Formation

[steffo]

We do not have a wide player because Lambert is narrow minded a la TSM. Did we play Tonev wide v Everton  to provide width or to stop Baines going forward? Latter me thinks.

We get the ball wide once v West Ham and we nearly score. West ham took the game to us with no credible strikers, but strech us.

Width, ladies and gentleman is the only way forward.

[edgysatsuma89]

As he has said that Helenius isn't a typical front man, I just don't understand why he hasn't at least attempted to play him in the number 10 role. I'm not even saying it would work, but just an attempt at something different to get us creating again.

[Dave Clark Five]

We can't really play 4-2-3-1 because all the options for the 'number 10' role are all converted strikers or wingers. We need more an attacking midfielder than a second striker or an inside forward

One of the original number 10s.

[Mister E]

We do not have a wide player because Lambert is narrow minded a la TSM. Did we play Tonev wide v Everton  to provide width or to stop Baines going forward? Latter me thinks.
We get the ball wide once v West Ham and we nearly score. West ham took the game to us with no credible strikers, but strech us.
Width, ladies and gentleman is the only way forward.

and

As he has said that Helenius isn't a typical front man, I just don't understand why he hasn't at least attempted to play him in the number 10 role. I'm not even saying it would work, but just an attempt at something different to get us creating again.

Width isn't the only way forward but it should certainly be a part of the suite of tactics that the manager has at his disposal.

I too would like to see the use of a No. 10 and Helenius might well be it (and Grealish, perhaps, at some point in the future). Particularly since Lambert seems to be happy to use 3-5-2 on occasions, the No. 10 would work well behind a front 2.

He needs more options! And, yes, he probably needs more players to offer that.

[eamonn]

We do not have a wide player because Lambert is narrow minded a la TSM. Did we play Tonev wide v Everton  to provide width or to stop Baines going forward? Latter me thinks.

We get the ball wide once v West Ham and we nearly score. West ham took the game to us with no credible strikers, but strech us.

Width, ladies and gentleman is the only way forward.

Width Evans help we're shaw to score.

[paul_e]

We do not have a wide player because Lambert is narrow minded a la TSM. Did we play Tonev wide v Everton  to provide width or to stop Baines going forward? Latter me thinks.

We get the ball wide once v West Ham and we nearly score. West ham took the game to us with no credible strikers, but strech us.

Width, ladies and gentleman is the only way forward.

Width has nothing to do with it.

Movement is the key, where the names are on a board before the game doesn't matter if the players stay there.  Football is a simple game, to create chances to cross, shoot, etc you have to get the opposition players away from where they want to be.  We're not doing that anything like well enough right now.

[Concrete John]

We do not have a wide player because Lambert is narrow minded a la TSM. Did we play Tonev wide v Everton  to provide width or to stop Baines going forward? Latter me thinks.

We get the ball wide once v West Ham and we nearly score. West ham took the game to us with no credible strikers, but strech us.

Width, ladies and gentleman is the only way forward.

Width has nothing to do with it.

Movement is the key, where the names are on a board before the game doesn't matter if the players stay there.  Football is a simple game, to create chances to cross, shoot, etc you have to get the opposition players away from where they want to be.  We're not doing that anything like well enough right now.

This.

When we've been at our attacking best under Lambert, it's when the front three of Benteke, Weimann and Gabby have been more fluid.   

[edgysatsuma89]

I completely agree, but what about when they become more viscous? Which they have.

[garyshawsknee]

Yeah and not getting any runners in beyond Benteke means we can be very easy to defend against as its all in front of the oppositions back four.

[Concrete John]

Yeah and not getting any runners in beyond Benteke means we can be very easy to defend against as its all in front of the oppositions back four.

I think that's where going for a player like Kiyotake comes from - looking to add another dimension to our attacking play.

[garyshawsknee]

Yeah we're crying out for someone of that type as we don't have anything like that in the squad, unless Delph plays a bit further forward.

[supertom]

We could have a lot of joy playing the 3-5-2 once we get this elusive number 10. We looked decent under Gregory playing this system, particularly having Merson playing just ahead of Tayls and Boateng. He had a real solid base behind him allowing him to float and make things tick.

[Concrete John]

We could have a lot of joy playing the 3-5-2 once we get this elusive number 10. We looked decent under Gregory playing this system, particularly having Merson playing just ahead of Tayls and Boateng. He had a real solid base behind him allowing him to float and make things tick.

If done right, it's really a 3-4-1-2 formation.  The key is the wing backs and the no10 player.  Best exponent of it the PL was Liverpool in the mid 90s.

[Ads]

I think 4-3-3 and variants of it are the way to go with the players at the moment. For instance, on Saturday I would like to see Tonev replace Andi and Gabby come back with Baker dropping out.

The midfield would then have Sylla and Westwood sitting with Delph more advanced of the three. I would like to see Delph hitting the box a lot more with his good runs. If Sylla and Westwood are in behind him then it gives him that licence to do more 10-15 yards higher up the pitch.

[supertom]

I think 4-3-3 and variants of it are the way to go with the players at the moment. For instance, on Saturday I would like to see Tonev replace Andi and Gabby come back with Baker dropping out.

The midfield would then have Sylla and Westwood sitting with Delph more advanced of the three. I would like to see Delph hitting the box a lot more with his good runs. If Sylla and Westwood are in behind him then it gives him that licence to do more 10-15 yards higher up the pitch.

Delphy has shown potential that he can get among the goals. He's just got to get a bit of composure because he gets a rush of blood and snatches at shots when he's in decent positions, but he's certainly not alone in that. He was a post away from scoring against Arsenal and has had a few other chances.

If we bring Sylla back into the side and sit either Westwood or KEA (for want of better options right now) as the deeper player, it should allow Delph to break forward. Not just to the edge of the box, I'd like to see him break into the box. Our midfielders seem to be allergic to the inside of the penalty area. We've seen already, with KEA against City, the benefit of a good run from mid.

Delph is capable of getting half a dozen goals a season from midfield. He was breaking forward well at the tail end of last season and again, that was aided by having Sylla in midfield to also provide running and energy, as well as Westwood. The sooner we stop playing KEA and Westy together the better. The two negate each other and don't really offer much quality on the ball to make up for that loss of pace and energy.