It is often sighted by managers and fans alike that nothing should be taken from preseason, however one thing seems prominent in our pre-season which is worth discussing. No I am not talking about Arnie’s hair, instead the formation that Sparky has preferred for every starting line-up, the 343. Now this could all be purely speculation (and we may actually only be accounting for the fact that Arnie is our only genuine match fit winger) but it appears that this formation may slowly make its way into our match day line ups. So therefore it will be useful, to look at what the formation could bring to the side.
This tactical shape is having some form of a renaissance after it was used so effectively by Wales and Italy in the Euro’s. Chris Coleman used the extra central defensive player to ensure his team were tough to break down. This defensive rigidity allowed Wales’ best players Bale and Ramsey to not overly concern themselves with tracking back. This meant they were always available on the counter attack and both were key to every Welsh attack. Also essential to this formation was our own new signing ‘Wee’ Joe Allen, whose tenacious ball recovery meant he had more interception than any other midfielder and won himself a spot in the squad of the tournament.
The Welsh and Italians used this formation in a war of attrition as they soaked up pressure from the opponent and sought to break with speed. Personally I do not see Stoke using this formation in the same way. Our 433 and 4231 formations have both seen great success in the use of the counter attack and you only have to look at performances against both Manchester clubs and nearly every away win to evidence this. Instead it appears to me that Sparky is attempting to use this formation against weaker sides who attempt to sit deep and soak up our pressure.
Last week I wrote an article that attempted to calm the nerves following a somewhat difficult start to the transfer window. At that point no new signings had arrived, Arnie wanted to leave home and many Stoke fans were seemingly on the edge of losing their sanity.
Since then Monday 25th July happened. A Monday that I will now denote as the Manic Monday to end all Manic Monday’s. Sobhi was confirmed, Allen and his chickens signed on the dotted line and Arnautovic had found his potential new club in the form of Everton FC. In the aftermath of all that Arnie has realised that the Toffees finished a whole two places below the mighty Potters and a whole 8 places below his desired Champions League spot, so he may as well stay at home with us. Mission accomplished.
And now, after 151 words, I can finally come to my point. We don’t need to sign anyone else. Why bother. The main issues going into the window for me were holding down Arnie with a long term contract, a defensive midfielder to cover and takeover from the ever present Mr Whelan and another winger to take the pressure off Shaqiri and our favourite Austrian. Sorted.
Stoke follow up with win after Arnie’s American Dream
Stoke City managed to come out victorious in their game across the pond as they beat Orlando City 2-1 last night. A goalless first half was quickly followed by goals from Stoke’s Mame Diouf and Orlando’s Hadji Barry, before Bojan fired in a glorious winner to settle the score between the sister clubs. UK based spectators had to wait until 2:30am to be rewarded with the final whistle after enduring a dodgy (albeit free) live stream and some amusing American commentators.
Hughes tested his experimental five-at-the-back formation yet again as key players such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Glenn Whelan were still recovering from Euro 2016. Despite flying out to America, there was no place for new signing Joe Allen in the squad for this game. With Hughes confirming that Ramadan Sobhi would be integrated into the squad on the club’s arrival back in Blighty, there was room for Marko Arnautovic to make his first start for the club since the glistening new four-year deal he signed with the club earlier that day. Ryan Shawcross, although having back concerns earlier in pre-season, kept his place in defence and Mame Diouf kept his place in the side having scoring the equaliser against Preston North End last weekend.
We’ve done some business in the transfer window and just like buses two have come at once. It appears that our transfer team has gone off the rails and are attempting to sign all of our targets in one day, with the securing of Sobhi and Allen taking our outlay to around 15 million pounds. The club teased fans by issuing an entirely noncommittal and nonspecific notification.
But then the news finally broke, and the reactions to it were wide spread. Jase from the Wizards of Drivel and I were simply left feeling relieved after we had both totally cursed the Redmond deal by saying it was done.
One of the biggest questions looming over Stoke during the transfer window is how do we fix the defence that has not kept a clean sheet since the 2nd of March. Many fans have looked towards the centre back position and suggested that this is the area that is most in need of improvement. However this is an argument that I cannot find myself agreeing with, as I believe our resources would be much valued elsewhere, due to our strength and depth in this role.
First look at the current selection of centre backs we have, with our dear sweet prince Teixeira leaving (well we think he’s leaving, he was spotted at the Burton game?) we have 5 centre backs. 4 of whom are full internationals with 73 caps between them and the other a former member of the Spanish under 21’s. This of course is Muni who played a role in the Spanish youth side who were crowned Euro under 21 champions in 2013, conceding only 5 goals in 14 games in the qualification process and finals tournament. At only 24 the ex Barca player is yet to reach the age where a defender comes into his prime and time, along with game time, will see the Spanish defender flourish.
Stoke look to be close to securing some defensive midfield depth as it was confirmed on Wednesday night that a fee has been agreed between Liverpool and the Potters for Joe Allen. The Welsh Pirlo, The Welsh Xavi, Jesus, call him what you will but Allen looks to be in the dropzone at Liverpool and Stoke are looking to catch him. If reports are to be believed, Stoke have shunted Swansea away from re-signing their former player but could face late competition if the Swans match or better the £13m asking price.
Allen is 26 years old who grew up through the ranks and leagues at Swansea before following boss Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool in 2012 for £16.5m. Allen’s association with Rodgers ended last season as Jurgen Klopp became manager before he could get over his early season injury trouble. Clearly Jurgen was not as big a fan as Rodgers was, as last season Allen featured in 19 league games for the reds (starting just 8) and grabbed two goals and one assist in that time. However, Allen quickly burst into the spotlight this season during Wales’ campaign at this Summer’s European Championships. He helped his country to reach the semi-finals in the competition and also features in UEFA’s Team of the Tournament, picked ahead of several midfield behemoths such as Paul Pogba. Despite this gleaming accolade and Klopp saying he’d like to keep Allen, he seems like dead metal over on Merseyside and the club seem to be looking to replace him.
We all seem to be letting our nerves get the better of us in this transfer window. It’s been just over 65 days since the end of last season and not a single new first team player has strolled through the Clayton Wood gates to sign on the dotted line. There have been rumours a plenty, with talk of signing Witsel and Subotic (just been announced as having a long-term injury, good call @stokecity) falling by the wayside, whilst the hype train for Sobhi and Berahino is still hopefully chugging its way to Stoke-on-Trent station.
In the three years under Mark Hughes the latest first arrival of the summer came on the 28th June 2013 when Erik Pieters arrived from PSV Eindhoven. That signing was made in Hughes’ maiden year as the boss, so a delay to complete a transfer was perhaps expected. In the two years since, our first additions have come just days after the respective season had closed, with Bardsley and Wollscheid arriving in the Potteries on the 22nd May 2014 and the 21st May 2015.
I feel some Stoke fans have gone into a serious state of worry, seeing as we have not completed one transfer and, unfortunately, today were at the end of a 3-0 second half thumping. But it is essential that we remember that preseason is no way an indicator of things to come.
The match began with the Potters lining up in an unusual 5-4-1. Wilson, Wollscheid and Muniesa played in the centre of defence with Butland behind and Johnson and Pieters at wing back. The midfield was made up of the deeper sitting Adam and Lecygne, who had Imbula ahead of them and Bojan ahead of him. Joselu rounded up the formation as the lone striker. Ultimately the formation was not hugely successful as both Johnson and Pieters seemed to struggle to get into advanced positions and this left us very short of width in attack.
The first half was not a very eventful one. Burton settled into the game quicker and had the larger share of attacking play but struggled to create anything of note and Butland had little to do other than collect stray crosses that were floated into the box. Stoke meanwhile passed the ball from centre back to centre back to centre mid to goalkeeper to centre back to full back to… You know how it goes. Bojan was coming so deep that at times he was level with the two outside centre backs, as previously mentioned the formation did not suit the side, and they struggled to create any substantial play. However minutes before the break Joselu broke free of the defence and slotted the ball home, only to be called offside. The highlight prior to the break had to be the appearance of two cult legends in Mama Sidibe and Dionotan Texiera, both eagerly welcomed by the fans.
Amidst news breaking that Whelan has signed a further year extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2018, reports are spreading that Stoke are interested in Juventus’ holding midfielder Mario Lemina. The Gabon international spent last season on loan at Juventus from Marseille, and was snapped up by the Old Lady in April for a figure around 9.5 million euros. But with rumours circulating that Allegri does not see the 22 year old as part of his plans, Stoke appear ready to snap up the talented midfielder.
Lemina is widely considered to be a central midfielder, but with his pace and power has also featured on the right flank as a wide midfielder and full back. Lemina’s pace and work rate mean that he will rarely allow an opposition player to coast past. This coupled with his footballing intelligence means he is often seen winning the ball, via an interception or well-timed tackle, then quickly recycling play to a team mate, or beating his man and advancing the play himself. Despite only making 10 appearances last season for Juventus, Lemina made a good impression finding himself on the scoresheet twice. An excellent showing against Napoli, and a man of the match performance against Atalanta, earned him a large deal of credibility in Italy. Despite Allegri’s views on the player he is viewed as a highly talented young man, and many believe a move gaining him more play time is perfect for his development.
