Our system and teamwork

[Exiled_red]

I must admit to being genuinely worried about being able to get into the Champions League and the CL really is a must this season.

[Arn]

I must admit to being genuinely worried about being able to get into the Champions League and the CL really is a must this season.

It is a must not only because of the chance to attract better players but we also need the money. We don't have that big stadium and with the new rules it means that the CL money is even more important.

[Ben_Itez]

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.

Great post, pretty much agree with most of that. Though why does everyone assume Coates isnt ready? He played in the Copa America final. For me Carra has started to taint his legacy with his ever deteriorating performances over the past 2-3 seasons.

Agreed. Carra & Skrtel I'm really not at all happy with at the back. Coates is obviously being given time to settle, and Agger, well, if he could just stay fit..... so its not like we really have had much choice, but its not doing us any favours.

I also think we're simply not combative enough in midfield. When we played so well in the second half of last season it was mostly with Lucas & Spearing playing together, winning the ball then distributing it to the likes of Maxi, Suarez and Meireles further up the pitch. Yesterday during Norwich's couple of decent spells in the game we just sat off them and took forever to get possession back, we really can't afford to keep doing that.

We seem to have ignored all that brought us success at the back end of last season. I'd prefer Spearing to Adam everytime if Lucas is out.

The continued exclusion of Maxi is beyond baffling, especially considering the poor performances of the players who have taken his place in the side.

Worrying.

[el matador]

cant see us qualifying for the Champions league as things stand. I just dont think the team set up is right and by the time kenny figures out the best combination it will be too late.

in my opinion 70 points will guarantee CL football next season. we wont get that

[Exiled_red]

cant see us qualifying for the Champions league as things stand. I just dont think the team set up is right and by the time kenny figures out the best combination it will be too late.

in my opinion 70 points will guarantee CL football next season. we wont get that

If we carry on picking up points at the current rate we're on course for finishing on ~63 points

[Mattshark]

mmm a point behind Spurs having played a game less.

[el matador]

mmm a point behind Spurs having played a game less.

spurs are a quality outfit with better players than we have. we dont have gareth bale nor luca modric who are both better than any midfielder we currently have (gerrard needs match fitness)

ledley king is also immense when he's fit and he's key to the team.

We have suarez and gerrard who are top draw, enriques been decent but the rest of the new signings have been disappointing. Carroll, henderson, adam and downing have all been rubbish and there's no getting away from that.

really they should have added a hell of a lot to the team and theyve done the exact opposite, their presence in the first X1I actually hinders the team.

i sympathise a little with downing and henderson because theyve been played out of position nearly all of the time. Henderson isnt a right sided midfield player and using downing on the left is a waste of the money we paid for him.

while we keep playing 442 we'll keep dropping points.

[Fredo]

Yup think that Spurs are a better side than us.

[Arn]

Yup think that Spurs are a better side than us.

I don't agree with that but they have a manager that is getting the best out of the players and that is his job.

[Norbs]

Yup think that Spurs are a better side than us.

Clearly

[Gibbo]

4-2-3-1 is the team we should play IMO

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Adam

Suarez
Gerrard
Bellamy

Carroll

We may possibly need to buy another target man to play this system, possibly one with more pace. I hate to linger in the past but swap an in form Torres for Carroll and I think that team would be round about the top 4 guaranteed.

[Kenneth]

I just don't think Adam is good enough to be such a regular starter.

[Gibbo]

Who do you think we should play instead, Spearing?

[Rich]

Has Kenny picked a 4-2-3-1 yet? I didn't think he had.

[Daniel 7]

No but the Man Utd game was the nearest we have had to it.