We have to start with Mitro next match

[blingo]

The problem with playing Mitro is that we'd have to change shape and it's not as simple as "drop Cav and start Mitro". Assuming we decide to use him, we can't really play 5-2-3 as we have done in recent weeks because the point of the front 3 is to press high so that the midfield two are able to sit a little deeper and mop up any loose balls. We then revert to 5-4-1 under a prolonged period of pressure, which usually has Cav or Lookman as the highest pressing player. Mitro doesn't have that in his locker because he's a target man.

The other option is to say lets tweak it to a 5-3-2, because we need to balance losing our pressing from the front by making us more solid in the middle and harder to play through, because teams will have more time to build up from the back with Mitro playing. If you do this then you've got to probably drop BDR (our actual top scorer and one of our best performers), because RLC will most likely be the most advanced of the midfield trio with Mitro and Lookman up front. So we make the change to accommodate him but it makes us narrower and we'll have to sit deeper by default and probably resort to going long because Lookman will be the only player trying to get in behind. Like it or not, Cav has been good at linking attack and defence, and Mitro doesn't have the mobility to do what he's been doing, even if he's got better finishing ability and better hold up play.

Sorry don't see that at all.

With bdr back and Robinson we can easily play the same formation with mitrl lookman and bdr our most potent attacking unit and rlc and mitro even dovetailing off one another. Mitro can also play and has shown a willingness to play for the team anywhere necessary.

What we're lacking is finishing ability.. he is better at finishing than cavaleiro. This season and the great foundations we've built will be for nothing if we don't play mitro front and centr.

Well said.

[JimOG]

The problem with playing Mitro is that we'd have to change shape and it's not as simple as "drop Cav and start Mitro". Assuming we decide to use him, we can't really play 5-2-3 as we have done in recent weeks because the point of the front 3 is to press high so that the midfield two are able to sit a little deeper and mop up any loose balls. We then revert to 5-4-1 under a prolonged period of pressure, which usually has Cav or Lookman as the highest pressing player. Mitro doesn't have that in his locker because he's a target man.

The other option is to say lets tweak it to a 5-3-2, because we need to balance losing our pressing from the front by making us more solid in the middle and harder to play through, because teams will have more time to build up from the back with Mitro playing. If you do this then you've got to probably drop BDR (our actual top scorer and one of our best performers), because RLC will most likely be the most advanced of the midfield trio with Mitro and Lookman up front. So we make the change to accommodate him but it makes us narrower and we'll have to sit deeper by default and probably resort to going long because Lookman will be the only player trying to get in behind. Like it or not, Cav has been good at linking attack and defence, and Mitro doesn't have the mobility to do what he's been doing, even if he's got better finishing ability and better hold up play.

Sorry don't see that at all.

With bdr back and Robinson we can easily play the same formation with mitrl lookman and bdr our most potent attacking unit and rlc and mitro even dovetailing off one another. Mitro can also play and has shown a willingness to play for the team anywhere necessary.

What we're lacking is finishing ability.. he is better at finishing than cavaleiro. This season and the great foundations we've built will be for nothing if we don't play mitro front and centr.

Well said.


Having grown up in the era when the FA Cup was the most important competition I have to say I'd use it to try out RLC and Mitro for a portion of the match. Jim earlier in this topic mentions Mitro looked like his old self and RLC had a very good second half. We can use Sunday's game to experiment whilst resting most of the team.

[WindyCity]

<<We have to start with Mitro next match>>

WHY???!!!????????

because we need to win, and we know that playing a midfielder up top does not work

With all due respect, I have seen nothing that indicates FFC "must" start Mitrovic in these upcoming game(s).  He is way out of form, can't put anything on target, may or may not be carrying an injury, and the club has actually had more success (however you define success) when he is not starting.  I am grateful for his past contributions over two promotions, but right now, anyway, I just don't see him as a 'much needed' piece.  JMHO.

[colinwhite]

The problem with playing Mitro is that we'd have to change shape and it's not as simple as "drop Cav and start Mitro". Assuming we decide to use him, we can't really play 5-2-3 as we have done in recent weeks because the point of the front 3 is to press high so that the midfield two are able to sit a little deeper and mop up any loose balls. We then revert to 5-4-1 under a prolonged period of pressure, which usually has Cav or Lookman as the highest pressing player. Mitro doesn't have that in his locker because he's a target man.

The other option is to say lets tweak it to a 5-3-2, because we need to balance losing our pressing from the front by making us more solid in the middle and harder to play through, because teams will have more time to build up from the back with Mitro playing. If you do this then you've got to probably drop BDR (our actual top scorer and one of our best performers), because RLC will most likely be the most advanced of the midfield trio with Mitro and Lookman up front. So we make the change to accommodate him but it makes us narrower and we'll have to sit deeper by default and probably resort to going long because Lookman will be the only player trying to get in behind. Like it or not, Cav has been good at linking attack and defence, and Mitro doesn't have the mobility to do what he's been doing, even if he's got better finishing ability and better hold up play.

Sorry don't see that at all.

With bdr back and Robinson we can easily play the same formation with mitrl lookman and bdr our most potent attacking unit and rlc and mitro even dovetailing off one another. Mitro can also play and has shown a willingness to play for the team anywhere necessary.

What we're lacking is finishing ability.. he is better at finishing than cavaleiro. This season and the great foundations we've built will be for nothing if we don't play mitro front and centr.

Its all about how we press not who is the better finisher!!!    With mitro in the side (and im not saying he wont be against Brighton) we are one man short in press. In the premiership you get punished for that! There are other points too.
Mitro is not going to get the chances that we have carved out recently,because they have come through quick fluid play often on the counter. Its one thing to throw caution to the wind when your a goal down with 10 minutes to go and another to have a game strategy .
Mitro doesnt run the channels or switch positions but tends to stay central effectively locking the central areas and allowing the opposition defense to have the play in front of them.
And actually when it comes right down to it Mitro is not in the side primarily because he missed ahat load of chances and is currently not looking like scoring. I would bet that he has missed as many clear chances as Cavaleiro (and Im not happy with him either).