I disagree with you. Poch could've used Sissoko as one of the 2 in a 4-2-3-1 no problem at all, or on the right of a standard 4-4-2. Or as the 1 in a 4-1-4-1 or one of the central midfielders in a 3-5-2. This season he has then persisted with the formation even after bringing in N'Dombele and Lo Celso and having Winks, Lamela, Eriksen, Skipp and even Wanyama and Dier all available.
The formation isn't the sole reason why we are less effective. Remember that we changed to a 4-2-3-1 against Brighton and were actually far, FAR worse than in pretty much any game that I can remember in which we played the diamond. Also in the game against Bayern the score was 5-1 to them after we had stopped playing the diamond.
I think we are currently less effective for a combination of reasons. Firstly we have lost some very good players to sales/injuries/physical decline (We haven't got anyone anywhere near as good as Walker, Rose, Wanayama and Dembele were at their peak and we have two players in Alderweireld and Eriksen who were getting into just about everyone's end of season best in PL teams). Secondly I think the team are still learning how to play the diamond and lastly we are still a few players short of having the right personnel to play the diamond.... (right back and base of the midfield).
I thought that the training ground work was just starting to show itself in an attacking sense against Bayern. Defensively it needs a lot more work though as we had Winks charging around after the ball like a 10 year old and neither Sissoko or N'Dombele really knowing where to position themselves at all and Dele Ali not really tucking in to create the other midfielder as the diamond shifts across.
There is no reason at all why a 4-4-2 diamond cannot be just as, if not more successful then a 4-2-3-1. Both formations should commit just as many players to attack and defend.
Of course you do
I said back then, make Sissoko a Parker-esque DM. Keep it simple, use his athleticism to protect the back line and build up a team from there.
I maintain that was the smartest thing to do, but Poch chose differently. Trying a variety of options before settling on the diamond - forcing Winks to hold while Sissoko careered around doing whatever Sissoko does.
Its one time I think Poch fudged up, big. And it disappoints me he persisted with it.
We did change to 4231, we have had this discussion. When the players down tools commenting on the formation is entirely a waste of time, its meaningless.
I know you saw something against Bayern, but I most certainly didnt. I think, when you consider our players have had 4/5/6 years together, seeing them link up sporadically is very easily ascribed to them knowing each others game, more so than training ground work coming to fruition.
Particulaly when positionally the whole team is all over the place, not showing any real sign of coherence or direction.
You know as well as I, you start with the basics. Defending. You get a solid shape and build from there.
Us? Not happening. Bayern is the poster boy for the diamond, and it was so effective it got 95 minutes football into our players in 35 minutes. There is nothing to point to with it as either a work in progress or a success.
The only real counter is that of personel, which if true means we are knowingly playing to our own disadvantage because what? In a month or two players will come in and change our fortunes? Surely good sense says to work with what you have in the best way to suit it?
