Douglas Luiz - Confirmed confirmed

[martyn ellis]

And I really think Nakamba has become a very reliable back-up as he proved againts Everton.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Whatever formation we play, it has to have McGinn and Luiz in a midfield 3. They both now look the players we know they can be, when they rarely did in the 4-2-3-1. Can we agree that if put up with 5-3-2, then at other times we'll play 4-3-3, but never, ever 4-2-3-1 again. It's shit.

It's certainly shit with the squad we have as neither SJM or Dougie are defensive midfielders. I could take it if we're playing Real Madrid away in the CL semi final but realistically I can't see them getting that far. Last season was extremely frustrating seeing both playing so deep, I guess we have Steve Clark and Scotland to thank for breaking that nasty, dull cycle.

Last season I can just about forgive Dean for playing players out of position, this season we have the squad size and talent not to make that mistake again. Never again will we hopefully buy a Ferrari and drive it in second gear.

I have a sneaky feeling our free kick coach has had a word with Luiz and told him he needs to spend some time practicing every day free kicks. I'm predicting some 25 yard top corner goals from Dougie in the very near future. It's not like he doesn't have the talent. No goalkeeper in the world (and I include Emi) was going to save this one..two years ago.

[ozzjim]

He's back to the lockdown Luiz that dragged us to safety. Much can be made of the goal from the other bloke on the final day, but against Arsenal, Everton away and Palace Luiz was the momentum that drove us. The formation clearly suits the 3 of them in there. Keep it up all season then for 17.5m we would make Ł100m profit on the 3 without trying. One more player at that level in there to rotate in moving forward will be a target I am sure.

[Risso]

Sanson could be that player, ozz, if he's fit for more than five minutes a season.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I shouldn't laugh but the man has a point.

[Drummond]

Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Nakamba, Sanson, Buendia and Chukwuemeka are all players that could play in there.

[paul_e]

Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey, Nakamba, Sanson, Buendia and Chukwuemeka are all players that could play in there.

I'm not sure about Buendia being in there, I'd keep him firmly in the front 3 and let him be a big part of the high press from there, certainly for this season whilst he settles into playing for a bigger club with better quality around him.

[Dante Lavelli]

Whatever formation we play, it has to have McGinn and Luiz in a midfield 3. They both now look the players we know they can be, when they rarely did in the 4-2-3-1. Can we agree that if put up with 5-3-2, then at other times we'll play 4-3-3, but never, ever 4-2-3-1 again. It's shit.

A mate has done some coaching badges at St Georges and he said the reason that England are using 433 as their base/starting formation is because it is the most flexible.  For example our 433 could easily become 4231 during the game by “McGinn” pushing into the ten position.  Starting with a three at the back makes this flexibility difficult unless one if the three CB can naturally push into midfield (not like Eric Dier).

Personally I think you’re right 4231 is shite, especially when the Ten is as lazy as Barkley.  I also think the wingers have to track back too much.

So basically I agree.

[paul_e]

That's why i like 433, it's easy to adjust to change the point of attack, the big thing for me though is being willing to move away from symmetry.

[Dante Lavelli]

That's why i like 433, it's easy to adjust to change the point of attack, the big thing for me though is being willing to move away from symmetry.

What do you mean by moving away from symmetry, creating overloads?

[paul_e]

That's why i like 433, it's easy to adjust to change the point of attack, the big thing for me though is being willing to move away from symmetry.

What do you mean by moving away from symmetry, creating overloads?

Yep, pick a side to overload for a while and try to move players about. It's exactly what we did to Everton.

[Demitri_C]

Being linked with roma again. We really need to get luiz signed up to a new long term deal

[Clampy]

Being linked with roma again. We really need to get luiz signed up to a new long term deal

Links don't always mean a lot. We were linked with Will Hughes a couple of months back.

[Demitri_C]

Being linked with roma again. We really need to get luiz signed up to a new long term deal

Links don't always mean a lot. We were linked with Will Hughes a couple of months back.

Very true but i think luiz building this reputation up it wont be long until cl clubs come sniffing. Id rather tie him down to a long term deal now.

[dave shelley]

Being linked with roma again. We really need to get luiz signed up to a new long term deal

Links don't always mean a lot. We were linked with Will Hughes a couple of months back.

And had me frightened to death!