[Albion] Three or four at the back 25/26?

[Nobby Cybergoat]

What are your thoughts on this?

Some of the signings of centre backs could indicate a three. Lamptey being given another year, new uncertainty over Barco, might point in that direction?

I don't buy it though. And so I thought I would start a thread so I could look particularly stupid if proved wrong.

There are two things which make me think it's unlikely.

First, is that to accommodate the extra defender, you've got to take someone else out of the forward line. With the ferocious competition for places there, I don't see it.

Second, it's just a bit defensive isn't it? Pretty much all the decent attacking teams play with a back 4. PSG, Barca, Madrid, Liverpool, City, Munich. All back 4 teams. Three at the back is good if you want to keep things tight, that's why it's popular with relegation threatened teams. It isn't popular with teams chasing Europe. I know Hurzeler has done this before, but I don't think this is the style he wants here.

Some sort of asymmetrical full back thing is quite plausible to me. But not a back 3

 

[Mellotron]

"New uncertainty over Barco" - sorry, please what is this?

 

[Napper]

after 2 seasons of injury issues , it still surprises me some people still cant understand the reason to have lots of options. We arnt a national south side. This is what you need in the prem

suspect it will be 4 but the option to change systems will also be used during games

 

[Albumen]

When I raised this in the other thread I wasn't being that serious as the formation fills me with dread, but if we are keeping Van Hecke it is an option .... and FH does like an option.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

"New uncertainty over Barco" - sorry, please what is this?

Don't know the details. But there was recent further discussion on the Barco thread

 

[Greg Bobkin]

I reckon it'll be three, four or five at the back

 

[Bob!]

What are your thoughts on this?

Some of the signings of centre backs could indicate a three. Lamptey being given another year, new uncertainty over Barco, might point in that direction?

I don't buy it though. And so I thought I would start a thread so I could look particularly stupid if proved wrong.

There are two things which make me think it's unlikely.

First, is that to accommodate the extra defender, you've got to take someone else out of the forward line. With the ferocious competition for places there, I don't see it.

Second, it's just a bit defensive isn't it? Pretty much all the decent attacking teams play with a back 4. PSG, Barca, Madrid, Liverpool, City, Munich. All back 4 teams. Three at the back is good if you want to keep things tight, that's why it's popular with relegation threatened teams. It isn't popular with teams chasing Europe. I know Hurzeler has done this before, but I don't think this is the style he wants here.

Some sort of asymmetrical full back thing is quite plausible to me. But not a back 3

Isn't the asymmetric thing something we do anyway?
Either a full back or CDM staying back as cover, can't see Fab changing this.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Isn't the asymmetric thing something we do anyway?
Either a full back or CDM staying back as cover, can't see Fab changing this.

Yeh, often it's pushing Pervis on much more than the right back

 

[WhingForPresident]

I thought we generally looked better playing a three-back under Potter and RDZ, and it should suit Hurzeler's approach. Looks like Coppola and Boscagli are joining, potentially the Brazilian chap as well, which would indicate we're looking at a 3 back as an option, or it could just mean Van Hecke is off...

Minteh has effectively been playing at RWB for a fair portion of the season as well (and doing a great job of it) so could be that there's a plan to play him there long-term.
I could see us lining up with a fluid system looking something like:

Bart

Webster
Van Hecke
Boscagli

Minteh
Hinshelwood
Baleba
Mitoma

Georginio

Welbeck
Tzimas

Just as an example. With Ferdi and Perv playing the wing back roles when we're operating more defensively. I think we will have a big squad this season and will see lots of rotation for two reasons: one: high-intensity style of play and two: getting our squad Europe-ready with next season in mind.

Having said all this, we do know Dunk and Webster will have limited availability with their reoccurring injuries and it could be their last season, so its entirely possible we're just thinking long-term here and getting their replacements in now.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I thought we generally looked better playing a three-back under Potter and RDZ, and it should suit Hurzeler's approach. Looks like Coppola and Boscagli are joining, potentially the Brazilian chap as well, which would indicate we're looking at a 3 back as an option, or it could just mean Van Hecke is off...

Minteh has effectively been playing at RWB for a fair portion of the season as well (and doing a great job of it) so could be that there's a plan to play him there long-term.
I could see us lining up with a fluid system looking something like:

Bart

Webster
Van Hecke
Boscagli

Minteh
Hinshelwood
Baleba
Mitoma

Georginio

Welbeck
Tzimas

Just as an example. With Ferdi and Perv playing the wing back roles when we're operating more defensively. I think we will have a big squad this season and will see lots of rotation for two reasons: one: high-intensity style of play and two: getting our squad Europe-ready with next season in mind.

Having said all this, we do know Dunk and Webster will have limited availability with their reoccurring injuries and it could be their last season, so its entirely possible we're just thinking long-term here and getting their replacements in now.

Still don't see it and don't much like the look of your line up

If you have Mitoma, why give him that much defensive responsibility?

 

[brighton_tom]

I imagine we'll stick to the same formation as last season. Dont forget that there were games when we had Baleba at centre back with just Cashin or youth players as bench options. Upping the amount of senior centre backs in the squad is likely us just making sure we dont end up with Baleba at centre back again, rather than a shift in formation.

 

[Lethargic]

Horses for courses innit.

We will play according to the opposition, flexible baby.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Horses for courses innit.

We will play according to the opposition, flexible baby.

So what teams, now rotate around a back 3 and a back 4 depending on the opposition?

I know that was Potter's thing once, but I don't see it happen now

The great majority pick a system and stick to it