Having seen how long there is between this game and the game against the filthy and with the team struggling for rhythm and form and as all but Hendo, Mane and Alisson of our best 12-14 players played a part in the headless chicken routine getting trounced by Villa, I actually think this would be a very good game for the best 11 to all play
We actually have a few days to train, so a chance to work on the switches and working balls to one side to go back into the centre for and instant switch to the opposite flank, the triangle of Mane, Robbo and Gini to link to play around and release players around the oppositions RB and RCB and on some variation of movement, Bobby of instance, to be found by Thiago's excellent range of passing, with Bobby on the half turn to face goalwards.
So best possible 11 for me
Alisson
Trent R.Williams Fabinho Robertson
Thiago Henderson Wijnaldum
Salah Firmino Mane
I think it is important for Thiago to have a game in the midfield 3 with Hendo and Gini, to work on that rotation of positions and for him to be brought into our press played at it's best, and the rotation of the midfield 3 for me is important as it makes it far more difficult for teams to designate a player to look to constantly press Thiago to try and stop him creating, it makes it difficult for opponents to set up to play off any of our 3 midfielders for transitions also. With Thiago's range and 'cuteness' of passing him popping up in any of the 3 midfield positions throughout the game should open up numerous possibilities and make us far less predictable also.
Definitely best 11 for me, a chance for the lads to find some rhythm and form and look to put right what happened last time, which if successful, would be a very welcome tonic and pick me up ahead of the game against the filthy
Oh and get a fucking CB in asap so he can benefit training with the rest of the lads in this rare period we do get to train together. Horse's head in the bed for Schuurs to me, i'd be absolutely made up if we can bring him in, any defender so happy to play 180 minutes against Mane so frequently 1v1 with no cover and Mane able to receive the ball in time and space and run at him would be a great addition in my book, very strong in the air also which would help give us some much needed potency back at set pieces and a strong passer
"If Everton were playing at the bottom of my garden, i'd close the curtains”
Bookmarks