He looked excellant yesterday when put back in the MF.
Really positives signs so far but very early days.
Really positives signs so far but very early days.
Raul Meireles
- Thread starter J Macleod
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Status
I'm not that worried about the CM positions anymore. I think we have competent players out there. We need one more dependable wide player. I think we missed Kuyt a lot yesterday. He would have been a lot more effective than Ben Stiller.
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=41950.msg1178097#msg1178097 date=1284952788]
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=41950.msg1178130#msg1178130 date=1284963775]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=41950.msg1178097#msg1178097 date=1284952788]
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
[/quote]
Well, we had 2 on top but we didnt really had any width.
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=41950.msg1178097#msg1178097 date=1284952788]
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
[/quote]
Well, we had 2 on top but we didnt really had any width.
I thought both Poulsen and Meireles had good second half performance against United. I was surprised Meireles was subbed I thought he looked a threat. I think both will contribute more and more as time goes on.
S
Squiggles
Guest
Meireles isn't fit enough to be playing 2 games in a week yet.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=41950.msg1178262#msg1178262 date=1284978665]
Meireles isn't fit enough to be playing 2 games in a week yet.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
[/quote]
I agree. Im actually surprised he wasnt substituted around 70 mins on Thursday if Roy had planned to start him yesterday
Meireles isn't fit enough to be playing 2 games in a week yet.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
[/quote]
I agree. Im actually surprised he wasnt substituted around 70 mins on Thursday if Roy had planned to start him yesterday
[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=41950.msg1178272#msg1178272 date=1284979143]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=41950.msg1178262#msg1178262 date=1284978665]
Meireles isn't fit enough to be playing 2 games in a week yet.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
[/quote]
I agree. Im actually surprised he wasnt substituted around 70 mins on Thursday if Roy had planned to start him yesterday
[/quote]
Catch 22 I suppose. He needs game time to get match fitness so taking him off early on Thursday might not have given him enough match fitness for yesterday.
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=41950.msg1178262#msg1178262 date=1284978665]
Meireles isn't fit enough to be playing 2 games in a week yet.
He admitted himself that he didn't have much of a pre-season in Portugal. I was relieved he started, the substitution was of no surprise.
[/quote]
I agree. Im actually surprised he wasnt substituted around 70 mins on Thursday if Roy had planned to start him yesterday
[/quote]
Catch 22 I suppose. He needs game time to get match fitness so taking him off early on Thursday might not have given him enough match fitness for yesterday.
[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=41950.msg1178213#msg1178213 date=1284972936]
I thought both Poulsen and Meireles had good second half performance against United. I was surprised Meireles was subbed I thought he looked a threat. I think both will contribute more and more as time goes on.
[/quote]
Poulsen was surprisingly decent.
I want this to be our attacking six
----------Meireles-----Poulsen
------Gerrard------------------------
--------------------Cole------------Kuyt
----------------------Torres
Kuyt on the left, Cole just behind Torres and Gerrard in a free role in the central right sort of position he played in 2005-06. Gerrard would not only be able to break forward from that position but whip in crosses with pace which he's brilliant at. Johnson would overlap and provide the natural width on the right.
Replace Poulsen with Shelvey whenever he's deemed ready and I'd actually be excited about that line-up.
I thought both Poulsen and Meireles had good second half performance against United. I was surprised Meireles was subbed I thought he looked a threat. I think both will contribute more and more as time goes on.
[/quote]
Poulsen was surprisingly decent.
I want this to be our attacking six
----------Meireles-----Poulsen
------Gerrard------------------------
--------------------Cole------------Kuyt
----------------------Torres
Kuyt on the left, Cole just behind Torres and Gerrard in a free role in the central right sort of position he played in 2005-06. Gerrard would not only be able to break forward from that position but whip in crosses with pace which he's brilliant at. Johnson would overlap and provide the natural width on the right.
Replace Poulsen with Shelvey whenever he's deemed ready and I'd actually be excited about that line-up.
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=41950.msg1178130#msg1178130 date=1284963775]
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=41950.msg1178097#msg1178097 date=1284952788]
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
[/quote]
We played 4-4-2 against Citeh and it was horrendous.
It's really not that simple.
[quote author=DHSC link=topic=41950.msg1178097#msg1178097 date=1284952788]
We should play a 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1.
Gerrard, Poulsen and Meireles in midfield with Gerrard and Meireles moving in tandem while attacking and Poulsen sitting.
Torres, Cole and Kuyt upfront.
[/quote]
No no no. We need width.
442 please.
Look at the difference yesterday when we had 2 up top.
[/quote]
We played 4-4-2 against Citeh and it was horrendous.
It's really not that simple.
Dreambeliever is
The midield 3 of meirelles Stevie and poulsen got better as the game went on, the problem was in front of them, Cole still adapting Torres not in form and maxi bang out of form. We will get better from that game innate no doubt. As for Meirelles I was quite pleased, he looked tidy and confident. I think he may well turn out to be a fine player ... At least he didn't arrive with a massive ankle injury!!
He shouldn't be playing further up the pitch, he should be alongside Poulsen. Gerrard should move forward. Meireles has done ok but he's not the kind of player who will provide anything more to the team, he's more of a steady-eddy type of player.
Once Kuyt fit enough to play, Kuyt and Torres up front with Gerrard on right flank. Cole on the left. The two steady-eddy's Poulsen and Meireles in the centre. That'll change a bit our style of play.
Once Kuyt fit enough to play, Kuyt and Torres up front with Gerrard on right flank. Cole on the left. The two steady-eddy's Poulsen and Meireles in the centre. That'll change a bit our style of play.
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[quote author=Assulin link=topic=41950.msg1178768#msg1178768 date=1285040155]
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like that formation too but Babel is too inconsistent and Roy will bench him.
------------Reina
--Kelly----Greek--Agger--Konchesky
------------Poulsen--Meireles
--Gerrard------------------------Cole
-------------------Kuyt
------------------Torres
We dont have a choice at left back and Konchesky is just an average left back. Constantly gave the ball away, can't cross, ballooned the ball when he went to shoot and sometimes bad positioning. We need a better left back this January window.
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like that formation too but Babel is too inconsistent and Roy will bench him.
------------Reina
--Kelly----Greek--Agger--Konchesky
------------Poulsen--Meireles
--Gerrard------------------------Cole
-------------------Kuyt
------------------Torres
We dont have a choice at left back and Konchesky is just an average left back. Constantly gave the ball away, can't cross, ballooned the ball when he went to shoot and sometimes bad positioning. We need a better left back this January window.
[quote author=Assulin link=topic=41950.msg1178768#msg1178768 date=1285040155]
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like this....this formation uses our best players well. I will have Kuyt for Babel
However
1. We need a better DM than Poulsen for this to be effective
2. This exposes our lack of squad depth especially in the middle.
- Poulsen and Lucas as the DM choices is too week.
- Maxi can be a replacement for Gerrard in that formation. He can do a job. But beyond that we only have the untried Jonjo Shelvey. So if there is an injury for either Gerrard or Merieles we would be forced to change formation.
- Pacheco is the only backup for Cole. I'm not sure on Pacheco's ability to step up to that level of responsibility.
- For the two upfront we will have Torres, kuyt, Ngog, Babel, and Jovanovic to choose from.....thats not really bad i think. 1 awesome, 1 good and 3 average players. One more awesome forward/striker would be nice. I would like to at least get rid of two average players and get another good one in place.
I would like to see Roy try that. But i think we played something similar in the second half against United when N'gog came on. We witnessed Cole spring to life immediately after that and he was playing quite centrally if i remember right. There were some very encouraging attempted through balls by both Cole and Merieles.
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like this....this formation uses our best players well. I will have Kuyt for Babel
However
1. We need a better DM than Poulsen for this to be effective
2. This exposes our lack of squad depth especially in the middle.
- Poulsen and Lucas as the DM choices is too week.
- Maxi can be a replacement for Gerrard in that formation. He can do a job. But beyond that we only have the untried Jonjo Shelvey. So if there is an injury for either Gerrard or Merieles we would be forced to change formation.
- Pacheco is the only backup for Cole. I'm not sure on Pacheco's ability to step up to that level of responsibility.
- For the two upfront we will have Torres, kuyt, Ngog, Babel, and Jovanovic to choose from.....thats not really bad i think. 1 awesome, 1 good and 3 average players. One more awesome forward/striker would be nice. I would like to at least get rid of two average players and get another good one in place.
I would like to see Roy try that. But i think we played something similar in the second half against United when N'gog came on. We witnessed Cole spring to life immediately after that and he was playing quite centrally if i remember right. There were some very encouraging attempted through balls by both Cole and Merieles.
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178776#msg1178776 date=1285043553]
[quote author=Assulin link=topic=41950.msg1178768#msg1178768 date=1285040155]
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like this....this formation uses our best players well. I will have Kuyt for Babel
However
1. We need a better DM than Poulsen for this to be effective
2. This exposes our lack of squad depth especially in the middle.
- Poulsen and Lucas as the DM choices is too week.
- Maxi can be a replacement for Gerrard in that formation. He can do a job. But beyond that we only have the untried Jonjo Shelvey. So if there is an injury for either Gerrard or Merieles we would be forced to change formation.
- Pacheco is the only backup for Cole. I'm not sure on Pacheco's ability to step up to that level of responsibility.
- For the two upfront we will have Torres, kuyt, Ngog, Babel, and Jovanovic to choose from.....thats not really bad i think. 1 awesome, 1 good and 3 average players. One more awesome forward/striker would be nice. I would like to at least get rid of two average players and get another good one in place.
I would like to see Roy try that. But i think we played something similar in the second half against United when N'gog came on. We witnessed Cole spring to life immediately after that and he was playing quite centrally if i remember right. There were some very encouraging attempted through balls by both Cole and Merieles.
[/quote]
What job can Maxi do?? Apart from running like a headless chicken on the pitch?? Let him warm the bench. Gerrard should play at right wing or play Cole there with Jova at left wing.
[quote author=Assulin link=topic=41950.msg1178768#msg1178768 date=1285040155]
I really like the 4-1-2-1-2 that Ancelotti implements
Poulsen
Gerrard Raul
Cole
Torres Babel
We know Raul can handle that position as he plays it for Portugal very well and Gerrard is good at everything. Cole is the creative spark we need. Kuyt is ahead of Babel when he comes back.
[/quote]
I like this....this formation uses our best players well. I will have Kuyt for Babel
However
1. We need a better DM than Poulsen for this to be effective
2. This exposes our lack of squad depth especially in the middle.
- Poulsen and Lucas as the DM choices is too week.
- Maxi can be a replacement for Gerrard in that formation. He can do a job. But beyond that we only have the untried Jonjo Shelvey. So if there is an injury for either Gerrard or Merieles we would be forced to change formation.
- Pacheco is the only backup for Cole. I'm not sure on Pacheco's ability to step up to that level of responsibility.
- For the two upfront we will have Torres, kuyt, Ngog, Babel, and Jovanovic to choose from.....thats not really bad i think. 1 awesome, 1 good and 3 average players. One more awesome forward/striker would be nice. I would like to at least get rid of two average players and get another good one in place.
I would like to see Roy try that. But i think we played something similar in the second half against United when N'gog came on. We witnessed Cole spring to life immediately after that and he was playing quite centrally if i remember right. There were some very encouraging attempted through balls by both Cole and Merieles.
[/quote]
What job can Maxi do?? Apart from running like a headless chicken on the pitch?? Let him warm the bench. Gerrard should play at right wing or play Cole there with Jova at left wing.
[quote author=Glock link=topic=41950.msg1178781#msg1178781 date=1285046636]
Let him warm the bench.
[/quote]
That is what i said.
Let him warm the bench.
[/quote]
That is what i said.
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Yes we can use him as right wing back or right winger depends on the opposition and formation. He's fucked in defense.
Sell him in January and get Martin Cacares on loan with an option to buy next summer.
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Yes we can use him as right wing back or right winger depends on the opposition and formation. He's fucked in defense.
Sell him in January and get Martin Cacares on loan with an option to buy next summer.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
Fair enough answer and for what it's worth I agree that 4-4-2 is a dead issue. We have no width and haven't for years, lamentably. I guess the question is whether Poulsen can serve as an effective enough shield (or the three-man midfield would be disciplined enough as a unit) to protect the defense when Konchesky and Johnson move up. And they will have to move up to draw defenders wide since we will have far too much congestion in themiddle otherwise. (Also, Gerrard would have to provide some of the width out there as well.)
I was unfortunately not able to see the game on Sunday so haven't yet seen Meireles play but I'm otherwise open to this formation getting a trial. The other options aren't working right now anyways.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
Fair enough answer and for what it's worth I agree that 4-4-2 is a dead issue. We have no width and haven't for years, lamentably. I guess the question is whether Poulsen can serve as an effective enough shield (or the three-man midfield would be disciplined enough as a unit) to protect the defense when Konchesky and Johnson move up. And they will have to move up to draw defenders wide since we will have far too much congestion in themiddle otherwise. (Also, Gerrard would have to provide some of the width out there as well.)
I was unfortunately not able to see the game on Sunday so haven't yet seen Meireles play but I'm otherwise open to this formation getting a trial. The other options aren't working right now anyways.
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178816#msg1178816 date=1285050616]
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
Fair enough answer and for what it's worth I agree that 4-4-2 is a dead issue. We have no width and haven't for years, lamentably. I guess the question is whether Poulsen can serve as an effective enough shield (or the three-man midfield would be disciplined enough as a unit) to protect the defense when Konchesky and Johnson move up. And they will have to move up to draw defenders wide since we will have far too much congestion in themiddle otherwise. (Also, Gerrard would have to provide some of the width out there as well.)
I was unfortunately not able to see the game on Sunday so haven't yet seen Meireles play but I'm otherwise open to this formation getting a trial. The other options aren't working right now anyways.
[/quote]
Gerrard can provide us width on the right. No excuses.
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
Fair enough answer and for what it's worth I agree that 4-4-2 is a dead issue. We have no width and haven't for years, lamentably. I guess the question is whether Poulsen can serve as an effective enough shield (or the three-man midfield would be disciplined enough as a unit) to protect the defense when Konchesky and Johnson move up. And they will have to move up to draw defenders wide since we will have far too much congestion in themiddle otherwise. (Also, Gerrard would have to provide some of the width out there as well.)
I was unfortunately not able to see the game on Sunday so haven't yet seen Meireles play but I'm otherwise open to this formation getting a trial. The other options aren't working right now anyways.
[/quote]
Gerrard can provide us width on the right. No excuses.
[quote author=Glock link=topic=41950.msg1178818#msg1178818 date=1285050705]
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[/quote]
Gerrard on the right is the only way we will create anything with a flat 4-4-2 and then we'll get overrun in midfield (with two out of Raul, Poulsen, and Lucas) by midtable and lower sides packing the centre with three players. No thanks.
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[/quote]
Gerrard on the right is the only way we will create anything with a flat 4-4-2 and then we'll get overrun in midfield (with two out of Raul, Poulsen, and Lucas) by midtable and lower sides packing the centre with three players. No thanks.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178822#msg1178822 date=1285050883]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=41950.msg1178818#msg1178818 date=1285050705]
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[/quote]
Gerrard on the right is the only way we will create anything with a flat 4-4-2 and then we'll get overrun in midfield (with two out of Raul, Poulsen, and Lucas) by midtable and lower sides packing the centre with three players. No thanks.
[/quote]
Yup lets get back to Rafa Benitez's tactics. Pack the midfield with three centre midfielders just because mid-table and lower side team will pack their midfield and attack us. Bloody hell!!! Do you support mediocrity??
[quote author=Glock link=topic=41950.msg1178818#msg1178818 date=1285050705]
[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41950.msg1178812#msg1178812 date=1285050238]
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=41950.msg1178797#msg1178797 date=1285048322]
Julian, where does the width come from with that formation? Johnson obv provides it on the right but so many are critical about his defending right now that I wonder if it's smart to be encouraging him to push on more. (Playing devil's advocate, perhaps he'd benefit from being more involved in the offense?)
[/quote]
Who do we have that can play well in traditional wide midfield roles?
We have zero players in that role. For that reason i don't think we will do well in a flat 4-4-2. It will have to be either 4-2-3-1 where we manage with forward players deployed as wing forwards - Kuyt/Babel or a formation that provides more thrust through the middle....4-1-2-1-2 fits that bill.
Konchesky's role in that will be to deliver balls in from deep left. Johnson can have a more adventurous role wide-right. It does not provide the answers for all our problems, but i think we may create more this way than playing players out of position to artificially create width.
[/quote]
This doesn't work under Rafa and why do you think we will 'create more' under 4-2-3-1 formation under Roy?? 4-4-2 is the right formation to go. Scrap all this shit 2 defensive midfielders formation and Meireles isn't a defensive midfielder to begin with. We should not alienate Torres, we should feed him more. Gerrard at right wing and Cole or Jova at left wing with Kuyt as supporting striker will be good. Give it a try.
[/quote]
Gerrard on the right is the only way we will create anything with a flat 4-4-2 and then we'll get overrun in midfield (with two out of Raul, Poulsen, and Lucas) by midtable and lower sides packing the centre with three players. No thanks.
[/quote]
Yup lets get back to Rafa Benitez's tactics. Pack the midfield with three centre midfielders just because mid-table and lower side team will pack their midfield and attack us. Bloody hell!!! Do you support mediocrity??
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