Southampton(Home) - Build up

[BigChief]

Just watching an awesome Swansea against Valencia puts things in perspective. We did pretty well against them considering the players missing by the final whistle.

With the correct tweaking we should beat S'ton at home.

[Mostar]

3 points are absolute must if we want to have any chance to compete for top 4 spots and we have enough quality and depth even without Suarez, Coutinho, Agger, GJ to win against Saints.

[SB]

Just watching an awesome Swansea against Valencia puts things in perspective. We did pretty well against them considering the players missing by the final whistle.

With the correct tweaking we should beat S'ton at home.

Albeit against 10 men for 80 mins

[Frenchie]

[ame="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14wiw6_brendan-rodgers-pre-southampton-press-conference_sport#from=embediframe"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14wiw6_brendan-rodgers-pre-southampton-press-conference_sport#from=embediframe[/ame]

[BigChief]

Albeit against 10 men for 80 mins

Exactly, 10 men are a bitch to play against.

[SB]

Exactly, 10 men are a bitch to play against.

I concede.

[Dirk07]

I really don't see us playing 3 at the back against Southampton at Anfield

My understanding of three at the back is that it is designed for when we are competing against 2 upfront (spare man)

I see Southampton playing 1 upfront and certainly 1 upfront against us away from home

3 players marking 1 player........ it's going to leave us short in midfield and we will not get the ball

That said I fully expect us to play 3 at the back now just so I look like a fool

[The Birdman]

I really don't see us playing 3 at the back against Southampton at Anfield

My understanding of three at the back is that it is designed for when we are competing against 2 upfront (spare man)

I see Southampton playing 1 upfront and certainly 1 upfront against us away from home

3 players marking 1 player........ it's going to leave us short in midfield and we will not get the ball

That said I fully expect us to play 3 at the back now just so I look like a fool

So when teams play 1 up front against us why do we play 4 at the back?

Playing 3 at the back has very little to do with what the opposition can or will do and everything to do with how it helps us influence the shape of game.

Anyways, formations are irrelevant, completely and totally irrelevant, its the players starting position and role/responsibility within the formation that is important.

[wiw]

So when teams play 1 up front against us why do we play 4 at the back?
Playing 3 at the back has very little to do with what the opposition can or will do and everything to do with how it helps us influence the shape of game.

Anyways, formations are irrelevant, completely and totally irrelevant, its the players starting position and role/responsibility within the formation that is important.

So we can get width from fullbacks and have 2 vs 1?

Agree on the bold bit

[The Birdman]

So we can get width from fullbacks and have 2 vs 1?

Agree on the bold bit

I was being pedantic
Dirk07 was implying that playing '3 at the back' will mean that we will always have 3 players at the back marking their 1.

Could easily mean that 1 of the 3 plays in front to pick up Osvaldo leaving 2 to sort out marking Lambert and covering runners.

Could also mean that we will play 2 v 1 with Lambert and the 'third' CB will be the spare player offering support depending on which side of the pitch the ball is.

It could also means loads of other permutations that I can't be arsed typing!

[~LFCHistory~]

We've had a great start but then so have Arsenal & Spurs who sit only one point behind us. Things may change but I see them as our main rivals for fourth.

TBH I think the top 6 this season is wide open, IMO there's very little between the teams. Ourselves, Arsenal and Spurs are all stronger than last season while the other 3 teams are either weaker or have stagnated. Chelsea have no decent strikers, an average CM and a shaky defence. City have a new manager and while they have spent a lot of money this summer so far none of their signings bar Negredo have stood out. Utd have lost Ferguson, brought in Moyes and added only Feilani although unfortunately I'd still make them the favourites for the title.

[Dirk07]

I was being pedantic
Dirk07 was implying that playing '3 at the back' will mean that we will always have 3 players at the back marking their 1.

Could easily mean that 1 of the 3 plays in front to pick up Osvaldo leaving 2 to sort out marking Lambert and covering runners.

Could also mean that we will play 2 v 1 with Lambert and the 'third' CB will be the spare player offering support depending on which side of the pitch the ball is.

It could also means loads of other permutations that I can't be arsed typing!

I maybe wrong but when we played 3 at the back last season Lucas didn't play (he was either injured or just coming back from injury), I think this is because the position he plays is almost like a third CB in front of the other two protecting (a forward sweeper)

He is playing better and better as time goes on and I don't see the point of replacing his position with a third CB particularly when we are likely to be up against only 1 player who is playing as a true CF

[Norbs]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14...om=embediframe

Brendan's had a right old makeover since he's been here. He's even got a perma tan now. I wonder what the odds on him getting his nose fixed within 18 months are

[rodo]

no sterling for me still far too lightweight and to be honest I dont think he has done enough to be given a start

[Fredo]

Is Agger back or still injured?