I am in the same boat as the majority of fans on here and more worrying MR; no idea what the best formation or team is for tomorrow.
We signed a lot of player with pace, so it makes sense to use them. In addition, Bayliss and Andreu are our two most creative players, so I understand the desire to play them both, but thus far it hasn’t worked. Bayliss is wasted on the right and removes any option of playing with pace on the wings. Andreu looks as though he has a touch of class about him, but he absolutely needs the right players around him and can only play in one position. Controversial, but would one be dropped if MR only plays with one ACM? If so, it’d be Andreu for me, as good as he is, he can be ponderous on the ball and can’t drive at defenders like Bayliss. Even so, I’m not sure I would drop either as both can be game changers.
There are issues like that all over the pitch, so I get why MR isn’t sure, although it is his job to be.
Anyway, tomorrow I would go all out attack, based on the fact we have a gluttony of attackers and it grts the majority of our better players in the team.
LOB
Sterling (HAS to be more) Willis Davies Mason (better defensively)
Ogogo
Bakayoko Andreu Bayliss Hiwula
Biamou
Tactics:
Biamou to hold the ball up and allow the wingers/Bayliss to get past him.
Bayliss and Andreu to control the midfield with their class and creativity.
Back four to remain solid and support Ogogo in defending, allowing the front five to focus on attacking.
One of Bayliss/Andreu to sit a little deeper (not ahead of the ball) when the other pushes on.
While it might leave us a little exposed, if the ball is constantly in their half, and our pace worries them, they can’t/won’t commit too much forward.
I’m aware its a bit of a different formation, but the attacking strategy worked in this league with TM, so let’s try again.