2025/26 Season

[Irishnev]

Someone (can’t remember who, sorry) mentioned on another thread that our long term plan post Salah might be a version of a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle.

I thought that was an interesting idea, which helps me see a more natural fit for Frimpong and Wirtz long term, and would also help explain why we bought both Ekitike and Isak, and kept Chiesa

All pure speculation of course, as that would possibly go against offering Gakpo a new contract, but it might be interesting to see if this formation comes out this season, especially when Salah is at AFCON

And I said we’ve seen nothing from Slot to suggest a formation change even though I think we’ve got the players for if

Anyway, the real oracle has spoken

[ame="https://twitter.com/indykaila/status/1972656827385995566"]https://twitter.com/indykaila/status/1972656827385995566[/ame]

[Norbs]

Surely that's a triangle

[rudedog]

A diamond with three players?

[Corndog]

Unfortunately I think the reality of changing so much of the squad at once has set the team back a bit.

[kingfunk]

Unfortunately I think the reality of changing so much of the squad at once has set the team back a bit.

We’d be top of the league now if we hadn’t made so many changes…

[Sus]

And I said we’ve seen nothing from Slot to suggest a formation change even though I think we’ve got the players for if

Anyway, the real oracle has spoken

https://twitter.com/indykaila/status...56827385995566

How to stay relevant when the transfer window is closed

[vlahka]

Diamond could be Wirtz just behind, salah on left, and isak/ekitike alternating between front/left

[memzey]

Someone (can’t remember who, sorry) mentioned on another thread that our long term plan post Salah might be a version of a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle.

I thought that was an interesting idea, which helps me see a more natural fit for Frimpong and Wirtz long term, and would also help explain why we bought both Ekitike and Isak, and kept Chiesa.

FTT and I discuss it here:
Clicky

I think a narrow diamond with Wirtz at the point, Grav at the base and Macca and Dom narrow left and right has a lot going for it. Not least of which is that it sets us up in a way to make the most of our attacking fullbacks while having our two top-class 9's on the pitch and Wirtz exactly where he needs to be. I would be in favour of trying this out sooner rather than later and think it would suit us more than a box midfield. It does not really work with Salah on the field though, which is definitely something to consider.

[Sus]

FTT and I discuss it here:
Clicky

I think a narrow diamond with Wirtz at the point, Grav at the base and Macca and Dom narrow left and right has a lot going for it. Not least of which is that it sets us up in a way to make the most of our attacking fullbacks while having our two top-class 9's on the pitch and Wirtz exactly where he needs to be. I would be in favour of trying this out sooner rather than later and think it would suit us more than a box midfield. It does not really work with Salah on the field though, which is definitely something to consider.

Thanks for sharing the link, was bothering me I couldn't find it again

I think there's something in it, let's see if / when we try this out

[Yozza]

I was joking with my mates last night that we've been awful ever since we won the league - but actually it's not far from the truth

[Kenneth]

I think we dropped our levels (particularly our attitude) after the second leg to PSG. We still got a few results over the line, in the derby and the spurs game to seal the title, but intensity levels dropped then and haven't recovered.

[Catrin]

I think we dropped our levels (particularly our attitude) after the second leg to PSG. We still got a few results over the line, in the derby and the spurs game to seal the title, but intensity levels dropped then and haven't recovered.

I don't know if the pressing stats back it up but it does look as though our defensive problems at least partly start further forward. Diaz, in fairness to him, did put a shift in both on and off the ball.

[Charly]

I don't know if the pressing stats back it up but it does look as though our defensive problems at least partly start further forward. Diaz, in fairness to him, did put a shift in both on and off the ball.

To be fair, our midfield didnt see much rotation. We were knackered by the end

[Buzzo]

It’s also been a tough start to the season.

We’ve not really had a ‘gimme’ teams like Bournemouth (which we won), and Palace (unbeaten in 19) are tough games. Then we’ve had the Derby, we’ve had Arsenal home and Newcastle away. We now have Chelsea away. Athletico home and Galatasaray away in the CL.

We come back to Utd at home (who knows where they will be by then).

It would be great to get a Wolves at home, or a low ranking CL team type of game where hopefully players could strike up some rythm.

And then I read that back and remember that we are also two points clear at the top of the League…. it could be worse. It’s been worse.

[Sus]

It’s also been a tough start to the season.

We’ve not really had a ‘gimme’ teams like Bournemouth (which we won), and Palace (unbeaten in 19) are tough games. Then we’ve had the Derby, we’ve had Arsenal home and Newcastle away. We now have Chelsea away. Athletico home and Galatasaray away in the CL.

We come back to Utd at home (who knows where they will be by then).

It would be great to get a Wolves at home, or a low ranking CL team type of game where hopefully players could strike up some rythm.

And then I read that back and remember that we are also two points clear at the top of the League…. it could be worse. It’s been worse.

we don't have to go too far back to see how much worse it can be

The next set of games, including Chelsea, up to the Nov international break will likely be pivotal for us. Arsenal have a much easier set of fixtures now and they must fancy their chances of pulling away from the pack, similar to what we did over this period last season

If we come back from the Nov international break at worst 3 points off Arsenal and still in CL contention, we will be in a very good position IMO