Would an attacking midfielder work in our system?

[Elite]

For the last few transfer windows since Coutinho left, most fans have been calling for an attacking midfielder. However, we've evolved massively since he was here.

 

Our attack is heavily reliant on the front 3, with our full backs playing almost as wingers at times. The midfield is unspectacular, doesn't provide us with a lot of goals but sets the platform for our attacking players to thrive. Our system is obviously working incredibly well and there is no reason to change it but out of curiosity I'd like to see the general consensus on whether people think it could work or not.

 

 

[Guest Alex_K]

Probably not, at least not without a more possession-focused midfield 2 behind them? If you inserted another definitively attacking midfielder into this team as it is, we'd probably end up giving the ball away more and it'd do more harm than good. What is it, 15 wins in a row, 23 unbeaten and something like 1 loss in 40+ games? That is approaching football perfection, if such a concept exists, and all on an entirely self-sustainable budget. Its an absolutely remarkable achievement. Who would the stubborn opposition even be?

 

It is noticeable that the full backs -- TAA at least -- are playing even further forward this season. Game in game out now TAA is getting shots away inside or around the box. It really doesn't feel like we need more attacking outlets in the 11 now - just a little more substance to the bench attacking options.

[Captain Turdseye]

I’ve gone for B, but those kind of games are few and far apart these days.

[lifetime fan]

It worked with Coutinho behind the front 3, we tried to buy Fekir to play behind the front 3, of course it can work. 

[joe_fishfish]

Midfielders who have the ability to dribble, shoot and spot passes like Coutinho did when he was here are few and far between. Midfielders who can do all that, and also press, tackle and compete physically for 90 minutes like Henderson or Wijnaldum can basically don't exist.

 

We already have a really good attacking midfielder / number 10 in the squad btw. He doesn't get a look in.

[Barnesey]

I am not sure this is the correct label; certainly the gameplan involves workhorses in midfield that can cover a lot of ground and press when we haven't got the ball. But there is no reason why those workhorses cannot have an attacking flair in addition.

 

I think what we lack - without AOC or, possibly, Naby - is a "basketball" player. Someone who runs with the ball (as Coutinho did). What we have is a group of "netball" players who all get rid of the ball before moving with it. Fekir (who I see is out with a long term knee injury now) fitted that bill and there is room in the team for that type of player.

 

Hopefully, the Ox and baby can fill the role when fit and up to steam.

[Elite]

When Coutinho was here, I don't remember our full backs being so high up the pitch which wouldn't have left us as exposed in midfield as it would now playing with an AM. In saying that we've hit the jackpot with Trent and Robbo, I vaguely recall it was Milner at left-back and a very green TAA at right back when Coutinho was here.

 

The more you analyse the current team, it makes me smile as it's soo fucking good.

[Pidge]

Yes, in games when Bobby is rested there should be someone playing in the hole, rather than expecting the replacement forward to be able to do what he does.  Ideally we'd have someone capable of doing this and covering the forwards more directly as well.

[Sugar Ape]

Someone like De Bruyne or Eriksen would be great for our midfield and is arguably the only thing the team is missing. They work just as hard as Hendo or Gini but have extra quality going forward. Getting someone as elite as them is obviously going to be hard though. Personally I'm all in on Havertz and hope we go balls out to get in him in the summer and rejig our midfield a little to fit him in.

[Bruce Spanner]

We’ll find out when Kai Havertz joins in the summer won’t we. 

[AngryOfTuebrook]

1 hour ago, joe_fishfish said:

Midfielders who have the ability to dribble, shoot and spot passes like Coutinho did when he was here are few and far between. Midfielders who can do all that, and also press, tackle and compete physically for 90 minutes like Henderson or Wijnaldum can basically don't exist.

 

Get a time machine and retrieve a peak Gerrard.

[Bad Red Bull]

50 minutes ago, AngryofTuebrook said:

Get a time machine and retrieve a peak Gerrard.

This team would decimate every other team in that case.