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| Source: Manoramaonline.com |
With Kerala Blasters set to take on A-League side Melbourne City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Toyota Yaris LaLiga World pre-season friendly tournament, the first of its kind in India, Let's quickly take a look at the 5 possible formations in which the Kerala Blasters can line-up in the upcoming tournament.
1. 3-1-4-2
Last season saw David James reverting the Kerala Blasters from a 4 man defence under Rene Meulensteen to a 3-man defence with Wes Brown, Sandesh Jhingan and Lalruathara occupying the 3 central back position.
Former Indian U17 goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh might be picked up as the first choice keeper ahead of the more experienced Naveen Kumar while James might look upon new signing Anas Edathodika, club captain Sandesh Jhingan and Lalruathara or Nemanja Lakic-Pesic or new foreign recruit Cyril Kali to make the back three.
The defensive midfielder ahead of the 3-man defence is the only position that the team from the southernmost state of India seems to lack as Cyril Kali is the only player having experience playing in the position with Hrishidhath Sasikumar as the only replacement for the old Frenchmen. With Kali playing as the defensive mid, Lakic-Pesic or Lalruathara may be opted to play in the central role.
The Wingbacks in a 3 man defence is a very important aspect as it through them that the width is provided for the team. Lalruathara may be opted to occupy the left-wing back position if James opts to start Pesic as a centre-back or Pritamkumar Singh may be selected for the position with Lalruathara drafted as the centre-back. Samuel Shadip is favourite to be selected as the right wing back with James likely to select the more defensively ahead of Prasanth Karuthadathkuni.
Courage Pekuson and Keziron Kizito are likely to occupy the central midfield position as they look to revive the partnership that saw the Blasters getting the cutting edge in the latter half of the season till Kizito injured his shoulder.
Slavisa Stojanovic is expected to lead the line with local hero CK Vineeth likely to the second striker. Matej Poplatnik may be optted in place of Vineeth if limit in the number of foreign players on the pitch is not more than 5.
2. 3-5-2
The common formation used by David James last season. James is more likely to continue to stick to this formation with the number of centre-backs in the squad providing a small insight in the min of the former Liverpool shot-stopper.
Former Indian U17 goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh might be picked up as the first choice keeper ahead of the more experienced Naveen Kumar . New recruit Cyril Kali is likely to start in front of the Serbian Nemanja Lakic-Pesic with Sandesh Jhingan and local boy Anas Edathodika likely to occupy the other 2 centre-back positions. Lalruthara and Samuel Shadip are expected to occupy the wing-back position with Pritamkumar Singh likely to replace Lalruathara at the left-wing back if James decides to start the versatile defender as the centre-back.
Keziron Kizito is likely to start in the middle of the 3 the centre midfield with Courage Pekuson and another local boy Zakeer Mundampara likely to start in front of the younger Negi and local boy Samad.
The Serbian Slavisa Stojanovic is expected to lead the line with local hero CK Vineeth likely to the second striker. Matej Poplatnik may be optted in place of Vineeth if limit in the number of foreign players on the pitch is not more than 5.
With reports of CK Vineeth being out injured Seminel Doungel or Matej Poplatnik may be opted with local stars Jithin MS and VK Afdal having a slight chance of performing in front their native state.
3. 4-4-2
The second most common formation used by David James last season. The basic 4-4-2 formation will provide James with the necessary discipline for his defence while also helping the forward line with overlapping runs from the full-backs.
Former Indian U17 goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh might be picked up as the first choice keeper ahead of the more experienced Naveen Kumar. Indian National Football team pairing of Anas Edathodika and Sandesh Jhingan are favourites to start as centre-backs with Laruathara and Samuel Shadip likely to be slotted in as the full backs.
Courage Pekuson may be drafted in as the left midfielder with Keziron Kizito playing close to him as the left central midfielder. Negi might get his chance to play in the starting line-up in this formation with former U17 Indian team captain playing in the right side of the central midfield close to right winger and local favourite CK Vineeth.
New recruits Slavisa Stojanovic and Matej Poplatnik are expected to lead the line in this formation.
With reports of CK Vineeth being dropped from the squad due to an injury Seminel Doungel or Holicharan Narzary slotted in to replace the injured Vineeth
4. 5-4-1
The formation that is likely to see the famous "Chip the Ball to Strikers Chest and We take it from there" tactics made famous by Bulgarian legend Dimitar Berbatov when he blasted out on the managerial tactics of David James.
The 5-4-1 will provide defence rigidity to the side shutting out any possible attack from the opposition while diluting his side of any potential attacks. This formation is likely to be used when the Kerala Blasters are in front in a match that they are looking to close out.
Just like all the previous 3 man defence Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika are expected to start with either of Cyril Kali or Nemanja Lakic-Pesic being slotted in as the third centre-back.
The 5-4-1 will provide defence rigidity to the side shutting out any possible attack from the opposition while diluting his side of any potential attacks. This formation is likely to be used when the Kerala Blasters are in front in a match that they are looking to close out.
Just like all the previous 3 man defence Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika are expected to start with either of Cyril Kali or Nemanja Lakic-Pesic being slotted in as the third centre-back.
Lalruathara and Samuel Shadip are expected to fill the wing-back roles with Keziron Kizito and Courage Pekuson forming the midfield partnership. CK Vineeth and Matej Poplatnik are expected to start on the wings as midfielders rather than wingers to provide the defensive stability
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Serbian Slavisa Stojanovic is expected to lead the line. With reports of CK Vineeth being injured coming in Seminel Doungel is expected to start for the Kerala Blasters.
5. 3-4-3
The most adventurous formation of the lot. The 3-4-3 formation will be most likely seen when the Blasters are a goal down and chasing a match. The 3 man defence will be most probably manned by Indian Football team centre-back pairing of Anas Edathodika and Sandesh Jhingan along with Cyril Kali or Nemanja Lakic-Pesic being slotted in as the third centre back.
Lalruathara and Samuel Shadip are expected to play the wing-back roles while Courage Pekuson and Keziron Kizito are likely to play in the middle of the park.
Slavisa Stojanovic is expected to lead the line with Slovenian Matej Poplatnik and local favourite CK Vineeth on either side.
With reports of CK Vineeth injured coming in, Seminel Doungel may start in place of the Kerala born player.
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