4 at the back?

[usedtobeshearer]

What are people's thoughts?

I've actually wanted Bruce to do this basically from the start of the season. Away against a good Leicester team may have not been the best time to try it..but can't say I was unhappy when I saw the team sheet.

Sadly, other than the Saint starting, that was pretty close to our best team...that's not Bruce's fault! The style of play, organisation are...but that's a different argument.

The 5 at the back worked for us last season, we had a well drilled counter attack style. This season we have zero attacking threat and the defence isn't as solid, so more bodies up the pitch makes sense to me.

Big Joe needs help. IMO he hasn't had a bad game...no great ones either. But he has a little of everything. He works hard, can hold, run the lines, head, strong ..his finishing would be his weakest...but doesn't get chances because he's isolated.

4231 would be the way IMO. Sadly we don't have a creative cm, or a creative/ scoring no.10. But with Almiron, the Saint and Atsu, playing High up the pitch behind big Joe. ..surely we can start to threaten!?

Longstaff and Hayden then just sit as they do anyway. They need to be drilled into following their man..plugging holes left by the full backs better though.

Dummet is a worry. I can't help but like the lad, but he's only good on the left side of a back 3, not good enough as a lb or as on cb of 2. So Willems for me, has problems defensively but has pace. OUR captain would need to be dropped too...Fernandez should take his place until laguene is fit. RB? Well ..does it really matter?

Sorry, for waffling...thoughts?

[TheOtherTerryMac]

I thought we had been playing 10 at the back and just hoofing it upfield to no one

[Zippity]

I thought we had been playing 10 at the back and just hoofing it upfield to no one

Cynical...but true, Terry.

Yeah, good post. And actually, based on last season, Longstaff is almost the equal of Shelvey when it comes to passing but offers so much more and he and Hayden worked very well together (although they won't have the chance for the next 3 games). I think Dummett has improved massively defensively but agree that as a 'modern' full back he doesn't offer enough.

I haven't seen enough of Krafth to judge but i have seen enough of Yedlin and Wanquillo to know that Krafth deserves a shot at making the spot his own. Agree about Lascelles too-I think Fernandez is just a better all-round defender.

Problem is, that's quite an attacking set-up and Bruce has already laughably labelled our performance against Brighton as 'too open'. Luckily we tightened up against Leicester.

No, wait....