What was wrong with Roy’s 3-5-2

[blacky]

I think Rafa wants to play 4231 system!!

--------Reina-------
SF---JC----DA---JAR
-----MS----XA------
SG-------DK------MG
---------CB----------

Can this team pull it off though?

[Rich]

Does Kuyt have the game to play in a deep, creative position?

[blacky]

I've read interviews with both Rafa and Kuyt saying he can play in the hole. Jol even called him a 20-20 player. 20 goals/20 assists a season so he obviously has the creativity. I still think a player like Aimar would have been ideal for that position and Kuyt could have played up top. I think Kuyt is our best option at the moment to play there. I don't think Garcia would be up to it!!

[Rich]

An on-song Garcia would be ideal as the hole player - but he's fluctuates wildly from the sublime to the annoying, it's difficult to consistently keep him in the team, which is a shame.

[Bob]

Never heard of it. Give us an example fantasy style line-up for it

From the best 11 thread...

-----------------Reina--------------
---Finnan---Agger---Carra----Riise---
---------------Sissoko---------------
------Gerrard---------Alonso--------
--Bellamy-------------------Gonzalez-
----------------Kuyt-----------------

Flexible with some rotation to a 442 - not as unorthodox as it may initially appear.

[Bob]

Does Kuyt have the game to play in a deep, creative position?

Sure does hold on i'll get his interview. He prefers playing as a striker though!

[Rich]

From the best 11 thread...

-----------------Reina--------------
---Finnan---Agger---Carra----Riise---
---------------Sissoko---------------
------Gerrard---------Alonso--------
--Bellamy-------------------Gonzalez-
----------------Kuyt-----------------

Flexible with some rotation to a 442 - not as unorthodox as it may initially appear.

Wouldn't that require Alonso to be a bit more mobile than he actually is?

[paulcooper4]

While, I have no doubt Finnan is very fit, there are obviously some players that seem to have just a terrific engine (McManaman, Sissoko, et al.) To succeed as a Wing back you need one of those engines. Finnan doesn't have it.

I'm not in favour of a 3-5-2, I generally think that Rafa's selection shape is usually spot on, but if we had the pick of any players in the world, then I'd probably choose a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I (through gritted teeth) have to agree. McAteer had such an engine but was a **** footballer. Cafu is the only player who could combine the 2 although hes getting on now. Maybe alves could too, but I just hate the system

[paulcooper4]

Does Kuyt have the game to play in a deep, creative position?

Yes

[Bob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjL7RP6XvCY

Kuyt talking articulately recently on playing a supporting role as well.

[Rich]

I haven't seen much of Kuyt before joining LFC, but judging by his early showings, he doesn't strike me as a creative footballer - certainly not a "in the hole" player, such as Kenny or Bergkamp.

What he looks like he could do very well, would be the out and out striker, with then three very talented players just behind, in that advanced Midfield.

[Bob]

Wouldn't that require Alonso to be a bit more mobile than he actually is?

Yes well some reckon he should play the holding role. However this limits Alonso's passing ability. Holding player aka makaele breaks it up and plays a 10 yard ball to the creative players to pick a pass.

Momo has two options in this formation, simple ball to Gerrard to play the quick ball for counter attacking, or a simple ball for Alonso's Hollywood defence splitting balls. Either way it allows every one to do what they do best. Also Gerrard can break from deep and not leave the midfield exposed.

[Red_Polo]

From the best 11 thread...

-----------------Reina--------------
---Finnan---Agger---Carra----Riise---
---------------Sissoko---------------
------Gerrard---------Alonso--------
--Bellamy-------------------Gonzalez-
----------------Kuyt-----------------

Flexible with some rotation to a 442 - not as unorthodox as it may initially appear.

Ah yes, although I'd just call that 4-3-3 tbh. It is a very flexible formation, potential for 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Our midfield three is perfect for it IMO, shame we don't really have the wingers for it. I think Bellamy would suit that role though.

[Bob]

Ah yes, although I'd just call that 4-3-3 tbh. It is a very flexible formation, potential for 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Our midfield three is perfect for it IMO, shame we don't really have the wingers for it. I think Bellamy would suit that role though.

I think we do have the wingers for it. Bellers/Pennant on the right - Speedy/garcia/Kewell on the left.

I'm postitive one of those would click and make that position their own. Remember Kewell played his best football in the left forward role at leeds.

[Red_Polo]

I think we do have the wingers for it. Bellers/Pennant on the right - Speedy/garcia/Kewell on the left.

I'm postitive one of those would click and make that position their own. Remember Kewell played his best football in the left forward role at leeds.

Can't count on Kewell and Pennant doesn't strike me as the kind to beat the fullback all day, more the kind to get some space to knock in a good cross. BUT Bellamy would suit the role nicely IMO. Gonzalez might do well there, and I suppose although not a winger, Garcia would be a good option especially with Riise providing some width down the left. I think it would be worth trying. I suppose it's not all that different to what we've played on occasions anyway. There is a theory that you have a rigid formation in defence but in attack you have more fluidity with a less identifiable formation - I think I subscribe to that.