Three Into Two

[red g]

For a holding midfielder he attacks a lot. Alonso usually stays behind which is why he is our holding midfielder.

I didn't remember it was you who said Sissoko is a holding midfielder before.

A holding midfielder sits back and plays deep, Makelele classic example...how often is he involved in the 'attack' Iwould say Sissoko is a maurader.....he hunts the ball down......wherever it is!! like viera used to

[kerfuffle]

3-5-2

--------------Finnan------Hyypia-------Carragher

Pennant---------Momo----------------Xabi--------------Gonzo

-------------------------Gerrard

-----------------Bellamy---------Crouch/Kuyt

Init?

Don't let the nugget don whatever see you've got pennant as a wing back otherwise he'll say you know nowt about football.

[singlerider]

3-5-2

--------------Finnan------Hyypia-------Carragher

Pennant---------Momo----------------Xabi--------------Gonzo

-------------------------Gerrard

-----------------Bellamy---------Crouch/Kuyt

Init?

Finnan playing as a RCB?

*scratches chin, bites fingernails*

Really not convinced by that you know.

[G_Man]

Finnan playing as a RCB?

*scratches chin, bites fingernails*

Really not convinced by that you know.

Alright then, put Paletta in there

[bazza76]

this for me is why Alonso is sellable. We need Gerrard & Momo more.

Has to be Mexican Hernandez

[Don Quixote]

I wouldn't say Vieira or Sissoko were holding midfielders. This is why they will never be played in the middle with an out and out attacking midfielder. Arsenal played Vieira with Gilberto Silva/Edu/Petit because he needed another player in the middle capable of covering when he strode forward.

Makelelle is a genuine holding player. He rarely gets forward and mostly diligently sits in front of the centrebacks.

The fact is the only player we have even vaguely capable of the necissary levels of discipline and awareness is Xabi. I think he is the most important player in the squad. He looked out of sorts most of last night but he is an integral part of the team. I think people want to see the obvious killer passes too much - I thought last season Xabi's contribution improved as he adapted more to the defensive duties of a holding player, while still controlling play with his passing.

Hopefully with more pace in the rest of the team he will have more options to hit with his passes and he will have more of an attacking influence this season.

I completely agree with this. It's a shame it isn't more fashionable to think this way.

[Don Quixote]

The only way I see the midfield three working properly (or to be more exact - getting the most out of Gerrard) is to not have him in such an advanced role on his own, trying to play 2nd striker/link man, but instead to allow him to play alongside Momo, with the two of them ahead of Xabi.

--------------------Xabi

----------Momo-------------Gerrard

Pennant------------------------------Whoever at left wing
----------Striker (preferably Kuyt I guess)

I know it's not a big difference from the 4231, but I reckon it's enough.

Hopefully this way, momo, Xabi and Stevie can start making the little triangle things in the centre of the pitch, spreading it out wide, and both Momo and Gerrard can get in the box, cos last night I don't think we saw our midfielders in there enough.

That's right. That's the only way to do it. But Rafa won't just start playing 433.

What he'll do is rotate his players. We don't have any decent cover anyway if we play them all, so I think it's a bonus that it's difficult to choose between them. Now, whoever we play, we have quality back-up.

[Don Quixote]

3-5-2

--------------Finnan------Hyypia-------Carragher

Pennant---------Momo----------------Xabi--------------Gonzo

-------------------------Gerrard

-----------------Bellamy---------Crouch/Kuyt

Init?

We'd get raped on the flanks.

[Don Quixote]

And Finnan isn't a centreback.

[Ryan]

You're overwhelming tactical brain is wasted over there on the Isle of Man Robin. Send your thoughts into Rafa and his team, they'll have you off that Mini-Chernobyl and into some red-and-black Adidas sports casual, armed with a clipboard faster than you can say 'three-legged-cat'.

[Don Quixote]

The irony is, it would probably be a good idea.

[kerfuffle]

The irony is, it would probably be a good idea.

:whatever:

[Ryan]

The irony is, it would probably be a good idea.

I think you should just stay on koptalk Robin.

[Don Quixote]

I see you're real chummy with your new pals.

[Ryan]

What ARE you on about?

I don't think I've 'spoken' to anybody else on this thread bar you.