Footballing Philosophy

[Kopite_Colin]

I was one of Houllier's biggest critics in terms of his footballing philosophy (defence first etc.), and was glad to see the back of him when he eventually went. I can't say I feel that way about Rafa, but I do want him to acknowledge that we should be setting ourselves up differently to play in a different way than we do now. If we don't buy well this summer, and change our attacking philosophy, then I think Rafa will rightly deserve some stick. We have to stop this "2 defensive midfielders in the same side, with no creativity" sh*t.

[Diego]

i know mate, feel the same way...

[cobain]

We need to start shooting from the edge of the penalty area or further for starters and not trying to run in between the two posts!

[Howard_lfc]

I was one of Houllier's biggest critics in terms of his footballing philosophy (defence first etc.), and was glad to see the back of him when he eventually went. I can't say I feel that way about Rafa, but I do want him to acknowledge that we should be setting ourselves up differently to play in a different way than we do now. If we don't buy well this summer, and change our attacking philosophy, then I think Rafa will rightly deserve some stick. We have to stop this "2 defensive midfielders in the same side, with no creativity" sh*t.

I don't mind the two holding CM's - so long as we have decent wide men - which we dont............Until we get them - we're hamstrung.

I think we should also be more flexible with our formations Colin. Against ****e like Villa today - we should have switched to 3-5-2 (they only had Carew up front) and played somebody 'in the hole' whilst leaving Kuyt & Bellamy up front.

Our lack of goals in league games (away from home) has made us look like we're miles behind the mancs - when I don't really think we are.

[Red Chilli]

Who are the 2 widemen you'd go for then howard?

There aren't many good ones about. Maybe Rafa should change his tactics instead?

[Rashid]

Using 2 holding players in the league is real ****ehouse tactics.

[anfieldanfield]

Rafa is an extremely cautious manager, more so than Houllier even.

We had THREE attacking players on the pitch today, everyone else was defending.

[Howard_lfc]

Who are the 2 widemen you'd go for then howard?

I'm still inclined to think that SWP could do a good job on the right - a far better all round option than Pennant. He can work the line, go past people, get balls into the box, and chip in with some goals of his own.
I don't expect us to buy him though as I expect Rafa to finally get Alves this summer - and then we'll have some quality delivery/penetration from the right hand side (SG apart).

On the left I'd like to see Vicente. A quality player but he's had injury problems; a bit like Kewell - who I expect to be shown the door in the summer.

Hardly rocket science I know but I reckon they'd both improve us dramatically.

[Red Chilli]

I'm still inclined to think that SWP could do a good job on the right - a far better all round option than Pennant. He can work the line, go past people, get balls into the box, and chip in with some goals of his own.
I don't expect us to buy him though as I expect Rafa to finally get Alves this summer - and then we'll have some quality delivery/penetration from the right hand side (SG apart).

On the left I'd like to see Vicente. A quality player but he's had injury problems; a bit like Kewell - who I expect to be shown the door in the summer.

Hardly rocket science I know but I reckon they'd both improve us dramatically.

It'll be tough to get any of those 3. Alves will be tough to prize away from Sevilla if they get Champions league qualification or even win La Liga.
Vicente will be difficult to get from Valencia

I can't see the Chavs EVER selling us one of their players.

Nice idea though.

[Kopite_Colin]

2 def CMs with no width or flair is just sh*te. Add in crap strikers (no experienced natural goalscorers in the Prem) and we've virtually no chance. Poor poor choice of starting line up, and poor quality in the attacking third of the pitch. It needs to change and fast. (Although I've been saying this since 2002 now...)

[Parm]

it's what I was thinking today, we really do need creators, we had so much possession, Villa offered nothing and should have been rolled over. We had a lot of the ball and really didnt do anything with it.

Wide men maybe the answer and I think SG needs to be put in the middle, I lost cont of how many times he came off the wing and went sentral, leaving us somewhat unablanced.