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If you were manager
- Thread starter moley
- Start date
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Just fackin ran around a bit!
I'd throw down with Wenger and become an instant legend whilst simultaneously avoiding to put the club through the terror that is a completely untested manager on his first job 
Weirdly the three subs (Kane, Siggy and Paulinho) were the three I wouldn't have started today.
Following is based on us keeping hold of Lloris and Eriksen and Lamela comes good.
We need to be building our team around Eriksen; he is not a left winger he is a number 10 for me. I'd play a 4-3-3
with two central midfielders and Eriksen playing as a number 10 in front of them. The two central midfielders are primarily holding players, one more defensive than the other ala Sandro and Dembele at the start of last season. Let Sandro sit in front of the back 4 and break up the play and distribute the ball to his midfield partner (be it Dembele, Carroll, Holtby, Paulinho etc) who then has the license to go forwards with the security of Sandro behind him protecting the defenders. Eriksen would play in the infamous 'hole' behind the striker and provide service to the striker and the wingers whilst also being in the best position for shooting, also has the freedom to roam from his position a little if he wants to go a bit wider (obviously the winger would then cover for him). Lamela would play on the right wing as a left footed played he would be able to cut in on his better foot and attack the goal or deliver a cross and same goes for left wing although we do need some quality in in that position for me, again a right footed player would be good here. The fullbacks would be instructed to overlap the wingers when possible adding more options out wide without leaving the defence exposed (whilst the FB has the ball the winger would track back a little in case possession is lost and vice versa). This would clearly require a new left back though - another position we desperately need. In terms of a striker the ideal would be a powerhouse like Lukaku or Bony, someone who does not rely entirely on other players to put the ball on his boot but can create goals for himself and hold the ball up whilst waiting for support. This wouldn't write Soldado off but when he played the team would have to have more of an impetus on crossing and playing through balls into him in the box, the lack of this was the main reason why he was so ineffective under AVB.
I wouldn't drop the high defensive line entirely as it is good for the attack side we are but it can only really be played when you have two quality centre backs who are in form. Something we have not had all season. The high line would HAVE to be dropped against sides who have fast counter attacks and pace on the wings as they would be torn apart like we saw against Liverpool/City. Having Lloris is key for this as we all know how good he is at cleaning up any mess in front of him and he tends to get and clear the danger before it even properly exists. A rare trait from a goalkeeper.
Ideal realistic(-ish) team for next season in this tactic:
Lloris
New LB (yes he is good)
Chiriches
Kaboul/New CB (Vert is gone IMO)
Walker
Sandro
Dembele/Paulinho
Eriksen
Townsend/New LW?
Bony
Lamela
Yeah I'm done now - just doing anything I can not to revise for uni exams.
I know I know... 
aulinhofacepalm:
aulinhofacepalm:We need to be building our team around Eriksen; he is not a left winger he is a number 10 for me. I'd play a 4-3-3
with two central midfielders and Eriksen playing as a number 10 in front of them. The two central midfielders are primarily holding players, one more defensive than the other ala Sandro and Dembele at the start of last season. Let Sandro sit in front of the back 4 and break up the play and distribute the ball to his midfield partner (be it Dembele, Carroll, Holtby, Paulinho etc) who then has the license to go forwards with the security of Sandro behind him protecting the defenders. Eriksen would play in the infamous 'hole' behind the striker and provide service to the striker and the wingers whilst also being in the best position for shooting, also has the freedom to roam from his position a little if he wants to go a bit wider (obviously the winger would then cover for him). Lamela would play on the right wing as a left footed played he would be able to cut in on his better foot and attack the goal or deliver a cross and same goes for left wing although we do need some quality in in that position for me, again a right footed player would be good here. The fullbacks would be instructed to overlap the wingers when possible adding more options out wide without leaving the defence exposed (whilst the FB has the ball the winger would track back a little in case possession is lost and vice versa). This would clearly require a new left back though - another position we desperately need. In terms of a striker the ideal would be a powerhouse like Lukaku or Bony, someone who does not rely entirely on other players to put the ball on his boot but can create goals for himself and hold the ball up whilst waiting for support. This wouldn't write Soldado off but when he played the team would have to have more of an impetus on crossing and playing through balls into him in the box, the lack of this was the main reason why he was so ineffective under AVB.
I wouldn't drop the high defensive line entirely as it is good for the attack side we are but it can only really be played when you have two quality centre backs who are in form. Something we have not had all season. The high line would HAVE to be dropped against sides who have fast counter attacks and pace on the wings as they would be torn apart like we saw against Liverpool/City. Having Lloris is key for this as we all know how good he is at cleaning up any mess in front of him and he tends to get and clear the danger before it even properly exists. A rare trait from a goalkeeper.
Ideal realistic(-ish) team for next season in this tactic:
Lloris
New LB (yes he is good)
Chiriches
Kaboul/New CB (Vert is gone IMO)
Walker
Sandro
Dembele/Paulinho
Eriksen
Townsend/New LW?
Bony
Lamela
Yeah I'm done now - just doing anything I can not to revise for uni exams.
I think we need to be more direct and let Eriksen and Lamela lead our attacks in the future. 4-2-3-1.
--------Kane--------
--erik--Ade--lam--
--capoue----beast-
Lb--vert--kab--wal
---------Lloris--------
An alternative could be:
-----------Kane---------
--Erik---Ade---Benta--
---Beast------Vlad----
-----------Ade----------
--Erik---Demb--Lam-
--Paulino----Beast--
Even with injury crisis we will be solid
----------Kane-----------
--Chad--Pauly--Dem--
-Bentaleb-Chiriches--
IMO most of our players are best suited for a 4-2-3-1 and a more packed midfield.
We have so many AM's and DM's and limited strikers I think it's the way forward without doing another too many players signed aspect. A few left backs, a right back for Walker cover and I think we can compete for 4th in depth.
I would rather spunk money on left backs and right back and a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$shit load on a top manager than sign a creative midfielder or a striker. We have so much firepower already but with our tactics and shite on the wings its chaos.
--------Kane--------
--erik--Ade--lam--
--capoue----beast-
Lb--vert--kab--wal
---------Lloris--------
An alternative could be:
-----------Kane---------
--Erik---Ade---Benta--
---Beast------Vlad----
-----------Ade----------
--Erik---Demb--Lam-
--Paulino----Beast--
Even with injury crisis we will be solid
----------Kane-----------
--Chad--Pauly--Dem--
-Bentaleb-Chiriches--
IMO most of our players are best suited for a 4-2-3-1 and a more packed midfield.
We have so many AM's and DM's and limited strikers I think it's the way forward without doing another too many players signed aspect. A few left backs, a right back for Walker cover and I think we can compete for 4th in depth.
I would rather spunk money on left backs and right back and a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$shit load on a top manager than sign a creative midfielder or a striker. We have so much firepower already but with our tactics and shite on the wings its chaos.
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I'd try Soldado at left back.
I would drive the Indian waiter to Chelsea el pronto!
I'd wait & see who levy leaves me with before planning / strip off naked running down the road
As for next week, I've no idea. I'd like for us to secure a finish above Man U, so it'd still require some concentration to pick a team but I don't envy Sherwood for it given all the injuries. I suppose I'd go with something like (assuming Vertonghen's even fit):
----------------Lloris-----------------
Naught---Daws---Vert----Rose
-----------Bent---Sandro-----------
----Lennon--Eriksen--Pritch
-----------------Ade------------------
Pritch can't do any worse than our other healthy options at LW, and after the season he's had he deserves a run out with the first team squad in a game which won't matter much and the opponents have secured safety. Villa's players are class acts for the most part, and I don't suspect any of them will garner any pleasure from hacking into one of our young players. Also intrigued to see what he and Eriksen could do together.
As for next year,
----------------Lloris-----------------
Walk--Richards--Vert--Umtiti
---------Clasie---Capoue----------
---Lamela---Eriksen---Kono---
----------------Remy-----------------
no idea (but I'd like to see it addressed)
R Fred---Daws--Vlad---Rose
-------Dembele---Sandro--------
-----Towns--Holtby--Pritch-----
----------------Chadli-----------------
If I'm FdB, I think we have a more than decent chance to hold on to both Lloris and Vert especially. I also keep Carroll this year and give him decent playing time. If I could, I'd keep Livermore as he can do a decent enough job at either the CDM or BTB and provides balance with his strength and size. Being realistic however, I think he wants and deserves his move. As such, I'd make a punt at Milner with intent to play centrally. If I do land him, I'd consider offers for Dembele (I'm aware this isn't popular, but I think his hip injury is only set to continue to head south) as I'm not sure when and if his hip will improve especially given the WC this summer. It would take a pretty solid offer though... would fight tooth and nail for at least 10 mil and wouldn't take a penny less than 8 and only if I was receiving a handy while signing off the sale.
Obviously the biggest surprise here is at striker. I think unfortunately we haven't much choice but to sell Ade this summer given what his wages will be, and I think such a reason is why Lukaku's agent confirmed he had been contacted by us. Lukaku would be great, but I'm still not entirely sold that Chelsea will sell to us, even a player Mourinho doesn't rate. Remy is a player we should've gotten January 2013, so I think he'd be a more than adequate alternative. Soldado I'm fine with staying and fighting for his place, but unless he finds some form and confidence over the summer I simply can't have him immediately in the first team. Given his price and obvious investment, I've no doubt Levy would instruct me otherwise. But for now, this is what I'd do as Chadli has all the features of a fan-fucking-tastic Premier League striker.
Gentlemen, I guarantee you that squad pushes for fourth,and more importantly receives a smacking from absolutely no one.
----------------Lloris-----------------
Naught---Daws---Vert----Rose
-----------Bent---Sandro-----------
----Lennon--Eriksen--Pritch
-----------------Ade------------------
Pritch can't do any worse than our other healthy options at LW, and after the season he's had he deserves a run out with the first team squad in a game which won't matter much and the opponents have secured safety. Villa's players are class acts for the most part, and I don't suspect any of them will garner any pleasure from hacking into one of our young players. Also intrigued to see what he and Eriksen could do together.
As for next year,
----------------Lloris-----------------
Walk--Richards--Vert--Umtiti
---------Clasie---Capoue----------
---Lamela---Eriksen---Kono---
----------------Remy-----------------
no idea (but I'd like to see it addressed)
R Fred---Daws--Vlad---Rose
-------Dembele---Sandro--------
-----Towns--Holtby--Pritch-----
----------------Chadli-----------------
If I'm FdB, I think we have a more than decent chance to hold on to both Lloris and Vert especially. I also keep Carroll this year and give him decent playing time. If I could, I'd keep Livermore as he can do a decent enough job at either the CDM or BTB and provides balance with his strength and size. Being realistic however, I think he wants and deserves his move. As such, I'd make a punt at Milner with intent to play centrally. If I do land him, I'd consider offers for Dembele (I'm aware this isn't popular, but I think his hip injury is only set to continue to head south) as I'm not sure when and if his hip will improve especially given the WC this summer. It would take a pretty solid offer though... would fight tooth and nail for at least 10 mil and wouldn't take a penny less than 8 and only if I was receiving a handy while signing off the sale.
Obviously the biggest surprise here is at striker. I think unfortunately we haven't much choice but to sell Ade this summer given what his wages will be, and I think such a reason is why Lukaku's agent confirmed he had been contacted by us. Lukaku would be great, but I'm still not entirely sold that Chelsea will sell to us, even a player Mourinho doesn't rate. Remy is a player we should've gotten January 2013, so I think he'd be a more than adequate alternative. Soldado I'm fine with staying and fighting for his place, but unless he finds some form and confidence over the summer I simply can't have him immediately in the first team. Given his price and obvious investment, I've no doubt Levy would instruct me otherwise. But for now, this is what I'd do as Chadli has all the features of a fan-fucking-tastic Premier League striker.
Gentlemen, I guarantee you that squad pushes for fourth,and more importantly receives a smacking from absolutely no one.
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Sherwood playing a 4-2-3-1 is a recipe for disaster. He hasn't managed a single win with a lone striker. Even though I don't particularly want to keep playing a 4-4-2 it makes no sense to change it up for a single game.
That's because we haven't the midfield to make it work, either because of injuries and/or our options available. As such, that's hardly a reason to disregard a very successful formation in this league. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot of difference between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 anyway considering both optimally employ the modern midfield roles of CDM, BTB/DLP, and CAM. In this league, the wide players will run up and down the pitch all day regardless.
I'm not disregarding it. I'm disregarding Sherwood's ability to play it successfully.
Haha fair enough, but I ain't the guy who let Holtby leave and then bemoaned lack of passers from deep three months later. Sherwood has an even more obsolete understanding of the central midfield than Moyes.
Yeah...Lennon and Ade has worked well eh? They have had almost zero click since Ade joined. Rose at left back? What has to happen?
Fair play...These are fucking terrible. Rose, Townsend, Dembele, Chadli and Holtby had TERRIBLE interplay between each other under AVB. What are you thinking? Holbty surrounded by these players was so bad he went on loan.
Something tells me you were thinking of AVB's first season with Dembele and Sandro...Forgetting we had Bale back then too. Are you AVB? Are you trying Townsend out in the Bale role again?
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I would make sure I have a nice severance package as part of my contract.