Aurelio the left back?

[OldManRed]

I agree with the comments about Fabio being a wing back rather than true full back, but I think the whole team needs to adjust to the more open style of play because both FBs and CBs are being exposed because the wingers don't close down as much as last year, and a CM Alonso hasn't hit his stride.

It also got me thinking back to the last years 'Summer of the Centre backs'. Possibly this was the first step in preparation for playing wing backs and 3 CBs more frequently ? I think we will see more this later this year when Paletta beds in and Carragher is fit again.
Perhaps at the moment we cannot risk playing it because of cover and lack of time to practice with the new players in a conventional 4-4-2, let alone moving to 3-5-2.
My bet is JAR will get more games at LB than FA, and vice-versa for wing-back formations

[Rich]

This talk of playing 5-3-2, I just can't see it happening too often - Rafa has seen that playing in the Premiership the way to go usually is always 4 at the back and then either a 4 or 5 in midfield depending on the opposition.

I don't think he'd have made the signings he did, if he was going to move to 5-3-2. There'd have been little point in signing Pennant, if this was the case.

[Slim]

Yeah of course it was a GK error, but the fact remains that zamora had time for a pot of coffee before he spooned his 'cross' toward the goal. Aurelio was nowhere to be seen.

I know what you mean, I was just playing devil's advocate.

[Shanks65]

I know what you mean, I was just playing devil's advocate.

I'm sure he'll improve over the coming months.