Attacking football. Can we play it?

[mplsTOON]

After reviewing this past weekend’s disaster, a comment from the The Journal (http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/journalsport/tm_objectid=17638971%26method=full%26siteid=50081%26headline=new%2dboy%2dis%2dleft%2dto%2dfend%2dfor%2dhimself-name_page.html) struck me:

“Having played for so long with Shearer as the focal point of the forward line, Newcastle must get used to the attacking game of a player who could not be more different in style to his predecessor. Martins' misfortune will delay the process."

I posted on another thread (http://bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398284&page=7): “So is Martins a target man?... “

I am concerned that while we we have an excellent midfield with long ball power and pace, we do not have forwards who it can connect with and play that physical long ball game.

Aside from Shola we seem to have a dearth of pacy open field strikers who are well suited to a short and fast passing game.

Question is can we make the connection? Can an “EPL style” Midfield connect with a “Continental style” Attack?

(Forget about the defense for a second, that’s a whole other SNAFU in itself)

[tigerdave]

Question is can we make the connection? Can an “EPL style” Midfield connect with a “Continental style” Attack?

Personally I think we need to run a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3 (Duff and Milner on the forward flanks) for our offense to run at its optimum level, but that leaves room for just one true striker. You also need a defense to speak of to make that work, and we don't have that at the moment.

To answer your question, of course it can, look at Arsenal; I'd say Henry's done all right. Of course, he's adjusted to the EPL game, and we can't honestly say that Martins will or won't after 55 or so minutes of seeing him.

[mplsTOON]

I do think it can work but how to make it work because I'm not sure a lone striker cuts it.

Most EPL and European teams play four defenders across. When you have a lone striker is becomes very easy to shut down the attack by double teaming the striker. That what has been frustrating Arsenal these last few seasons.

Theoretically this should open up the center midfielder to attack. So someone with pace and ball control should be avaiable to shove it up the middle, while the flanks are covered. Can Zoggs, Emre, Parker or Solano do that?:confused:

...This assumes that our defense works and prevents an attacking style game from materializing.

[tigerdave]

I do think it can work but how to make it work because I'm not sure a lone striker cuts it.

Most EPL and European teams play four defenders across. When you have a lone striker is becomes very easy to shut down the attack by double teaming the striker. That what has been frustrating Arsenal these last few seasons.

Theoretically this should open up the center midfielder to attack. So someone with pace and ball control should be avaiable to shove it up the middle, while the flanks are covered. Can Zoggs, Emre, Parker or Solano do that?:confused:

...This assumes that our defense works and prevents an attacking style game from materializing.

Zoggy's shown he has the pace to link the forward play and actually prefers to play in the middle. Shola's goal against Wigan last week is evidence of that, despite being asflukey as it was. I'd personally almost try Zoggy at striker or center forward, as I think he can handle such a switch with aplomb. At worst he's definitely our most pace-laden central midfield option, and Emre is adept in this regard as well, which leaves Parker as the 'holder', as it were.

If we get Bridge and Huth like I'm hearing (and hoping) we might, I think our attack would terrorize opposing defenses in a hybrid 4-5-1/4-3-3.

[drc003]

I really think Martins best use will be playing off a central striker who can hold up and be used as the target man. The problem is that puts in a 4-4-2 and leaves out a solid midfielder. Anyway I would like to get a look at something like this;

--------------------Shola
-------------------Martins
---Duff------------------------Solano/Milner
----------Zoggy/Emre--Parker
---Baba------Bramble--Moore------Carr

Of course I do prefer a 4-3-3 and it would be great if we sign some defenders. Building attacking football begins with being secure and consistent at the back.

---------------------Shola
--Duff---------------------------------Martins
--------------------N'Zogbia
------------Butt/Emre------Parker
--Bridge-------Huth--------Moore----Carr

This could maybe work. Then again it could be a disaster. I'm really hoping we sign another defender or two and a solid target striker to back up Shola.

[mplsTOON]

---------------------Shola
--Duff---------------------------------Martins
--------------------N'Zogbia
------------Butt/Emre------Parker
--Bridge-------Huth--------Moore----Carr

This could maybe work. Then again it could be a disaster. I'm really hoping we sign another defender or two and a solid target striker to back up Shola.


that looks pretty heavy on the left: Duff, Emre, Bridge and Huth. It would stretch a defense and force them to the right in order open up their left allowing Martins and Zoggs the space to maneuver

Ideally we need to pressure a defense overwhelmingly everywhere. which is why I like your setup of:

--------------------Shola
-------------------Martins
---Duff------------------------Solano/Milner
----------Zoggy/Emre--Parker
---Bridge------Bramble--Huth------Carr

Sholas in the pocket with Martins in a an orbit around him. Slightly more balanced with Solano/Milner and Duff feeding the two, with Ermre/Zoggs withdrawn to crash the center if necessary.

I'd love to have Bridge, but IMO he ain't arriving...

[drc003]

I'd love to have Bridge, but IMO he ain't arriving...

Unfortunately I agree. I would like to see us make a play for Chimbonda also.

[mdfc]

Let's not go crazy after one performance. We dominated the first half against Villa, and went to sleep twice defensively and were down 2-0. I don't see the strength of our team being in huffing long balls anyway. I keep seeing glimpses of slick one-touch passing by Emre, Duff, Parker & co. in the midfield. I do think Shola will provide a great target for Martins to run off of.

Speaking of attacking football, I wonder if some of our problems defensively have been exposed from the decision to let Parker go forward, and leave us without a holding mid in whatever formation we send out there.

[drc003]

Let's not go crazy after one performance. We dominated the first half against Villa, and went to sleep twice defensively and were down 2-0. I don't see the strength of our team being in huffing long balls anyway. I keep seeing glimpses of slick one-touch passing by Emre, Duff, Parker & co. in the midfield. I do think Shola will provide a great target for Martins to run off of.

Speaking of attacking football, I wonder if some of our problems defensively have been exposed from the decision to let Parker go forward, and leave us without a holding mid in whatever formation we send out there.

No going crazy from this guy. Aston Villa has 7 of 9 points, were playing at home and we were missing Shola. We also played part of the match with ten men. No big deal.

I don't think we can let Parker have a going forward role unless Butt is in. Which is also why I thougt GR was after Gravessen.

[419 Showerman]

Martins is a striker. Playing him elsewhere would be a waste. Plus his link up play is not his strongest point.

[mplsTOON]

I only went crazy Sunday, now I'm ok...

I agree Parkers is that key in the back. I remember him spit out a tooth at the Arsenal game last year and you could see on his facce that he was thinking "this is what Souey wanted: Manly football":rolleyes:

Now about the defense.....