It’s time for a good old fashioned 4-4-2
There is no point continuing with the 3 or 5 at the back whatever it is.
It’s not working in either direction!
Defending –
We are conceding goals regardless who plays in the 5.
We have Antonio at LWB, Cresswell as a CB and Zabaleta as a RWB.
These are not their best positions.
Attacking –
Not adding anything to the attack with Zabaleta at RWB
Everything seems to go down the left whether Antonio, Cresswell or Masuaka, making it is so predictable
And even then, we often have no one in the middle to receive a cross.
So just scrap it, we have time to work on a new system before the next game that hopefully gets the players motivated and gives them something new to work on until the Southampton game.
We need a goal threat whether the ball goes down the left or right or centre.
My team and formation
Zabaleta as a Right Back (HIS BEST POSITION) – Defending
Not a half-hearted wing back.
Cresswell as a Left Back, With the ability to cross from deep, to mix it up a bit.
Both full backs playing a supportive role
Tell them their main job is defending.
Antonio on the right wing (HIS BEST POSITION)
Get him running at defenders and being a goal threat again, either by using his speed or coming late at the back post for crosses from the left.
We desperately need an aerial threat in the box.
He is not a left wing back, he needs to be in advance positions not worrying about getting back.
Lanzini – On the left cutting in getting shots away or using Cresswell behind him.
Rice in the holding midfield position replacing Kouyate
Someone with legs who can drop into the back if needs be.
Just sit in front of the back four.
Hernandez in the team and left up front
His job is to stay high and central – Nothing else.
We need him to score goals not put crosses in.
Arnautovic – Up front but with some freedom
Don’t restrict him by playing him up front on his own with no support.
Let him play off Hernadez but go left and combine with Lanzini as well
We are running out of games to get the points we need so have to create and take some chances and not be reliant on 1 or 2 players scoring. Chicharito, Arnautovic, Lanzini and Antonio must all be given the opportunity to get into advance positions to score.