Jimmy Grimble
Well-known member
Big game for a variety of reasons, a notable one being it’s an opportunity for Fabian to prove some doubters wrong in regards to his tactics and team shape. I think there’s probably a fair amount of consensus on the belief that our out of possession shape is causing us issues, so it will be interesting to see how he addresses this. With Pedro out, it also presents Hürzeler with an opportunity to try something different, as I’m not convinced O’Riley has the physicality to play the #10 role in the way he’d like him to.
My guess would be that he’ll try and pack the midfield out a bit more, with Baleba and whoever’s in there with him told to stay closer to the back four, particularly guarding those runs into the channel of our centre back and full back. I think the high press will take a back seat and we’ll sit in a shape a bit more. Potter teams are generally built around trying to create overloads through combination play, so a solid three in midfield doing a lot of defensive work will hopefully stifle this.
From an attacking perspective it would likely mean Mitoma/Minteh will have to do a mixture of get getting close to Welbeck and running beyond him.
It might make for a dull game but there will surely be a lot of work in training this week on how to be more solid. Also wouldn’t be shocked if Steele gets a start. Bart’s not exactly been great recently and another experienced head could be helpful. Veltman is in training so I’d guess he’ll play a half or so.
Van Hecke’s availability may also impact the shape. If Baleba has to play centre half we lose a lot of ground coverage in midfield which we’d surely want reinforced with an extra body in there.
I’d guess something like:
Verbruggen/Steele
Veltman/Hinsh Dunk Van Hecke/Baleba Estupinan
Minteh Wieffer Baleba/Gomez O’Riley Mitoma
Welbeck
My guess would be that he’ll try and pack the midfield out a bit more, with Baleba and whoever’s in there with him told to stay closer to the back four, particularly guarding those runs into the channel of our centre back and full back. I think the high press will take a back seat and we’ll sit in a shape a bit more. Potter teams are generally built around trying to create overloads through combination play, so a solid three in midfield doing a lot of defensive work will hopefully stifle this.
From an attacking perspective it would likely mean Mitoma/Minteh will have to do a mixture of get getting close to Welbeck and running beyond him.
It might make for a dull game but there will surely be a lot of work in training this week on how to be more solid. Also wouldn’t be shocked if Steele gets a start. Bart’s not exactly been great recently and another experienced head could be helpful. Veltman is in training so I’d guess he’ll play a half or so.
Van Hecke’s availability may also impact the shape. If Baleba has to play centre half we lose a lot of ground coverage in midfield which we’d surely want reinforced with an extra body in there.
I’d guess something like:
Verbruggen/Steele
Veltman/Hinsh Dunk Van Hecke/Baleba Estupinan
Minteh Wieffer Baleba/Gomez O’Riley Mitoma
Welbeck
