Has Rafa found our best formation?

[kopdan]

Crouch did well I think. More of an attacking threat in the few minutes he's played this week.

Just found Rafa's reluctance to play either of his strikers in the central role a bit odd.

He'd probably have played Babel in the centre had Crouch not been an option.

[AFII]

Well, most of has moaned that Rafa should play the formation he started today and it looked better than our previous games.

[Dan]

No way!

Kewell maybe but not Riise

[BobTheCharmer]

So Kuyt is a wide player now?

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's thought he's put on a few pounds of late.

[Joe King]

4-3-3

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Lucas Mascher Xabi

Babel Torres Stevie

obviously there could be a few variations in personal but I thought tonight we looked pretty good until Xabi went. We dont really have much in the way of traditional wngers, so I dont see why we cant play with Babel and Stevie up in support of Torres, would provide us with a lot of pace, skill and shooting ability.

Yep, looks a decent formation. Maybe allow Babel and Stevie to switch whenever they want to. It has a solid base with the defence and the midfield looks pretty good, its the final third which can be tweaked. Babel, IMO, would revel in this formation for the amount of freedom he would be allowed to cut in or hug the line

[Johnny]

It looked today that Rafa put out a team in a 4-5-1 formation with Voronin and Kuyt on the wings,3 CM`s,Torres up on his own which was designed to stifle Arsenil and allow Striking Wingers(Copyright) to come inside when were attacking.Stroke of Genius.IMHO.

[redlancer]

I thought Kuyt played well in that formation but it didn't seem to suit Voronin at all. He was anonymous throughout.

If you're going to play 4-3-3 surely it would have made sense to start Babel as he has played that system for Ajax and Holland.

All i can think is Babel looked dead by the end of the match on Wed. Would be likley he wouldn't finish this match.

But then aVoronin was awefull left Riise exposed and isn't a wide player - Yossi would of been a better option IMO.

Kewell is a good shout for this formation.

But Kuyt gives it his all but not what we need on the right.

[Parm]

I like the idea, tweek the players around a bit and it's a great formation

yup, with a few choice additions...

I am bro.

well I would have put Kewell in, but ou just cant rely upon him being fit. And as for Riise...

[Parm]

Yep, looks a decent formation. Maybe allow Babel and Stevie to switch whenever they want to. It has a solid base with the defence and the midfield looks pretty good, its the final third which can be tweaked. Babel, IMO, would revel in this formation for the amount of freedom he would be allowed to cut in or hug the line

spot on fella.

[marcus50bucks]

No way!

Kewell maybe but not Riise

He's a bit like Kuyt you either love him or hate him. I like Riise and think he gets far too much stick for my liking. He has been part of our mean defence for the past few years now.

[AFII]

For the Blackburn game if Mascherano is out.

-----------------Reina
Finnan-----Carra------Hyypia-----Insua
-----------------Gerrard
---------Sissoko--------Lucas-------
------Babel-----Crouch-----Kewell----

[marcus50bucks]

Well, most of has moaned that Rafa should play the formation he started today and it looked better than our previous games.

Better my arse! We were given a footballing lesson today, no question.

[Dan]

Benayoun instead of Sissoko

[kopdan]

Better my arse! We were given a footballing lesson today, no question.

fo'sho

Arsenal were a treat to watch at times. Rafa take note.

[Morph]

and allow Striking Wingers(Copyright) to come inside when were attacking.Stroke of Genius.IMHO.

It would have been if those striking wingers weren't Voronin and Kuyt, If they were Kewell and Babel then we might be onto something