Diamond formation next season

What you think?

I like it personally. Give Whittingham, KBK, and Mason the right to roam around in different positions while Velikonja plays off the shoulder of the defender. The movement will be deadly!!

Roath Redbird wrote:I like it personally. Give Whittingham, KBK, and Mason the right to roam around in different positions while Velikonja plays off the shoulder of the defender. The movement will be deadly!!

I agree. Whitts, Cowie and Kyung are all good at passing - long ball, crossing etc so if they changed positions they'd be a nightmare to deal with. Be even more of a nightmare if we could put Bellamy where Kyung is and Kyung out where Cowie is.

If those players (Bellamy included) could gel together properly then we will seriously be a forced to be reckoned with, never mind the strength in dept we'll have of Mutch, Conway, Cowie (if Bellamy comes, otherwise he may be first choice) and possibly another winger or striker?

RedIsTheWay wrote:

Roath Redbird wrote:I like it personally. Give Whittingham, KBK, and Mason the right to roam around in different positions while Velikonja plays off the shoulder of the defender. The movement will be deadly!!

I agree. Whitts, Cowie and Kyung are all good at passing - long ball, crossing etc so if they changed positions they'd be a nightmare to deal with. Be even more of a nightmare if we could put Bellamy where Kyung is and Kyung out where Cowie is.

Ooooooh! I think a little bit of sex wee just came out...

A narrow formation tends to rely on aggressive full backs, even with Cowie and Whitts as the shuttlers. Taylor can attack, but McNaughton? No chance.

The Lad wrote:A narrow formation tends to rely on aggressive full backs, even with Cowie and Whitts as the shuttlers. Taylor can attack, but McNaughton? No chance.

Fair point. Malky said he wanted 4/5 signings the other week. So far we have Velikonja and hopefully KBK and Bellamy. Hopefully the other two players he wants is an extra centre back and an attacking right back. Although I'd like to see one more winger/striker for extra strength in dept just in case.

A right back is definitely needed. By the sounds of it he still wants Keogh, who, being a CB/RB, probably is similar to McNaughton at RB. A winger/striker would be good, Lovenkrands would've been ideal.

What's everyone's opinion of Darcy this season?

Should he be given a try at right back instead of Kev? Maybe a decent run in the team is actually what he needs?

The Lad wrote:A right back is definitely needed. By the sounds of it he still wants Keogh, who, being a CB/RB, probably is similar to McNaughton at RB. A winger/striker would be good, Lovenkrands would've been ideal.

I'm hoping Malky is signing Keogh (if he does) as a CB, then he'll sign an attacking full back unless he still has faith in Kev because defensively is probably is one of, if not the best RB in the division.

As for the winger/striker, yes Lovenkrands would of been ideal but I would like to get a young up and coming player who would be happier as a squad player. Matt Phillips would be nice, but I hear Everton may be interested in him. May have to do some scouting

Im not a fan of Lovenkrands at all. Would prefer a winger in the mould of Sinclair if we are to get one. Someone who can punish teams on the break.

Too little height in the attack. I don't see Mason pairing with Etien. I see an Etien and Gestede pairing much more likely due to the increased attacking options. In that format not one player out of the front is tall enough to really bully defenders. There's enough skill there without a doubt, but high crosses are going to get blocked out by the full backs everytime.

RedIsTheWay wrote:

Marshall

McNaughton Hudson Turner Taylor

Gunnarsson

Cowie ............ Whittingham

Bo-Kyung

Mason ............ Velikonja

What you think?

In my opinion ,at least three of the above players will not be in the starting XI.
It's already clear that the quality of players MM is bringing to the club is higher than last season. I therefore believe that Jordon Mutch is certain to take one of the central midfield positions, probably alongside Gunnarson and Whittingham. If Bellamy signs he will take Mason's place, and I still believe that Malky will bring in another striker because he quite clearly doesn't rate Earnshaw and there's a distinct possibility that Miller will leave the club.
Finally a new right back will almost certainly be in place by the first league game, possibly Richard Keogh, but more than likely, as is MM's way, somebody who hasn't been mentioned yet. All looking good!

My offering -

Defending - a flat 4-5-1, with Etien hanging onto the defenders ready for a poach

In attack -

Marshall

McNaughton.......Hudson.........Turner..........Taylor

...............Mutch.....................Gunarsson..........

Kyung.....................Whittingham............ Bellamy

....................................Etien..................................:

Preferably, I would then replace Hudson with Rochard Keogh and sort out new speedier wing backs. I know Whittingham in an attacking midfield role is a bit weird but I feel from there he is in a prime position to dictate play, and is also a potent long shot specialist should the chance arrive.

My closing point - Christ that's hard to do on an iPhone.

All I would say is where is the big man up front that you seemed to want in an earlier post?