The Mail Bag
Defensive solution?
Comments (30)
A few have suggested it on here before. Having thought about it in some length... and watching Liverpool's performance at Chelsea on Sunday, a back three really appeals to me. I believe it would increase Everton's stregth in the middle of the park without sacrificing the current level of width we already have. Of course it should stabalise a defense that doesn't look like keeping a clean sheet (When was the last one? Wigan in December, albeit a nil-nil draw... and, before that, Stoke in October).
My team with a back 3 would be as follows:
GK Howard
CD Jagielka
CD Heitinga
CD Distin
RWB Coleman
LWB Baines
CM Neville
CM Fellaini
ACM Cahill
ACM Arteta
CF Saha
Baines and Coleman are full of running and are basically our only sources of width anyway, hence why our width isn't sacrificed in this formation. You would have Jagielka and Distin dropping right and left respectively when under the cosh, with Heitinga playing in the middle of the 3 and the one who has licence to get slightly forward when need be.
I would have Neville and Fellaini in front of the back three with Fellaini roaming forward when we are attacking, with Arteta and Cahill supporting the frontman Saha.
I hate to say this but Liverpool's performance last week was spot on tactically and they didn't look like conceding a goal all week. But I honestly feel we are better equipped to play this formation. Maybe this would get some better use out of this season's main under-performer (Arteta obviously).
Would it work??? I think so!
John Crook, Posted 10/02/2011 at 13:43:25
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Often thought this system would suit us well with the wings back we have and glut of central midfielders; however, it might take an entire season to get used to the formation and smacks of Championship Manager!
Shit, it works on Fifa 11. Gotta be on easy mode though. Against me nan... and she's been dead ten years. I'll stop now.
This is the reason that "Inverting the Pyramid" should be on the national curriculum.
Back to the Blues and I think they are basically playing 3 at the back anyway as most teams do with the fullbacks playing more advanced. It really depends on the opposition and wether they have a speedy wingman themselves, such as Bale at Spurs, in which case you have to keep your full back more at home. Distin is strong but is no cover for Baines if Baines gets caught upfield, like in the Chelsea game last week.
Interesting concept, but any formation that sees Neville in midfield is a No for me.
Amen to that. I never want to witness Phil Neville patrolling the middle of the pitch again if I can help it. I'd rather watch Vanessa Feltz taking a shower... then rinse my eyeballs with bleach.
The main problem with it IMO is that it is very vulnerable to overlaping fullbacks and cross-field passes. It's also generally too defensive against single striker formations such as the 4-5-1 that we tend to play.
But, as others have said, if you're playing three at the back it's pointless to then also play two holding midfielders, unless you're really expecting to get swamped and are playing for a draw/cheap win (a la Liverpool v Chelsea). Swap Neville for a striker and I think it's an interesting option.
Our own tactical genius chose instead to batter a way through the middle. I think the final score was Benitez 2 Moyes 0.
Cahill
Arteta / Bily Moyes
Baines Felliani Coleman
Disitin Heitinga Jags
Howard
Coleman wouldn't be able to last the 90 and I would question if Leighton could. They would need to be subbed around the 70 min mark.... but with whom?
3-5-2 leaving lots of space behind the wing backs for a pacy Anelka to expose. No thanks.
He has his back four and opts for a deep-lying playmaker in front of them as opposed to a stopper... Just in case the people who call him negative hadn't noticed like.
Ask Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga and Howard to cut out the individual cock-ups.
How many (not too bright) players have had their game ruined by tactics? Just get out and play some Togger.
Again IMO our best defensive pairing on the books is Jag/Yobo. Admittedly they had Lescott playing left back who was a much better defender than Baines, but they are the last pairing still at the club who looked genuinely solid.
For whatever reason every other combo has leaked goals at an alarming rate. This has cost us dearly over the past few seasons and is still costing us now. a few seasons back it was a genuine event if Everton conceded 2 in a game.
For me the number 1 priority is finding a reliable striker, but after that I'd be looking at re jigging the defence, perhaps with only Baines/Jag surviving. And if a good offer came in for the Jag I'd take it.
We actually need to play as we have been and keep it tight throughout the team but add the ability to nick a goal.
Without Saha that is looking unlikely but hopefully Beckford or Cahill may just get the job done.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 10/02/2011 at 18:17:16
Report abuse
If we were to play it I think that you would have to go with a 5-3-2 the back 5 you suggested and obviously SC and LB bombing on but then then 3 really hard working MF players - Fellaini, Rodwell and Neville (maybe) and then 2 up front - cahill and saha.
The obvious problems are - where to fit in arteta and Saha's fitness!
Maybe you could drp cahill back into the MF and then have Arteta in a free role at the expense of Neville.
Not sure that either your or my suggestion utilises are best players to full effect though!