Joël Matip

[Mark79]

Think that will depend on how they both get on. Know what you mean regarding playing styles but I think that Jurgen really likes to induct his players into the way he wants us to play. So i would expect to see one of Fabinho or Henderson play in defense for most of the rest of the season. Obviously more injuries could mean that goes out the window.

Under normal circumstances maybe, but we don’t really have that luxury now. Plus Matip and Klavan were both staring games within a couple of weeks of joining.

[Exiled_red]

I think we’ve signed Kabak and Davies as a pairing and will look to get them together asap.

One is a left sided footballing, passing defender. The other is right sided and more of an outright defender and monster in the air.

We’ll have to make do as we were for the next couple of games, but I think soon after the City game we’ll start seeing these 2 together with Fab and Hendo back to midfield. Maybe Fab still plays CB in the really big games though.

I don't see them playing as a pair until the first of them (probably Kabak) has settled in to the side and style of play. That IMO requires Fab or Henderson to play alongside them for at least a few games. I think we would happily play Fab at CB alongside one of them (again probably Kabak) for the rest of the season if possible.

[Mark79]

I don't see them playing as a pair until the first of them (probably Kabak) has settled in to the side and style of play. That IMO requires Fab or Henderson to play alongside them for at least a few games. I think we would happily play Fab at CB alongside one of them (again probably Kabak) for the rest of the season if possible.

Maybe. But this season we’ve already been playing midfielders alongside fairly limited reserve CBs who would normally be nowhere near the team and actually done all right. I think we’ll see plenty of these 2 together, at least against non top 6 teams.

[Mark79]

[ame]https://twitter.com/_ChrisBascombe/status/1356590628759552000[/ame]

[memzey]

What was Schalke's playing style like (other than ****e)? Do they play a similar pattern to us with the high press/possession football?

[Exiled_red]

Maybe. But this season we’ve already been playing midfielders alongside fairly limited reserve CBs who would normally be nowhere near the team and actually done all right. I think we’ll see plenty of these 2 together, at least against non top 6 teams.

...but they have been around the club all season and are familiar with the way that we play at least from training, for the new lads it will be completely different.

[Fredo]

Why spunk the cash now when we can check him out for 1/2 the season for a million quid?

Well that's my point.

It's clear it's down to him to impress, so pressure is on him to do this in the 4/5 months from now on.

[Mark79]

...but they have been around the club all season and are familiar with the way that we play at least from training, for the new lads it will be completely different.

That’s why the new ones won’t go straight into the team. But I don’t think we’ve signed 2 CBs to carry on as we are.

[Doc_Piptorious]

What was Schalke's playing style like (other than ****e)? Do they play a similar pattern to us with the high press/possession football?

Schalke have been a total mess this season, lots of injuries and no stability at all in terms of management. They are on their fourth manager of the current season in Gross and their style of play has changed a bit with each one.


Last season Wagner tried to set them on in a manner that would try to use the full backs to provide width and the CBs to build from the back. Their pressing style was a bit closer to how we pressed a couple seasons back than how we play now.

Here is an article about Wagner's tactics for last season.

It has been an up and down season for Schalke 04 FC, one of Germany’s most popular football clubs, and its manager David Wagner. Here are the tactics and formations that Wagner has employed in his maiden Schalke campaign, the 2019/20 edition

David Wagner always seemed destined to return to German football, following his 2015 decision of taking on a new challenge in England. Borussia Dortmund II served as Wagner’s apprenticeship. But, managing Huddersfield Town transformed the young manager into a hot football commodity.

Highlights of his four-year stint in Britain included: an unexpected promotion to the Premier League, a confident transfer and player development strategy, and, against all hopes, the team’s victorious endeavor of avoiding relegation.

In 2019 he signed for Schalke 04 FC, one of Germany’s largest football institutions. The club found itself at a crossroads and David Wagner’s policies seemed to represent the compass needed to guide the club forward. Wagner’s style emphasizes physicality, high pressing, and quick transitions. His dynamic displays on the touchlines, as well as his man-management skills, have drawn comparison to fellow-countrymen Jurgen Klopp.

Wagner is a student of modern football. His teams are, usually, defined by an intense pressing approach that they try to employ high up the pitch. This helps move the ball towards the wider areas, where possession can be more easily regained. In attack, players are encouraged to transition quickly, leaving the opposition little time in adapting their formation.

Schalke 04’s tactics and formations







David Wagner has opted to transfer many of the tactical choices that have been successful for Huddersfield Town into his first campaign as a Bundesliga manager.

Schalke 04 FC usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This line-up can become very compact in defense, transitioning to a 4-5-1 where players leave little distance between themselves and try to make use of the offside trap. In attack, a lone striker will make use of their physicality and will be assisted by an attacking midfielder and two wingers.

However, David Wagner has been known to adapt his tactics, especially in order to take advantage of long ball forwards. In these circumstances, the 4-3-1-2, or 4-4-2 formations will have forwards Michael Gregoritsch, Benito Raman, or Guido Burgstaller, work together in support/attacking roles. The aim is to transform the vertical passes into goal scoring opportunities.


Schalke’s defense





The forwards will also serve as the first line of Schalke FC’s defense. Their intense pressing is designed to leave central defenders with few options of where to pass the ball.

Furthermore, highly active players like Weston McKennie, or Daniel Caligiuri will further advance in an attempt to force the ball into wider areas. This helps not only in terms of chance creation but also limits the pace with which opposition can direct attacks against the Gelsenkirchen side.



Schalke 04 in attack




As first impressions may have suggested, David Wagner is a manager that embraces many of the characteristics preferred by modern football’s most esteemed tacticians.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the way that Schalke 04 creates attacking chances. As previously mentioned, the team will favor a direct passing style when needed, looking to feed off the strength of their attackers who they look to pivot for the attacking midfielders or stab the ball towards the net.

However, Schalke 04 FC will often begin build-up play at the back, constructing their attacks on the wings. Wing-backs will advance beyond the half-line, while wingers can take up inside-forward roles. They will then try to cross the ball from wide areas, or open up play towards one of the attackers.

https://www.footballcoin.io/blog/sch...s-2020-taktik/

[danperkins]

We all know what is coming but when he is fit, what a CB. Such a shame his body lets him down.

[Irishnev]

We all know what is coming but when he is fit, what a CB. Such a shame his body lets him down.

I think when fully fit he is one of the best CBs in the league - I’d say better than Dias who got such plaudits past year

[baitman]

I think when fully fit he is one of the best CBs in the league - I’d say better than Dias who got such plaudits past year

Joel Bubblewrap.

[Buzzo]

This guy is ****ing amazing.

[McDermotX]

Had one or two moment where he could have done better IMO, but we know he doesn't go to ground. Should have scored before the handball as well.
Both himself and VVD were outstanding. For all the sucking off that Neville and Co were doing with Lukaku last week, he won't be playing against Holding, Cedric and Mari every week.

[BobTheCharmer]

Matip is brilliant just a shame he'll be injured again soon.