Has Rafa found our best formation?

[The Erectile Banana]

I like the sound of that.

It would definitely suit the players we have.

We have a lotof attacking players like Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Kuyt & Voronin who can play more than one role and arent necessarily best served by a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

With Pennant, our only true wide man (I'm not counting Kewell as he's never fit), out for a while, I think we may see more of this formation in the coming weeks

[marcus50bucks]

fo'sho

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

[Parm]

He's 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.

thing is, I've supported JAR for a long time, he's done a lot for us, but I just dont think he capable of improving, in fact he seems to have gone backwards, he doesnt even shoot half as much as he used to and is not much of a goal threat now. He's out on the Left hand side and just doesnt seem to know if he is a winger or a full back.

[AFII]

Benayoun instead of Sissoko

Blackburn would run all over a Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun midfield.

[The Erectile Banana]

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.

I think Kuyt can be just as effective in that advanced right forward role as he is centrally. He has played that role at international level. I know he doesn't have the pace or vision of a top wide player but he would offer us a solid option down that side.

[kopdan]

The lack of a steady partner on the left hand side of midfield wont help.

[carheex]

4-3-3

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Lucas Mascher Xabi

Babel Torres Stevie

.

Excellent.

[Dan]

Blackburn would run all over a Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun midfield.

And Sissoko would spend the match giving them the ball so they get the opportunity. If Rafa told Stevie to be disciplined and stay back and he did then it would work out

[redlancer]

I think Kuyt can be just as effective in that advanced right forward role as he is centrally. He has played that role at international level. I know he doesn't have the pace or vision of a top wide player but he would offer us a solid option down that side.

I'd prefer a top wide player with pace and vision

Think it ok to play him there but we do need a left wide player to stop us being narrow.

[Parm]

And Sissoko would spend the match giving them the ball so they get the opportunity. If Rafa told Stevie to be disciplined and stay back and he did then it would work out

well depends if Stevie would listen, he doesnt strike me as someone who wold stick to a disciplined role, I think he craves that all action role.

[Imy]

Not enough goals in that formation, but i rather have then that have Kuyt, Crow and Riise anywhere near the team.

[AFII]

Stevie is our only central midfielder that can play as a holding midfielder in a decent way if Mascherano is out.

So there is really not any other option left. Hobbs can of course play there. He did that for the reserves last season but that would really be a gamble.

[Imy]

Stevie is our only central midfielder that can play as a holding midfielder in a decent way if Mascherano is out.

So there is really not any other option left. Hobbs can of course play there. He did that for the reserves last season but that would really be a gamble.

Hobbs again is he related to you?

[Joe King]

Stevie is our only central midfielder that can play as a holding midfielder in a decent way if Mascherano is out.

So there is really not any other option left. Hobbs can of course play there. He did that for the reserves last season but that would really be a gamble.

A massive gamble.

Gerrard doesn't have the discipline to play as a holding player. He wanders too much which is why a lot of fans say his best position is behind the striker.

[Parm]

I disagree fella, I think we'd have a lot more passing and creatvity, no need to worry about crosses as we'd be looking for more instinctive passes to Torres and BAbel and SG would be able to run on past Torres and provide a lot of support to the attack. And if you factor in the shooting ability of Babel and SG from distance, we'd look a lotstronger