4-2-3-1

[RPAS]

Taking that we are going to sign Mascher permanently in Jan/Summer I would think that 4-2-3-1 will be our formation going forward with Xabi & Mascher as the holding players in front of the back four & Gerrard, Babel & Lucas/AN other playing in a three prong advanced midfield in behind Torres.

If we do this I can see a playmaker/hole player, 2 attacking fullbacks (one each side) and a new centre back being purchased in Jan/Summer.

What do we think?

[AFII]

I agree with you.

4-2-3-1 are already our best formation if you look at the squad. We only have one good enough striker, Torres.

We have a lot of players whose best position is behind one striker, Gerrard, Benayoun, Voronin, Babel, Kewell.

Kewell are our only good enough wide player.

[ningnangnong]

I hope Red Chilli doesn't see this thread.

[captainfog]

I agree with you.

4-2-3-1 are already our best formation if you look at the squad. We only have one good enough striker, Torres.

We have a lot of players whose best position is behind one striker, Gerrard, Benayoun, Voronin, Babel, Kewell.

Kewell are our only good enough wide player.

spot on.

WE NEED A RIGHT WINGER

Then we would win the league. It's glaringly obvious, Rafa must see this, I guess the players he wanted weren't available? Or was he told 'one big signing per season' so he opted for a striker in torres as his first big buy with a world class winger to come next season?

[bazza76]

Taking that we are going to sign Mascher permanently in Jan/Summer I would think that 4-2-3-1 will be our formation going forward with Xabi & Mascher as the holding players in front of the back four & Gerrard, Babel & Lucas/AN other playing in a three prong advanced midfield in behind Torres.

If we do this I can see a playmaker/hole player, 2 attacking fullbacks (one each side) and a new centre back being purchased in Jan/Summer.

What do we think?

I think you should write Rafa a leter telling him about this formation. I doubt he has ever heard of that one before

[tomasjj]

yup I want this formation too.

Suits our players perfectly...apart from the lack of attacking play from the full backs

[Armchairkopite]

I disagree this formation is too negative at home imo. Masha is a great defensive midfielder but when your at home the onus munt be on attack and again imo Alonso and Stevie in the middle with an extra man(Crouch if we get a top class right winger) up front. One up front at home is too negative, i also think when Agger comes back we will be a lot more compact, this will help us retain the ball in the final third something we couldn't do on Sunday. I yearn for the return of Agger and Alonso.

[AFII]

I disagree this formation is too negative at home imo. Masha is a great defensive midfielder but when your at home the onus munt be on attack and again imo Alonso and Stevie in the middle with an extra man(Crouch if we get a top class right winger) up front. One up front at home is too negative, i also think when Agger comes back we will be a lot more compact, this will help us retain the ball in the final third something we couldn't do on Sunday. I yearn for the return of Agger and Alonso.

4-2-3-1 is a more attacking formation than 4-4-2.

[Armchairkopite]

Lol your system contains 2 defensive midfielders, 4-4-2 contains more attacking players. Masha plays in your system Crouch or Kuyt plays in mine. Stevie can get forward in both systems.

[AFII]

Lol your system contains 2 defensive midfielders, 4-4-2 contains more attacking players. Masha plays in your system Crouch or Kuyt plays in mine. Stevie can get forward in both systems.

4-2-3-1 don't contains two defensive midfielders. One of the two midfielders will stay back and the other one attacks more.

That means that you get at least five attacking players plus the two wing backs in attack.

[JohnDoe]

One formation isn't more "attacking" than the other. It completely depends on the mentality of the team.

[dom9]

Don't you know Rafa changes the formation almost as often as he changes the team?

There will not be one formation going forward. There will be a range of formation various games, and even within individual games.

[RPAS]

Why would Rafa spend £17m on Mascherano; having already spent £10m on Xabi, £6m on Lucas & already having Stevie G unless he's thinking about this formation? Xabi & Mascherano are holding players; both excel in that position; Stevie Gerrard likes to break forward so surely this formation suits our players best.

As for it not being attacking enough at home I have to disagree. With this formation we'd essentially have 4 attackers supported by two overlapping fullbacks; it'd actually give us more options.

[dom9]

Why would Rafa spend £17m on Mascherano; having already spent £10m on Xabi, £6m on Lucas & already having Stevie G unless he's thinking about this formation? Xabi & Mascherano are holding players; both excel in that position; Stevie Gerrard likes to break forward so surely this formation suits our players best.

As for it not being attacking enough at home I have to disagree. With this formation we'd essentially have 4 attackers supported by two overlapping fullbacks; it'd actually give us more options.

Rafa has spent all that money on all those players to give him the flexibility to play a multitude of formations.

[Alpha]

To play an effective 4-2-3-1, we need to be stronger offensively on the wing and at fullback.

Two holding midfielders give the fullbacks licence to get forward more and with only one orthodox striker, the onus is on the wideboys to support him.

Unfortunately, we don't have two fullbacks and two wingers either good enough or fit enough to do the job.

The other problem is, where do you play Gerrard? He is wasted as both a supporting striker and holding midfielder because his movement has to be limited to play either position.

4-2-3-1 seems like a good idea because it accomodates our stronger players. But at the same time, it gives too much responsibility to our weaker players. If you wanted to force a 4-2-3-1, the best way would be with Gerrard on the right. That old chestnut.