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angryprumphs 10:36 Mon Aug 13
Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

There was a lot of talk during the world cup about England playing 3 at the back, many pundit saying at one of the defenders was wasted. When in truth, whilst they set up as 3 centre backs, whenever England began to dominant games, or needed more bite in midfield, one of the CB's always came into midfield (normally Maguire or Stones).

Surely Declan Rice could give us that flexibility. Playing in a back 3 when required but also moving into midfield when needed. This would also more freedom for our fullback / wingback to push on, knowing they have that extra cover.

LAF 2:07 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Must get used to spelling his name right or take the safe and sensible route of Sir Alf .....MP it is for me!

Sir Alf 2:04 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

LAF 1:50 Mon Aug 13

Agree. I wonder if MP was too anxious to win us WH fans over too soon by playing the "WH Way" which is essentially a passing game.

I wonder if in his interview Sullivan and Gold made it clear that we need the entertaining style. Trouble is that old balancing act. At one extreme its Allardyce and to a lesser extent Moyes playing to win via the safety first approach and then Bilic and MP trying to get us to play our way to results. Early early days but I think the concensus is that 100 million invested although huge still left some holes in the team/squad. I think it will take a couple of seasons and transfer windows to address. MP may have to compromise on the style as Moyes and Bilic did.

LAF 1:50 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

I know we’re all experts on reading the game on here, but sometimes you need to doff your cap on what the paid experts have to say, particularly if they’re all in agreement about one thing. The Sky, BBC and print journos all criticise Pelligrino for playing a high line. It’s easy to point fingers at Noble but, as MOTD2 pointed out, he was the only midfielder actually holding his position whilst all others, including Rice, went awol.
Such a naive tactic to play a high line with an untried, untested defence and a newbie, Rice in an experimental midfield role.
I think we would have lost this game anyway, but, our manager must take full responsibility in the margin of the defeat and get to grips with the strengths and weaknesses of his squad. FFS, at least, early doors, play the percentages.

Rossal 1:10 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Im not surprised he struggled yesterday. Noble didnt have the bollocks to take it off him in tight areas and Wilshere barely made himself available in the no 10. Arnie was dropping deep too meaning he had little forward options at times. That combined with how quick Liverpool press meant he was sitting duck at times.

Not sure I would of took him off at HT though, he looked gutted and bit dejected on the bench.

jack flash 1:05 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Thought Rice looked totally lost against Liverpool

For me Pellegrini played the wrong tactics against them by playing a high back line which allowed their quick forwards to get in behind our back 4 time & time again

Obviously it didn't help having officials that allowed their offside goals, but Rice migbt have been better deplohed behind, rather than in front, of the back 4

Easy said with hindsight though & it would have left gaps further up the pitch

Our midfield was overrun again & short of pace in the cm positions which is why I can't understand why we didn't bring in someone specifically for that position in the summer!

The Ghost of Braderz 12:46 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Rice still gets in the team ahead of Noble for me. I'm 100% certain in that.

Alex V 12:45 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

>>> I think he was supposed to be the DM yesterday so arguably should have been providing cover.

Imo Rice played in a central pair with Noble and there was no designated DM. I'd like to see that change for sure.

On three at the back, Pellegrini doesn't play it. I'm sure he could give it a go, but it would be a bit daft to hire him at such a huge wage to play a formation he doesn't favour.

Gentile 12:41 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

He shouldn't be anywhere near a starting place at the moment, certainly not in CM.

angryprumphs 12:25 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Playing as part of a back three, who has license to come forward, is different to playing as a holding / defence midfield. It has a completely different starting position and means that you have wingbacks not fullback. You are essentially playing a back three but with license for one of the central defender to push on.

It is not a back four with a DM.

manic 12:22 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

I'm sure it's already been mentioned but MP didn't have much luck at Anfield with City either

Also England played with a RB generally in the back 3 who was the one to get forward I thought

ironsofcanada 12:16 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

He being the manager, I realise the thread title includes Rice.
Sorry if that was not obvious.

ironsofcanada 12:14 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

This is the way he plays folks.

People wanted a change of manager and an attacking style. And after one game, the same people want him to do things he hasn't done for his entire, often very successful, career.

I said it would take some patience on our part. See how we our doing at on next trip to Merseyside (Everton next month) and revisit this then if you are inclined.

Swiss. 12:02 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Yeah lets change our formation based and one game and a formation Pelle doesn't use against the CL finalists.

TWAT

collyrob 11:52 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

For me it’s obvious that a back 3 suits us, gets the best out of Arthur and fredricks. And let’s us push yarma and Anderson high up the pitch.

Fabianski

Diop/rice
Balbuena
Ogbonna

Fredricks
Obiang
Wilshere
Masuaku

Yarma
Arna
Anderson

busheyhammer85 11:16 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

As much as i'm a big Declan Rice fan, anyone that thinks hes good enough at this level right now to be playing week in week out in such and important position is very wrong.

We should have brought in an established defensive midfielder. Drinkwater on loan would have been perfect.

The system MP is playing is going to need a decent player in that position... Liverpool exploited the space between our defence and midfield, and with the high line we were playing we were lucky it was only 4.

I'm not silly enough to judge our team on Liverpool away, but there are errors that need fixing quick.

southwoodford 11:10 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

I thought that one of our key priorities was to get in a proven DM. Then I read that Wolves have signed Dendoncker on loan - a player who was heavily rumoured to favour a move to us. Wolves FFS! Frustrating.

w4hammer 11:04 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

a fluid backline or a CDM in a three!?

Make your mind up- he cant be a bit of both which is what he tried and failed dismally to do yesterday!

North Bank 11:01 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Neither Rice or Noble sat in front of the back four, preferring to roam around the pitch chasing shadows, which left a massive gap that Firminho exploited to cause havoc

Sir Alf 10:54 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

I think he was supposed to be the DM yesterday so arguably should have been providing cover. He is a good footballer no doubt but was chasing shadows as most of the midfield were yesterday. He might be the answer but he reminds me of Eric Dier a bit ( not a bad thing aside from the club he plays for ) and lacks the mobility for games against a team like Liverpool.

fraser 10:52 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Surely playing as DM when the full backs go up it's his job to sit back and join the 2 centre backs anyway?

Eddie B 10:44 Mon Aug 13
Re: Declan Rice - Playing a more fluid backline

Wasn't he supposed to be playing CDM yesterday?

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