Do we go with a back four against Sunderland?

[ollieclarets8]

I think Koleosho is the one who would be perfect for that role in time. He's not productive enough to be a winger at this level and not good enough defensively to be a full back but I think wing back would suit him down to the ground.

For me, he has never looked like he enjoys the defensive work he's asked to do, so can't see him as a wing back at all. If anything, I'd see him more suited to playing central running at defenders (not literally running into them though).

[KlyBfc]

Whatever Parker decides, Ekdal unfortunately has to come out, his pace is one issue but the way he got rolled and spun and lost the intelligent movement of attackers in the box was way below what is required. We also need to get Hannibal much more involved as we did during the run in last season. Hes good on the ball and in tight spaces which is required in the prem.
If we are sticking with this formation. I would be very tempted to play Worrall in the middle of the 3 (hes not quick but he is physically strong and has prem experience) and Anthony at right wing back for this home game.

[brexit]

Hope so. Seems really odd that we've got two defenders who've played more league minutes this season than last season. May be controversial but I feel like if you make 13 signings you should improve your team rather than changing formation to fit in last season's reserves.

i have to agree with this at the moment I don't see where some of our new signings would fit in this team.
Assuming Broja, Tuanzebe, Humphreys,Flemming and roberts (not a new signing) are fit for Saturday where do they fit into the team?
Watching the match, it seemed that the team we finished with was stronger than the team awe started with.
I think we need to play with four at the back and give cullen the role of screening in front of them

[Goliath]

For me, he has never looked like he enjoys the defensive work he's asked to do, so can't see him as a wing back at all. If anything, I'd see him more suited to playing central running at defenders (not literally running into them though).

I think his work rate is one of his finest assets. It's a nightmare for opposition players on his side having him tearing back.

The positional side is his weakness and would need to be worked on but again if Adama Traore can be converted into a wing back then Koleosho definitely can.

He would get a lot more space tondrive into than he would as a winger as well

[Pickles]

Back four or back five, I worry if either has Sonne and/or Ekdal in it.

[ksrclaret]

A few mentions of Tuanzebe possibly being seen as the central centre back instead of Ekdal who is definitely not the answer at this level.

If Tuanzebe is injured already, I’d hope that it’s focussed some minds that we absolutely need to recruit in that position.

[claretspice]

I think Koleosho is the one who would be perfect for that role in time. He's not productive enough to be a winger at this level and not good enough defensively to be a full back but I think wing back would suit him down to the ground.

I think Luton did similar with Ogbene a few years ago and obviously there was Conte with Victor Moses along with Adama Traore at Wolves who have all followed a similar path.

Ogbenne and Victor Moses are very much the mould of player I think we need. Whether Koleosho currently has the defensive nous for it, I'm not sure. I don't doubt his willingness and commitment but pressing and chasing back enthusiastically are one thing; defensive positioning amd discipline to track runners at source and block up passing lanes/space are a different thing entirely, and Koleosho is very young. I think it's a role we need to fill.

Wing back, centre half and another ball playing alternative to Cullen in midfield (depending on how much confidence there is in Ramsey, and preferably with some experience because we have limited Premier League know how in midfield) would be my priorities.

[Pickles]

Koleosho is possibly the one player in the entire squad, Benson aside, who I'd hesitate to give any more defensive responsibility to.

[Goliath]

Ogbenne and Victor Moses are very much the mould of player I think we need. Whether Koleosho currently has the defensive nous for it, I'm not sure. I don't doubt his willingness and commitment but pressing and chasing back enthusiastically are one thing; defensive positioning amd discipline to track runners at source and block up passing lanes/space are a different thing entirely, and Koleosho is very young. I think it's a role we need to fill.

Wing back, centre half and another ball playing alternative tp Cullen in midfield would be my priorities.

Some games would be easier for him defensively than others..plus he has Walker there so a lot of the time it would flex to more of a 4 at the back.

It opens up the pitch for us completely, everything had to go down the left yesterday.
I'd also get Danny Ings in and put him in the role Hannibal played yesterday. His touch and ability on the ball would be able to open teams up from there, Hannibal doesn't have that ability at present.

[Goliath]

Koleosho is possibly the one player in the entire squad, Benson aside, who I'd hesitate to give any more defensive responsibility to.

Aye would love to see Edwards back there with Tresor

[Pickles]

Aye would love to see Edwards back there with Tresor

Yeah they'd be rubbish in that position as well.

[Goliath]

Ogbenne and Victor Moses are very much the mould of player I think we need. Whether Koleosho currently has the defensive nous for it, I'm not sure. I don't doubt his willingness and commitment but pressing and chasing back enthusiastically are one thing; defensive positioning amd discipline to track runners at source and block up passing lanes/space are a different thing entirely, and Koleosho is very young. I think it's a role we need to fill.

Wing back, centre half and another ball playing alternative to Cullen in midfield (depending on how much confidence there is in Ramsey, and preferably with some experience because we have limited Premier League know how in midfield) would be my priorities.

Thinking about it. We could probably.get Ogbene for a decent fee. We could do a lot worse

[leelad]

Yes we should. We are the home team on Saturday and we need to set our stall out to win the game.

[boatshed bill]

How many minutes did Tuanzabe play in friendlies, and do we know his injury

Didn't Tuanzebe sign in the hope of proving his fitness in order to revive his PL career?
I doubt we'll be seeing him in the 1st 11 any time soon.

[RVclaret]

Didn't Tuanzebe sign in the hope of proving his fitness in order to revive his PL career?
I doubt we'll be seeing him in the 1st 11 any time soon.

He played 28 times in the PL last season…

[boatshed bill]

He played 28 times in the PL last season…

Yes, but I'm fairly sure this was quoted when he signed.