31 Jan 2023 15:18:11
I know I’ve said it before but we’ve got nothing to lose in the second half of the season so I’d play joe Gomez right back and play Trent on the right of a midfield 3! He’d still spend a large amount of the game on the right flank but he would have Gomez behind to cover the counter attack as Gomez isn’t the most attacking full back anyway!

{Ed001's Note - and who plays centre-back?}

1.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 15:39:15
And while he's spending a large amount of time on the right flank there's a lovely big gap in the midfield.

Guy's best asset is his crossing. Put him where he can cross the most - attacking right back.

2.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 15:50:53
Ed001 - Matip and Philips haha, I vote JK_RED as the new manager!

3.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 16:06:12
I’d rather matip and Phillips than matip and Gomez at the minute! Gomez has been awful at CB the past few months and van dijk is back in the next week or 2 to come back in alongside matip.

4.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 16:09:21
And as for the hole in midfield, when we were at our best 2-3 years ago, Henderson played on the right side of a midfield 3 and when he had the legs he spent a large portion of the game on the right flank with Trent and salah providing cover when Trent bombed on down the wing so I don’t see how it’s that much of a ridiculous idea!

5.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 16:38:41
I see little difference between Matip and Gomez. Generally they play ok for most of the game, but somewhere along the line do something stupid that hands the oppo a chance or a goal.

Since neither is entirely reliable, I'll take the one that seems to do better outside of the mistake, still has pace and wasn't involved in the 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Our worst defensive performance of the season. That's Gomez.

Phillips is ok if we're happy to drop the defensive line a few yards. Might be an idea sometimes.

I would dispute the extent to which Hendo pushed out on the right flank when we were at our best (ie. winning the CL and then the league) . Hendo drifting wide excessively and Trent going into the channel and in beside Fabs is something that only started happening in the season after we won the league.

6.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 17:44:35
I'll stick my neck out and say we'll be lucky not be beaten in every game till konate and vvd are back.
Don't mean to be negative but I'm just being realistic. Matip on his day is a very competent cb and gomez was superb against city. But apart from that he's had a shocker. Thought gomez was having a decent game against Brighton at weekend and then he went and turned his back to block a shot that didn't happen for their winner. Clueless.

7.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 18:02:05
What about Konate? Is he injured or something?

Gomez RB Matip/ Phillips CB Konate CB Robbo LB

Yes, sit a bit deeper. Exploit the counter a bit more and reduce how exposed we are at the moment. We may see more from Salah this way.

Our xG against and big chances conceded is well below par.

As for defenders turning their backs on the ball … jeez, when did this become acceptable? It is not like they are playing with the football from Kes!

8.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 18:45:55
Matip is better than Gomez.
I just wish he wasn't so complacent.

9.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 18:55:55
Konate is injured pal 3 weeks minimum.

10.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 19:11:04
StEtienne - Actually yes. Konate is injured for 2 to 3 weeks. Check down the page.

11.) 31 Jan 2023
31 Jan 2023 19:15:25
Agreed Rigsby. love it when he carries the ball out on a crazy run. injuries do my head in though.

12.) 01 Feb 2023
01 Feb 2023 09:10:20
Assuming everyone is fit, i. e. two fit cb's, could we do a mirror of Arsenal with Zinchenko, Gomez at LB and Trent playing the inverted RB into midfield, not sure where that would leave Robertson, but Gomez has played LB before, albeit a long time ago now.