Time for Babel to start up front?

[tomasjj]

Yet Rafa got slated for playing a similar formation against Wigan.

Yes, the mind boggles.

[Imy]

Yet Rafa got slated for playing a similar formation against Wigan.

Yes, the mind boggles.

The formation would work IF the 3 behind were consistent enough and had enough trickery and guile to break down tough opposition. Unfortunately our flair players are way too inconsistent.

[Tee]

Yet Rafa got slated for playing a similar formation against Wigan.

Exactly what I thought. He IS a tactical genius - unfortunately some of the players are not quite ready for it yet though.

[Maxiedge]

-----------------Reina
Arbeloa------Carra----Agger------Aurelio
----------Masch------Gerrard----------
----Babel--------Benny-----Kewell-----
-----------------Torres----------------

Take out Kewell and find a place for Alonso.

[The Erectile Banana]

I don't think the problem against Wigan was the formation, it was more of a personnel problem.

He used this attacking line up.

Mascherano Alonso

Pennant Gerrard Kewell

Torres

Gerrard playing as a second striker doesn't work for me. He has never looked effective in this role as it limits his ability to make storming runs from deep.

Kewell is not the player he once was and doesn't look like he will be able to recapture his earlier form.

It was Pennant's first game back from injury and his crossing was poor.

And as for Masch and Xabi I don't think you need two holding players playing against relegation fodder.

That formation would have been much better with Yossi or Babel in the second striker role and Gerrard in CM.

I'm a fan of the 4-2-3-1 formation and I think it can work for us but we need the right players to implement it.

[Nic83]

I may sound a bit deluded here but Ryan Babel IMO can become one of the great players in World football - from what I have seen he has incredible potential.

He is quicker than Torres IMO and has bags of tricks and a devilishly powerful shot - Maybe we need to let him loose and not make him too defensive minded. Seems very frustrating that we are not getting the best out of him because he really has it all.

I hope Rafa gives him an extended run in the side - he adds the unexpected to our attack and with a bit of confidence he can really get going.

He is indeed talented, he needs to improve his decision making though. He is however well worth a punt upfront, much better option then Kuyt and Crow.

For once I agree. The only thing wrong with Babel is as you say, his decision making. He takes far too much out of the ball at times. As benayoun does.

But the talent in the lad is massive and he is a potentiall world class player. In a year he will be flying IMO

[Nic83]

Yet Rafa got slated for playing a similar formation against Wigan.

Nah, against wigan we had 2 defensive mids....