You're The Manager: Joe Cole

[BobTheCharmer]

Can you imagine the press? Gerrard himself has said he wants to play as an attacking midfielder. Most people would agree that's his best position. Hodgson has already said that he wants to fit round pegs into round holes.

We want Gerrard to have as much freedom to impose himself as possible on the game. To do that, if he's playing in central midfield, he needs a defensive partner.

That's what I think anyway!

yeah on reflection it would leave us a little open. I just hate Gerrard playing with his back to goal, he has no influence on the tempo of the game.

He's not clever or cute enough to play in that forward role for me. Cole is though.

[BobTheCharmer]

That Gerrard still had Hamann next to him.

aye. true.

[wiw]

Can you imagine the press? Gerrard himself has said he wants to play as an attacking midfielder. Most people would agree that's his best position. Hodgson has already said that he wants to fit round pegs into round holes.

We want Gerrard to have as much freedom to impose himself as possible on the game. To do that, if he's playing in central midfield, he needs a defensive partner.

That's what I think anyway!

We've got a bit of a conundrum now eh After such a terrible season playing off the striker I'd be in favour of playing a more skilful player there (Aquilani or Cole), but then I think Aquilani is better at dictating the game than Gerrard, without having quite the same passing range

Argh! We've got ****loads of options now

[kris90210]

We've got a bit of a conundrum now eh After such a terrible season playing off the striker I'd be in favour of playing a more skilful player there (Aquilani or Cole), but then I think Aquilani is better at dictating the game than Gerrard, without having quite the same passing range

Argh! We've got ****loads of options now

Amazing what a difference signing one good player makes, isnt it?

[DannyMan2006]

No doubt during the season I will make up my mind and moan, but for now I'm just glad we have so many options in the midfield.

I think we lack in defence and attack, but the midfield looks strong.

[sevennilphil]

Gerrard should be brought back into centre mid alongside someone who can cover his arse when he bombs forward (not Aquilani or Cole). Great signing though...I really couldn't see it.

[Mattshark]

yeah on reflection it would leave us a little open. I just hate Gerrard playing with his back to goal, he has no influence on the tempo of the game.

He's not clever or cute enough to play in that forward role for me. Cole is though.

To be fair, he also had his best season playing there.

[B!SC@N]

-------------------Pepe------------------
Johnson----Carra--------Skrtel------Agger
----------Gerrard--------Aquilani----------
Babel-----------------------------Cole
----------Kuyt-----------Torres-----------

Simple
Subs...Jovanovic, Lucas, Maxi, Kelly, Messi

[Gaz]

I stand by my post the other day, a variation of the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1

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

Johnson-----Carragher-----Skrtel-----Agger

------Gerrard-----Lucas-----Aquilani-------

-------Kuyt-------Torres-------Cole---------

[-V-]

I stand by my post the other day, a variation of the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1

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

Johnson-----Carragher-----Skrtel-----Agger

------Gerrard-----Lucas-----Aquilani-------

-------Kuyt-------Torres-------Cole---------

Lets do a Barcelona

[Fernandinho]

Johnson-----Carra-----Agger------New LB
----------Lucas----------Gerrard------------
----Maxi---------Aquilani-------Cole---------
---------------Torres---------------------

I also wouldnt mind a similar 4 4 2 diamond with remi and torres up front

[RichC]

I stand by my post the other day, a variation of the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1

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

Johnson-----Carragher-----Skrtel-----Agger

------Gerrard-----Lucas-----Aquilani-------

-------Kuyt-------Torres-------Cole---------

Like it!!

[Mostar]

Johnson-----Carra-----Agger------New LB
----------Lucas----------Gerrard------------
----Maxi---------Aquilani-------Cole---------
---------------Torres---------------------

I also wouldnt mind a similar 4 4 2 diamond with remi and torres up front

Replace Leiva with Masch and I'd like our chances for next year.

[Exiled_red]

With the players we have at the moment you could imagine something like:
(Backup players in grey) Young/Inexperienced players not included

Reina
(Cavelieri)

Johnson Carragher Agger ---??---
(Degen) (Skrtel) (Kyriakos) --??--

Mascherano Gerrard
(Lucas)

Maxi.....Aquilani..... Cole
(Kuyt) (Jovanovic) (Babel)

Torres
(Ngog)

You could imagine the 3 behind Torres being fairly flexible in terms of both position and personnel. The first weakness that needs addressing is the left back, we also need another back up striker. Beyond that I think we could get by just replacing anyone we sell. Centre midfield perhaps looks a little weak with only Lucas there, but Aquilani can drop back and we can switch that 3 around there. Also if a coule of the kids can step up (Shelvey, Kelly, Ayala or Pacheco) that would be great!