1.) 19 Sep 2019
19 Sep 2019 13:03:38
Good post Shappy, I agree about Dalot the right side is a huge problem. Mata and Lingard have both been given ample opportunity to play from the right with limited success. Pereira doesn't look suited to that position either and James looks far more comfortable and effective from the left. Pereira, Mata and Lingard all want to play inside which merely congests the middle of the park, inhibiting the space for our No10 and Pogba meaning we lack width and become unbalanced in the attacking third.

So far neither Pereira, Mata, Lingard or James have been effective from the right or from the No10 position in regards to Pereira, Mata or Lingard. Ole has resisted the temptation to play Greenwood or Gomes either from the right or at No10 and our attacking play has generally been lopsided and relatively easy to contain.

If Ole doesn't want to put too much pressure on our youngsters so early into the campaign maybe a change in formation maybe prudent.

I'm of the opinion we need to keep our best performers on the pitch so having either Rashford or James sat on the bench and competing for the left wing position seems counter productive to me especially with no viable or inform options either on the right or at No10.

Maybe a change to a 4-4-2 might be beneficial. The back 4 now picks itself as does the CM. James could play LW with Dalot on the right. Martial could drop slightly deeper into the second striker role as I feel he's better with his back to goal or on the half turn with Rashford up front. I think Martial could be very dangerous at picking the ball up in the half spaces or between the lines and dribbling at the opposition. With James and Dalot providing options out wide and Rashford in front we might just have more options and balance to the team. I also think James and Dalot would afford excellent protection in front of the full backs improving us defensively as well.

Something to consider I suppose and it safeguards Rashford and James from the graveyard position on the right whilst keeping them both in the team.

2.) 19 Sep 2019
19 Sep 2019 14:21:10
442 could be an option, although I would have Martial as the furthest forward as he is better than Rashford with his back to goal while Rashford is better when he has space in front of him to run into.

Although we have on a few occasions played both Martial and Rashford as a front two and they've never quite clicked. Both prefer to play slightly to the left so they can come on to their stronger right foot. Which often has them playing in the same areas.

I'm always a fan of having at least one quality attacking option on the bench. So you have someone with quality to bring on to change a game, a top player with a point to prove coming on at around 60 minutes or so can completely change a game.

If we have James, Rashford and Martial all on the pitch and we are losing or struggling then we only have Lingard or Mata to come on and change it, or a young kid such as Greenwood, Gomes or Chong.

I'm hopeful of seeing Gomes play tonight, he is exactly the kind of player we are missing. A little magician who can unlock a deep defence. I think he could be the youngster who has the biggest impact this season.

3.) 19 Sep 2019
19 Sep 2019 17:54:29
James left
Rashford cf
Dalot right would work nicely i think.
James is the best left winger we have imo
Rash the best cf imo
Might as well try dalot on the right the rest have proven pretty ineffective.

4.) 20 Sep 2019
20 Sep 2019 07:33:20
442 would expose our central midfield badly.

I'd be tempted to use Greenwood on the right.
He has the natural instincts of a goal scorer.