crouch and torres in a 4-2-3-1

[inijjer]

Before anyone shouts me down on this one, its merely food for thought.

In games where torres is being left isolated which has happened on occasions this season, would it be that bad an idea to bring crouch on to take the kicks up the middle and but torres left or right forward ?

I believe he has played there, and although its good having your best striker nearest the goal, its pointless if he can't get the ball.

What you guys reckon ?

[MattB]

Or you could play Torres off Crouch with SG right of the three and RB left

Could work

[Rishi73]

I've thought the exact same thing but with Gerrard on the right and Torres in the hole. This would allow Torres to get more involved and also provides a threat out wide and a decent cross. I think its worth a try.

[MattB]

I agree with all of your ideas Rishi73

Having said that, wouldn't it just end up being 442 in practice

[vantage]

Before anyone shouts me down on this one, its merely food for thought.

In games where torres is being left isolated which has happened on occasions this season, would it be that bad an idea to bring crouch on to take the kicks up the middle and but torres left or right forward ?

I believe he has played there, and although its good having your best striker nearest the goal, its pointless if he can't get the ball.

What you guys reckon ?

I think it is a good alternative if things aren't working. BTW, I hope Crouchie plays against Arsenal at the weekend, cos (like Robbie) he has scored a hatrick against them.

(I am a tad pished)

[Vermilion]

Torres on the end of Crouchie's Flick on's, ( Unlike Owen for England). Could see that working, Give the Arsenal something Different to think about.

Like to see Rafa go at them in the league game, all out, surprise Wenger. Set the 3rd game up nicely that, leave him guessing.

[Joe King]

The 1 in this system has to be a dynamic, quick player who will stretch the defence line in order to create space for the players behind him. By playing Crouch as the 1, he would just congest the play by staying static thus losing any sort of flowing attack.

Also, with playing Crouch, there is a tendency to play the longer, agricultural ball which doesn't allow the team to play flowing football and stretching teams to allow space for Gerrard and Torres.

[MattB]

But by being relatively static Crouch draw defenders towards him then pop if off to one of three very quick and skills for players in and around him - all or some of whom would have a run on the defensive line.

I dunno, it could be an option and actually thinking about it, didn't rafa use carew as the 1 at Valencia?

[Zapater]

Torres could play to the left as he occasionally did at Atleti.

But why when we have a striker that scored over 20 goals in the league would we play him out of position to incorporate a fringe player like Crouch. If we signed another world class centre forward then 4-4-2 with both of them would seem more logical. As it stands I don't like the idea of it.

[Joe King]

But by being relatively static Crouch draw defenders towards him then pop if off to one of three very quick and skills for players in and around him - all or some of whom would have a run on the defensive line.

I dunno, it could be an option and actually thinking about it, didn't rafa use carew as the 1 at Valencia?

The thing with playing Crouch is that, defences will play a higher line because of his lack of pace thus causing more pressure on the Liverpool side.

I am not convinced I would want Torres playing behind Crouch. I want the most deadly striker play where he can do the most damage which is in the box. Torres being part of the build up is just a waste of talent.

Play your players in their best positions and you will get the most out of them.

Carew only played a handful of games for Rafa at Valencia. Rafa didn't like him and instead played Angulo mostly or Mista.

[MattB]

Completely agree and not saying it would be my first choice, but it is always good to have a plan B - especially when you think that that group of players could also go to a straight 442 without any further substitutions..

[bigfooty]

We played 4-4-2 for a large chunk of last night. Frequently during the game Gerrard and Torres were alongside each other with Babel and Kuyt dropping deeper, particularly when Arsenal had the ball at the back.

[The Red Cardinal]

I remember during the derby the commentator saying a huge difference was when the ball went up to Yakubu, it bounced straight back off him and we came away with the ball... but with Torres, it stuck 9 times out of 10.

I think Crouch is pretty good at holding the ball up too and could definitely perform a role, back to goal, feeding onrushing players...

[El Jefecito]

It'd be interesting to see, in an interview earlier in the week Rafa said 4231 doesn't suit Crouch hence he has hardly played.

[Red_Polo]

It'd be interesting to see, in an interview earlier in the week Rafa said 4231 doesn't suit Crouch hence he has hardly played.

I got the impression it was more that it was a case of either him or Torres played, and there was only going to be one winner there. I think regardless of the system, the reason Crouch hasn't played much is because he wants to lead the line and with Nando around that's not going to happen, one up one off is what it's all about. I do think in Torres' absence Crouchy could do a good job there but it would depend a great deal on having runners around him.