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Stick the 2 Belgians up front

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beachy

beachy

Player Valuation: £5m
Why not stick the 2 Belgian lads up front and play a diamond in midfield?

We know all about Lukaku's goal scoring record, but for me Kevin Mirallas also has the attributes of a top striker. Pacey, direct and good finishing. Why not put him in a position he can hurt the opposition more often? We need more goals if we want to do really well in the league. These 2 with Ross in behind could cause havoc.

Also now that we have McCarthy AND Besic, there shouldn't be a problem with being over run in midfield. Alongside Barry their energy and tackling can cover attacks down our flanks.

Width? No problem. Baines and Coleman.

-----------Howard
Coleman Jags Distin Baines
------------Barry
---MCCarthy ------ Besic
------------Barkley
-------Mirallas Lukaku
 
Could work, and it'd be nice to have Naismith available on the bench in case we need to make a change.
Mirallas looked poor each time I've seen him lead the line, but playing next to Lukaku could work.

Only issue is, while you say that Coleman and Baines provide width, inevitably Lukaku is going to have to drift out wide, to link up with them, and I'm not sure if his physical presence is preferred in the box.
 
Mirallas needs space ahead of him to run into to be effective.

I tend to think putting him up top just encourages defenders to sit deep and restricts that space for him to attack.

It's a no for me.
 

toffeestillidie said:
Could work, and it'd be nice to have Naismith available on the bench in case we need to make a change.
Mirallas looked poor each time I've seen him lead the line, but playing next to Lukaku could work.

Only issue is, while you say that Coleman and Baines provide width, inevitably Lukaku is going to have to drift out wide, to link up with them, and I'm not sure if his physical presence is preferred in the box.
Click to expand...

True. Ross and Kev could always drift out wide to create a 5 in midfield if things not going well.
 
Encoder said:
Some of Lukaku and Kev's link up play last year was ace so I wouldn't be against playing them both up top
Click to expand...

Being mates off the pitch has got to help.

flag_of_Belgium.gif
 
Why would Lukaku have to drift out wide with two over lapping full backs? Where is Gibsons place as the best passer in the team? So Lukaku has to go wide to take a pass from Coleman who is also wide? As the great Brian Clough once said, "Ey, i dont pay you to do that, get in there."
 
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tony247 said:
Why would Lukaku have to drift out wide with two over lapping full backs? Where is Gibsons place as the best passer in the team? So Lukaku has to go wide to take a pass from Coleman who is also wide? As tbe great Brian Clough once said, "Ey, i dont pay you to do that, get in there."
Click to expand...

I see Gibson and Barry as interchangeable. Not a lot between them, both boss.

Part of the reason I like this formation is Pienaar and McGeady seem a bit inconsistent. Our strength is in the middle of the park. Let's get McCarthy, Barkley, Besic and Barry/Gibson all on the pitch. Rom and Kev don't have to be static in the box, they can work the channels if needed.
 

Problem with mirallas is he's to eager to get forward he ends up offside because of his pace . He played a few games upfront last session and I wasn't impressed
 
I like the idea of changing our formation up a little this season. I think we will need to be flexible. Given that we have an abundance of talented central players and a complete lack of decent wingers the midfield diamond might work. I guess this would rely heavily on the full backs for width but could be interesting. The only thing i would say is that I think we need McCarthy central. When he plays in this position he gives both full backs licence to roam as he can cover the ground so well. if he is not central he wont be able to do this and I don't think Barry has the legs.
 
Mirallas plays well if we set up with him as a wide forward almost in a 433 like we saw against Arsenal. He doesnt play well if he's stuck on the wing with a full back pressed up against him.

For me I think 433 suits us better with Ross playing deeper with the other two mids and Mirallas Naismith flanking Lukaku. We've probably played our best counter attacking against the top sides doing this.

When we go 4231 with Ross up top with Lukaku he doesnt seem to get to grips with the game. The widemen are also wasted.
 

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