Striker/Winger Situation

[bradrangers]

3 at the back is not the present or the future.

Name me a side that has succeeded domestically in the English league playing 3 at the back? There may be some sides who have used it to good effect on the continent but our league has always suited 4 at the back in the modern era of football. Now I know that you'll argue that I'm speaking about the past, but I'd put my mortgage on the fact that all of the top 4 in the Prem next season will adopt a formation with 4 at the back!

I disagree. Conte wont play with 4 at the back at Chelsea.

[nasser95]

3 at the back is not the present or the future.

Name me a side that has succeeded domestically in the English league playing 3 at the back? There may be some sides who have used it to good effect on the continent but our league has always suited 4 at the back in the modern era of football. Now I know that you'll argue that I'm speaking about the past, but I'd put my mortgage on the fact that all of the top 4 in the Prem next season will adopt a formation with 4 at the back!

West Ham this season played it phenomenally well, but my point is not that it's the present but that it's the future. You're seeing more of two things these days. 1) Pacy centre backs; 2) Ball Playing Centre Backs. The combination of these guys will bring about more teams playing 3 at the back in the long run. In fact, Leicester two seasons ago ended the season phenomenally and started the unbelievable show of last season by playing 3 at the back. When you have Full Backs becoming wing backs like they are in modern football, the next step is going to be a 3 at the back. It may not be next season, but it will happen.

Just a point though, with the money and draw the top 4 have, they can afford to buy the very best defensive players who will obviously be capable of playing as a defensive pairing. However more players will come in from the continent who work best in a trio and go to mid table, top half and bottom half sides.

[Tarbie]

I disagree. Conte wont play with 4 at the back at Chelsea.

Don't know enough about Conte as a manager to know what he prefers. Is 3 at the back his thing then?

My point was it has never suited our league. English centre halves have never got their head around 3 at the back and teams that have employed it as a formation have been exposed when sides have play against them with pacey wingers.

I guess time will tell though!

[Ramsey is god]

the transfer window has technically been open for 13 days......Give them a chance.

[Shepherds Mush]

West Ham this season played it phenomenally well.

Is that the West Ham that set up with 4 at the back for pretty much all of the season?

[Ramsey is god]

Is that the West Ham that set up with 4 at the back for pretty much all of the season?

what i was thinking. Cresswell and Antonio/Jenkinson pretty much all season wasn't it.

[Tarbie]

Is that the West Ham that set up with 4 at the back for pretty much all of the season?

The very same mate!

As I said, our league suits 4 at the back.

If Conte reckons he can win it with 3 at the back then good luck to him........but he won't!

[Shepherds Mush]

The very same mate!

As I said, our league suits 4 at the back.

If Conte reckons he can win it with 3 at the back then good luck to him........but he won't!

Conte will do a Redknapp. Play 3 at the back, get spanked then revert to the system the Chelsea players are used to.

[Fordy]

Ngbakoto, Leckie and Wells would do me. We must have abit of dough in the bank. We've signed Lynch, Bidwell, Borysuik, Cousins with just the Phillips money

[nasser95]

what i was thinking. Cresswell and Antonio/Jenkinson pretty much all season wasn't it.

Well not really. So they generally played with a rotational 3 at the back when defending and reverted to a 4 at the back when on the front foot. Jenko only played 12 games for them at right back this season. What was more often the case was that they'd play Tomkins at "Right Back" when they were attacking and he'd shift into the middle when defending and Antonio would move from Right Wing to Right Wing Back so you'd end up with a 3atb. Their general play style was more in the form of a fluid 3atb.

They did play some games where they were very clearly starting with a full 3atb system when defending and attacking and those games in particular were really good, the 3-3 draw against arsenal with the Andy Carroll Hat trick and the 3-2 win at Everton. They definitely have the right players for the system and I think that a lot of the time people go out talking about a system working when it is the players playing in the system who make it work. Your 442's don't win you leagues unless you have a Kante, they haven't done in a long long time.

[Kevin Mcleod]

Ngbakoto, Leckie and Wells would do me. We must have abit of dough in the bank. We've signed Lynch, Bidwell, Borysuik, Cousins with just the Phillips money

Did Ted ever actually start that 'Bring Nahki Wells to the Bush' petition?
I want to sign.

[Timmy the Doc]

Anyone know where I can buy ''I've seen Conor Washington touch the ball'' T-shirts? Apparently sold out.

[nasser95]

Anyone know where I can buy ''I've seen Conor Washington touch the ball'' T-shirts? Apparently sold out.

Must've only made 12 shirts.

[maidstone_hoop]

Firstly really pleased with the business we are conducting.

We are 3 players short imo of having a very good chance of being genuine contenders for the top 6. 2 first choice wingers and class striker and we are business.

Couple of rumours I heard is that wells is a main sticker target and Frazier Campbell is being looked at as a possible full back option.

[nasser95]

Firstly really pleased with the business we are conducting.

We are 3 players short imo of having a very good chance of being genuine contenders for the top 6. 2 first choice wingers and class striker and we are business.

Couple of rumours I heard is that wells is a main sticker target and Frazier Campbell is being looked at as a possible full back option.

Do they do Championship Panini collection books mate?

I'm just gonna assume you mean back up