Tomkins: Rafa going Dutch?

[Dalglish]

It would be a very long article if he would agree with me on everything and he would also lose some reputation.

[Craig_H]

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you irony

Hook, line and sinker *applause*

[Dalglish]

You're clearly far too clever for me

[Joe King]

He does love his brackets and his excuses.

[Abro100]

I like the article, making me see positive about liverpool again.

[Craig_H]

This is another gem:

"I keep hearing that Kuyt is not a natural wide player, but it's not only where he has played for Holland but also where he started out at Utrecht. Rather than a winger with silky skills (Babel is doing that role nicely on the other flank), he is a wide attacker.

He has the energy and intelligence to make a nuisance of himself in dangerous areas, and with two goals and an assist via the post in his last four games, he has shown he can get into the box as much as when playing as the second striker. His wide work is tidy and terrier-like at worst, but at best he can put balls into the box with the knowledge of the way a striker likes to receive them."

So on one hand, he's a wide attacker, a right sided player. Then in the next paragraph, he knows how a striker likes receiving crosses, because he's a striker...

Priceless.

[Abro100]

Fowler used to say the same when he was a striker, said he was good at putting the ball in the box because he knew where a striker would like it, from being one. I dont get what your on about there, he said Kuyt is not a winger but a wide attaker who can put balls in which he knows how a striker likes to recieve them, he has played upfront for a large part of his career, notably Feyenoord. He is highlighting his strength in different positions.

[Guest]

This is another gem:

"I keep hearing that Kuyt is not a natural wide player, but it's not only where he has played for Holland but also where he started out at Utrecht. Rather than a winger with silky skills (Babel is doing that role nicely on the other flank), he is a wide attacker.

He has the energy and intelligence to make a nuisance of himself in dangerous areas, and with two goals and an assist via the post in his last four games, he has shown he can get into the box as much as when playing as the second striker. His wide work is tidy and terrier-like at worst, but at best he can put balls into the box with the knowledge of the way a striker likes to receive them."

So on one hand, he's a wide attacker, a right sided player. Then in the next paragraph, he knows how a striker likes receiving crosses, because he's a striker...

Priceless.

You're way too smart for anybody.

[slimbimjim]

It's funny how a few good results can change your perspective but I do hope Rafa finally has the system and players he wants.

I'd love to see Valenciapool against Manure and the Chavs.

[Parm]

some good positive points by tomkins, this new formation is a bit of a stroke of genius/luck (whatever you wish to call it) and it seems to be doing a good job for us. A lot of the players look a lot more comforatable and we're also not just leaving Torres stranded on his own. Players are getting forward and chipping in with goals.
As for whether these guys can step up for next year? who knows, nothing is impossible, especially if we get rid of the deadwood and add some more quality to the squad.

[The_weatherman]

some good positive points by tomkins, this new formation is a bit of a stroke of genius/luck (whatever you wish to call it) and it seems to be doing a good job for us. A lot of the players look a lot more comforatable and we're also not just leaving Torres stranded on his own. Players are getting forward and chipping in with goals.
As for whether these guys can step up for next year? who knows, nothing is impossible, especially if we get rid of the deadwood and add some more quality to the squad.

I don't think it's a new formation, Rafa has tried it out before but Babel is just recently getting starts and he is ideal for that formation and Kuyt is also coming ot life in it (OK, maybe not to life but he's not as dead as we thought).

[rage]

I don't think it's a new formation, Rafa has tried it out before but Babel is just recently getting starts and he is ideal for that formation and Kuyt is also coming ot life in it (OK, maybe not to life but he's not as dead as we thought).

yossi would be a far better option on the right of a 4231 than kuyt.

would also mean our front 3 of babel, gerrard and yossi can swap around.

i also don't know about 4231 being whats good or the fact that rafa hasn't rotated the system over the last few games. This has imo led to the better flow and results. Let's see what Wednesday brings.

[Scratch]

Yossi would not be better in this formation, as he does not track back as well as Kuyt or Babel. When we lose the ball, both Kuyt and Babel drop back to help cover the full backs, Benni would not offer the same support. I'll admit, he would be more creative in the final third, but Kuyt provides a good balance between attack and defence.

[red g]

Well, he says more or less the same things that I have said for months. A very sensible article.

that doesnt make sense......how can he have been saying the same thing as you for months AND be a sensible post?

[rage]

Yossi would not be better in this formation, as he does not track back as well as Kuyt or Babel. When we lose the ball, both Kuyt and Babel drop back to help cover the full backs, Benni would not offer the same support. I'll admit, he would be more creative in the final third, but Kuyt provides a good balance between attack and defence.

how many defenders do you want? we've already got 2 defensive midfielders and yesterday played carra at right back, now as much as i like our jamie i wouldn't describe him as an attacking full back.