[Albion] Team to play Arsenal (a)

[Bold Seagull]

We looked more dangerous when we switched to 3-4-3 against Liverpool, so I wonder if he'll do that again?

So maybe:

..................…...Ryan
...........Webster - Dunk - Burn
Montoya - Stephens - Propper - Alzate
……..Gross....Maupay…..Trossard

Subs: Button, Bernardo, Mooy, Bissouma, Ali J, Connolly, Murray

So you're leaving Duffy out to accommodate Ali J, so that if one of the 3 CBs get injured, we can't play 3-4-3 at the expense of accommodating Ali J, who you suppose if any of the attacking players needs to come off, is going to be going on ahead of Mooy, Connolly, Murray and Bissouma?

 

[casbom]

So you're leaving Duffy out to accommodate Ali J, so that if one of the 3 CBs get injured, we can't play 3-4-3 at the expense of accommodating Ali J, who you suppose if any of the attacking players needs to come off, is going to be going on ahead of Mooy, Connolly, Murray and Bissouma?

Yeah I see your point, but IF that happens then could quite easily switch to a back 4! Although granted I should imagine Duffy will be amongst the subs.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Yeah I see your point, but IF that happens then could quite easily switch to a back 4! Although granted I should imagine Duffy will be amongst the subs.

I'm not having a go, it's just that with the Ali J thread, those wishing him to be given a go don't necessarily seem to acknowledge someone misses out – who that has to be is a massive question.

Imagine you're dominating playing a 3-4-3 and one of the CBs get injured and you are forced to change tactics to a 4 because of the subs on your bench you didn't include a CB as you had 5 attacking players on it...

 

[casbom]

I'm not having a go, it's just that with the Ali J thread, those wishing him to be given a go don't necessarily seem to acknowledge someone misses out – who that has to be is a massive question.

Imagine you're dominating playing a 3-4-3 and one of the CBs get injured and you are forced to change tactics to a 4 because of the subs on your bench you didn't include a CB as you had 5 attacking players on it...

Well I'm sure Bernardo has been versed in how to play in a 3, just in case

 

[Seasidesage]

Ryan
Webster-Dunk - Burn
Alzate-Stephens-Propper- Bernardo
Trossard-Maupay-Gross

Subs Button,Duffy,Montoya,Bissouma,Connolly, Mooy,Murray

Mooy is unlucky and I would recall him Sunday but I think we can hurt them from set plays hence Gross gets the nod.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Well I'm sure Bernardo has been versed in how to play in a 3, just in case

Very good point, because what you want from a bench is versatility, I couldn't agree more. Players that could fulfill multiple roles, and give you tactical flexibility as well as necessary replacements for injuries. Duffy isn't versatile as such, but can enable either Webster or Burn to move to fullback or wingback roles giving the manager options for not only his back line, but his forward players. Mooy, Alzate and Bissouma give that same flexibility, as does Gross to be honest.

This is what essentially I think Potterball is about in my opinion. Players that can apply themselves to a variety of roles and positions, that respond to tactical versatility.

In a twist of irony, it was Hughton that gave Ali J more of a chance because he wanted more tactical rigidity than Potter does. I don't think Potter wants a player that simply has a Goldilocks position of the left side of a front 3. I don't think he works in such absolutes. You have to be able to do that AND slot in as a wingback seemlessly within the flow of the game if necessary because he might decide to change it all in the middle of a half.

 

[Frankworthington]

Who is the scape goat while March is out? Still Montoya?

No!!

Webster probably!!

 

[blue-shifted]

Well I'm sure Bernardo has been versed in how to play in a 3, just in case

Yes, he has been a centre back and I expect this would be his best position

 

[blue-shifted]

Very good point, because what you want from a bench is versatility, I couldn't agree more. Players that could fulfill multiple roles, and give you tactical flexibility as well as necessary replacements for injuries. Duffy isn't versatile as such, but can enable either Webster or Burn to move to fullback or wingback roles giving the manager options for not only his back line, but his forward players. Mooy, Alzate and Bissouma give that same flexibility, as does Gross to be honest.

This is what essentially I think Potterball is about in my opinion. Players that can apply themselves to a variety of roles and positions, that respond to tactical versatility.

In a twist of irony, it was Hughton that gave Ali J more of a chance because he wanted more tactical rigidity than Potter does. I don't think Potter wants a player that simply has a Goldilocks position of the left side of a front 3. I don't think he works in such absolutes. You have to be able to do that AND slot in as a wingback seemlessly within the flow of the game if necessary because he might decide to change it all in the middle of a half.

The bench and the first team.

This is why GP like players like Burn, March, Alzate, Mooy, (apart from the fact they are good) is that they can move across multiple positions in different formations and you don't really notice and reduction in performance.

GP's willingness to ship people out, says to me that he would be quite happy to have a relatively small but highly versatile squad. I think we'll notice this in future recruitment.

 

[perseus]

Ryan
Webster - Duffy Dunk - Burn (or Bong?) (Bernardo if fit?)
- Stephens - Propper -
Gross - Mooy - Trossard
Connolly​

followed by a possession style defence in the second, bringing on Maupay for Mooy, and after we score replacing Gross or Trossard with Montoya. If we don't score with our Gross corner I'll bring on Alzate.

Ideally, we could use a left winger against Bellerin/Chambers but we haven't got one who is good enough until Izquierdo gets fit (if ever).

 

[Bold Seagull]

Ryan
Webster Dunk Burn
Montoya Propper Stephens Alzate
Mooy Connolly Gross​

Subs: Button, Trossard, Maupay, Bissouma, Bernardo, Duffy, Murray

 

[MattBackHome]

If I was in charge:

Ryan

Burn
Dunk
Webster
Montoya

Stephens
Propper
Gross
Alzate

Maupay
Connolly

In a 4222 or a 3322 depending on how frisky I was feeling

 

[perseus]

If David Luiz scores with a header from a set piece, anyone who left Duffy out of the side has boobed

 

[blue-shifted]

Ryan
Webster Dunk Burn
Montoya Propper Stephens Alzate
Mooy Connolly Gross​

Subs: Button, Trossard, Maupay, Bissouma, Bernardo, Duffy, Murray

Out of all the predictions so far, that I think is closest to what it's likely to be

 

[perseus]

20 fit outfield players:

Webster Duffy Dunk Bong
Bissouma Pröpper Bernardo Groß
Maupay, Burn, Stephens, Mooy,
Connolly, Alzate, Murray Trossard
Montoya Balogun Schelotto

Jahanbakhsh

Will we play in white and blue?

 

[FF1]

The bench and the first team.

This is why GP like players like Burn, March, Alzate, Mooy, (apart from the fact they are good) is that they can move across multiple positions in different formations and you don't really notice and reduction in performance.

GP's willingness to ship people out, says to me that he would be quite happy to have a relatively small but highly versatile squad. I think we'll notice this in future recruitment.

I may be wrong but I don't think filling the team with generalists, or versatile players as you put it, works at the highest level of soccer. It may work at lower levels and might even work at Championship league but at highest level, you need specialists that are the best at their position. If you look at MC, Liverpool, Barcelona, etc, or even most other PL teams, you don't see them playing players in multiple positions but we have March playing left wingback, left mid, right mid and left wing this season. March may be decent at all those positions but he is not great at any of them. We need to understand what position is the players best position and have them consistently play there. Didn't mean to pick on March, that applies to Alzate and Mooy too. My opinion.

 

[Milano]

I can’t believe some still go with Gross as a starter away from the Amex, especially against top 6.

Ryan
Webster Dunk Burn
Montoya Stephens Propper Mooy Alzate
Maupay Connolly

Trossard on on 70 mins to save it or win it.

 

[lizard]

----------------------------Ryan----------------------------
-----------------Duffy----Dunk----Burn------------------
---Schelotto---Propper---Stephens---Bernardo---
-------------------------Bissouma-------------------------
----------------Connolly-------Trossard-----------------

Subs: Button, Baluta, Montoya, Alzate, Gross, Ali J, Murray.

 

[albionfan37]

Ryan

Dunk
Webster
Burn

Alzate
Stephens
Propper
Mooy
Bernardo

Connolly
Maupay

 

[Icy Gull]

Tonight’s surprise selection will be Bernardo I hope