With Gordon potentially leaving us for Cheslea, the Gana deal seemingly almost done, plus us being linked further with Ismaila Sarr & Martin Terrier today - here's how we could line up over the season if all this happened, depending on the opponent (and assuming everyone was healthy):
1)
vs. 5th-15th Placed Teams = 4-3-3
View attachment 178911
I'd love to see us line up in a 4-3-3 against most teams in the table (those who won't dominate possession, and those who won't sit back against us).
We could confidently say that a midfield trio of Gueye, Onana, Iwobi wouldn't be outran or outworked by any midfield in the Premier League.
We'd have a front 3 of goalscorers (Terrier 24 G/A last season 21/22, Sarr 17 G/A in his last full season 20/21, DCL 15 G/A in his last full season 20/21), all with plenty of pace, with Iwobi tasked with driving the ball forward and linking midfield and attack, plus Onana having license to roam.
A back 4 featuring two of our summer signings in the middle, Tarkowski doesn't need any explanation - Coady could potentially be switched out here given his supposed struggles of operating in a back 4, but with the high work-rate of the midfield players in front its hard to picture Coady being overly exposed.
2)
vs. 15th-20th Placed Teams = 4-2-3-1
View attachment 178918
Against teams who would be likely to play very defensively and sit back against us, a 4-2-3-1 could be our best option.
Terrier would be the player in the squad most likely to unlock a defence, so we'd look to move him central into the number 10 role.
Sarr would stay on the right, with Gray coming in on the left (very tough to leave Iwobi out, but in a game where we'll be on the front foot an in-form Gray offers more creativity and goal-scoring threat). Onana would push on when in possession, with Gueye holding as the shield in front of the back 4.
Godfrey would be preferred over Coady here, as a defensive opponents main threat would come on the counter, meaning a CB with pace (Godfrey) would be ideal to partner Tarkowski.
3)
vs. 1st-5th Placed Teams = 3-4-2-1
View attachment 178929
Against teams at the top of the table, where we're likely going to have to dig in and concede possession - 3 at the back in a 3-4-2-1 might be best suited.
Godfrey (or Mina), Tarkowski and Coady would make up the back 3. Mykolenko and Patterson would provide the width going forward, dropping into the back line when out of the possession.
Iwobi and one of Terrier (more creative) or Sarr (more pace) would play as Attacking Midfielders. Onana would be box-to-box which, Iwobi is ideal to play ahead of him as he'd drop back and help cover his side if possession is lost. Whilst Terrier/Sarr would stay pushed higher up to support DCL, knowing Gueye is behind them who won't venture forward.
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Would you be happy with Terrier & Sarr coming in if Gordon was to leave?
With this squad, what formation/XI would you play?
1)
vs. 5th-15th Placed Teams = 4-3-3
View attachment 178911
I'd love to see us line up in a 4-3-3 against most teams in the table (those who won't dominate possession, and those who won't sit back against us).
We could confidently say that a midfield trio of Gueye, Onana, Iwobi wouldn't be outran or outworked by any midfield in the Premier League.
We'd have a front 3 of goalscorers (Terrier 24 G/A last season 21/22, Sarr 17 G/A in his last full season 20/21, DCL 15 G/A in his last full season 20/21), all with plenty of pace, with Iwobi tasked with driving the ball forward and linking midfield and attack, plus Onana having license to roam.
A back 4 featuring two of our summer signings in the middle, Tarkowski doesn't need any explanation - Coady could potentially be switched out here given his supposed struggles of operating in a back 4, but with the high work-rate of the midfield players in front its hard to picture Coady being overly exposed.
2)
vs. 15th-20th Placed Teams = 4-2-3-1
View attachment 178918
Against teams who would be likely to play very defensively and sit back against us, a 4-2-3-1 could be our best option.
Terrier would be the player in the squad most likely to unlock a defence, so we'd look to move him central into the number 10 role.
Sarr would stay on the right, with Gray coming in on the left (very tough to leave Iwobi out, but in a game where we'll be on the front foot an in-form Gray offers more creativity and goal-scoring threat). Onana would push on when in possession, with Gueye holding as the shield in front of the back 4.
Godfrey would be preferred over Coady here, as a defensive opponents main threat would come on the counter, meaning a CB with pace (Godfrey) would be ideal to partner Tarkowski.
3)
vs. 1st-5th Placed Teams = 3-4-2-1
View attachment 178929
Against teams at the top of the table, where we're likely going to have to dig in and concede possession - 3 at the back in a 3-4-2-1 might be best suited.
Godfrey (or Mina), Tarkowski and Coady would make up the back 3. Mykolenko and Patterson would provide the width going forward, dropping into the back line when out of the possession.
Iwobi and one of Terrier (more creative) or Sarr (more pace) would play as Attacking Midfielders. Onana would be box-to-box which, Iwobi is ideal to play ahead of him as he'd drop back and help cover his side if possession is lost. Whilst Terrier/Sarr would stay pushed higher up to support DCL, knowing Gueye is behind them who won't venture forward.
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Would you be happy with Terrier & Sarr coming in if Gordon was to leave?
With this squad, what formation/XI would you play?
