The Three At The Back Argument - Again!!

[blacky]

I was just looking at the squad list again and thinking about the players we have and the positions they play. After the game the other night I was extremely happy with Pennant on the right wing. Likewise I think Barry/Speedy/Risse on the left wing is a great option. In saying that I also think SG, Xabi and Momo work well as a trio. I don't like playing with a lone striker so that leaves us with the option of a back three. I know this is probably discussed a bit but I thought I would throw it into the arena again. Against Chelsea on Sunday why not try out the following:

Reina

Palletta Carragher Hyppia

Sissoko Xabi

Pennant Gerrard Gonzalez

Bellamy Crouch

[Ryan]

FAR too narrow.

Plus, Palletta's never played in the Premiership in his life. He'd be hopelessly out of his depth if we threw him in this early.

[MattBiscan]

Hyypia is not quick enough to play that position

[paulcooper4]

awaits brendans attack.............

[Red_Polo]

Rafa is from the Sacchi school of tactics, I can't see him playing anything other than 4 at the back, barring the odd circumstance which warrants it

[kerfuffle]

I was just looking at the squad list again and thinking about the players we have and the positions they play. After the game the other night I was extremely happy with Pennant on the right wing. Likewise I think Barry/Speedy/Risse on the left wing is a great option. In saying that I also think SG, Xabi and Momo work well as a trio. I don't like playing with a lone striker so that leaves us with the option of a back three. I know this is probably discussed a bit but I thought I would throw it into the arena again. Against Chelsea on Sunday why not try out the following:

Reina

Palletta Carragher Hyppia

Sissoko Xabi

Pennant Gerrard Gonzalez

Bellamy Crouch

Swap Palletta for Agger,put him on the left side of hyppia in the middle and carragher towards the right, get rid of Crouch for Fowler or Kuyt ( If signs ) and I will agree that three at the back is the way forward.

[blacky]

To be honest I've never been a believer in the system myself. Horrible memories of Phil Babb in a back 3!!! I just can't get my head around the SG, Xabi & Sissoko Conundrum. The reason I put Palletta in there is because Agger is injured.

[blacky]

I didn't put Fowler in because he was injured for Wed game. I do think he and Bellamy will strike up a great partnership. I think bellamy needs to play alongside someone.

[brendan]

To be honest I've never been a believer in the system myself. Horrible memories of Phil Babb in a back 3!!! I just can't get my head around the SG, Xabi & Sissoko Conundrum. The reason I put Palletta in there is because Agger is injured.

The much-maligned back three under Roy Evans (Scales/ Babb/ Ruddock) etc etc wasn't always an unmitigated disaster, and we had one of the best defensive records in the Premiership on more than one occasion.

TRUFAX.

[Redspin]

I was just looking at the squad list again and thinking about the players we have and the positions they play. After the game the other night I was extremely happy with Pennant on the right wing. Likewise I think Barry/Speedy/Risse on the left wing is a great option. In saying that I also think SG, Xabi and Momo work well as a trio. I don't like playing with a lone striker so that leaves us with the option of a back three. I know this is probably discussed a bit but I thought I would throw it into the arena again. Against Chelsea on Sunday why not try out the following:

Reina

Palletta Carragher Hyppia

Sissoko Xabi

Pennant Gerrard Gonzalez

Bellamy Crouch

Trust me - on Sunday he'll play 4-2-3-1 with Crouch up front as the target man. Something like:-

Reina

Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise

Alonso Sissoko

Pennant Gerrard Zenden/Gonzales

Crouch

I'd put my mortgage on it

[brendan]

Trust me - on Sunday he'll play 4-2-3-1 with Crouch up front as the target man. Something like:-

Reina

Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise

Alonso Sissoko

Pennant Gerrard Zenden/Gonzales

Crouch

I'd put my mortgage on it

He'd be mad to drop Bellamy. Rodders has never even looked close to scoring against Abramovich FC, and Bellers offers real striking menace and pace, which the slitty-eyed cockney wanka "JT" *hates*

[dww]

I think Garcia looked good in the last game, I would like to see him start. I really have no idea what Rafa will do though.

I hope it's not Zenden on the left though.

[kerfuffle]

Trust me - on Sunday he'll play 4-2-3-1 with Crouch up front as the target man. Something like:-

Reina

Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise

Alonso Sissoko

Pennant Gerrard Zenden/Gonzales

Crouch

I'd put my mortgage on it

You'd lose your house. How the fcuk can you drop Bellamy ??

[Jan-Erik]

If we played 3-5-2, I'm shure Rafa wouldnt play with wingers.

[Shaggy]

You'd lose your house. How the fcuk can you drop Bellamy ??

Who says Rafa will treat this like a Cup final? He's not guaranteeed to pick what is perceived to be "his strongest XI" by any stretch of the imagination. It's a glorified friendly, with both teams able to make SIX substitutions.

I'm not convinced Bellamy will start either. Reckon Rafa might want to keep something up his sleeve, so to speak.

I'm fairly sure Chelsea will start with a "peculiar" looking XI.