So the summer transfer window slams shut, as windows never do. We have a new Head Coach, and we seem to have used the window to change the playing staff to suit the ideals of our new coach, but what are those ideals. The biggest indicator, in my view, was our final summer signing from Manchester City on loan. His name is Claudio Gomes, he is French and he is a defensive midfield player. For most of the window, we heard that we wanted a left full back as well, but in the end, we could not make good on that deal. But why did we need a left full back, or a defensive mid-field player for that matter. Surely Callum Styles is a decent left wing back, and with 3 central defenders, surely we do not need anyone ahead of the 3 in order to protect them. Personally, I believe that logic is right. My complaint about Ismael’s team was not with the defending. It was with the long ball, which enabled the team to advance as one and defend from the front. The two wider players in the back 3 cover the two wing backs as they joined the midfield line to provide a credible support for the front 3. Personally, I felt that our front 3 under Ismael was not mobile enough, and with a return to 3 substitutions, I expected that we would need players who could run for longer than the 60 minutes that they lasted for under Ismael before they were changed on-masse, but that was the only change I was expecting, had Ismael stayed. Of course, we do not know how our two Belgian lads play. Their visas have only just come through. However, the fact that Oulare is 6ft 4, does not suggest that he can run for 90 minutes in a forward press. Aaron Leya Iseka is also 6ft, which suggests that he too will have problems. Our forwards just do not look like they are built for the 3 man press in circumstances where you are allowed only 3 substitutes. And yet, our owners have said that they want to see their team playing with a press. The two ideals do not seem to fit. And what of the defensive midfield player. Does that work in 3-4-3. In the last 2 home games, we have seen Palmer playing higher up the field than Benson. When they were both advanced, we have seen Styles squeeze inside, to fill the space behind them. What has that been about? And whilst we are at it, is Styles tall enough defensively to play full back? I must confess that I did not notice how short he is last season, but this season, he seems to be out-muscled at set-pieces and it has left a question-mark about his suitability for that role defensively. Perhaps that is why he was tried in midfield in the central two. So what is this all about? Well, we know that Schopp has never played 3-4-3 before, and although he undoubtedly knows the system, he will not be a firm believer in its advantages. Also, he has not played the system as Ismael played it, and being honest, it has not worked as well as it did from Ismael. There has been less enthusiasm for the press and much less use of the long ball, especially the long ball directly from the line of the back 3. He has tried to encourage the opposition pressers forward by passing the ball short from the goalkeeper in order to create space beyond. There is definitely a different mind at work here, as compared to last season. The final piece in the jig-saw would be if all this was done in preparation for a change in system. Done in order to get the players used to thinking in a different way. We do not have a game for 2 weeks, and this is a good time to get the players used to a new system, especially as the team is now complete, and apart from the injured, ready to go. We know that Schopp was associated with 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 systems, but it has to be said straight away that these are the defensive shapes of his preferred systems. Both systems turn into an attacking shape of 4-3-3, and I intend to concentrate on the attacking shape in what follows. The common factor is of course 4 at the back. In practice, this means 1 less centre back, but it also has an effect on how we attack, because it means that the two full backs can no longer get as far forward together as a pair. One of the two must always play a bit deeper as cover for the two centre backs. I do not believe Callum Styles can be effective in a back four, and I believe that is why we were looking for a left back during the last transfer window. Although Ben Williams is a better full back, than he is a wing back, he lacks pace, and that is essential in the Championship. Jordan Williams is right sided, but is the best choice of our full backs, but I wonder whether Liam Kitching could play left back. If indeed we are going for a back 4, the most obvious choices for the two centre-backs is Andersen and Helik, which leaves Kitching out in the cold, and as I say, one of the 2 full backs must cover in a back 4. In midfield, there have been times when Schopp has used Moon or Halme, and on one occasion, both. He obviously perceives that we are weak there defensively, and Gomes has been brought in to plug that gap, but who plays either side of him? The candidates are Josh Benson, Clarke Oduor, Romal Palmer and Callum Styles (two right sided players and 2 left sided ones). My choices would be Benson and Styles, but the other two would do a job, albeit in a slightly different way. That leaves us with a front 3. It looks to me like Oulare has been brought in to lead the line, which means that we need 2 players to play up front either side of him, to apply the press when appropriate, but drift deeper when the team is defending deeper leaving Oulare up on his own at times. Once again, we have a number of candidates and no obvious first choices. We do not know how Iseka plays so it is hard to be definitive, but Frieser and Woodrow seem the obvious candidates from the players we know, with Morris challenging Oulare for that front spot, and Adeboyejo, Cole and Thompson further down the pecking order. But where will the goals come from? Frankly, I do not know, because I do not know anything about Oulare and Iseka. I think that Woodrow should do better with a big man to take the heat away from him, but it is a great unknown. Minority Report talks about tactics, and that is what this piece has been all about. The players are a bit of a mystery, because many of them are unknown quantities, and for that matter, qualities as well.
I always wait to open these threads until I see someone has replied, as generally they break down the wall of text into a sentence or two So, thanks.
In the first few games of the season (at home anyway) our formation has been much more fluid. The rigid 3-4-3 of Ismael has already been softened to the point that I'd suggest we have played 4-3-3 for a significant part of this season already. When we have done so, it has been Kitching that has moved out to the left far more than Sibbick has moved to the right. For small portions of games, we've seen Palmer, Brittain, Benson, Halme, Moon and Styles tried just in front of that back 4 and it was clearly a position Schopp wanted us to improve on. The advantage of having a defensive midfielder in that position is that he can drop in between the centre backs if the full backs push on, reverting to a 3 when we're attacking and but allowing us to still have 7 players up the pitch. I think that's why either Halme and Moon have been selected on the bench for most games (IIRC). Benson clearly has technical quality. In the championship I think you can play him anywhere in the midfield and I think he'll be a shoe-in for the starting 11 while ever he is fit. Palmer has been substituted a lot, but he's also picked up a lot of yellow cards and is a bit of a liability for a red at some point this season. Styles hasn't really impressed in the middle, but he was excellent last season, so if we do move to 4-2-3-1 I can see him being utilised further up the pitch on the left of the 3. That leaves the right of the 3, an attacking mid/support striker and the centre forward. Frieser has been good for us so far this season on the right, but playing from a bit deeper I can also see Oduor cutting in from the right wing on his left foot with Brittain overlapping. Woodrow is the obvious candidate for the Support striker role, although I think Styles, Benson or Oduor could play there. Both Oulare and Iseka have played the majority of their games leading the line and are probably fighting for that place initially. That's my two-pennorth.
I believe he will go to 4 at the back with Sibbick and Kitchin at full backs. Helic and Anderson in the middle. 4132 formation with Gomez the obvious 1 For the 3 choice beteeen Palmer Brittain Benson Styles Front 2 from Oulare Woodrow Morris Iseka Frieser With options up front the high press can sustained with substitutions and one of the three supporting from midfield also pressing high. I dont think we will play with any wide players but Sibbick and Kitchin will rampage forward and Palmer BrittIan and Styles will also provide crosses at Schopp has already played at times in games a back 4 with Sibbick and Kitchin playing from a fullbacks position also Palmer has pushed wider right and Styles central at times. Brittain has also played centrally in parts during games this season. A front 2 of either Morris and Woodrow or Oulare and Iseka. Subs bench Walton J Williams Moon Palmer or Brittain Frieser Morris Iseka Cole,Oduor, Halme, Adebyejo, B Williams, would have been Kane and Miller not making the bench A change in formation now Gomes has signed as the final missing piece for how Schopp likes to play. This is one exciting team now. Val who?
Good post RR,I would like us to sign a left back rather than use Kitching (a left footed centre half) at full back,although alternately we could play a back 4 of Sibbick Helik Andersen and Kitching and play Brittain further forward.
Lot's of interesting points made, but I find this one slightly baffling. What is the logic behind a tall striker not being able to press consistently? There are countless examples of forwards and players in other positions, who are over 6 ft and have the stamina to play in a press.
If we ever had a set of players we could play 4-4-2 with, i think it's this set. Can't imagine we will do, but Kitching or Ben Williams at LB allows Styles/Oduor to play as orthodox wingers. Jordan Williams/Sibbick at RB allows Freiser or Brittain to play as orthodox RW. Benson, Gomes, Palmer can push each other for CM. Morris/Woodrow/Oulare/Iseka fighting for the front two positions.
Of the systems mentioned, I think 4-2-3-1 would probably balance our squad the best; LB - Kitching, B Williams RB - Brittain, J Williams CB - Helik, Andersen, Moon, Halme, Sibbick Midfield 2 - Palmer, Benson, Gomes + Styles, Halme, Moon, Sibbick as options AM 3 - Styles, Odour, Frieser, Woodrow, Iseka, Benson (as a 10?), Morris CF - Oulare, Morris, Cole
I agree with you unless we play 4-4-2, but not sure why anyone thinks Iseka is a winger. Out of 109 games played, he's played 106 up top. Obbi Oulare is also a CF Woodrow on the other hand...
Dike was basically a midget. Looked much smaller in person at the Swansea game than the deceiving iFollow coverage let on.
I dunno. I was basically agreeing that he isn't as tall as people assumed. But he had thighs bigger than Clarke Oduor.
I could be and have been wrong many times but I’d be fairly amazed if Brittain and Styles weren’t our full backs for the majority of the season as they were amongst the divisions best last season. Callum Looks out of place in the middle whilst has been once again excellent at full back. Forwards. The goalscoring records of the Belgians is pretty poor but then so was Morris. We will definitely need to work a system that maximises what they can offer.
Definitely better at wingback than centre mid, so far this season. Don't think we've ever seen him on the left of a four though.
