I only watched the extended highlights of the Norwich game, but from I've seen this game seems like a step in the right direction. Last season I thought 3-4-3 suited most of our players better (I even made a list of players who I thought benefit from 3-4-3 as opposed to those who function better in a system with 4 defenders) and I didn't think the problem at the end of last season was that our 3-4-3 was "found out" as a system. I thought it was something else, something psychological rather than tactical.
At the start of this season Rodgers must have had some kind of plan for switching back to a system with 4 defenders (somehow with every new season he keeps trying to build this 4-2-3-1 thing, despite it literally never working once in all of his tenure here – almost have to admire his stubborn determination, even though it might cost him his job); it clearly wasn't working and now he is back in the "I have to save my job" mode, which, judging by our recent history under Rodgers, is a good thing for the team. Despite all the doom and gloom, I wouldn't be surprised if we went on a winning run starting from the next game (and if not, all the Rodgers haters can thank me for a massive jinx later!).
How can we improve if we keep 3-4-3 (or 3-4-1-2 to be more precise) as the basic system for the foreseeable future?
1. Drop Benteke and play Ings together with Sturridge. I like Benteke in a way, but he is too tempting of an outlet and that has sucked the creativity out of our play, just like many of us feared. Use him as an impact sub for now.
2. Get Joe Allen back in the team ASAP. Yes, he doesn't have many fans here, but the fact is that out of all our central midfielders, he is the one best suited for 3-4-3. In this system the 2 CMs simply need to be effective water-carriers – nothing more, nothing less. You don't need a defensive specialist that you need in a 4-3-3 or a playmaker like in a classic 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1. You need 2 players who make short passes accurately, constantly move without the ball and are willing to chase the ball when not in possession. For this particular system, Milner and Allen would be an excellent pairing.
3. Keep Sakho, Can and Lovren exactly where they were in the Norwich game (at LCB, RCB and on the bench respectively). And if one of them gets injured or needs rest, replace them with Gomez rather than Lovren or Toure. Use some bloody common sense, Rodgers.
4. For some games consider playing Ibe in place of Clyne for more attacking penetration. Keep Moreno at LWB, doing what he does best.
5. Go back to playing the pressing game. Having the hard-working and speedy Ings up front will help in this regard, as will Allen in midfield (as opposed to the intermittently lethargic Can or aging Lucas). If everybody in the team presses, then we can afford one (but no more than one at any time) player who doesn't work defensively as much, but constitutes a real attacking threat – someone like Sturridge. Then we might finally start scoring goals.
Thoughts?
At the start of this season Rodgers must have had some kind of plan for switching back to a system with 4 defenders (somehow with every new season he keeps trying to build this 4-2-3-1 thing, despite it literally never working once in all of his tenure here – almost have to admire his stubborn determination, even though it might cost him his job); it clearly wasn't working and now he is back in the "I have to save my job" mode, which, judging by our recent history under Rodgers, is a good thing for the team. Despite all the doom and gloom, I wouldn't be surprised if we went on a winning run starting from the next game (and if not, all the Rodgers haters can thank me for a massive jinx later!).
How can we improve if we keep 3-4-3 (or 3-4-1-2 to be more precise) as the basic system for the foreseeable future?
1. Drop Benteke and play Ings together with Sturridge. I like Benteke in a way, but he is too tempting of an outlet and that has sucked the creativity out of our play, just like many of us feared. Use him as an impact sub for now.
2. Get Joe Allen back in the team ASAP. Yes, he doesn't have many fans here, but the fact is that out of all our central midfielders, he is the one best suited for 3-4-3. In this system the 2 CMs simply need to be effective water-carriers – nothing more, nothing less. You don't need a defensive specialist that you need in a 4-3-3 or a playmaker like in a classic 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1. You need 2 players who make short passes accurately, constantly move without the ball and are willing to chase the ball when not in possession. For this particular system, Milner and Allen would be an excellent pairing.
3. Keep Sakho, Can and Lovren exactly where they were in the Norwich game (at LCB, RCB and on the bench respectively). And if one of them gets injured or needs rest, replace them with Gomez rather than Lovren or Toure. Use some bloody common sense, Rodgers.
4. For some games consider playing Ibe in place of Clyne for more attacking penetration. Keep Moreno at LWB, doing what he does best.
5. Go back to playing the pressing game. Having the hard-working and speedy Ings up front will help in this regard, as will Allen in midfield (as opposed to the intermittently lethargic Can or aging Lucas). If everybody in the team presses, then we can afford one (but no more than one at any time) player who doesn't work defensively as much, but constitutes a real attacking threat – someone like Sturridge. Then we might finally start scoring goals.
Thoughts?
