Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[Lastfootstamper]

If the plan is to go for some sort of 4-3-3 with a 4* and two 8s, maybe converting Buendia into one of them (which I reckon he could do once he's up to speed, he's feisty enough), then that negates the need for another DM in my view. Something like:

------------Luiz---------------
----Buendia--McGinn-------
Bailey----------------Watkins
------------Ings---------------

I think that's fluid, varied, compact when it needs to be and full of energy. Just need them all to be less bastard injured.


*Tired of this '6' business. A 6 is a centre-back. We are not in Spain.

Really? On an Aston Villa site you're going to insist 6 is not a midfielder?

[cdbearsfan]

Agreed. 4 and 5 are central defenders. 6 is a midfielder.

[Monty]

If the plan is to go for some sort of 4-3-3 with a 4* and two 8s, maybe converting Buendia into one of them (which I reckon he could do once he's up to speed, he's feisty enough), then that negates the need for another DM in my view. Something like:

------------Luiz---------------
----Buendia--McGinn-------
Bailey----------------Watkins
------------Ings---------------

I think that's fluid, varied, compact when it needs to be and full of energy. Just need them all to be less bastard injured.


*Tired of this '6' business. A 6 is a centre-back. We are not in Spain.

Really? On an Aston Villa site you're going to insist 6 is not a midfielder?

Mortimer is the exception who proves the rule. Barry got the number as a defender then moved into midfield. We may have a bit of a club Thing about it, but the fact remains that in English football the more defensive central midfielder is traditionally designated 4.

I mean, otherwise where does it stop? 2 and 3 as centre backs? Sub goalie mandatorily getting number 12? It's a slippery slope.

[cdbearsfan]

Sorry, but that's just nonsense. 4 and 5 are centre halves. I appreciate other lineups have been tried in football history, but 4 and 5 in defence is the standard.

[Monty]

Perhaps I'm mad, but I've always thought 6 was a defender. I even remember reading about why a few years ago. Am I losing my mind?

Anyway, whatever the number, Luiz can play in the midfield bit that's closest to the defenders, whatever their numbers. And Buendia can play 8 (we all agree that 8 is a midfielder, right?).

Edit: so a bit of digging seems to show that 4 was the most common number for a central defender and 6 for defensive midfielder, but vice-versa was the second most common. I always assumed there was a universal standard like in rugby, but apparently not.

[LeeB]

Perhaps I'm mad, but I've always thought 6 was a defender. I even remember reading about why a few years ago. Am I losing my mind?

Anyway, whatever the number, Luiz can play in the midfield bit that's closest to the defenders, whatever their numbers. And Buendia can play 8 (we all agree that 8 is a midfielder, right?).

No, 6 can be centre half with 4 as a centre mid, in my book.

[Sexual Ealing]

I was an 8, and I played it very much like my politics. I veered towards the left wing and hoped nobody asked me any difficult questions.

[cdbearsfan]

It can be. But 4 and 5 is the standard and dismissing the idea of having a 6 in midfield as some modern Spanish fad is a crazy take. Don't let him persuade you, Lee. He only wants to count 6 as a defender as a way of sneaking in five at the back when we aren't looking. He can't be trusted.

[Sexual Ealing]

It can be. But 4 and 5 is the standard and dismissing the idea of having a 6 in midfield as some modern Spanish fad is a crazy take. Don't let him persuade you, Lee. He only wants to count 6 as a defender as a way of sneaking in five at the back when we aren't looking. He can't be trusted.

I agree with cd.

[Monty]

Not going there. You have a problem? Take it up with Conte and Tuchel's medal collections.

[cdbearsfan]

They'd have won far more playing a proper formation. In any case, I can't imagine either has picked a team comprising numbers 1-11 any time recently.

[Sexual Ealing]

Take it up with John Gregory's.

[olaftab]

Sorry, but that's just nonsense. 4 and 5 are centre halves. I appreciate other lineups have been tried in football history, but 4 and 5 in defence is the standard.

Noooo. Sacrilege spoken here go and seek redemption. 5 and 6 always central defenders, always and 4 the almighty destroyer in midfield. Brian Godfrey was 4 and that says it all.

[Monty]

Take it up with John Gregory's.

Or Brian Little's?

[cdbearsfan]

6 can be a central defender. 4 and 5 is standard. Monty suggested that having a number 6 in midfield was some modern Spanish fad. It clearly isn't. Monty also likes five at the back. Keep your eye on him.