Castange and Ricardo, unless you play Barnes up front with Kel and Ricardo out right in a midfield 3.

Depends on Justin. If Justin comes back to his best then he goes straight in.

Sadly to say I think Ricardo looks a shadow of himself and don’t think he’ll ever get back to the levels he showed in 2019.

Castange is very good but both at peak Ricardo and Justin are both another level above. It’s a shame both have had such serious injuries where now I’d stick Castange in 100% and depending how Justin recovers, between them 2 for the other spot.

[srex9]

2 hours ago, deanolegend1989 said:

Depends on Justin. If Justin comes back to his best then he goes straight in.

Sadly to say I think Ricardo looks a shadow of himself and don’t think he’ll ever get back to the levels he showed in 2019.

Castange is very good but both at peak Ricardo and Justin are both another level above. It’s a shame both have had such serious injuries where now I’d stick Castange in 100% and depending how Justin recovers, between them 2 for the other spot.

Ricardo will get back to that level. It'll likely just take a similar amount of playing time. A year out is a very long break, even if a lot of that was spent actively recovering. He's too talented not to. Just give him time. I'm glad they are managing him well. 

[Hoopla10]

7 hours ago, honeybradger said:

Team 1:

 

Barnes vardy ricardo

Maddison ndidi tielemans

Thomas soyuncu fofana castagne

 

Team 2:

 

          Vardy iheanacho

              Maddison

Thomas ndidi tielemans Castagne

        Soyuncu evans fofana

 

Rotate between both teams 

If I had to play Team 1 formation, you kinda have to swap Nacho for Vardy, right? He's the player in form. Basically hoping that Barnes provides the sort of assists and contribution Vardy does. Not sure I'd want to break their partnership at the moment tbh. The two up top clearly helps Nacho but he also doesn't mind dropping a little deeper to link up with midfield (he does that quite a lot I noticed). 

[sacreblueits442]

4 hours ago, filbertway said:

Why not though? If he's got support from two inside forwards and an attacking midfielder, why can't he do his work in the box?

 

He wouldn't work as a literal lone striker who's expected to run the channels and win physical battles. As someone in the box who's there to finish chances he would be absolutely fine. As both of his goals against West Ham showed.

...he is at the moment playing as a second striker, to some even withdrawn!!!

  Just because there are people around him does not make it workable. You need people to go ahead of him and Praet is good in that respect, Nacho tends to drop and is comfortable playing in that fashion, he is not going to be the main man, he feeds off the movement of Vardy and the oppositions focus being elsewhere. 

[Beachyboy]

how about Vardy out May 11th v Man utd, so that hes fresher for the FA cup final, providing Barnes is fit, an Vardy could play a cameo role that day.

[Bptiger]

I can not believe that some on here want to drop EVANS from the starting 11 , he has been outstanding , the back 3 have been great , a good side is always built on a strong defense 

[Charl91]

I think it has to be 2 out of 3 of Barnes/Vardy/Nacho. Just rotate them based on form, who we're playing, etc. Vardy could probably use some rest.

[OadbyBlue]

I could see Barnes working well in the “Vardy role” of the front 2, not too much pressure to be the main goal scorer and plenty of freedom to drift wide as Vardy did often yesterday.

[Deeg67]

4 hours ago, Charl91 said:

I think it has to be 2 out of 3 of Barnes/Vardy/Nacho. Just rotate them based on form, who we're playing, etc. Vardy could probably use some rest.

Go back to a 4-5-1 and rotate Vardy-Barnes-Kelechi/Evans-Soyuncu-Fofana to keep everybody fresh.

[Tom12345]

We have to keep Nacho and Vardy in the lineup. They are now formidable.  As for the rest, I have no idea (too hard to choose), but what an absolute luxury to have Barnes coming back and coming off the bench. What a sight it would be when (whether we are chasing a game or winning) you have Barnes waiting to come on. Even Man City would be concerned.

 

Anyway, as I am also a big fan of Ricardo and Castagne, I would love something that will make them both thrive, because they are both world class (especially Ricardo at his best).

Edited 24 April 2021 by Tom12345

[gerblod]

BR will not tinker with a central defence which matches any team's in the Prem.

This isn't about formations - its about the quality and adaptability of City's players.

Kelechi Iheanacho is the least adaptable of the squad, but he's lethal amongst a defence in disarray. This is where is striker's pure instinct and timing become, at this point, essential.

Vardy and Maddison are automatic picks. Perez is a bench player with Maddison fit. N'Didi and Tielemans ditto. Castagne is back to his best and best on the right. So, it's about who gets picked on the left wing-half slot. 

Despite the knee-jerks reactions of those who cannot see the 'wood' of Thomas's already high level of performance for the 'trees' - of his youth/inexperience - he starts in the Palace and Newcastle games. He's excelled in all but one game he's played and he coped in that. And he's from Syston, you know.

Should BR go for experience then it's Pereira.

Harvey Barnes will need rehabilitating back into the team, so forty-five or thirty minute slots as an impact sub will suit until he's fully match fit.

When JJ returns...oh, what larks there'll be.

 

[gerblod]

13 hours ago, deanolegend1989 said:

Depends on Justin. If Justin comes back to his best then he goes straight in.

Sadly to say I think Ricardo looks a shadow of himself and don’t think he’ll ever get back to the levels he showed in 2019.

Castange is very good but both at peak Ricardo and Justin are both another level above. 

In his current form Castagne is undropable. Maybe pre-injury Pereira had better footwork, but, as you state, he's yet to find his previous level of performance. If JJ returns to 90 minute 'level' this season I'd be surprised (and happy).

[coolhandfox]

The great thing is a the moment we don't need to rush Barnes back we can ease him in.

[davieG]

Look at is as having options, when have we ever been in this position before. I doubt Pep is thinking who plays where and when when someone is on their way back.

 

Pick the best team based on fitness, compatibility, team dynamics and the opposition.

[foxes_rule1978]

21 hours ago, kingfox said:

3 at the back isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; however in recent games, there’s been numerous signs that it’s starting to click.

 

With the kind of form the back 3 and Iheanacho are in, it would be ridiculous to revert back to 4-2-3-1, even when Barnes becomes fit again.

 

With stats like that, plus Iheanacho’s current goal tally, why would you change a working formula...

The 3 at the back works, when you have class like that... I don’t see why so many are against it. I understand when you have to use a makeshift centre back just play two.... as for Barnes, well Vardy, nacho partnership is proving to be surreal, you couldn’t break that up at the moment. He will be starting on the bench for me and coming on when needed 

[Dr The Singh]

What a problem to have, it's so exciting, ive never seen a team and squad so strong.

 

If we get into CL, can you imagine the recruiting were gonna do, we are only going to get stronger.

[HighPeakFox]

3 minutes ago, Dr The Singh said:

What a problem to have, it's so exciting, ive never seen a team and squad so strong.

 

If we get into CL, can you imagine the recruiting were gonna do, we are only going to get stronger.

I could not have put this better.