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Black -- First of all, very strong post and a fair reply, so thanks :thumbsup:
I agree with almost all of what you say, but I am just a lot more skeptical of the Chuchu/Wes MF pairing in the 3-4-3. For one thing, I think the 1995 Ajax team makes a poor example, as they won Europe starting the likes of Davids, Rijkaard, R. de Boer & Clarence Seedorf (rossoneri garbage) in MF. These players all made careers dominating the middle of the park. Needless to say, between the four of them, they had a lot more versatility, size and defensive presence than a setup with Chuchu and Sneijder as essentially the lone MFs. After all, Cambiasso's not the biggest guy either.
Wes and Cambi are obviously great players, but each are limited in their own right. Ajax's versatility allowed for more of a total approach where players moved freely in the middle of the park and could cover for each other after attacking runs. This is what I mean by 'switching roles.' Chuchu will never be able to make an attacking run because if he does, there is literally no one left in the middle of the park, and opposition immediately is at the last line of defense. This rigidity makes for a very predictable setup, IMO. I think it would be very possible for our attack to become isolated with Cambiasso as the only player you can legitimately say is playing directly in front of our CBs.
Also, one thing I believe you are taking for granted is that we would be playing a high back line in the 3-4-3, otherwise the CB's would not really effect what goes on in MF. I think this has to be true, but is risky for obvious reasons, especially with aging CBs who are aging & not necessarily known for speed. Your point about the wingbacks required workrate is well taken. They will have to expend significant energy to cover their assigned ground, and I wonder how much, if at all, they will be able to sink into the middle of the park to help with a potential counter attack up the middle, for example.
Basically, I think Wes needs to be included in the final (attacking) 3 if we are committed to playing a 3-4-3 setup. I won't be surprised when we try to field Wes in the same lineup as Alvarez, Eto'o and Giampego Milizzo at some point (in a real match) but I worry about the potential results. One thing I'm certain of is that the matter is far from being settled at this point, and I will gladly be proven wrong either way with positive results. I like our talent but it is a little top heavy right now. That is why IMO, we need someone who can lock it down in the middle who isn't pushing 30.
I agree with almost all of what you say, but I am just a lot more skeptical of the Chuchu/Wes MF pairing in the 3-4-3. For one thing, I think the 1995 Ajax team makes a poor example, as they won Europe starting the likes of Davids, Rijkaard, R. de Boer & Clarence Seedorf (rossoneri garbage) in MF. These players all made careers dominating the middle of the park. Needless to say, between the four of them, they had a lot more versatility, size and defensive presence than a setup with Chuchu and Sneijder as essentially the lone MFs. After all, Cambiasso's not the biggest guy either.
Wes and Cambi are obviously great players, but each are limited in their own right. Ajax's versatility allowed for more of a total approach where players moved freely in the middle of the park and could cover for each other after attacking runs. This is what I mean by 'switching roles.' Chuchu will never be able to make an attacking run because if he does, there is literally no one left in the middle of the park, and opposition immediately is at the last line of defense. This rigidity makes for a very predictable setup, IMO. I think it would be very possible for our attack to become isolated with Cambiasso as the only player you can legitimately say is playing directly in front of our CBs.
Also, one thing I believe you are taking for granted is that we would be playing a high back line in the 3-4-3, otherwise the CB's would not really effect what goes on in MF. I think this has to be true, but is risky for obvious reasons, especially with aging CBs who are aging & not necessarily known for speed. Your point about the wingbacks required workrate is well taken. They will have to expend significant energy to cover their assigned ground, and I wonder how much, if at all, they will be able to sink into the middle of the park to help with a potential counter attack up the middle, for example.
Basically, I think Wes needs to be included in the final (attacking) 3 if we are committed to playing a 3-4-3 setup. I won't be surprised when we try to field Wes in the same lineup as Alvarez, Eto'o and Giampego Milizzo at some point (in a real match) but I worry about the potential results. One thing I'm certain of is that the matter is far from being settled at this point, and I will gladly be proven wrong either way with positive results. I like our talent but it is a little top heavy right now. That is why IMO, we need someone who can lock it down in the middle who isn't pushing 30.