Next formation for Rafa...

[Welhung]

What about............................................. .......................

Playing Kuyt on the right???????(It rhymes too )

He's played there for Holland. And did it for Feyenoord too. Leave Gerrard in the centre where we are so obviously lacking drive. And have either Alonso or Momo partner him there. And Kuyt and maybe Gonzalez can push forward to support the striker (crouchy?)

----------------Reina-------------------
Finn-------Agger------carra-------Riise
----------------Momo------------------
---------Gerrard-------Garcia---------
Kuyt---------------------------Gonzalez
---------------Crouchy-----------------

Alonso can slip in for either Garcia or Momo. Pennant could undrestudy for Kuyt and Bellers could either slot in for Crouchy or play on the right if needed.


How can we fail with this? It's gotta work!

[Red_Polo]

Striker on the right wing? But we'd never try anything like that, surely?

OK seriously, I don't think Kuyt's attributes are best used on the right. Bellamy on the other hand would do a good job there. Kuyt should be central IMO.

[bazza76]

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

[Welhung]

garcia would be better than you think in midfield. Maybe he could push a little further forward than Stevie to be a creative link to Crouchy. He would be well supported with gerrard next to him who has the freedom to roam back and forth. And Momo is mopping up and breaking the oppositions attack behind them. I cant remember what position Garcia plays for spain but he's better than people give him credit for. And currently Alonso is really frustrating the hell out of me and doesn't offer much in the attacking sense. Look at Scholes for Utd. He's around the same stature as Luis and has no probs in that sort of position. Garcia can do it.

As for the right, Bellers, Kuyt. I don't give a **** as long as its not gerrard or Pennant.

Still reckon Kuyt could do a good job there. He CAN play that position.

[Milan_Milan]

We'll probably play a 1-2-3-4-1 formation, with Diao and Cisse on the wings, Neil Mellor in goal, and Pongolle and Stephane Henchoz at centre back....





You never quite know what Rafa will spring next.

[Shaggy]

What about............................................. .......................

Playing Kuyt on the right???????(It rhymes too )

No it doesn’t. Kowt on the rowt?

[bazza76]

garcia would be better than you think in midfield. Maybe he could push a little further forward than Stevie to be a creative link to Crouchy. He would be well supported with gerrard next to him who has the freedom to roam back and forth. And Momo is mopping up and breaking the oppositions attack behind them. I cant remember what position Garcia plays for spain but he's better than people give him credit for. And currently Alonso is really frustrating the hell out of me and doesn't offer much in the attacking sense. Look at Scholes for Utd. He's around the same stature as Luis and has no probs in that sort of position. Garcia can do it.

As for the right, Bellers, Kuyt. I don't give a **** as long as its not gerrard or Pennant.

Still reckon Kuyt could do a good job there. He CAN play that position.

Sorry mate.
But there is absolutely no chance id ever allow Garcia in the middle of the park, He too often tries the wrong thing in the wrong area already as it is and gives the ball away cheaply. If Benites ever played Garcia in central midfield he would be slaughtered in the press and rightly so. Because it wouldnt work.

[Morph]

What about............................................. .......................

Playing Kuyt on the right???????(It rhymes too )

He's played there for Holland. And did it for Feyenoord too. Leave Gerrard in the centre where we are so obviously lacking drive. And have either Alonso or Momo partner him there. And Kuyt and maybe Gonzalez can push forward to support the striker (crouchy?)

----------------Reina-------------------
Finn-------Agger------carra-------Riise
----------------Momo------------------
---------Gerrard-------Garcia---------
Kuyt---------------------------Gonzalez
---------------Crouchy-----------------

Alonso can slip in for either Garcia or Momo. Pennant could undrestudy for Kuyt and Bellers could either slot in for Crouchy or play on the right if needed.


How can we fail with this? It's gotta work!

Square pegs round holes, if we were going to try this formation it would have to be more like:

---------------Reina-------------
--Finnan---Carra--Agger---Riise--
--------Momo-------Alonso------
-------------Gerrard-------------
---Bellamy------------Gonzalez---
-----------Kuyt/Crouch-----------

[puredale]

The idea of playing two inside forwards (Kuijt & Gerrard) with Bellamy or Crouch up top in a 4321 is worth some consideration - it's basically what Valencia played when Rafa was in charge. The system does require a player of Vincente's quality on the left though and we have no-one near his ability.

---------------Reina------------
Finnan-----Carra----Agger-----Riise
--Momo-------Alonso------Kewell--
---------Kuyt-------Gerrard-------
-----------Bellamy/Crouch---------

or

---------------Reina------------
Finnan-----Carra----Agger-----Riise
--Momo-------Alonso------Gerrard--
---------Kuyt------Kewell--------
-----------Bellamy/Crouch---------


Playing Gerrard/Kuijt/Bellers as outside forwards is a nonstarter for me.

[Bob]

Square pegs round holes, if we were going to try this formation it would have to be more like:

---------------Reina-------------
--Finnan---Carra--Agger---Riise--
--------Momo-------Alonso------
-------------Gerrard-------------
---Bellamy------------Gonzalez---
-----------Kuyt/Crouch-----------

Yup what he said. I see similarities with Liverpool's squad, and Rangers who are now playing 433 after a shocker of a start.

If anyone seen the game against Livorno last week in Europe you'll have witnessed how a 433 can be really, really effective. Its so easy to rotate it back to 451 when need be. I believe the key to its success is the fact that Crouch and Kuyt are tailor made for the attacking point.

Essentially it also gives Gerrard the role he craves. I've wanted the team to be built around Gerrard for a long time.

I don't think Rafa will do it though. Momo and Xabi are his golden boys. And he's made the signings for a 442, which he seems to think is the key to the Premiership. Perhaps hes right, but i would like to see this formation tried - is it just too adventurous for him? If so adapt it to 451 counter attacking - Speedy and Bellers/Pennant have the pace to spring from deep.

Ps. Don't play Garcia in the middle!! However he could play either attacking forward role.

[Morph]

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.

[Bob]

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.

True and they played it with wingers.

Players you'd have thought were tailor made for outside left/right in a 442.

Every time i look at the squad i want Rafa to pick it

[Parm]

Striker on the right wing? But we'd never try anything like that, surely?

OK seriously, I don't think Kuyt's attributes are best used on the right. Bellamy on the other hand would do a good job there. Kuyt should be central IMO.

[Red_Al_77]

I think he'll play 3-1-2-3-1 with the left winger playing on the right and the loan striker playing as a sweeper.

[dww]

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.

Man Utd were **** in that formation. However I do think there is a case to be made for us trying to get some form by playing like an executive version of Bolton. The way they switch 4-3-3 to 4-5-1 is smooth and effective in the PL and with a forward who might chip in with a few goals up top (Kuyt or Crouch) I think it would be excellent.