26 Aug 2026 11:03:30
Wonder if AI is thinking of a new defensive setup?
Jacquet, Araujo and Virg as a back 3 protected by a new DM (Camara?)
Dom and Grav in front to break the lines with Wirtz in a diamond with Munoz, Barcola and Isak:
Alison.
Jacquet. Araujo Virg
Camara
Dom. Grav
Wirtz
Munoz. Barcola
Isak.
26 Aug 2026 11:31:11
We are not buying Camara or any new midfielders.
26 Aug 2026 11:41:24
The backline is weak with 4 defenders, I dread the thought of moving to 3.
26 Aug 2026 11:42:05
It's not as bad that line up, mate, wouldn't be massively upset by it but don't think we are getting another midfielder in, but would love that to be wrong.
26 Aug 2026 11:42:22
This would not work... and I doubt AI is going to change his whole philosophy based on one game, which I think was not as bad, half the people make out.
26 Aug 2026 11:42:52
Pompey, that looks more open than a hooker's legs, mate. Munoz and Barcola providing defensive cover when we are out of possession? Madness, in my opinion, we don't have the squad balance at all, you would be better playing Frimpong / Kerkez as the wing backs, but neither are productive enough right now.
I'm praying AI can get a tune out of what he has. Kerkez looked fantastic at Bournemouth.
26 Aug 2026 11:49:02
We don't have enough depth at CB for this, and no chance of leaving Kerkez, Frimpong, Tsimikas and Bradley high and dry with no place for them - irrespective of how little people rate them.
26 Aug 2026 11:57:32
Munoz and Barcola to press and defend from the front, Cgd... backed up by Dom behind Munoz and Grav behind Barcola.
New DM sniffing out any breaks behind Dom and Grav, with a strong defensive 3 as the last line.
26 Aug 2026 12:07:40
I wouldn't look at formations at lineups but rather in-possession and out-of-possession systems. Iraola's setup is pretty involved, switching between man-v-man and zonal where appropriate.
I think we're just going to have to wait and see how it develops. And accept the teething trouble.
However, what is not for debate is adding some different profiles to the squad (in addition to the wingers). Namely, a midfielder with defensive nous and a Rb that can invert and progress the ball.
For Rb, not a great set of options out there now. Marco Palestra was perfect for the role, but we lost out to Chelsea. We missed a trick with Oscar Mingueza, who was on a Bosman too! Getting Archie Gray out of Spurs sounds like it would be impossible to do.
If the Rw market is impossible, I am not against moving Szobo there for the season to then open up a space for Lamine Camara and Trey Nyoni to battle with Gravy in the midfield two.
26 Aug 2026 12:31:20
You lose a lot going to 3 at the back. I think it's better to keep coaching the current system.
26 Aug 2026 12:36:10
Are Munoz and Barcola wingbacks in this setup, or are we just not bothering to defend out wide?
26 Aug 2026 13:50:33
Good point, Shipley... . ?
Our 3 defenders are ultimately responsible for the opposition's wide attackers. But essentially, the players are required to recognise and communicate to ensure we always have 1 more player back than the opposition have strikers.
Our defenders move toward the side being attacked and our midfield players on the opposite side (Dom or Grav) move back as full back cover.