4-2-3-1

[The_weatherman]

My point (which I think NY was agreeing with in his own way) was more about the fact that basically all of the top teams whether the nominal formation is 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or whatever have four players chosen to provide offensive capabilities to the team. The variance being whether you have split strikers, attacking, midfielders and wingers but that these roles in the best teams are becoming increasingly blurred with flexibility being the keyword in attack. This has been a feature of our recent games with Kuyt, Babel and Gerrard playing with Torres.

I think Rafa had this in mind all along. I remember an interview with Babel in the summer where I qoutes Rafa as saying that Babel would be fighting for one of four attacking spots.

[kris90210]

4-2-3-1 formation against Boro - Torres scores 3!!!

Good point!! I take it back

[TartanTerror]

My point (which I think NY was agreeing with in his own way) was more about the fact that basically all of the top teams whether the nominal formation is 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 or whatever have four players chosen to provide offensive capabilities to the team. The variance being whether you have split strikers, attacking, midfielders and wingers but that these roles in the best teams are becoming increasingly blurred with flexibility being the keyword in attack. This has been a feature of our recent games with Kuyt, Babel and Gerrard playing with Torres.

In my clumsy way I was restating your point, should have read your post a little closer It seemed that earlier in the season we only seemed to play with at most, 3 attackers. The two strikers would attack with one of the midfielders. Rafa would only allow one midfielder at a time to release, and the rest would remain with defensive duties.

Regardless of the number of attackers, we have to be more clinical in the finishing department. Maybe Rafa is playing "strikers" in the wide positions, trying to get more players with better finishing on the pitch ?

[dww]

In my clumsy way I was restating your point, should have read your post a little closer It seemed that earlier in the season we only seemed to play with at most, 3 attackers. The two strikers would attack with one of the midfielders. Rafa would only allow one midfielder at a time to release, and the rest would remain with defensive duties.

Regardless of the number of attackers, we have to be more clinical in the finishing department. Maybe Rafa is playing "strikers" in the wide positions, trying to get more players with better finishing on the pitch ?

I definitely think we have seen a slight evolution of emphasis in recent weeks. I tend to think that the change has been organic in the case of Babel in that he has simply started to adapt to the league and he was probably the player Rafa wanted to end up on the left this season.

The switch of Kuyt right and Gerrard further forward is an interesting one. I tend to think it is a compromise which allows Rafa to play the team he wants with Kuyt getting close to Torres at times and Gerrard moving with freedom but mostly right to compensate. Basically I suspect Rafa wants Gerrard on the right but Gerrard dislikes it and tends to be ill disciplined and run too far left when put there. Now he is shifted in the middle this stops but he doesn't provide enough presence in the box. In a way ironically this is balanced out by the work rate and intelligent moving of Kuyt played out of position and in recent weeks we have seen the Dutchman in more dangerous positions in the box than we have for most of the rest of the season.

[wiw]

I definitely think we have seen a slight evolution of emphasis in recent weeks. I tend to think that the change has been organic in the case of Babel in that he has simply started to adapt to the league and he was probably the player Rafa wanted to end up on the left this season.

The switch of Kuyt right and Gerrard further forward is an interesting one. I tend to think it is a compromise which allows Rafa to play the team he wants with Kuyt getting close to Torres at times and Gerrard moving with freedom but mostly right to compensate. Basically I suspect Rafa wants Gerrard on the right but Gerrard dislikes it and tends to be ill disciplined and run too far left when put there. Now he is shifted in the middle this stops but he doesn't provide enough presence in the box. In a way ironically this is balanced out by the work rate and intelligent moving of Kuyt played out of position and in recent weeks we have seen the Dutchman in more dangerous positions in the box than we have for most of the rest of the season.

Spot on as always

Interesting to see if it will work at home/with different players

[Havors]

Its a good formation, but only in certain situations.

[El Jefecito]

4231

You know if we are going to continue playing this way the only weakness I see is right side. An upgrade on Kuyt. Could it really be that we are only 1 player "away from greatness"

[rage]

Also need at least one better full back than what we have now and a striker to share the workload with torrres.

[Harv]

the formation looks like its working well. Gerrard is playing fantastically, Torres , Babel is finding it better.

Even Kuyt is playing well on the right. If only he had a bit more pace. I wouldnt mind seeing what Yossi could do in this formation. He has been good this season, and he surely deserves a chance.

If we could just get Rafinha and someone with pace and skill for the right we would be set.

[El Jefecito]

How many assists has Kuyt got in this formation? There was 2 tonight right? And one in the last game. He seems to thrive in 4231.

[DannyMan2006]

How many assists has Kuyt got in this formation? There was 2 tonight right? And one in the last game. He seems to thrive in 4231.

Agreed. I had him as a lost cause, but he has been fantastic. Ever since Barnsley he's got better and better. Not getting the goals, but getting the odd chance and getting assists.

I've no complaints at present.

[Joe King]

Agreed. I had him as a lost cause, but he has been fantastic. Ever since Barnsley he's got better and better. Not getting the goals, but getting the odd chance and getting assists.

I've no complaints at present.

It might have to do with the way he has been brought up in terms of his development and his familiarity of this system whilst playing in Holland. He fully understands his role of working rigorously on the right or left and providing assists although he isn't the answer to the solution. We still need someone who can actively take on a full back and provide more of a goal threat. Babel is the goal threat on the left and he has performed well, unsurprisingly considering this is what the Dutch play and how they achieve total football which Rafa tries to implement with this system.

Babel, Gerrard and Kuyt are more than free to roam in each others areas but must provide cover for each other as well. I think this system has made it very difficult for teams to mark certain individuals because of the movement of the players in different positions. All three are more than comfortable in playing those roles so I don't see why not continue this system. It provides solidity at the back, something Benitez wants and the ability to create chances and oppurtunities for each other with just simply, movement. The system also encourages the team to pass the ball instead of hoofing as we only have one target man in Torres with the exception of the odd counter.

[wiw]

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now witnessing the crushing machine in all its glory

[El Jefecito]

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now witnessing the crushing machine in all its glory

Check out the sig

[wiw]

Check out the sig

Something to get optimistic about for once...yay