Two CDMs at home against the lesser teams?

[toffeeblue9]

Reminds me of how Barca play with Busquets dropping into defence and their full-backs being wingers.

It's not really a new thing TBH

In Martinez's first season, Gary Neville did a really good tactical piece on how we become a 343 when we gain possession of the ball. The centre backs split and, typically, Barry drops into the middle and the full backs push up. Alternatively, depending on where we gain possession of the ball, Barry or McCarthy drop to the right or left of the two central defenders to achieve the same shape. The theory being that it becomes easier to play the ball out of defence with that shape.

 

[davids]

We win two home games against teams in the bottom three,and the talk starts about "lesser teams".Who should make the distinction of who these teams are.Do we draw an arbitrary line somewhere above Chelsea?

 

[Nymzee]

It's not really a new thing TBH

In Martinez's first season, Gary Neville did a really good tactical piece on how we become a 343 when we gain possession of the ball. The centre backs split and, typically, Barry drops into the middle and the full backs push up. Alternatively, depending on where we gain possession of the ball, Barry or McCarthy drop to the right or left of the two central defenders to achieve the same shape. The theory being that it becomes easier to play the ball out of defence with that shape.

Yeh never said it was new - it's a very Spanish/modern way of playing. More typically is would happen in a 4-3-3 than 4-2-3-1 mind. Even on the Nike Academy YouTube page they're teaching their youngsters to do this.

 

[Saint Domingo]

It appears Martinez has finally changed the system (McCarthy does seem to be more attacking and Barry more central alone in the holding role. But if we want improvement why not change the personell? If McCarthy is now playing as an attacking player why not play someone like Cleverley who has more creativity? Why not get s young mobile defensive mid with a great passing range to replace Barry?

Against better teams they won't just let Stones glide out the back and ping balls to Deulofeu to torment some incompetent left back. Still my opinion that in home games (and away) against teams who can sit deep well such as Watford, Stoke, Swansea, WBA etc. You need to vary your midfield balance to unlock the different challenges each team poses. You see United City Arsenal Liverpool changing their midfield a every week. Why are we one of the few teams who don't?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I think it's quite a fluid thing. McCarthy has shown he's more than capable stepping forward, and having protection there gives Stones the freedom to step out from the back too.

 

[toffeeblue9]

It appears Martinez has finally changed the system (McCarthy does seem to be more attacking and Barry more central alone in the holding role. But if we want improvement why not change the personell? If McCarthy is now playing as an attacking player why not play someone like Cleverley who has more creativity? Why not get s young mobile defensive mid with a great passing range to replace Barry?

Against better teams they won't just let Stones glide out the back and ping balls to Deulofeu to torment some incompetent left back. Still my opinion that in home games (and away) against teams who can sit deep well such as Watford, Stoke, Swansea, WBA etc. You need to vary your midfield balance to unlock the different challenges each team poses. You see United City Arsenal Liverpool changing their midfield a every week. Why are we one of the few teams who don't?

Barry has had an excellent season so far. The type of player you're talking about would presumably be extremely expensive too. A mix of Gibson and Besic, presumably. I'm sure Martinez knows we need to replace Barry eventually, but for me he has been the most consistent player at the club this season. Not an immediate priority

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

It appears Martinez has finally changed the system (McCarthy does seem to be more attacking and Barry more central alone in the holding role. But if we want improvement why not change the personell? If McCarthy is now playing as an attacking player why not play someone like Cleverley who has more creativity?

His role is primarily still defence but he's allowed up the put to add numbers to an attack

Why not get s young mobile defensive mid with a great passing range to replace Barry?

That's what Besic was bought for but he's had injuries and not shown he's as effective as Barry yet.

Against better teams they won't just let Stones glide out the back and ping balls to Deulofeu to torment some incompetent left back. Still my opinion that in home games (and away) against teams who can sit deep well such as Watford, Stoke, Swansea, WBA etc. You need to vary your midfield balance to unlock the different challenges each team poses. You see United City Arsenal Liverpool changing their midfield a every week. Why are we one of the few teams who don't?

It provides us with a solid base from which we can get the LB and RB forward. It also allows us to change quickly in a game, when we are on top McCarthy pushes forward, when we're under the hammer it's all hand to defence.

 

[Fuleco]

Aye especially since we love our full backs to bomb forward we need a fair amount of cover for them.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

We win two home games against teams in the bottom three,and the talk starts about "lesser teams".Who should make the distinction of who these teams are.Do we draw an arbitrary line somewhere above Chelsea?

I would consider anybody who after 13 games isn't realistically challenging for European places to be a lesser team than us.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

It appears Martinez has finally changed the system (McCarthy does seem to be more attacking and Barry more central alone in the holding role. But if we want improvement why not change the personell? If McCarthy is now playing as an attacking player why not play someone like Cleverley who has more creativity? Why not get s young mobile defensive mid with a great passing range to replace Barry?

Against better teams they won't just let Stones glide out the back and ping balls to Deulofeu to torment some incompetent left back. Still my opinion that in home games (and away) against teams who can sit deep well such as Watford, Stoke, Swansea, WBA etc. You need to vary your midfield balance to unlock the different challenges each team poses. You see United City Arsenal Liverpool changing their midfield a every week. Why are we one of the few teams who don't?

Oh look it's Captain Wrong.

 

[Ashtonian]

to be fair it's not really hindering us at the minute is it? It's more important the front players are combining and scoring rather than focusing on the back.

 

[davids]

I would consider anybody who after 13 games isn't realistically challenging for European places to be a lesser team than us.

So Chelsea then.You'd go to the Bridge with just two?

 

[Saint Domingo]

Oh look it's Captain Wrong.

Do they let you go on your phones in schools these days? Or is it break time already? Well done on getting back up to speed though after your weekend off.

 

[Saint Domingo]

to be fair it's not really hindering us at the minute is it? It's more important the front players are combining and scoring rather than focusing on the back.

We're 7th. Depends on your definition of hindering. Over the last two home games? No. Over the season as a whole thus far? Yes.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

So Chelsea then.You'd go to the Bridge with just two?

Do you think Chelsea don't have the quality to qualify for European football even after their terrible start?