Next formation for Rafa...

[Morph]

I desperately want to see us try 4-3-3, i know in theory it might sacrifice the width at he middle of the pitch, but lets be honest it hasn't done us much good so far has it.

[The incredible igor]

garcia gives the ball away far too much to be playing him in midfield, IMHO. no way would i play him there.

i wouldn't play him at all

[Dunk]

Maybe 4-3-3-3 might be a better option

Then we could have Crouch Bellamy and Kuyt on at the same time

Alonso Momo and Diao in front of the back four.

Pennant and Gonzalez right and left

Gerrard in his CM role

With 3 extra players on the pitch - it might get crowded but at least give it a go.

What's Parry number? The last one I had for him doesn't appear to work anymore.

[Shaggy]

Maybe 4-3-3-3 might be a better option

Then we could have Crouch Bellamy and Kuyt on at the same time

Alonso Momo and Diao in front of the back four.

Pennant and Gonzalez right and left

Gerrard in his CM role

With 3 extra players on the pitch - it might get crowded but at least give it a go.

What's Parry number? The last one I had for him doesn't appear to work anymore.

Hey, don’t you go pandering to Parry. Remember, you'll see him when you’re good and ready.

[Morph]

whens that book coming out anyway

[Dunk]

whens that book coming out anyway

When I finish my reading and writing course at the local Primary school.

It''ll be a scorcher.

Find out the truth about Houllier and Ronaldinho - how Ged could have signed him on a free transfer but went for Diouf instead.

[Icon]

------------Crouch---------------
Alonso---Bellamy----Garcia---------------------------------Gerrard

Aurelio----Hyypia---Reina---Carra

--------Finnan---Agger---------


Bench:

Kuyt
Fowler
Sissoko
Dudek
Pennat
Gnzales
(none of whom will be subbed until 88 min while still 3-0 down!)

[Morph]

So gerrard at wide left back, you might be onto something there

[Joe Le Toff]

I would love to see us try a 3-5-2. After the way we've performed so far this season i dont see what we have to lose. By playing this way we can put Gerrard back in the middle where he can be the furthest forward midfield player and bomb on to support the front 2. Alonso would be behind him but 10-15 yards further forward from where he normally plays which is too deep IMO and he doesnt influence the game enough. Momo obviously to be the holding player to protect the back 3 and to break up opponents play.

--------------------Reina

Carra---Hypia/Paletta/Neil??---Agger

Finnan----------------------------------Riise

Gerrard-----Momo-----Alonso

Kuyt Crouch

When we're attacking and Kuyt likes to drop off, Gerrard is pushing on from the centre to support Crouch. When we dont have the ball Finnan/Riise can drop back in if neccesary to play a back 5, with Kuyt dropping maybe 20 yards from the front line to both defend from the front and to pick up any loose balls that come about. With his work rate that wouldnt be a problem
We played similar to this against the barcodes at their place last season and i thought we were superb and we stuffed them that day.
IMO this an ideal formation for the players that we have that still gives Rafa the flexibility he craves as the majority of our squad players could slot in to one of these roles when injuries/suspensions occur.
Of course this would only work if we had a settled side each week and had less rotation and i cant see that happening.

[dww]

I would say that the lack of pace in that team would be a real flaw as so many of the players are defensively minded and Finnan has shown no sign of the sort of engine a wing back would require.

[Joe Le Toff]

I would say that the lack of pace in that team would be a real flaw as so many of the players are defensively minded and Finnan has shown no sign of the sort of engine a wing back would require.

I disagree, i dont think it would be any problem for Finnan to play wing back and im sure he's played there before for Fulham or Ireland.
Pace-wise we've added Bellamy, Pennant and Gonzalez to the squad and in fairness they havent really set the world on fire as yet.

[dww]

I'll give you pace isn't everything, but if you play 5 defenders, 1 defensive midfielder and 1 deep lying midfielder it is pretty essential.

[alunevans]

man U and chelsea have played 4-3-3 at many times in the last 2 seasons, I don't see why we can't.

To be honest, I think we do have the players for it.

We have a solid enough back 4 most of the time. We have full backs who are capable of getting forward. Finnan is a superb crosser of the ball with either foot, and Riise is a good attacking full back even though I think a lot of people don't like him (I do personally).

A midfield three of Momo Xabi and Our Steven can't really be bettered.

Then you have a target man in either Crouch or Kuyt.

In terms of the other two spots, Bellamy is very mobile and capable of going wide when needed. Kuyt himself has the ability to drift wide and link play, as he did for Holland in the World Cup. And Garcia is capable of causing a lot of damage when on form and is perhaps the ideal person for such a role.

Gonzales may also excel in such a role.

I don't think its a bad idea at all. I can't claim to be completely au fait with how this formation works in detail, but from the limited grasp I have it would appear to be something the players would be suited to.

It would also probably satisfy both camps in the Gerrard debate, and Stevie himself.

[Morph]

It seems a bit obvious when you look at all the current debate, but I just know we arent going to see it.

I'd love to hava a conversation with Rafa, nd see were he thinks everythings going wrong at the moment.

[Bob]

To be honest, I think we do have the players for it.

We have a solid enough back 4 most of the time. We have full backs who are capable of getting forward. Finnan is a superb crosser of the ball with either foot, and Riise is a good attacking full back even though I think a lot of people don't like him (I do personally).

A midfield three of Momo Xabi and Our Steven can't really be bettered.

Then you have a target man in either Crouch or Kuyt.

In terms of the other two spots, Bellamy is very mobile and capable of going wide when needed. Kuyt himself has the ability to drift wide and link play, as he did for Holland in the World Cup. And Garcia is capable of causing a lot of damage when on form and is perhaps the ideal person for such a role.

Gonzales may also excel in such a role.

I don't think its a bad idea at all. I can't claim to be completely au fait with how this formation works in detail, but from the limited grasp I have it would appear to be something the players would be suited to.

It would also probably satisfy both camps in the Gerrard debate, and Stevie himself.

Yip all fine. You just forgot Kewell who is nigh on perfect as well, but given the circumstances of that fella, then who could blame you.

It nearly seems like the start of the season since a few of us have been vocal about this.