3 at the back – why aren’t we looking at Leeds’ system?!

[Bladesman2019]

Watching Leeds United tonight, it’s clear to me that we should have a detailed look and analysis into the 3 at the back system that works so well for them.

They’ve lost just one game since March, and although that obviously isn’t solely down to the formation, there’s clearly something about the structure and the way they match player profiles to specific roles that works.

I’d like us to look at how they use the system and then match our own players to similar roles. For example, Doherty at right centre-back where Justin plays.

Once everyone is fit, I’d be looking at something like:

Cooper

Seriki – Doherty – Tanganga – Kitching – Burrows


Phillips


Peck – Arblaster


Bamford – Brereton Díaz / Cannon


So essentially a 3-4-1-2 / 3-1-4-2, with Phillips sitting centrally as the more defensive of the midfield three.

Phillips gives you the protection in front of the back three, while Peck and Arblaster have more freedom to press, carry the ball and get forward. Seriki and Burrows provide the width and can push high when we’re in possession.

Doherty playing on the right of the three is another one I’d be interested in. He’s comfortable enough on the ball to step into midfield when needed, while still giving us the defensive cover of three centre-backs.

Then you’ve got Bamford as the link-up striker, with Brereton Díaz or Cannon alongside him.


I’m not saying we should blindly copy Leeds, but when a team has lost just once since March, their system is obviously worth studying properly.

We’ve got a squad that, on paper, could actually suit this really well. I’d much rather see us commit to a system and build around player profiles than keep chopping and changing.

Worth a proper look?

 

[Barnette]

We should look at how Bogle has transformed under Farke into a fit, strong PL player

 

[Cheesebored]

We should look at how Bogle has transformed under Farke into a fit, strong PL player

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for us.

 

[Rufus T. Firefly]

it's surprising that considering how uber fit Farke's team are, we haven't tried to learn a thing or two about his preparation and emphasis on fitness. Considering the amount of ex Leeds players we have.
We used to be really fit under Wilder mk1. Has this all changed since Matt Prestridge became more involved in coaching and less in charge of fitness? Or does he still oversee the fitness side?

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

I’m absolutely convinced that every club in the premier league partakes in blood doping across their playing squads.

Our squad appears to partake in dope.

Edit: to answer the actual point of the thread and why I think it’s pointless to even try and emulate what L**ds are doing - athleticism. We don’t have any.

 

[AdamSufc1997]

Decent manager decent coaching staff decent scouting team. Amazing what it can do

 

[metty]

it's surprising that considering how uber fit Farke's team are, we haven't tried to learn a thing or two about his preparation and emphasis on fitness. Considering the amount of ex Leeds players we have.
We used to be really fit under Wilder mk1. Has this all changed since Matt Prestridge became more involved in coaching and less in charge of fitness? Or does he still oversee the fitness side?

I think Matt left in the summer

 

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Didn't know that ta. He was here post mk1 and we were still unfit.

 

[Æthelstan]

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for us.

Seems to happen with a lot of players. Makes me wonder how good we'd be if we had used these players properly or just got them fit to begin with.

Oh well.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for us.

He was 20 and played in a side that was relegated.

 

[KMC-1889]

We don’t have the pace or stamina to play like that. Selles tried and look how that went.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Watching Leeds United tonight, it’s clear to me that we should have a detailed look and analysis into the 3 at the back system that works so well for them.

They’ve lost just one game since March, and although that obviously isn’t solely down to the formation, there’s clearly something about the structure and the way they match player profiles to specific roles that works.

I’d like us to look at how they use the system and then match our own players to similar roles. For example, Doherty at right centre-back where Justin plays.

Once everyone is fit, I’d be looking at something like:

Cooper

Seriki – Doherty – Tanganga – Kitching – Burrows


Phillips


Peck – Arblaster


Bamford – Brereton Díaz / Cannon


So essentially a 3-4-1-2 / 3-1-4-2, with Phillips sitting centrally as the more defensive of the midfield three.

Phillips gives you the protection in front of the back three, while Peck and Arblaster have more freedom to press, carry the ball and get forward. Seriki and Burrows provide the width and can push high when we’re in possession.

Doherty playing on the right of the three is another one I’d be interested in. He’s comfortable enough on the ball to step into midfield when needed, while still giving us the defensive cover of three centre-backs.

Then you’ve got Bamford as the link-up striker, with Brereton Díaz or Cannon alongside him.


I’m not saying we should blindly copy Leeds, but when a team has lost just once since March, their system is obviously worth studying properly.

We’ve got a squad that, on paper, could actually suit this really well. I’d much rather see us commit to a system and build around player profiles than keep chopping and changing.

Worth a proper look?

I think you’re doing McGuiness a bit of a disservice there. I thought he held the back line together brilliantly on Sunday, he gave Tanganga and Kitching the confidence to bring the ball out of defence instead of just hoofing it.

 

[finlaytheblade]

We should look at how Bogle has transformed under Farke into a fit, strong PL player

Bogles strength has always been his attacking ability ! He is in his prime now so Leeds are getting a real forward thinking player his weakness was his defensive weakness! If Farke has improved that side to his game! They have a real player on there hands.

 

[finlaytheblade]

it's surprising that considering how uber fit Farke's team are, we haven't tried to learn a thing or two about his preparation and emphasis on fitness. Considering the amount of ex Leeds players we have.
We used to be really fit under Wilder mk1. Has this all changed since Matt Prestridge became more involved in coaching and less in charge of fitness? Or does he still oversee the fitness side?

We do have some fit players and saying CW s set up is not up to it is probably not the reason.
We always seem to be rehabilitate p layers from injury and bringing in players not at the required level.
What bugs me is the lack of pace running through the team it has been a problem for a long time and this maybe due to poor scouting or the ponds we fish in dont seem to put pace at the top of requirements.
It is a really big problem this season.
Campbell has pace but just can't get fit 60mins at best Donovan has pace but lightweight and inexperienced. Who else? no one.!
Against Wolves Mc was winning all headers with Wolves set square it was crying out for a runner from deep .A great tactic Mc winning his ariel battles! Just where we're the runners to take advantage of this.
He got pole axed just before halftime( the only way they could stop him! how the ref Jones saw it the way he did just baffles me! Or is it because it would have been his 2nd booking ? Amazing decision!!

 

[Cheesebored]

He was 20 and played in a side that was relegated.

Maybe, but showed no signs of the level he's currently at.

 

[uTurn]

Watching Leeds United tonight, it’s clear to me that we should have a detailed look and analysis into the 3 at the back system that works so well for them.

The coach is a significant driving force into Leeds doing as well as they are. Farke showed at Norwich that he's an offensive coach, keen for his team to score goals. Wilder might have been like that at one stage, but he us certainly not that now. We do not have the technical ability, nor the fitness levels, within the squad to attempt anything like what Leeds are currently doing.

Once everyone is fit

So... never?

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for us.

HE wasn’t ‘terrible’. He was a young lad playing in a terrible side. Unfortunately a certain section of our fan base projected their disappointment onto him and the narrative was born!

 

[Cheesebored]

HE wasn’t ‘terrible’. He was a young lad playing in a terrible side. Unfortunately a certain section of our fan base projected their disappointment onto him and the narrative was born!

There's no narrative. He was poor for us granted in a poor side. Use whatever descriptive word you want, he showed no sign with us of the player he's become.

 

[CrookesBlade]

HE wasn’t ‘terrible’. He was a young lad playing in a terrible side. Unfortunately a certain section of our fan base projected their disappointment onto him and the narrative was born!

Seems to be the new angle on here for bashing the club.

I genuinely don’t think some people understand that players will improve when they hit their physical prime, coupled with playing at a higher level and access to the resources of the PL (better coaches, better facilities etc)

Look at the sections of our support who slag Peck off week in week out. They expect the finished article at 21.

 

[skegblade]

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for

Seems to be the new angle on here for bashing the club.

I genuinely don’t think some people understand that players will improve when they hit their physical prime, coupled with playing at a higher level and access to the resources of the PL (better coaches, better facilities etc)

Look at the sections of our support who slag Peck off week in week out. They expect the finished article at 21.

Leeds have boufht a brilliant centre half ,who had a great world cup every defendwr is strong in the tackle dont miss many headers and have a great midfield with off thebnch options
We have zero of the above
But as usual when there defenders amd midfield can no longer hack it we will be in for them

 

[jaydeg]

Bogle was so much better last night than I remember him to be for us. Difference is athleticism I think - they’ve obviously got him on some programme (could be doping haha) as he’s so much stronger and I think faster too. He was up and down that wing last night and kept sprinting full length of the pitch to get beyond DCL, running in behind better than Cannon does despite playing wing back. This seems like a bit of a quirk of Leeds system that other teams struggle to deal with, a bit like our overlapping centre backs in their prime - the wingbacks really do get involved up front and make late runs that are difficult to pick up. I also saw Bogle get in front of Wissa for a 50:50 where they both had to sprint for it, used his body to get between Wissa and ball and won a foul. I never remember him doing things like that for us, and Wissa is a fast/athletic striker

 

[Nick Jansky]

Maybe, but showed no signs of the level he's currently at.

But had shown signs of it before he came to us. That was a very unusual season in so many ways. He was a youngster living away from home and under lockdown. Many other players were equally affected. But trust a Blades fan to single out and scapegoat a young player in a very difficult situation.

 

[Sir Nick Montgomery]

I think the formation/system is irrelevant.
It’s how it’s deployed that’s the most important thing. Doesn’t matter if we set up 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 or whatever if we keep surrendering possession so cheaply and sitting deep inviting teams onto us.
We are a poor team who need to be better with the ball and we can’t sustain the way we are playing all season

 

[SUFC Guy]

We seriously lack raw pace in this side and it is holding us back big time.

 

[ancientblade]

Watching Leeds United tonight, it’s clear to me that we should have a detailed look and analysis into the 3 at the back system that works so well for them.

They’ve lost just one game since March, and although that obviously isn’t solely down to the formation, there’s clearly something about the structure and the way they match player profiles to specific roles that works.

I’d like us to look at how they use the system and then match our own players to similar roles. For example, Doherty at right centre-back where Justin plays.

Once everyone is fit, I’d be looking at something like:

Cooper

Seriki – Doherty – Tanganga – Kitching – Burrows


Phillips


Peck – Arblaster


Bamford – Brereton Díaz / Cannon


So essentially a 3-4-1-2 / 3-1-4-2, with Phillips sitting centrally as the more defensive of the midfield three.

Phillips gives you the protection in front of the back three, while Peck and Arblaster have more freedom to press, carry the ball and get forward. Seriki and Burrows provide the width and can push high when we’re in possession.

Doherty playing on the right of the three is another one I’d be interested in. He’s comfortable enough on the ball to step into midfield when needed, while still giving us the defensive cover of three centre-backs.

Then you’ve got Bamford as the link-up striker, with Brereton Díaz or Cannon alongside him.


I’m not saying we should blindly copy Leeds, but when a team has lost just once since March, their system is obviously worth studying properly.

We’ve got a squad that, on paper, could actually suit this really well. I’d much rather see us commit to a system and build around player profiles than keep chopping and changing.

Worth a proper look?

yes think the players we have in the squad now would be suited either 3412 or 3421 but i would keep the same 3 we played sunday mcguinness looks so much better in the centre of a 3 with philips as the minder in front of them and when fit seriki and burrows would be my wingbacks but still upfront is my concern were powder puff that may change once one is back to challenge bamford

 

[Cheesebored]

But had shown signs of it before he came to us. That was a very unusual season in so many ways. He was a youngster living away from home and under lockdown. Many other players were equally affected. But trust a Blades fan to single out and scapegoat a young player in a very difficult situation.

Describing a player as poor for us is hardly scapegoating them. Bogle always had something going forwards but was suspect defensively. Ampadu, frankly, showed very little. Scapegoating him would be blaming him for all our problems that season. Clearly that wasn't the case.

 

[Slim Man]

Ampadu is the bigger surprise for me. Terrible player for us.

In one of the worst premier league teams ever, completely and utterly at sea with no organisation or premier league ability throughout it. Hardly a shock

 

[pollster]

We should look at how Bogle has transformed under Farke into a fit, strong PL player

Thats bollocks
He was our best player the season Wilder took us down for the second time
That is why he was their NUMBER 1 TARGET signing
His (results) stats always made him look an above average player for us in the Prem
People raved about him in the Chumpionship
He/We had two disastrous seasons under the imbecile
and he couldn't wait to get away.
So much so he took a chance on Falke
and it paid off clearly

 

[HOT CURRIE 10]

We are light years behind Leeds,our last 2 and a half seasons have been disastrous and now look where we find ourselves. Fitness,athleticism,technique,pressing,quality,ownership,management etc etc. what he has done with Calvert Lewin is incredible,Bogle,Ampadu,Aaronson etc

 

[Akrotiri_Blades]

We are light years behind Leeds,our last 2 and a half seasons have been disastrous and now look where we find ourselves. Fitness,athleticism,technique,pressing,quality,ownership,management etc etc. what he has done with Calvert Lewin is incredible,Bogle,Ampadu,Aaronson etc

We are on so many levels, on the pitch but off it too, they have started their stadium capacity increase set for an additional nearly 10,000 seats by end of 2028 and then a further increase by the end of 2030. Although the debate within the Leeds area probably won't stop for a while they are looking at potential for a tram system from White Rose Centre via Elland Road and onto Leeds City Station, I have no idea if these will get the green light but if it did it adds to the appeal of the stadium location as at the moment it's not exactly the best of locations or accessible without traffic or bus.