Bodacious Benny wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:27 am
Happy first post!
I think the trouble is with 4-3-3 is that neither Lewis, Ritchie or Murphy are good enough defensively as out and out left backs playing in a four. Murphy seems to do really well as a RWB when we play 3 centre backs, and same with Ritchie as a LWB. So if we did ever play 4 at the back regularly I think we'd need to sign a decent LB and a RB.
This.. I mean we do have Manquillo who can play as a RB solidly enough in a back four & Dummet can play LB but that will mean we'll lack attacking thrust down that side as he's good defensively but average/limited offensively as he doesn't have the pace, skill or technical ability to beat his man and bomb forward all the time. Maybe if we got someone in like Jetro it'll work as he can play LWB but also comfortable as a LB in a back four.
If we wanted to be brave, adventurous and expansive I'll try this.. (don't think Bruce will actually ever do this..)
Dubra
Murphy Lascelles Fernandez Jetro*
Willock Hayden
Miggy*
ASM Wilson Fraser
*If we sign him if not try someone like Manquillo there as he's played there before, eventually Lewis should improve & make that position his own or if you want to be a bit more on the safe side & go abit more defensive then stick Dummet in there.
*Miggy can interchange with Willock while Hayden guards & sweeps up everything in the defensive line between defence & midfield. Willock can play the box-to-box role well.. him & Miggy can support Wilson while ASM & Fraser give us width, pace & trickery on the wings.
Against the ''bigger'' sides if we're playing away we could be abit more cautious & revert to a back five or instead of having Fraser on the wing put Miggy in there & put Longstaff in midfield to help Hayden with the defensive midfield burden. Something like this..
Dubra
Manquillo Lascelles Fernandez Jetro*
Longstaff Hayden
Willock
ASM Wilson Miggy/Murphy*
*Maybe put ASM on the left & Murphy on the right.
We have options but we need quality too.. we need a box-to-box midfielder with or without Willock, a striker/winger to support Wilson with the scoring & maybe another full-back. A CB too now that's Lejune's gone.. loan out Watts & Matty Longstaff to a Champs side.