Crystal Palace (A) build up thread

[YoungWolf]

For me our best attacking performances have come with Podence as the ten in a 4231. The second half against Southampton, Arsenal away, Villa at home and then Spurs at home are the most joined up performances and in all of them we were defensively pretty sound too. They are the only times he has played there in that system too. I’d personally play that system and just let neves and Donck shield a back four, but I think Nuno will play 343 on Saturday.

 

[Jinky]

I actually think for Pod's own protection/safety he is better off playing as an inside forward, or further wide. He always seems to have players go through the back of him when he plays centrally, or comes up against more physical players who tend to struggle to keep up with his footwork/how nippy he is, so they end up kicking him instead. It was particularly evident last night, when he was on the floor more than his feet!

 

[Johnny75]

He did not play it last night, he played up top on his own as a false 9, he is never gonna play that role.

I am not even suggesting he plays as a number 10, number 10's for me are largely out of the game now, a number 10 would play off a big No 9 as a strike partner, as very few teams play with 2 CF's.
My idea is for him to find space between there midfield and defence, for Willian to hold the ball up and Pod to be close by take the ball from Willian, play from there either using pace to drive, looking left or right, or even having to go back to Neves or Mout, to enable us to keep the ball better.

Your first description of an old fashioned second striker. Your second description is the modern day 10.

Plenty of teams play with those, Fernandes, Havertz and Rodriguez are all modern day 10’s. Emile Smith-Rowe is currently fulfilling that role for Arsenal.

 

[Johnny75]

For me our best attacking performances have come with Podence as the ten in a 4231. The second half against Southampton, Arsenal away, Villa at home and then Spurs at home are the most joined up performances and in all of them we were defensively pretty sound too. They are the only times he has played there in that system too. I’d personally play that system and just let neves and Donck shield a back four, but I think Nuno will play 343 on Saturday.

We are definitely one CB short to play that system.

 

[YoungWolf]

We are definitely one CB short to play that system.

Which is probably why Nuno has decided to reset, and go back to a 343. If he's going to play that for the rest of the season, fine, but I think not getting to see the trio of Neto, Adama and Podence behind WJ is a shame.

 

[prawnking]

I agree we're one CB short to play 4231, but I fear we may be one CM short to play 343

 

[Johnny75]

I agree we're one CB short to play 4231, but I fear we may be one CM short to play 343

Certainly one for recruitment to look at in the summer.

 

[YoungWolf]

I think we are OK in that respect. We eventually need a midfielder, regardless of formation, who can progress the ball (whether it's passing/dribbling) better than Dendoncker, but him and Neves give us enough for the rest of this season IMO, with Joao contributing too.

 

[Tredman]

Assuming we can stop losing (big assumption) we should really look to give otasowie a chance to be that player

 

[prawnking]

I think we are OK in that respect. We eventually need a midfielder, regardless of formation, who can progress the ball (whether it's passing/dribbling) better than Dendoncker, but him and Neves give us enough for the rest of this season IMO, with Joao contributing too.

I think the problem for me with 343 this season has been that linkup with the forwards, Raul used to be be able to drop back and prevent that isolation, hopefully Willian can fulfil a similar role?

Personally I'd prefer us to play 4231 predominantly for the rest of the season (if that's where Nuno is eventually heading) and save 343 for specific games (like last night).

I know the CBs aren't ideal but we aren't going to buy a completely new partnership in the summer, so at least we can see which players and partnerships work better than others? And it definitely has the potential to increase our forward threat

 

[prawnking]

Pod isn't strong enough to play in that position, needs to be a midfielder with a bit of strength and defensive ability as well as attacking. MGW should be that player but I'm not sure he ever will be sadly.

From what you've seen of him so far do you think Vitinha could do a job in that role?

 

[YoungWolf]

I think the problem for me with 343 this season has been that linkup with the forwards, Raul used to be be able to drop back and prevent that isolation, hopefully Willian can fulfil a similar role?

Personally I'd prefer us to play 4231 predominantly for the rest of the season (if that's where Nuno is eventually heading) and save 343 for specific games (like last night).

I know the CBs aren't ideal but we aren't going to buy a completely new partnership in the summer, so at least we can see which players and partnerships work better than others? And it definitely has the potential to increase our forward threat

I think Willian will be a good enough focal point to then link with the wingers/inside forwards and also bring the wing-backs into play.

I agree with you on the 4231. Id like to see the 4231 on Saturday with Podence and WJ now available but it feels like he's spent the last ten days drilling the shape with a back five and set pieces to minimise the mistakes leading to goals. So hard to see him shifting away from that and potentially confusing the players some more. I think results will improve in short term and the attacking play will be a bit of a slower improvement.

 

[Lycan]

From what you've seen of him so far do you think Vitinha could do a job in that role?

Do a job, yes.

It's not playing to his strengths at all though.

 

[Sniffer]

I don't want the chopping and changing between systems on a regular basis until we are out of the recent run of not getting wins. Long term 4-2-3-1 may well be the answer but for the moment l want to see us climbing the table using a formation that the players are used to.

 

[Johnny75]

As

From what you've seen of him so far do you think Vitinha could do a job in that role?

As Lycan says I think 4-2-3-1 suits him much better as he could play with Neves in the middle.

In a 3-4-3 I'm not sure he has the legs but he certainly likes to play the ball forward and is far better shooting than Donk.

Wouldn't hurt to give both Vitinha and Otasowie minutes in those roles when we hit 35 points.

 

[sycophantia]

I think although Nuno wants to go to a back 4, recent defending means he'll revert to 3-4-3 at least for the next 4-6 games when we'll hopefully have 3-4 wins and a bit more confidence. Then maybe restart the transition to a 4 ready to go for it next season with perhaps a new CB and CM.

...........................Rui
Hoever.....Boly....Coady.....Max/Saiss......Semedo
........... Donk...............Neves
....Traore........Jose...........Neto

I'm assuming RAN will be injured.
Although Traore was shit last night, think Nuno will want to see crosses coming in from both sides to Jose and Donk arriving late in the box.
I know Donk has been woeful in front of goal but his runs have been excellent.....law of averages says a couple have got to go in soon.

 

[1986]

3rd time this season playing Palace - 2 wins so far , both at home . They'll surely have learned something .

 

[Nando]

I'm a big fan of Leander, he's been an integral part of our success since breaking into the XI, but he is horribly out of form at the moment. It's like watching FIFA 95 on the Megadrive where he can only turn 90 degrees in each direction and he's playing hot potato with the ball whenever it comes to his feet. I wouldn't mind seeing Vitinha in there if we keep with the 3-4-3 as he's at least shown he's willing and able to receive the ball in tight positions.

 

[prawnking]

I don't want the chopping and changing between systems on a regular basis until we are out of the recent run of not getting wins. Long term 4-2-3-1 may well be the answer but for the moment l want to see us climbing the table using a formation that the players are used to.

I know what you're saying, but I think at the very least we should definitely revisit it ASAP this season once we look a little more secure in the table.

Otherwise (and I know injuries have been a factor too) we've killed our previous two seasons momentum for little to no reason, and have to start from scratch again in the summer

You could argue that climbing the table means very little anyway. Realistically were looking at finishing 10th-15th. The main reason I wouldn't want us playing in a way that meant we struggled badly for points is what it would do to the players confidence and development, rather than final placings

 

[Premier Quality]

I'm a big fan of Leander, he's been an integral part of our success since breaking into the XI, but he is horribly out of form at the moment. It's like watching FIFA 95 on the Megadrive where he can only turn 90 degrees in each direction and he's playing hot potato with the ball whenever it comes to his feet. I wouldn't mind seeing Vitinha in there if we keep with the 3-4-3 as he's at least shown he's willing and able to receive the ball in tight positions.

Would be interesting to see if Vitinha in there allowed us to play through the press. We’ve needed Donks Arial ability but that’s slightly less important now we have Boly back and Kilman in.