Line up and formation for 2021-22

[chrisw1]

We now seem to have quite a few exciting options, but I'm not a fan of trying to shoe horn in every player just because we can. 

I don't really like 4-4-2 and am wondering what the plan is for Ings.  He does tend to drop deep to pick up the ball, as does Ollie.  Are we planning to play one of them more as a 10, or planning to push Ollie wide.  Or will we rotate them a bit, which may be the more sensible option but feels unlikley.

I'm also concerned that most our wide players favour the right - Buendia, Bailey, Traore and, if used wide, Watkins I think.  I'm guessing we'll push Bailey to the left.

I suspect we'll look like this,

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
Buendia  McGinn    Nakamba     Bailey
             
               Watkins  Ings

or maybe

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
         McGinn    Nakamba     
             
Bailey        Buendia        Watkins

                  Ings

What do you think?

[richtheholtender]

Second option. With Buendia drifting to the left to cover ollie who will get in the box when attacking down the right

[ROBBO]

We now seem to have quite a few exciting options, but I'm not a fan of trying to shoe horn in every player just because we can. 

I don't really like 4-4-2 and am wondering what the plan is for Ings.  He does tend to drop deep to pick up the ball, as does Ollie.  Are we planning to play one of them more as a 10, or planning to push Ollie wide.  Or will we rotate them a bit, which may be the more sensible option but feels unlikley.

I'm also concerned that most our wide players favour the right - Buendia, Bailey, Traore and, if used wide, Watkins I think.  I'm guessing we'll push Bailey to the left.

I suspect we'll look like this,

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
Buendia  McGinn    Nakamba     Bailey
             
               Watkins  Ings

or maybe

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
         McGinn    Nakamba     
             
Bailey        Buendia        Watkins

                  Ings

What do you think?

I think we need a keeper.

[Lsvilla]

It’s an interesting question and I think will test Deans ability to be more flexible than he has previously in terms of tactics and personnel. Hope he’s up to it as the squad has the potential to go somewhere special - especially if we get another couple of additions as expected. Whilst not answering the question can I add another - do we know if it’s 3 subs or 5 this season ? Whilst I was fiercely against 5 subs last season I think it may help us give more game time to the Ramsay’s and Carney as they develop.

[Demitri_C]

Ings will surely be up top with ollie drifting in. Ollie did tend to drift in and out on the left last year so can see that.

Its certainly going to keep opponents guessing

[Dante Lavelli]

I cannot work it out.  My only conclusion is we will have options.

We probably needs to shift a few players otherwise we could have bomb squad rotting the morale from the inside.

[Demitri_C]

I cannot work it out.  My only conclusion is we will have options.

We probably needs to shift a few players otherwise we could have bomb squad rotting the morale from the inside.

Trez would have been sold if i qas manager had he not been injured. Also AEG. Other than that we dont need to sell anyone else

[Dr Butler]

                     Martinez

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
         McGinn    Nakamba     
             
Bailey        Buendia        Watkins

                  Ings

this would be my starting 11

UTV
The Doc

[Bryan]

                     Martinez

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
         McGinn    Nakamba     
             
Bailey        Buendia        Watkins

                  Ings

this would be my starting 11

UTV
The Doc

About right I think - I think Luiz could replace Nakamba (or a new signing could).

For games we need to be a bit more pragmatic I think we could shuffle to

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
                  Nakamba   

       McGinn          Sanson 
             
Buendia                             Watkins

                  Ings

[villa_cads]

I suspect given Dean called Bailey a striker, that it's a flexible front three with Ings central, Bailey right and Ollie left, Emi 2 No. 10 then two of McGinn or Sanson and Marv or Doug at the base of the midfield triangle.

Certainly a change in shape, but to be fair there are so many options, which should allow us to adpt more.

[Dante Lavelli]

Personally not convinced Watkins is good enough as a winger or deserves to be moved from the main striker role.  His pressing last year was key for us and that would be lost if he also has to protect his full-back.

[sickbeggar]

                     Martinez

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
         McGinn    Nakamba     
             
Bailey        Buendia        Watkins

                  Ings

this would be my starting 11

UTV
The Doc

that's not far off how I see it though I have a nagging doubt about negating possibly our best striker by playing Ings up top. Leftfield but how about a diamond formation

 

Cash      Konsa     Mings      Targett
     
               Nakamba     
             
          Buendia     McGinn
                 
                   Bailey

                          Wakins

                   Ings

[john e]

First game that lineup will be nothing like everyone thinks

He’s a cautious man is Smith he doesn’t throw everyone in straight away you’ll get Watkins El ghazi Traore
Maybe one of the forward newcomers will start rest will be on the bench

[algy]

I think we'll have a far more flexible formation, drifting between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1, and 4-4-2 during the game. With that, I think we'll see more squad rotation in the midfield and attacking positions - not so much to combat fatigue, but so we can dramatically alter our style between (within?) games. We've got a far stronger squad now, with less drop off between the options on each position.

Can see a regular back 5 of Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings & Targett. Then a central midfield that at various times sees Nakamba, Sanson, McGinn, Luiz, and maybe another playing their part.
We've plenty of options on both wings; Traore, Buendia, El Ghazi, Bailey. Either Buendia or Cantwell (if he joins) in the 10 role when we're playing one. Then either Watkins or Ings up front, or both playing if we're going 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

[paul_e]

First game that lineup will be nothing like everyone thinks

He’s a cautious man is Smith he doesn’t throw everyone in straight away you’ll get Watkins El ghazi Traore
Maybe one of the forward newcomers will start rest will be on the bench

I get what you're saying but it definitely won't be that 3. Buendia and Watkins will both 100% start against Watford and there's no chance that Traore will. We'll know on Ings tomorrow but I don't think Bailey will start for a few weeks. It's more about Fitness and training time than anything else though.