16 Sep 2020 14:23:56
I think its easier to improve defence on the training ground that it is attack.

A good coaching team will get the defence organised and working together. New personnel is not the easiest way to improve a back four (or 5) in the short term.

However in attack, a new player CAN slot in quickly and have a big impact - e. g. Bruno (and to a lesser extent, Ighalo) .

Bruno's arrival and Pogba's return has given us more goal threat from long distance, meaning defenders will rush out and break their defensive line to close them down in a way that they wouldn't when we were playing Fred, McTominay, Pereira, Lingard, Matic.

I'd like us to get a Striker who offers a different strategy in attack. I love watching the pacey lads we've got now: Rashy, Tony, Greenwood, DJ; however there have been times where defences sit deep and we run out of ideas. I loved seeing Calvert-Lewin's headed goal vs Spurs at the weekend - it was a beauty. Having a striker in our squad who offered an aerial threat would give us a plan B. If the opposition wants to sit deep we can't stand our new robust forward on the toes of their CB's and give them real issues in a way we haven't had since Fellaini left. I'm not saying I miss him, because he was a very limited player, but when we had to scrap in the last 20mins against an organised defence he gave us an option to change how we played.

1.) 16 Sep 2020
16 Sep 2020 14:53:36
01jamham you make it sound so easy. It doesn't matter what you do in training whether defense or attack ultimately how you perform on the pitch based on how the opposition is setup and how you are setup and your own tactics would make the difference in a match. Good coaching is obviously mandatory.

"However in attack, a new player CAN slot in quickly and have a big impact" - if only it was so easy. The reality is that there are only a few exceptions like Bruno, in face a lot of players coming in from a different league struggle initially and need time to adapt and some don't even make it.

2.) 16 Sep 2020
16 Sep 2020 15:09:17
Vvd slotted in nicely as a cb with a cl and epl medal In his pocket .

3.) 16 Sep 2020
16 Sep 2020 15:35:09
Well scouted players who fit the exact need of the team can slot in perfectly regardless of position.

The key is to have a clear plan of how you want to play, what position needs improvement, exactly what you need from that player then a top quality scouting network that can find you that player.

However, I do kind of agree that it is easier to coach players to be better defenders than it is to coach them to be better attackers.

While a plan B is important, it doesn't have to be a simplistic as throwing on a big man up front and pinging balls in his direction. While that can be effective, it is also a statically poor way to do it as it has a low chance of success.

I prefer adjusting shape, or the use of rotational players. Players who can play well in multiple positions and who can adapt to where the space is to open up a team.

Donny van de Beek for example while able to play as a No.6, is best in the No.8 but can also play as a No.10.

For me what I like most about how he plays as a No.10 is that he often plays it more like a false 9 or withdrawn striker. He starts in the space in front of the defence, but will happily move wide or ghost in behind the defence. He's hard to mark in that position as either a midfielder needs to man mark him which pulls them all over the place, or a defender needs to step out to pick him up. Either way it creates space for other players to play in.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how he links up with Bruno and Pogba on the pitch.

Either way there are many ways to skin a cat. We don't need a big target man. To a certain extent that is what Ighalo offers. However, our attack works well because of the ability of our attackers to switch places with eachother. Any of Rashford, Martial, Greenwood and to a lesser extent James can play left, right or through the centre. This rotation can be deadly as it's so hard for defenders to pick players up. It's practically impossible to man mark against. Whereas we often look less dangerous when Ighalo plays as he can't play wide which limits the movement of our forwards and makes it easier to defend against us.

4.) 16 Sep 2020
16 Sep 2020 15:41:31
Sanchez slotted in very nicely :)

5.) 17 Sep 2020
17 Sep 2020 10:08:31
Some good points guys, but I don't think its too simplistic to say its easier to coach a good defence. It happens all the time in the Prem. Clubs outside the top 8 will try to build a good defence because so much of it about the collective and organisation, rather than individual ability.

Even our Man Utd are a good example when Mourinho first came in. Finished 2nd with the 2nd least conceded (by 1 goal) with a defence of Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young (with Bailly, Lindelof, Blind, Shaw playing a small amount) .

Nobody got carried away and claimed any of those defenders were fantastic, but they were well coached and became a great defensive unit (I admit, under mourinho it came at the expense of attractive football) .

VVD is an ace example of a defender slotting straight in, but he's also probably the best CB in the league for a very long time, whos individual ability would improve any CB pairing in the world.

To pick up on Shappys point about Donny's versatility. I personally haven't watched many games he's played in, probably less than 10 (watching Ajax in Europa and Champs league over the last few seasons) and really hope he brings the dynamism you're talking about - he's an exciting signing no question (for what seems decent value too - worth applauding as it doesn't seem to happen often anymore) .

I wasn't trying to suggest we got a lump to sling the ball up to, and know what you mean about ighalo sort of playing that role. he's a 18y box striker, and gives our attack a focal point which I like. His effort and pride is unquestionable, and he more than warrants a spot on the bench in our squad. I just think we could do a lot better, and add an aerial threat. Especially since he's only here until January.

It was the Calvert-Lewin goal that got me thinking, and I wouldn't say he's a 1 dimensional forward.