Gerrard back in the middle?

[Neil Young]

4321

SG as one of the attacking mids.
Sorted.

We have also played our best football using that formation.

4-3-2-1, lift-off. Boom boom.

I like 4-2-3-1 myself but what do I know? I can't help feeling so many possible formations have been invented that so many of them are a bit academic. Obviously there's a difference between three centre-backs and two, two strikers and one, wingers who stay wide and wide midfielders who tuck in (we all know Lampard likes to tuck in, boom boom) - I just wonder if formations don't really represent the fluidity of football and actually oversimplify and mask the tactical nuances of matches at the level we play these days.

Then again, I understood a lot more about how we played when I went to matches regularly although that may be because Houllier's teams were more rigid and predictable rather than because of any deep insight I gained (and have since lost).

[Zapater]

I disagree mate Alonso is one of the best defensive MF there is, it is a misconception that he's not good in that role in fact he's probably to good which is what stops him from getting forward.
Alonso and Masher will rotate in the MF alongside Gerrard there will be times when all 3 will play as I've said.
Check the stats on the games where Xabi and Stevie played centrally and I think you will find we won a lot of them.

I think you misunderstood. I agree that Alonso is very good defensivly. Alonso is great at making tackles/interceptions I think his made the most tackles in the league 2 seasons in a row if i remember correctly. His defensive capabilities aren't quite to the standard of Mascherano/Hamann for me. Atleast that's the way Rafa sees it and we'll seldom see Alonso and Gerrard starting together.

[Kopite_Colin]

SG has to play CM with Masher or Alonso behind him and 2 strikers in front of him. He also needs decent wide players whipping balls in, or coming inside any playing him in. That's why we need:

Eto'o or Villa or Huntelaar
Owen or Tevez
Decent attacking Left winger (Simao, Malouda, Quaresma, Silva) - strong enough to play in the Prem
Alves

Is Sami stays we can probably survive without another CB for one more year, and with Riise, Arbeloa and Insua LB is probably covered too.

[redblood]

SG has to play CM with Masher or Alonso behind him and 2 strikers in front of him. He also needs decent wide players whipping balls in, or coming inside any playing him in. That's why we need:

Eto'o or Villa or Huntelaar
Owen or Tevez
Decent attacking Left winger (Simao, Malouda, Quaresma, Silva) - strong enough to play in the Prem
Alves

Is Sami stays we can probably survive without another CB for one more year, and with Riise, Arbeloa and Insua LB is probably covered too.

I couldn't agree more mate it's exactly the way I see it for the EPL in Europe I think we might play 3 CM and some of the bigger EPL away games.
I personally think Alonso will partner Stevie more than Masher with Masher coming off the bench to replace either of the 2 depending on the game and how it's going.

[Kopite_Colin]

I actually see it the other way mate. I think it'll be Masher & SG to start with Alonso coming on when necessary. Rafa isn't going to play wide attcking wingers (e.g. Alves + Silva) without the back door shut (Masher).

I agree with you for Europe.