I would like to see 3 in midfield. I think that could go a long way towards solving several of the problems which occur. Firstly, Lucas is our only decent player that is capable of making tackles and ensure we keep shape, that being said I've always seen him as he describes it as a "second defensive midfield player" rather than a true holder, like Mascherano or Hamann. This means from the get go, we're quite fragmented tactically, but sure he's capable of either forming a 2 or 3 man midfield.
The problem lies with his partner, Adam is not by any means capable of playing in a double pivot at this level. Gerrard hasn't played that role successfully for a long, long time, and i've always been of the opinion if we're not using Gerrard on the right, or behind the striker we're highlighting his weaknesses and limiting his strengths, or his opportunity to put his strengths into use. Adam is okay for now and then, but because of the current tactical set up, he's our most important player as how we attack hinges on him. He's nowhere near consistent enough, tries too many killer balls, ignores good passing options for more glorious ones (or runs) and genuinely isn't fit enough - the fat ****. I'm not saying by any means he should've stayed, but I'd have liked to see what we'd look like with a trio of Lucas, Rual and Gerrard. Seeing that isn't an option I think that Henderson is capable of playing that not too attacking, not too defensive role. It allows him to be tidy without being spectacular but if he can consistently collect the ball and recycle it, it'd go a long way towards helping us maintain possession and increasing the quality of play.
So let's say something like this:
-------Lucas
Gerrard - Henderson
Gerrard can play similar to how he is now, but it gives him the option of pressing upwards and making the extra man. For me it's still not his best position but it gives him the freedom to make the difference. Also there is the option of having Gerrard in the position that Henderson would be playing in and having Adam as the creative force in midfield, although I'd prefer that to be a plan B or C rather than the first choice, I just don't see Adam having what it takes to really drive us forward, I don't know how we could've put so much risk in a player who has played most of his recent football in a relegation battling team or in the Championship. I know he played in the CL for Rangers, but lets be honest we're a different story.
Uptop, that'd enable a 3 who can interchange as the game goes by, which would suite Bellamy and Suarez greatly. It brings in the possibility of Maxi (I think Maxi is best in a 4-2-3-1 though) who played well in a similar position to this last season. The team is shouting out for a player like Maxi, it's a shame he isn't getting a look in. Unlike the 4-4-2 Bellamy isn't restricted in his attacking, and allows him to play as a striker as well, not just a wide player. Carroll can either be a point of focus for the attack (alas there won't be wing play, but tbh we haven't exactly thrived on that either) and could create a very difficult trio to play against. Also, back on the wing play bit, if our attackers pressed in and were more narrow, it would encourage our fullbacks; Johnson and Enrique whom are both very capable crossers of the ball, to press forward and provide that option.
If Carroll doesn't come right, then the option of Kuyt, Suarez and Bellamy would be hell for any team to play against if you consider their tenacity and ability to play for eachother and in eachother's roles. They're well adjusted to the pass and move school of thought and think about their play, i.e. linking up, passing into space, leaving the ball to run, etc.
Another positive of this kind of attacking system is, it would relieve the pressure on Suarez to score, and also increase his chances of creating goals. In the last few games he's been stuck up there by himself which limits his involvement in the build up, which is probably a loss for us considering he is our best player.
I'm not sure about the defence because I don't think we have the personal to sort it out, just yet, the only central defender I trust is Agger and he's injury prone. Carra's easily past it, Skrtel is good for the occasion not each week and we're not in a position to see if Coates is ready yet. Don't really know what more can be said on it. Reina isn't having a good season either which is also worrying. I don't know what needs to be done, but Kenny and Clarke need to do something.
A lot needs to be sorted out, I think that a few changes and teaks such as the sort of small transformation I've stated would make a difference. I.e. just little things like ensuring that just because Carroll is on the pitch we don't have to hoof it at his head every time. I think that we're shooting ourselves ignoring a ready resource like Maxi who would solve several problems just by getting onto the pitch. It's not all doom and gloom but there's a lot of work that we need to improve upon.
The problem lies with his partner, Adam is not by any means capable of playing in a double pivot at this level. Gerrard hasn't played that role successfully for a long, long time, and i've always been of the opinion if we're not using Gerrard on the right, or behind the striker we're highlighting his weaknesses and limiting his strengths, or his opportunity to put his strengths into use. Adam is okay for now and then, but because of the current tactical set up, he's our most important player as how we attack hinges on him. He's nowhere near consistent enough, tries too many killer balls, ignores good passing options for more glorious ones (or runs) and genuinely isn't fit enough - the fat ****. I'm not saying by any means he should've stayed, but I'd have liked to see what we'd look like with a trio of Lucas, Rual and Gerrard. Seeing that isn't an option I think that Henderson is capable of playing that not too attacking, not too defensive role. It allows him to be tidy without being spectacular but if he can consistently collect the ball and recycle it, it'd go a long way towards helping us maintain possession and increasing the quality of play.
So let's say something like this:
-------Lucas
Gerrard - Henderson
Gerrard can play similar to how he is now, but it gives him the option of pressing upwards and making the extra man. For me it's still not his best position but it gives him the freedom to make the difference. Also there is the option of having Gerrard in the position that Henderson would be playing in and having Adam as the creative force in midfield, although I'd prefer that to be a plan B or C rather than the first choice, I just don't see Adam having what it takes to really drive us forward, I don't know how we could've put so much risk in a player who has played most of his recent football in a relegation battling team or in the Championship. I know he played in the CL for Rangers, but lets be honest we're a different story.
Uptop, that'd enable a 3 who can interchange as the game goes by, which would suite Bellamy and Suarez greatly. It brings in the possibility of Maxi (I think Maxi is best in a 4-2-3-1 though) who played well in a similar position to this last season. The team is shouting out for a player like Maxi, it's a shame he isn't getting a look in. Unlike the 4-4-2 Bellamy isn't restricted in his attacking, and allows him to play as a striker as well, not just a wide player. Carroll can either be a point of focus for the attack (alas there won't be wing play, but tbh we haven't exactly thrived on that either) and could create a very difficult trio to play against. Also, back on the wing play bit, if our attackers pressed in and were more narrow, it would encourage our fullbacks; Johnson and Enrique whom are both very capable crossers of the ball, to press forward and provide that option.
If Carroll doesn't come right, then the option of Kuyt, Suarez and Bellamy would be hell for any team to play against if you consider their tenacity and ability to play for eachother and in eachother's roles. They're well adjusted to the pass and move school of thought and think about their play, i.e. linking up, passing into space, leaving the ball to run, etc.
Another positive of this kind of attacking system is, it would relieve the pressure on Suarez to score, and also increase his chances of creating goals. In the last few games he's been stuck up there by himself which limits his involvement in the build up, which is probably a loss for us considering he is our best player.
I'm not sure about the defence because I don't think we have the personal to sort it out, just yet, the only central defender I trust is Agger and he's injury prone. Carra's easily past it, Skrtel is good for the occasion not each week and we're not in a position to see if Coates is ready yet. Don't really know what more can be said on it. Reina isn't having a good season either which is also worrying. I don't know what needs to be done, but Kenny and Clarke need to do something.
A lot needs to be sorted out, I think that a few changes and teaks such as the sort of small transformation I've stated would make a difference. I.e. just little things like ensuring that just because Carroll is on the pitch we don't have to hoof it at his head every time. I think that we're shooting ourselves ignoring a ready resource like Maxi who would solve several problems just by getting onto the pitch. It's not all doom and gloom but there's a lot of work that we need to improve upon.
from now on I will skip talking about our finances. That is a promise and will save myself from looking like a 
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