532?

[Craig_H]

With all this talk of Gerrard coming back, and the potential breaking up of the Lucas/Meireles partnership, one tends to wonder whether 532 would be the most suitable formation to suit the players we have.

Firstly, i think we can probably dismiss the idea that we'll play Gerrard off Torres when he returns - just my opinion, but i am confident that hodgson doesnt fancy 4231 and simply wont play it.

Secondly, we clearly do not have enough quality in wide areas. We dont have proper wingers and when we play a system with wide players, we shove people out there who arent wingers and who dont really have the necessary tools to be effective in those positions, on a consistent basis.

Thirdly, a 532 would also utilise Johnson in what would possibly be the most suitable role for him.

The fullbacks would bomb on to provide width and you'd have your 3 CBs there to cover, with the added protection from Lucas if necessary.

CM trio of Lucas, Meireles and Gerrard certainly looks the part and it would enable Torres to play with a partner and be less isolated.

Also, a CB trio made up from a quartet of Carra/Skrtel/Agger/Kyrgiakos, would give you pretty much all the necessary aspects of CB play. Similar to the CM trio mentioned above.

You could use Kuyt as a striker when you play him. Same with Babel.

Suddenly, we have 4 strikers, all capable of doing a job in the PL.

No sure where this would leave Maxi, Jovanovic (striker?), Cole and Pacheco (never gets a chance anyway), but i think it might be the most suitable system we could play, with the squad we have.

Obviously you'd need a new LB - but what's new?

[danperkins]

I'm sure when Gerrard comes back, Roy will stick Meireles out right or possibly LB

[SK]

i'd be tempted to go with a 433

Johnson-Soto-Škrtel-The Konch
.................Lucas
.........Gerrard......Raul
Maxi.........................Babel
..............Torres

[Craig_H]

Not enough attacking/goal threat in that - and i'm struggling with any formation that leaves the current sulky Torres up front on his own - he gets isolated and then cries.

[banditos]

Fabio would make a much better wing-back than PFK. In fact, he's a much better full back regardless of type.

[Craig_H]

Fabio would make a much better wing-back than PFK. In fact, he's a much better full back regardless of type.

Without a doubt.

[SK]

Not enough attacking/goal threat in that - and i'm struggling with any formation that leaves the current sulky Torres up front on his own - he gets isolated and then cries.

maybe he'll be a bit more mature now he's got his second kid

anyway the 433 leaves gerrard and raul free to roam forward with either of them staying back as the other one roams, and lucas still there to give the back 4 the needed protection.

plus it give the wingers/forward a little less defensive responsabilities so they don't leave nando there all alone


or if you like another option is a diamond midfield with cole behind the two strikers

[dww]

I think almost no matter what the intention a 3-5-2 is likely to be turned into a 5-3-2 in too many games. Especially without specialist wingbacks both sides. I guess against teams who use two explicit wingers and ideally two up top it could work.

There is an interesting article about the uses of 3-5-2/5-3-2 by Johnathan Wilson on the Guardian site:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/nov/24/the-question-rangers-five-man-defence

I still think Johnson would most effectively be used as an attacking player in a back four. He did excellently at pushing back Bale in the first half against Spurs. I guess the problem is more about whether we have enough pace and the back/DM to cover. I think we should be able to slide across to cover pretty easily if we adopt as rigid a defense as we do usually.

There is a good video of Hodgson about 3-5-2 here:

http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/tactics/formations/index.html

[Craig_H]

I'd considered 433, but dismissed it on the basis that we dont have quality wide players - that remains the case with quality 'wide forwards' - we dont have them either.

[danperkins]

I think almost no matter what the intention a 3-5-2 is likely to be turned into a 5-3-2 in too many games. Especially without specialist wingbacks both sides. I guess against teams who use two explicit wingers and ideally two up top it could work.

There is an interesting article about the uses of 3-5-2/5-3-2 by Johnathan Wilson on the Guardian site:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/nov/24/the-question-rangers-five-man-defence

I still think Johnson would most effectively be used as an attacking player in a back four. He did excellently at pushing back Bale in the first half against Spurs. I guess the problem is more about whether we have enough pace and the back/DM to cover. I think we should be able to slide across to cover pretty easily if we adopt as rigid a defense as we do usually.

There is a good video of Hodgson about 3-5-2 here:
http://www.uefa.com/trainingground/t...ons/index.html

super post

[Craig_H]

Except, i was talking about 532, not 352.

[Rich]

Aurelio looked pretty pacy last night - I wonder if the medical staff have worked their magic on him?

[danperkins]

Except, i was talking about 532, not 352.

So is he

[banditos]

Problem is Craig, that this will only happen if Bodge reconsiders his paleolithic tactical approach, which we all know wont happen. The comments from Agger suggest he doesn't like defenders to do anything other than defend, so I imagine he probably doesn't even know what a wing back is.

[Drago]

532 is not in the 1910 English book of tactics. Its a one page book with 442 scribbled in there, it's tried and tested you know.