Ryan Mason has the chance to alter Tottenham’s formation and starting lineup so his team can play to their strengths and make an offensive statement against Sheffield United.
Sunday represents a perfect opportunity for Mason to instil a risk-forward mindset, promoting his players to harness their collective offensive prowess. Mason wouldn’t have considered this formation against Manchester City, such is the ruthlessness of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Sheffield United, though, is Manchester City’s antithesis. The two sides have nothing in common, as Paul Heckingbottom’s side is permanently cemented to the bottom of the Premier League table with no hope of salvation. With only pride to play for, Spurs, in the comfortable confines of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, must feast on their inferior opponent’s porous defence.
A statement of intent is precisely what the doctor has prescribed for Sunday’s affair with the league’s bottom feeders.
The below formation and team selection facilitates numerous options going forward while maintaining enough cover to ensure Mason’s side aren’t exposed on the counter.
Starting with a more attacking formation
A 4-1-3-2 would allow Spurs to hem Sheffield deep and play with more attacking options. It’s not a pure, true 4-1-3-2, as the “second forward” acts as a No. 10, pushing forward to join Harry Kane when suitable. He doesn’t, however, stay permanently up front, sliding back when Spurs losing possession.
Pierre Hojberg is intuitive enough to protect the back four, especially against Sheffield, on his lonesome. He doesn’t require a partner to hold his hand and should be provided the autonomy to thrive in his territory on his own.
While unquestionably a more risky formation, having Hojberg patrol the defensive midfield on his own will allow more space for Tottenham’s creative contingent. The system also provides balance, with five defensive and five offensive players.
Hojberg is the fulcrum that turns defence into attack, spraying the ball quickly to one of his five more advanced options. But the preferred outlet is to Giovanni Lo Celso, who can slalom forward with unencumbered freedom.
When Sergio Reguilon marauds forward, Hojberg can fill in for the Spaniard while, if necessary, Gio slides back into the pocket to cover for the temporarily out-of-position Hojberg. The same goes for the other side when Doherty ventures forward.
This more adventurous formation also gives Son and Bale another outlet in the centre of the park, with Gio joining the lion’s share of attacks. Gio and Tanguy can also interchange, as both players are comfortable in either role.
The more ambitious formation also allows for Tanguy to get a long overdue chance of slipping into the No. 10 role, a position more suited to his ingenuity and creativity.
Not only will this formation be more pleasing on the eye, it will also garner more scoring chances, providing an abundance of opportunities for Sonny to break out of his scoring drought. Ultimately it will garner the desired performance and result for Mason’s side, who cannot afford another stagnant, disheartening defensive display.