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17 Feb 2019 03:28:59
As our thoughts turn to Chelsea it will be interesting to see how Ole adapts without Martial and Lingard.

In my opinion Lingard is the bigger loss. His work rate, pressing ability and movement off the ball is vital especially in the bigger games. Without his energy we become more pedestrian. It's harder for us to press and win the ball back higher up the pitch and we don't transition as quickly.

As we've seen at certain times under Ole and certainly under Jose without energy, pace and movement we become pedestrian and easy to play against.

In my opinion Ole's biggest challenge will be to pick a team without losing those key ingredients. Sanchez and Mata both want the ball to feet. They both want to be the conductors and prefer to play laterally rather than vertically. Both are happy to make runs across the pitch and exchange short passes but neither make penetrating runs. When Lukaku plays upfront he rarely threatens in behind or runs the channels. When all three play together we seriously lack penetration and the ability to press from the front.

Conversely this lack of penetration and movement hinders one of our most potent attacking threats in Pogba. He has become a master under Solskjear at playing balls over the top for willing runners then making late runs into the box where he is hard to pick up. This penetrating movement also stretches defences meaning Pogba can pick the ball up and drive us forward from midfield.

I think Solskjear can address these problems in a couple of ways. Firstly he could use Sanchez as a false 9 and play with split strikers; Rashford to the left and Lukaku on the right. Sanchez despite his diminutive frame is decent at holding the ball up and very adapt at wriggling out of tight situations. With Rashford and Lukaku he would have willing runners ahead of him giving him options on the ball. Pogba will still have forward options in midfield and if he could also make runs ahead of Sanchez as he inevitably drops deep into midfield to get on the ball like he did against City last season he'd be an extra threat. It's obvious from recent games that if you can stop Jorginho dictating play and shackle Hazard Chelsea become a relatively predictable outfit. Sanchez has the ability to press from the front and playing centrally he could drop onto Jorginho preventing him dictating play. My concern with this formation is it leaves our full backs isolated where Hazard could become a real threat.

Alternatively Ole could play 3-5-2. By retaining two strikers it means Pogba has forward options and we are still able to stretch the game. The wing backs are able to provide the width and the extra defender provides better solutions to deal with Hazard.

I think we might have to be flexible and maybe switch between the two depending on how the game progresses.

I don't think we can afford a repeat of what happened against PSG where we seriously lacked pace and penetration in the second half. If we line up in a 4-3-3 formation I think we'll struggle with the players we have available.

Agree2 Disagree2

17 Feb 2019 07:10:53
I’ve said it several times but Sanchez shouldn’t be in the team, he has been completely dire. Rashford has been on fore as CF so we shouldn’t move him. Lukaku can play on the right, I think he has also been dire but he did ok there. That leaves a replacement for Martial and right now I’d go with anyone other than Sanchez. Gomes, Young, Dalot, ABS (anyone but Sanchez! ) .

Your alternative of playing 3 at the back and pushing the full backs right up is a better idea, it which us to keep the midfield and play 2 up front, or 4 in midfield with Pogba pushing right up. Rashford has been the difference laltely, let’s not move him to accommodate someone else.

17 Feb 2019 09:32:28
i had a dream last night we played fosu mensah on the right wing. it was only a team sheet so i didn’t dream about the game. But it got me thinking, wouldn’t this be the right time to play some of the academy lads, chong and greenwood could fight right in.

17 Feb 2019 10:49:28
Hmm, a disagree, does someone think Sanchez hasn’t been dire? Anyone?

17 Feb 2019 12:07:46
AJH - it wasn't me pal! I never hit that button if I don't agree with something I comment and give my reasons why. There is no right or wrong only opinions.

I can't argue about Sanchez he's been poor but I'm convinced if he's played through the middle we'll see a different player. Maybe I'm wrong and he's certainly approaching the last chance saloon.

I'm not convinced Ole will throw in Chong or Gomes especially after the PSG defeat one or both might make the bench though.

17 Feb 2019 12:30:27
AJH don’t be sensitive.
Maybe a scousers troll hit it? 🤣.

17 Feb 2019 13:26:59
I'd just like to welcome to the site Alexis Sanchez.

17 Feb 2019 21:17:23
Sure he has been poor. But when martial was poor it was because he wasnt getting a run of games
When rash was poor it was because he didn't get a run of games
If sanchez playes 5 or 6 games in a row in this Attacking team then he might just show a lot of improvement too.
Id like to see him given a run while the others are out injured. If he doesn't cut it still then he has no excuse. He is a better player than he has shown and he is a better player than chong or greenwood.
Id love him to do well between now and the end of the season.
Its not looking that likely i'd have to admit😂😂 but if he does hit a bit of form it would be great.







 

 

 
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