Formation Speculation

[gbservis]

Dammit, the new chatter has got me excited again.

If everyone is healthy, we might have an actual team by the end of the season!

This is my ideal formation as well. I'm sure this is an unpopular opinion but the only experimentation I would consider is Nemec for Poku, just for a few games to see if he could raise his production when surrounded by teammates capable of providing good service into the box.

 

[kylelovescrayons]

This is my ideal formation as well. I'm sure this is an unpopular opinion but the only experimentation I would consider is Nemec for Poku, just for a few games to see if he could raise his production when surrounded by teammates capable of providing good service into the box.

Not agreeing - but that does allow for 2 game-changing sub options depending on what the opponents seem succeptible to ... speed or a steamroller

 

[sbrylski]

Not agreeing - but that does allow for 2 game-changing sub options depending on what the opponents seem succeptible to ... speed or a steamroller

Well yeah, when you bump previously starting players to the bench, suddenly you have options.

And hey, suddenly Kreis looks a lot better because his substitution options aren't a rusty nail and a stick of butter.

 

[Gavin23]

Dammit, the new chatter has got me excited again.

If everyone is healthy, we might have an actual team by the end of the season!

That is so beautiful.

 

[MagnusPax]

A lot of what ifs but it's still fun.

Is Calle healthy? When will Lampard arrive? Is Angelino everything we think he is? Is Pirlo actually going to sign?

Besides that, sounds great.

 

[Kjbert]

Mix played either as the CAM in a 4-2-3-1 to finish the game or as a Striker in a 4-4-2 to finish the game against the Cosmos.

Terrible subs by #KreisOut

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Unfortunately no stats services do heat maps for US Open games, so I can't verify this, but it almost looked like a 4-1-4-1 to me, with a super fluid midfield four.

Jacobson was definitely hanging back, but the rest of the midfielders were all over the field. Mix could be found way out wide, in the middle, and up front a little. It felt like Poku was playing striker, but he tracked back a bit as well.

Maybe a 4-1-3-1-1?

Maybe the point is that Kries' system doesn't really care how you write them down. Super fluid in the middle of the pitch.

Mix started at LM. That wasn't a fluid thing. That's Kreis choosing to have Baallouchy on the ball more than Mix. That's why we couldn't get the damn ball across midfield. Midway through the first half, Kreis moved Mix to the middle, where he stayed until moving up top (SS or CAM, depending on how you want to look at it).

It is fluid, but I still can't let Kreis skate with that alignment. He definitely sent Mix out wide where he couldn't get the ball because Ballouchy and Jacobsen can't kick it that far. Some of that was probably Kreis being worried about RJ getting skinned, but it was such a negative mindset that it obviously came true. Set up your best mid to cover your fab all day, and you will definitely need him to cover your fb all day. Once he moved Mix back to the middle, we finally got into the match a bit.

As an aside, I am evermore convinced that we need Pirlo or some adept defensive mid simply to help unchain Mix. Jacobsen is clearly not good enough. Mix doesn't need to find himself stuck up there with no one or only one person to combine with. When Mix has people moving around him, he's really dangerous. He and Lampard will be deadly delivering those Mueller hellos.

I am still leaning towards a 4-3-3 Flex to 4-1-4-1. My only hesitation is if we have anyone capable of doing the running that requires from your L&R F/W/M combo roles.

 

[leilanikali420]

Dammit, the new chatter has got me excited again.

If everyone is healthy, we might have an actual team by the end of the season!

Send this to Kreis and tell him don't fuck it up. Seems like he could use a cheat sheet at this point. Also, provide him with a flow chart of substitution combos.

 

[whill4]

Really liked the formation change today. The extra midfielder really made the difference defensively, and we didn't miss anything from having one less striker because the other forwards are just donkeys. It could be the key for us to add both Pirlo and Lampard to the midfield without hurting us defensively. Because you pretty much always have three other midfielders doing the running for them. As opposed to the diamond where you only have two.

 

[sbrylski]

Really liked the formation change today. The extra midfielder really made the difference defensively, and we didn't miss anything from having one less striker because the other forwards are just donkeys. It could be the key for us to add both Pirlo and Lampard to the midfield without hurting us defensively. Because you pretty much always have three other midfielders doing the running for them. As opposed to the diamond where you only have two.

I'm assuming Kreis is dead set on implementing his 4-1-2-1-2, but I too saw the opportunity to play a 4-1-4-1 if we landed Pirlo.

Two things going against that thought, however:

(1) Our defense has been playing much, much better. Jacobson might not be as needed on the field anymore.

(2) By adding Iraola and Angelino, plus having a healthy Calle, our attacking width gets a great boost. I might rather have the midfielder play narrower with that set of fullbacks.

But either way, the fact that we may have 8 legit starters, and then two of Calle/Angelino/Jacobson on the field, our team is going to be strong regardless of formation.

 

[kun]

A lot of what ifs but it's still fun.

Is Calle healthy? When will Lampard arrive? Is Angelino everything we think he is? Is Pirlo actually going to sign?

Besides that, sounds great.

1. Not yet, but time heals all wounds as they say
2. 1st of July (1st game 12th July)
3. Yes, may take time to settle but he's infinitely better than Facey
4. Lets hope so

 

[Kjbert]

Poku struggles out wide. Lacks the pace and the ability to make a run that a wide player needs. Shows again tonight when he was playing as a RM

By contrast, how versatile is Mix? Tonight he played as an 8, a LM and a 10. Just awesome.

 

[sbrylski]

Really liked the formation change today. The extra midfielder really made the difference defensively, and we didn't miss anything from having one less striker because the other forwards are just donkeys. It could be the key for us to add both Pirlo and Lampard to the midfield without hurting us defensively. Because you pretty much always have three other midfielders doing the running for them. As opposed to the diamond where you only have two.

Thinking more about it (by that I mean too much), it does seem like Kreis is phasing in a 4-1-4-1 with Mix wider, to get some data on how players respond to it. Maybe he really is thinking this formation for when the two oldies get here. I re-drew it with the circular motions around Lampard and Pirlo to show how we aren't relying on their legs:

 

[Kjbert]

I think these guys have better legs than we are giving them credit for - especially Villa and Pirlo. And for all we know, especially with the complaining he did about Pelligrini, Lampard could be fine too.

If that's the case, I would like a 4-2-3-1. Mix wide left. Lampard wide right. Poku in the middle. Villa up top.

Has Villa ever played as a standalone?

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

There's definitely been a change in how Kreis has been playing Poku over the last 3 weeks.
Wether that's him finally realizing that we need Poku up front and that's how we can best utilize him or preparing him for the changes to come with Lampard and possibly Pirlo on the way.
I think he gets that Poku is our best attacking option behind Villa and playing him in a forward role might even help him conserve energy throughout the game.

 

[FootyLovin]

Has Villa ever played as a standalone?

Last night.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Thinking more about it (by that I mean too much), it does seem like Kreis is phasing in a 4-1-4-1 with Mix wider, to get some data on how players respond to it. Maybe he really is thinking this formation for when the two oldies get here. I re-drew it with the circular motions around Lampard and Pirlo to show how we aren't relying on their legs:

Thanks for drawing up my idea! I like what you've done with it.

I am still leaning towards a 4-3-3 Flex to 4-1-4-1. My only hesitation is if we have anyone capable of doing the running that requires from your L&R F/W/M combo roles.

 

[Kjbert]

Last night.

Do most of us agree he may be best as a LW or SS? I just feel like he could be better utilized, once the cavalry arrives, "off" the ball. Certainly not a hold up player.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Do most of us agree he may be best as a LW or SS? I just feel like he could be better utilized, once the cavalry arrives, "off" the ball. Certainly not a hold up player.

I think the idea is to not need a hold up man. If we have to boot it forward, Poku can be the target man.

 

[sbrylski]

Thanks for drawing up my idea! I like what you've done with it.

Actually, I first suggested it May 26, and again on June 1.

I personally like the 4-1-4-1 best

But who's really cares, amirite?