[quote author=KopKing link=topic=38753.msg1049106#msg1049106 date=1265296236]
[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=38753.msg1048759#msg1048759 date=1265229879]
[quote author=RedStar link=topic=38753.msg1048743#msg1048743 date=1265227415]
We started some recent games with 6 defenders and 2 holding midfielders, thats 8 out of 10 defensive players, that would never happen at Barca, if you tried that you would be out the door and rightly so, a superior team with superior resources that goes out to stifle their opponents and play the percentage game is nothing short of cowardly
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Fully agree here.
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We usually play a 4-3-2-1 or 433. I don't recall a game where we lined up with 6 at the back. In case you missed it, we have had a bit of a injury crisis which meant playing players out of position, but Rafa has never named a line up with 6 defenders.
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I don't recall a game when "we lined up with 6 at the back" either. I don't think Redstar made that point.
He said (or meant if we're being pedantic) we started games with 6 defenders (not their positions) and 2 holding mids, which we have.. only recently against Stoke. Insua, Kyrgiakos, Carra, Skrtel, Degen, Aurelio. As well as 2 defensive midfielders in Mascher and Lucas. Sure, we didn't have our best attacking options available, but there were others more forward thinking players/options available left on the bench/out of the squad altogether.
If we had won, then there'd be no complaints (who argues with winners?), but we didn't and paid for our negativity/cautiousness. Negativity that has cost us a shot at the title this season. If we had got wins against Stoke, Blackburn (0-0), Pompey, Wolves (0-0).. all games we should have been able to win given the personnel we had available at the time.. we would be right up the table in amongst the title contenders despite the 7 defeats. Again, it's our form/displays/tactics against the lesser sides which has cost us.