So what we doing about left mid?

[singlerider]

Presumably Albert is offski at some point, Yossi has already been sold, Babel isn't very good there (unless Roy has got a magic touch that suddenly makes him more consistent and semi-Dirk in terms of work-rate).

Are we planning on playing the Jovanovic lad out there?

Are there any kids possibly ready to make a step up?

Or are we gonna need to buy a couple of left mids, to go with a couple of left backs, to go with a couple of centre mids and so on . . .

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Joe Cole 😉

Or Jovanovic

 

[singlerider]

Can he actually play there though?

 

[Judge Jules]

Who, Jovanovic? It's his main position, I think, though he can cover striker as well.

 

[manwithnoname]

4231, two wide attacking players, and Gerrard supporting Torres (if he stays). The one on the left will be Jovanovic

Behind them, two new central midfielders, one more defensive maybe, but both capable in that department

Neither of them will be Lucarse

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41012.msg1137410#msg1137410 date=1279392405]
4231, two wide attacking players, and Gerrard supporting Torres (if he stays). The one on the left will be Jovanovic

Behind them, two new central midfielders, one more defensive maybe, but both capable in that department

Neither of them will be Lucarse
[/quote]

If Benitez was still managing us I'd agree.... I still think that system suits us, but what will Roy go for?

In the old 4231 - Jovanovic / A N Other on the left; Kuyt/Maxi on the right; Gerrard + Mascherano's replacement in the centre / Lucas + A N Other; Acquilani / Pecheco behind Torres / A N Other.

Chuck in a new LB and we're good to go, with assorted youngsters filling the gaps

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Is Maxi still on loan or did we buy him?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

bought him

 

[Rosco]

I've a feeling that we might end up keeping Albert

 

[manwithnoname]

I've no problem with 4231 as long as the '2' aren't Masher and Lucas

Formations have to work for the personnel you have at the club, which was what fucked Benitez; he only had one formation, but didn't have the players for it, neither Lucas nor Aquilani can play in a 4231, and it also requires real pace one one or both sides of the '3', and he had Maxi, Kuyt, Riera and Casper.

 

[Hansern]

Aquilani played in a 4-2-3-1 for Roma for several years, so I think he can cut it in that positon.
If he has a defensive player at his side, then it should be no problem what so ever.
Only positive.

 

[manwithnoname]

In Italy

 

[Hansern]

I think Roy will play a 4-4-2, with maybe a 4-5-1 away.

Jovanovic or Babel can play out wide left, and if we get in a good left back. That acutally can defend and run a bit fast. Then our wingers can do what wingers should do, attack.

Figeruoa is the one I think we'll get, and he can hold his own.

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41012.msg1137424#msg1137424 date=1279393108]
I've no problem with 4231 as long as the '2' aren't Masher and Lucas

Formations have to work for the personnel you have at the club, which was what fucked Benitez; he only had one formation, but didn't have the players for it, neither Lucas nor Aquilani can play in a 4231, and it also requires real pace one one or both sides of the '3', and he had Maxi, Kuyt, Riera and Casper.
[/quote]

Acquilani can play in a a 4231, in the centre of the "3". He can't replace Alonso beside Masher though, but if you push him forward and drop Gerrard back, then I think he could be useful in the Gerrard role. PLays better to his strengths, ie creativity rather than tackling.

Lucas can also play in a 4231, against teams where we are going to soak up pressure.... agsinst teams we have to go on the offensive against he's pointless.

I agree that, ideally, at least one of the 2 wide players in the "3" should have pace in abundance.

 

[manwithnoname]

No, that central player needs to contribute 10-15 goals

So, I think you can see, right there, the problem...

 

[RolandG]

Roy's comment on Jovanovic suggests that he'll play there plus there's Riera and the bookies favourite Joe Cole to join,

I dare say we're sorted!

 

[Buddha]

Turan Turan.

 

[StevieM]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41012.msg1137449#msg1137449 date=1279394485]
No, that central player needs to contribute 10-15 goals

So, I think you can see, right there, the problem...
[/quote]

Dunno Brendan.... if Casper can contribute that sort of amount of goals, given a decentrun I think Acquilani can contribute "some".

Also I disagree... that 10-15 is only important if the guys on either side of the "3" aren't contributing.. Dirk does... but Maxi needs yo as well... andI fully expect Jovanovic to better Riera's goal scoring exploits.

 

[TheBunnyman]

If we do get Cole as well as Jovanovic, that would be two LWs for £0, which is a bit of a result. In that instance, I would have no hesitation selling Babel and Riera (say £12m for the two of them?) and buying a LB/LW in the Michel Bastos/Benoit Trémoulinas mould. That way, our left flank would be MASSIVELY improved from last season. We'd have three very different kinds of players for LW and (hopefully - assuming we also buy a solid LB in the Figueroa/Taiwo) mould - two very different kinds of players for LB.

And no Insua, Riera or Babel!

 

[Peatcheo]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=41012.msg1137517#msg1137517 date=1279405415]
If we do get Cole as well as Jovanovic, that would be two LWs for £0, which is a bit of a result. In that instance, I would have no hesitation selling Babel and Riera (say £12m for the two of them?) and buying a LB/LW in the Michel Bastos/Benoit Trémoulinas mould. That way, our left flank would be MASSIVELY improved from last season. We'd have three very different kinds of players for LW and (hopefully - assuming we also buy a solid LB in the Figueroa/Taiwo) mould - two very different kinds of players for LB.

And no Insua, Riera or Babel!

[/quote]

How much would Bastos cost Bunnyman? And whats he like the world cup and champions league is all Ive seen, can he defend?

 

[keniget]

Lyon paid a lot for him and he's a LW. I wouldn't want him for LB at all.

If we want a good attacking LB, we should look at Felipe.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Peatcheo link=topic=41012.msg1137523#msg1137523 date=1279406718]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=41012.msg1137517#msg1137517 date=1279405415]
If we do get Cole as well as Jovanovic, that would be two LWs for £0, which is a bit of a result. In that instance, I would have no hesitation selling Babel and Riera (say £12m for the two of them?) and buying a LB/LW in the Michel Bastos/Benoit Trémoulinas mould. That way, our left flank would be MASSIVELY improved from last season. We'd have three very different kinds of players for LW and (hopefully - assuming we also buy a solid LB in the Figueroa/Taiwo) mould - two very different kinds of players for LB.

And no Insua, Riera or Babel!

[/quote]

How much would Bastos cost Bunnyman? And whats he like the world cup and champions league is all Ive seen, can he defend?
[/quote]

I think Bastos is out of our range, financially. He plays LW for Lyon usually, so it's hard to judge his defending, but all I meant was that *type* of player is what we should be after. Magic can do it on the right, and Riise could cover both positions, too - as could Dossena, although he was so shit it was hard to tell.