What are we going to do at right back for the remaining three games, then?

[Rich]

Mosquera is an option for the CL final but for Burnley (H) and Palace (A) I'm not sure. He's a decent centre back but not very dynamic at right back.

Wonder if we go to a back three of Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera against Burnley. Could use Calafiori and maybe Madueke as the two wing backs.

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Mosquera is an option for the CL final but for Burnley (H) and Palace (A) I'm not sure. He's a decent centre back but not very dynamic at right back.

Wonder if we go to a back three of Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera against Burnley. Could use Calafiori and maybe Madueke as the two wing backs.

He got a lot of criticism for it, but putting Rice to right back rather than bringing Mosquera on was the right move to make. We're playing West Ham, who were offering no threat down their left wing. We need to win the game, we need to be attacking, we need to score goals. Bringing on Mosquera would have made us naturally more defensive. The move to bring Rice on was right, he can help to overload the midfield from there etc etc.

Of course, it didn't work out and we lost momentum, West Ham adapted to our change etc etc. But fundamentally, the decision to put Rice there was brave and it was the right thing to do.

Of course, fair play to him for acknowledging it and changing again at half time.

[Rich]

He got a lot of criticism for it, but putting Rice to right back rather than bringing Mosquera on was the right move to make. We're playing West Ham, who were offering no threat down their left wing. We need to win the game, we need to be attacking, we need to score goals. Bringing on Mosquera would have made us naturally more defensive. The move to bring Rice on was right, he can help to overload the midfield from there etc etc.

Of course, it didn't work out and we lost momentum, West Ham adapted to our change etc etc. But fundamentally, the decision to put Rice there was brave and it was the right thing to do.

Of course, fair play to him for acknowledging it and changing again at half time.

I agree. But what to do against Burnley? Surely we won't play Rice there again?

[Peter]

I agree. But what to do against Burnley? Surely we won't play Rice there again?

It is goung to be Mosquera. I dont think there is any doubt about that.

[Rich]

It is goung to be Mosquera. I dont think there is any doubt about that.

But we must win and ideally win well. Burnley have nothing to play for and have conceeded the highest number of goals in the league. Why not play with three centre backs and 2 wingbacks to really try and maximise output.

[Peter]

He got a lot of criticism for it, but putting Rice to right back rather than bringing Mosquera on was the right move to make. We're playing West Ham, who were offering no threat down their left wing. We need to win the game, we need to be attacking, we need to score goals. Bringing on Mosquera would have made us naturally more defensive. The move to bring Rice on was right, he can help to overload the midfield from there etc etc.

Of course, it didn't work out and we lost momentum, West Ham adapted to our change etc etc. But fundamentally, the decision to put Rice there was brave and it was the right thing to do.

Of course, fair play to him for acknowledging it and changing again at half time.

That doesnt make a great deal of sense. It was the right thing to do and fair play for fixing it?

It was completely the wrong thing to do. You could not afford to take Rice out of midfield.

He may have thought he was being brave. But he lost sight of the bigger picture and where the strength of his side needed to be.

Quite frankly, if that is him being brave I prefer cautious

[Rich]

That doesnt make a great deal of sense. It was the right thing to do and fair play for fixing it?

It was completely the wrong thing to do. You could not afford to take Rice out of midfield.

He may have thought he was being brave. But he lost sight of the bigger picture and where the strength of his side needed to be.

Quite frankly, if that is him being brave I prefer cautious

Theoretically it was the right idea. We should be able to win the midfield battle with West Ham using a midfield of Zubimendi, MLS and Eze. Clearly that was not the case in practice, though.

Mosquera does rather hamstring us going forward. Thankfully we still managed to get the win but I see the idea in putting Rice there.

[Peter]

But we must win and ideally win well. Burnley have nothing to play for and have conceeded the highest number of goals in the league. Why not play with three centre backs and 2 wingbacks to really try and maximise output.

You want to change our entire formation and use a back three for the first time in 5 years? Now?

Now that is 'brave'......

[WES]

You want to change our entire formation and use a back three for the first time in 5 years? Now?

Now that is 'brave'......

As opposed to using the formation and player selection as close as possible to that used for the wins over Newcastle, Fulham and Atl Madrid which have been some of our best performances this year?

Rice to RB might have worked if he played there when we didn't have the ball and fell back into midfield when we had it. He didn't, he stayed there, and combined with Zubi being pretty sh1t right now it was a disaster.

If we do anything other than play a midfield of Rice, MLS and Ode/Eze for the next two games I shall be upset. As long as Gabriel, Saliba, Raya and Saka are in the team as well we should be fine.

[redgunamo]

You want to change our entire formation and use a back three for the first time in 5 years? Now?

Now that is 'brave'......

Courageous.