Our Unexpected CM Injury Dilemma

[Dustin]

With such a strong holding midfield of Dembele and Dier last season, I never would have guessed that after adding two first-team caliber holding mids to our roster we would be having an injury worry. But with Winks and Wanyama hurt, Dier preferred in a back three and Dembele in regular need of a sub - we're surprisingly thin.

Most likely Wanyama's back injury can be managed and he can make it through the season - but let's say for a moment that he doesn't. Let's also assume that MP will not convert Pau Lopez into a defensive midfielder - though you never know...

I see an interesting decision on our hands: Last year's reliable 4-2-3-1 or this year's also goal producing 3-4-2-1?

Last year's 4-2-3-1:
---------Lloris---------
Walk-Toby-Vert-Davi
-----Dier---Demb-----
-Sis------Alli---Eriks--
-------Son--------------

Holding on to the goal producing 3-4-2-1:
---------Lloris---------
---Walk-Toby-Vert---
Trip-Dier---Demb-Davi
--------Alli---Eriks------
-----------Son------------

Personally, with Kane out and Sissoko doing his best Paulinho impression, I would put trust in Walker and I think we will get more goals by sticking with the 3-4-2-1 to keep the pressure on Chelsea. But I also expect MP to disagree. If Wanyama is still injured Wednesday it will be interesting to see. Thoughts?

 

[Yid]

Outscore to opposition.

Bypass the midfield. Shoot on site.

 

[skiathospurs]

If he rests wanyama on weds I expect to see Dier in midfield and a back 4.If Rose had been fit Davies as LCB in a 3 would have been an option.Cant see CCV or Wimmer starting in a 3 at the back.
May well be wanyama on the bench and if plan B is needed he comes on and dier drops into RCB.

 

[Don Diaz]

With such a strong holding midfield of Dembele and Dier last season, I never would have guessed that after adding two first-team caliber holding mids to our roster we would be having an injury worry. But with Winks and Wanyama hurt, Dier preferred in a back three and Dembele in regular need of a sub - we're surprisingly thin.

Most likely Wanyama's back injury can be managed and he can make it through the season - but let's say for a moment that he doesn't. Let's also assume that MP will not convert Pau Lopez into a defensive midfielder - though you never know...

I see an interesting decision on our hands: Last year's reliable 4-2-3-1 or this year's also goal producing 3-4-2-1?

Last year's 4-2-3-1:
---------Lloris---------
Walk-Toby-Vert-Davi
-----Dier---Demb-----
-Sis------Alli---Eriks--
-------Son--------------

Holding on to the goal producing 3-4-2-1:
---------Lloris---------
---Walk-Toby-Vert---
Trip-Dier---Demb-Davi
--------Alli---Eriks------
-----------Son------------

Personally, with Kane out and Sissoko doing his best Paulinho impression, I would put trust in Walker and I think we will get more goals by sticking with the 3-4-2-1 to keep the pressure on Chelsea. But I also expect MP to disagree. If Wanyama is still injured Wednesday it will be interesting to see. Thoughts?

Interesting stuff....I think Poch might trust Wimmer before Walker in a back 3 and I'd probably be happy to risk that as well, meaning we're defending with a solid 5 and Wimmer did well against Arsenal away.

Based on his half time re-adjust against Burnley I'm confident Poch will have an answer. If we score first and Swansea have to come out he has the back 4 option. Some think Poch has only one plan.....

 

[Style And Glory]

@Basskadet interesting set up.

Holding on to the goal producing 3-4-2-1:
---------Lloris---------
---Walk-Toby-Vert---
Trip-Dier---Demb-Davi
--------Alli---Eriks------
-----------Son------------

I might be more inclined to put Dier in the back 3, Walker in Trips position & Sissoko next to Dembele.
I think Sissoko craves to play in this position, & if it plays to his strengths, he might surprise us with his old pace, power & "passing" (the latter has seemingly deserted him at times). He was a central force at times at Newcastle & intercepted numerous passes & started counter-attacks. So it may be an opportunity to see what he can do vs a relegation threatened side.

Then again, I could be very, very wrong.

 

[corroded]

.... we need to buy more full backs, we really should be fielding four at all times.

Though, I do remember a game where technically we played four full backs, you could argue tenuously... Bale, Benny, Rose and Walker all played in a game at the same time iirc.

 

[Don Diaz]

.... we need to buy more full backs, we really should be fielding four at all times.

Though, I do remember a game where technically we played four full backs, you could argue tenuously... Bale, Benny, Rose and Walker all played in a game at the same time iirc.

This is a guess but maybe Chelsea away under Sherwood. I was there and it was a weird team, that actually almost worked for the first half, then Vertonghen and the rest lost it including the manager after the final whistle. We were a bit of a shambles at that point...full Adebayor and all that. Amazing thing is that it wasn't very long ago.

 

[skiathospurs]

This is a guess but maybe Chelsea away under Sherwood. I was there and it was a weird team, that actually almost worked for the first half, then Vertonghen and the rest lost it including the manager after the final whistle. We were a bit of a shambles at that point...full Adebayor and all that. Amazing thing is that it wasn't very long ago.

I was there for that,walker in midfield,1st half did a job on hazard,but we went full lemming 2nd half

 

[Ted the Yid]

.... we need to buy more full backs, we really should be fielding four at all times.

Though, I do remember a game where technically we played four full backs, you could argue tenuously... Bale, Benny, Rose and Walker all played in a game at the same time iirc.

I was going to say Spurs v Arsenal April 2010 but Walker was an unused sub. Rose debut. Scored a tap in from the 35 yard line.

 

[Yid]

What dilemma... COYS

 

[corroded]

I expect to see Wanyama turning out against Watford if I'm honest.