Team today?

[Rileybobs]

I’m not really seeing the argument that Flemming is being played out of position. For me he is playing as what is now referred to as a false 9, dropping deep to link play and allow midfield runners beyond. This really isn’t much different to the no 10 position which I was led to believe was Flemming’s strongest position. The difference perhaps being that a no 10 may play alongside a traditional no 9 which we don’t utilise in Parker’s system.

What I am sure about is that Flemming doesn’t have the physicality to play the advanced midfield role that Brownhill or Laurent do, and he doesn’t appear to have the intricacy or ball carrying ability that Sarmiento does when he plays in the hole.

[claretspice]

Since the change, 2 of the last 3 games Brownhill has had a higher average position than Flemming. This supports my view. The press has been in a 4-4-2 and then on the ball Hannibal has been drifting inside with Anthony looking to break in behind. It’s been fairly clear tbh.

We've certainly pressed in a 442 with Brownhill closest to Flemming out of possession.

But in it, Brownhill has often dropped deeper and much of his success has come when he's burst from deep late in a move. See for example his goal v Watford- in that move he was twice deeper than Laurent and Cullen and arrived late to male an extra man - the last being when he received a square pass from Cullen, exchanged with Hannibal and curled into the corner of the net. That's a midfielder's goal not a quasi striker's, and that's how he's been playing. Generally, the more advanced you ask Brownhill to be earlier on an attacking, the less effective he is.

For me, today he plays alongside Cullen and Sarmiento (or Flemming) plays in the 10 role.

[willsclarets]

I’m not really seeing the argument that Flemming is being played out of position. For me he is playing as what is now referred to as a false 9, dropping deep to link play and allow midfield runners beyond. This really isn’t much different to the no 10 position which I was led to believe was Flemming’s strongest position. The difference perhaps being that a no 10 may play alongside a traditional no 9 which we don’t utilise in Parker’s system.

What I am sure about is that Flemming doesn’t have the physicality to play the advanced midfield role that Brownhill or Laurent do, and he doesn’t appear to have the intricacy or ball carrying ability that Sarmiento does when he plays in the hole.

I think the difference is that in his current position his back is mostly to goal. In a 10 behind a 9, hed have much more ball facing the opposition's goal. He doesn't really fit a Parker system in his best position, and I don't think for a second we're seeing the player he can be.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Since the change, 2 of the last 3 games Brownhill has had a higher average position than Flemming. This supports my view. The press has been in a 4-4-2 and then on the ball Hannibal has been drifting inside with Anthony looking to break in behind. It’s been fairly clear tbh.

I can understand it in the press but not when in possession.

[CoolClaret]

I'd be stunned if Parker went with three at the back and disrupted our shape

That's just a shape in possession, which we have done at times this season - it's the last piece of the puzzle for SP... how to break down low-block teams at home, it wouldn't surprise me if we do line up like this (more of a 3-2-4-1 really) at times today.

[taio]

That's just a shape in possession, which we have done at times this season - it's the last piece of the puzzle for SP... how to break down low-block teams at home, it wouldn't surprise me if we do line up like this (more of a 3-2-4-1 really) at times today.

Can't see the case for playing three defenders but we'll see

[dougcollins]

I would quite like to see that just to see how it would work.

Although in this system that means Flemming would be playing a lot deeper than he is used to. As I would see both Brownhill and Flemming playing as 8s.

You forgot to add 'than he is used to at Burnley'.

He played a much deeper position, for a much longer period, at Millwall.

We haven't tried him properly in that role, and if Foster starts
it's an opportunity to do so.

[Hedontplayforyou]

I think Sarmiento starts today, I’ll go for this as my predicted 11.

Trafford
Roberts
CJ
Esteve
Pires
Cullen
Laurent
Brownhill
Sarmiento
Anthony
Rodriguez

[Newcastleclaret93]

You forgot to add 'than he is used to at Burnley'.

He played a much deeper position, for a much longer period, at Millwall.

We haven't tried him properly in that role, and if Foster starts
it's an opportunity to do so.

Except he hasn’t played deeper

[sjb]

I think Sarmiento starts today, I’ll go for this as my predicted 11.

Trafford
Roberts
CJ
Esteve
Pires
Cullen
Laurent
Brownhill
Sarmiento
Anthony
Rodriguez

I really hope you're wrong about Pires & Rodriguez.

[sjb]

I really hope you're wrong about Pires & Rodriguez.

You weren't...

[dougcollins]

Except he hasn’t played deeper

My mate is a Millwall ST holder and he would argue with you all day, but I can't be bothered, I have a game to go to.

[Hedontplayforyou]

You weren't...

Thought Laurent might have played but got the feeing that a few would be rotated today.

[CoolClaret]

Can't see the case for playing three defenders but we'll see

We've definitely been sat in possession with just three at the back - the reason I picked the team with just three defenders was to maximise the attacking options on the pitch against a side that I expected to sit in.

[warksclaret]

Agreed-great committment but poor execution and decision making. Hate to say this but we may have seen his best days at our club.I dont see a progression in his play. In contrast Anthony is proving our most dangerous attacker

Further evidence today about his end product