WEEK 7 TACTICS

Injuries: Ashley Westwood, Steven N'Zonzi, Adam Le Fondre

Formation – 4-4-2
Starting XI

GK: Alex McCarthy
RB: Chris Gunter
CB: Aaron Hughes
CB: Stoppila Sunzu
LB: Martin Olsson
RM: Jimmy Kébé
CM: Wilson Palacios
CM: William Vainqueur
LM: Sylvain Marveaux
FW: Pavel Pogrebnyak
FW: Iago Aspas

Tactics:

Let’s have a real go today lads. Get on the ball early and let’s look to hurt them with our pace. Enjoy yourselves out there and the result will come with the fans getting right behind you. Give each other plenty of options going forward!

Defensively, lots of communication keeping a good line at all times. Full-Backs, tight marking when picking up wide-players, box them out blocking the source of crosses, don’t let them link-up inside. Centre-Backs soak up the pressure; deal with the aerial threat clearing your lines anyway possible. Sunzu, compete with their target man with Hughes sweeping up flick-on’s/loose balls. If they invite you, Full-Backs support with drilled crosses. Centre Midfielders, pick up their runners and attacking players, make life difficult with hard, robust challenges. Scrap for every second ball and loose ball dominating the play. Always make yourselves available for the short option.

Wingers pick up the ball early and look to hurt their full-backs in a foot race. Don’t be afraid to mix things up, either cut inside linking up play or drill crosses in from the byline. Kébé, look to ghost in on the far post on left sided crosses. Forwards, look to put them under pressure from the front, force the errors and capitalise. Pavel, use your strength to control and win flick-on’s to link up play with Aspas running into the space off the shoulder of the last defenders.

Subs: Adam Federici, Garath McCleary, Sean Morrison, Askan Dejagah, Mikele Leigertwood, Stephen Kelly, Jason Roberts

On 74 Mins: Askan Dejagah will replace Sylvain Marveaux, like-for-like role with fresher legs

Injuries: Ricky van Wolfwinkel, John Ruddy, Michael Turner
Formation: 5-2-1-2
Starting XI:
GK - Mark Bunn
RWB - Russell Martin
RCB - Brede Hangeland
CB - Sebastien Bassong
LCB - Ron Vlaar
LWB - Javier Garrido
RCM - Marco Van Ginkel
LCM - Alexander Tettey
CAM - Wes Hoolahan
ST - Kei Kamara
ST - Luciano Becchio

Subs:
Jed Steer
Ben Davies
Steven Whittaker
Jonny Howson
Robert Snodgrass
Anthony Pilkington
Simeon Jackson




Tactics: After defeat last week we're going to a formation that worked well for us, they're likely to play 2 up top as they have each week so far so we've got 3 cb's to cover that. Gone 3 in midfield, looking to control the possession as they usually play 2, and get Hoolahan in the hole between the lines, so he can create for wing backs/strikers.

Defence: When they attack we are a back 5, all narrow, make them go out wide, and cross, where are 3 guys will head away, dont let them through middle. If 2 up top Hangeland and Vlaar pick up and Bassong sweeps, if 1 up top Bassong pick up, other two cover. Wing backs get forward when you can. Look to hit Van Ginkel/Hoolahan, build from back.

Midfield: We expect to be against 2 guys, so look to dominate them. Tettey you are always deepest, you don't go forward, but Van Ginkel has license to drive forward. Hoolahan look to get in the hole, and create chances for two up top, or get it out wide. If you're up against 3 in midfield, just match up with them and out work them.

Attack: You two are big lads, so I want you to dominate there CB's from crosses/high balls. Kamara is athletic, so look to get in behind, Becchio be clever and look to gain a yard to get shots off. Score goals, and be a pesky nuisance today

Formation: 4-3-3
------------------- Foster ---------------------

-- Matthews – Coates – McAuley – Ridgewell --

------------Mulumbu -- Yacob ---------------

-- Brunt -------- Diego --------- Giaccherini --

-------------------- Lukaku --------------------


Team Talk:
All right lads, we’ve got 4 points out of the last two games and that’s brilliant. I want us to build on that against Swansea, we’re going to play simple passes to feat with a patient build up. Lukaku use your strength and get on the end of crosses.

Attacking tactics:
* Lukaku act as the Target-man, be the strength and let others build around you
* Diego be our advance playmaker, look to find space inbetween their midfield and defence. Also I want you to look for any loose balls from cross and attack them
* Brunt and Giaccherini I want you to supply some decent cross for Lukaku to get on the end of
* I want small neat passes to feet keep the ball on the deck
* be patient with the ball and wait for the gaps to appear.

Defending tactics:
* I want two banks of four when we’re defending
* Diego put pressure on the man in possession
* Matthews and Ridgewell alternate your runs don’t leave us light at the back
* Coates and McAuley I want you to zonally mark
* Mulumbu and Yacub be the brick wall in front of the defence

Subs:
If losing after 75 minutes – Mulumbu off for Long , Long to play alongside Lukaku in a 4-4-2 formation

-------------------Vorm------------------

--Boswinga----Chico-------Tomkins-----Mathieu------

-----------Diarra-------Krychiwoak-------------------

------Routlegde----------------------N'Zogiba-------------------

-----------------------De Guzman------------------------------

------------------Holt---------------------------------------


Injuries: Taylor,Edwards,Davies
Subs:Tremmel,McShane,ki,Bent,Johnson

Similair formation and side as last week, looking to build on the win. Boswinga and De Guzman are back in the side as is N'Zogbia. Very solid back four, with Mathieu a very attacking full back. Diarra and Krychowiak are very solid in front of the back four and will protect the defence well. Routlegde and N'Zogbia offer the width and will look to get balls into the box, De Guzman sits just behind Holt and will shoot from range, and/or get balls out to the wing. Holt is the lone forward will get in the box and get on the end of the crosses

65 mins: Ki for De Guzman
70 mins: Johnson for Routledge
80 mins: Bent for Holt

Injuries: Kevin Nolan Carlton Cole John Arne Riise

Team
GK: Jussi Jääskeläinen
RB: Guy Demel
LB: Danny Potts
CB: Winston Reid (C)
CB: James Collins
RCM: Liam Trotter
CM: Mohamed Diamé
LCM: Jack Collison
ARM: Nathen Dyer
ALM: Joe Cole
ST: Andy Carroll

Subs
Raphael Spiegel
Virgil Van Dijk
Emanuel Pogatetz
Joey O'Brien
Matt Jarvis
Charlie Austin
Marouane Chamakh

Subs

60th min Regardless of score - Cole off for Jarvis

70th min Regardless of score - Potts off for Van Dijk

80th min if Winning - Dyer off for Pogatez. If drawing Trotter off for Austin. If losing Reid off for Austin

Corners:

Attacking - Carroll on the keeper. Collins attacking far post, Reid attacking near post. Both full backs to sit.
Defending - Carroll on the far post, Potts on the near post.

General Tactics

Goalkeeper: Going in for a tough afternoon. Your experience is going to help us a lot. Always on your toes and not allowing the defense to switch off for a second. Command your area all the time.

Defense: Going to start off with a deep line and build higher up as the game goes on. There going to come at us early from the blocks so lets soak up there pressure, frustrate them and then look to play our game. Full backs stay very tight to there wingers.

Midfield: 3 of you in the middle. Mo i want you to sit and shield the back 4. Liam and Jack use your strength to dictate that midfield. Look to knock the ball out wide, or use big andy's feet for him to hold it up. Liam and Jack try plenty of long range efforts. Wingers plenty of crosses to big andy. Your going to be our main outlet of attack on the break, so use your pace and awareness to get attacks going.

Striker: Big Andy your going to receive plenty of the ball. Look to bring it down and hold it up and bring Liam and Jack into play. Or get the ball out wide. Really cause a nonsense to the Sunderland defense and they won't be able to handle you.

Team Talk

Right lads we were terrific last week and fully deserved our 3-0 win. Lets keep up that confidence going into today's game. Were going to sit back early on and then build more into the game. Were going to start off with a deep line and then build higher as we go on. Believe in each other and we can win today's game. We haven't had much luck on the road, so lets give our loyal supporters something to cheer about.

COME ON LADS!!!!

Injuries: Sinclair, Onohua, Park Ji Sung
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Team:

GK: Cesar
RB: Rangel
CB: Mbia
CB: Olssen
LB: Traore
CM: Britton
CM: Diakite
CAM: Michu
Lf: Tosic
ST: Remy
RF: Ramirez
ST: Michu

Tactics:

Defending:
Traore: Show Malouda on his right foot. You've got too much pace for him, he won't get past you today.
Rangel/Ramirez: Arshavin will always look to cut inside so double up on him. He's their go to guy so just show him down the line and he won't hurt us
Mbia: Isolate their striker, pretty sure they'll only play one striker so get nice and tight to him and use your strength to put him under pressure. He won't fancy the challenge today.

Attacking: They'll probably play 3 at the back again maybe with a sweeper so lets really attack the channels

Rangel/Traore: Get forward whenever we have the ball. Malouda and Arshavin are terrible at tracking back and we can exploit their lack of full backs.
Ramirez/Tosic: Use our full backs on the overlap. Tosic use your agility and superb ball control to take on your man. Look for Michu on the inside of you.
Ramirez: Use Rangel but cut inside and take plenty of shots. Look for the through balls to remy and use michu on your inside
Britton: Do your thing, get on the ball and drag their midfield around. Look for our wide players but use Michu when he's in space, they'll concentrate on our attacks down the wing and forget about our star man
Remy: Plenty of runs in behind, try and split their back 3 to allow Michu space to have some shots.

Injuries: Simon Dawkins, Gareth Barry, Brett Holman
4-2-3-1




Subs: Keiren Westwood, Ciaran Clark, Phil Bardsley, Karim El Ahmadi, George Boyd, Jamie Mackie, Peter Odemwingie


We expect Stoke to continue their 4-4-1-1 formation, I want Yobo to go man for man with whoever is upfront, Okore to track the second striker, and Wanyama to provide cover to make sure we’re 3 on 2 against their strikers. I want our fullbacks to be disciplined and force Shea and Kightly wide, don’t let them cut inside and block the crosses at source. Lowton to repeat his worldie against Stoke would be nice.

With the ball, I want Wanyama and Bradley to build from the back, use Weimann ahead of you as he is our main creative threat. Playing Weimann at AM as he has that unpredictability to create space and chances for the wingers and Benteke upfront. Also expected to be the one who makes late breaks into the area to support Benteke and keep the defenders guessing over who to mark.

Wingers Hernandez and Agbonlahor to run at their fullbacks, get balls into the area and cut inside when possible, link up with Weimann and Benteke. Stoke haven’t been able to strengthen at the back so I feel our combination of pace, power and trickery will cause them problems.

Subs: 70 mins
(If winning): Weimann and Agbonlahor off, El Ahmadi and Boyd on. Move to a 4-5-1, with El Ahmadi giving more CM cover, Boyd to LW and Hernandez stays at RW.
(If drawing): Agbonlahor off, Boyd on. No change in formation, just a trickier and more out and out LW. Push on for the win.
(If losing): Bradley off, Boyd on. Weimann pushes forward alongside Benteke, Boyd to AM and we play 4-1-3-2.

-------------Gordon
Clyne ---Forren ---Astori -- Shaw
Phillips ----Coquelin - Neville -Lallana
--------Hooper ---Lambert

Subs: Boruc/Yoshida/Hooiveld/Benayoun/Roberto/Davis/Mayuka

Keeper Stand tall, come for crosses that are close to you making them need to aim crosses further out. Distribute short as much as possible.

FBs You are part of a unit, so keep your shape and defend together. Pick up any wide players , keep tight and force them to cross from wide and deep as much as possible.. Get forward when opportunities arises, but never at the same time. Overlap the widemen and get crosses in.

CBs – If Berbatov is play by himself, play a higher line, which together with the CMs dropping deep will really squash their space to play in. Astori will pick up Kiessling. If Adriano comes in up front, then we will need to drop slightly deeper to limit the space in behind, and Forren will pick him up. If either CB is spare, they will sweep up loose balls.


CMs – Going to sit deeper to stifle their attacking players of space, and create space for our own. Neville will act as the midfield general, commanding the team. Break up their attacks before they get going. When the full backs push on, sit alongside the CBs. Coquelin will support Neville defensively, but will get on the ball and feed the wingers and the attackers. Look for balls in behind the FBs and CBs, push them back

Wingers – Get on the ball and run at the FBs, turning them inside and out. When Coquelin plays the ball in behind the FBs, look to spin in behind. We want to force them to defend deep.

---------------------------Stekelenburg-----------------------------
-----Fucile---------Reither--------------Samba---------Molinaro-----
----------------------Capoue-------Huddlestone----------------------
Redmond-------------------------------------------------------Varela
------------------------Berbatov------------------------------------
----------------------------------Adriano---------------------------

BENCH
Gillet
Manolev
O'Brien
Emmanuelson
Sidwell
Ruiz
Rodallega


TACTICS
Southampton have won a fair few games this season, and we need to make the most of the fact a couple of their first teamers are injured. We should look to attack using two out and out wingers.


DEFENSE
Samba is our leader at the back, his main job today is to man-mark Lambert. Don't give him an inch of space and don't let him get any shots away. Reither should look to help out holding the back four line. The Southampton wingers like to cut inside and Fucile and Molinaro should force them wide, don't allow them in where they can be more of a threat. Capoue and Huddlestone should provide plenty of protection to the back four, Lallana in particular can cause problems and should quickly have pressure applied, don't let him have any time on the ball.


ATTACK
Huddlestone should be our passer in midfield, looking to always be available and finding long passes over the top while Capoue should be our runner, look to cover a lot of ground and get forward. Varela and Redmond both can use either foot and should swap wings on occasion, run at their full back and try to catch them out of position as they are both inexperienced. Plenty of crosses in for Berbatov and Adriano. Berbatov has a free attacking role while Adriano should get between the centre backs and try to find space in behind.


SET PIECES
Left Corner - Molinaro
Right Corner - Varela
Free Kicks - Varela
Penalties - Berbatov


SUBSTITUTIONS
If winning bring on Emmanuelson for Adriano, move to a 4-5-1.
If drawing bring on Ruiz for Redmond, rather than wingers the widemen should be narrower.
If losing bring on Ruiz and Emmanuelson for Redmond and Huddlestone, move to a very attacking 4-4-2.