Formation 442 or 4231?

[Glenn Hysen]

This is how I read the Question

Formation. Rafa Haters or. Rafa Lovers?

right....

[Mattshark]

We haven't played 4231 since 2009/10, it hasn't worked well since 2008/09 before Xabi left. It's not coming back, and thank **** for that cause it was sussed by the end.

It wasn't sussed at all, we had a poor season, there is a rather major difference.

[Baracus]

Agreed, plus we lacked one or two quality players in certain positions. It was and still is a fantastic formation if you have the players. City/Barca to an extent play a variation of it.

[Mark3]

So, why not -

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas Adam/Spearing
Johnson Kuyt Maxi
Suarez

Pass and move..?

[Charly]

A lot of people get hyng up on 442, like its the cause of all our woes.

The fact is, while the players are getting the basics wrong, it wont matter how we play. 442 needs wingers, and we dont seem to have any good ones at the moment.

The problem we have is playing a 4-5-1 requires the one striker to be strong fast, and able to hold the ball up, and lay it off accurately. We only have Carroll who can play the role, as Kuyt is far too slow, and Suarez is to small, and works better droppiing deep. I am not sure if Bellamy could play there. Until we sort out the striker situation, I dont think 451 will work.

Ultimately, both formations will work with the right players. although I dont think we have the players for either at an effective level.

[Redspin]

We haven't played 4231 since 2009/10, it hasn't worked well since 2008/09 before Xabi left. It's not coming back, and thank **** for that cause it was sussed by the end.

I agree. Spain will never get anywhere playing that system. Oh, wait a minute.....

[Nicey]

Depends on the game, seriously thought we should have gone with it against Swansea the 4231 that is, ,man we have so many options in that system and up against a team which played like Barca****inglona and we expected them to play like that .. why put 2 against 3 when two of those 3 are better passers of the ball let alone 3 of them

[Dalglish]

4-4-2 can work but it needs pace especially on the wings and up front. On Saturday we didnt have that given Carroll's lack of mobility and Downing's ongong exestential crisis. Without that pace we got bogged down and overran in the middle by Swansea's midfield.

Adam is an issue in that formation too as he doesn't give Lucas enough cover. I'd rather see Henderson in there whilst Gerrard is out as it's more his natural position and he has the athleticism for it,

[Norbs]

4-4-2 can work but it needs pace especially on the wings and up front. On Saturday we didnt have that given Carroll's lack of mobility and Downing's ongong exestential crisis. Without that pace we got bogged down and overran in the middle by Swansea's midfield.

Adam is an issue in that formation too as he doesn't give Lucas enough cover. I'd rather see Henderson in there whilst Gerrard is out as it's more his natural position and he has the athleticism for it,

Not to mention that Adam is usually booked within the first 20 mins, meaning he's bought himself out of even minor defensive duties for the majority of the game.

Lucas and Spearing appeals more to me than Lucas and Henderson but both are marginally better than Lucas and Adam.

Lucas + Spearing

Adam + Suarez + Maxi

Kuyt

Seems to lack a bit of speed

[el matador]

I like 4231 too but I think I would play charlie adam off andy carroll. suarez right downing left and lucas and gerrard central.

let the dog off the leash so he can do what he did at blackpool and start creating some goals.

[Norbs]

I like 4231 too but I think I would play charlie adam off andy carroll. suarez right downing left and lucas and gerrard central.

let the dog off the leash so he can do what he did at blackpool and start creating some goals.

In areas where tackling isn't a priority. One thing about Adam so far is that his mid/long range passing has been of the absolute highest order

[Neil Young]

I like 4231 too but I think I would play charlie adam off andy carroll. suarez right downing left and lucas and gerrard central.

let the dog off the leash so he can do what he did at blackpool and start creating some goals.