2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[Ads]

It was 442, flexible as anything, throughout.

[paul_e]

We definitely ended it with 5 at the back, because Traoré was frequently in the right back/wing-back position (and was highly unconvincing there, which unbalanced the whole defence).

The (very good) French lady co-commentator on Canal+ remarked on it several times. I thought she had a point.

But for most of the game we were indeed 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) when not in possession. When we got it we were very fluid though.

Emery's a genius.

Bert was deep because in the last 10 we didn't have much of the ball so he was doing his job and helping his fullback, it doesn't mean he was sent on to play as a fullback and I'm glad he did that rather than hanging around 10-15yards further forward and providing nothing.

[brontebilly]

I thought we ended as 442 with cash at lb and konsa at rb.

Really don't want to see Cash at LB again if we can help it. He looked lost over there. Surprised he just didn't move Torres over.

[Bad English]

442, 4231, 999, whatever. It was 1-3 FTF!

[Matt C]

Emery doesn’t get bogged down with archaic concepts like formations. 

[London Villan]

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1729259/Live/England-2023-2024-Premier-League-Burnley-Aston-Villa

Im not the only one who saw it as 3421 😀

[SamTheMouse]

We definitely ended it with 5 at the back, because Traoré was frequently in the right back/wing-back position (and was highly unconvincing there, which unbalanced the whole defence).

The (very good) French lady co-commentator on Canal+ remarked on it several times. I thought she had a point.

But for most of the game we were indeed 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1) when not in possession. When we got it we were very fluid though.

Emery's a genius.

Bert was deep because in the last 10 we didn't have much of the ball so he was doing his job and helping his fullback, it doesn't mean he was sent on to play as a fullback and I'm glad he did that rather than hanging around 10-15yards further forward and providing nothing.

If you watch it back, in the last 10 minutes or so Konsa was tucked much more narrow, closer to Carlos, and Bert was frequently level with him. The shape out of possession looked like your traditional wing-back setup. I don't know whether that was by design or just because the players were naturally falling back at that stage, which fits with your interpretation.

Anyway, we were bloody brilliant (although we lost Emery-control in those last 10 minutes and I doubt he was happy about it!).

[Richard E]

Has anyone seen the transfer thread anywhere?

[Bad English]

The (very good) French lady co-commentator on Canal+ remarked on it several times

Canal+ 360?

[SoccerHQ]

Today's match day squad was missing 8 players.

Martinez, Mings, Moreno, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, Buendia, Coutinho and Ramsey.

That's 7 players who would have been in the squad plus a very promising young player.

2 out for the season(Mings, Buendia) 3 due back soon (Martinez, Moreno, Ramsey) , 2 to be sold (Coutinho, Dendoncker) and one young player would who would have been in if fit.

That's quite some strength, though with 4 likely to not be available it shows the need for signings.

Wouldn't be selling Donk if I'm honest.

I know Chambers is currently filling his role but he will probably be needed in the backline for parts of this season.

He might not be technical enough for Emery's liking and people mock his running style but ultimately he started some of our best performances last season (Brentford, Man. United and Newcastle at home).

He has good european experienced and can fill in backline aswell.

Also not sure who's going to be offering him close to what we play so don't really see the point of just sending him out on a season long loan.

[SoccerHQ]

Didn't Bert play wing back at times for either Ajax or Lyon?

He's another useful to keep around until January as no doubt with his maverick genius he'll come up with a Leicester style wonder goal to win us a game at some point in next four months.

[OCD]

It was 442 out of possession and 343 with possession.

[SamTheMouse]

The (very good) French lady co-commentator on Canal+ remarked on it several times

Canal+ 360?

I think so. Either that or Canal+ Foot. Can't remember which I was watching.

[tomd2103]

It was 442 out of possession and 343 with possession.

It was the formation we have seem with four at the back, a wide right midfielder (Cash this time), a tightish midfield three and then a number ten behind a striker. 

Could maybe see it a being a trial run fir the game next weekend, with Cash trying to negate Andy Robertson.

[ozzjim]

If you discount the Mings and Buendia situation due a second, most clubs have 5-6 players of their 25 out injured at any one time, I would still argue that squad isn't quite as strong as its being made out. Much of the defensive flexibility is dependent on 3 very high level central defenders being able to function across an ever changing formation. One gets injured, we would be struggling. Konsa or Cash especially lands us in sticky plaster time. We are still a forward player light too.