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We could talk about Lallana too, if you fancy?

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Mystic

Mystic

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This is a bit of spill over from the Coutinho thread, but it's something I've been wondering a while now, can Lallana play the Allen role in the legendary 4-4-2 diamond formation? I wonder because it's been mentioned many times that he can and should, it's been mentioned about how hard he worked and how much ground he covered at Southampton, how he can dictate tempo, passes well, glide past a player at easy; on one side of the coin, it's stacking up favourably for him, but what about the other side? Well it's fair to say that Lallana isn't known as a solid defender, he's an attacking midfielder after all, but he's going to have a fair share of defensive work to do, tracking runners, shielding passing avenues, filling in the spaces left by out of position fullbacks (no names), to me, that doesn't sound like Adams game. There is also the further problem that in doing all of this, aren't we taking away from main strengths, the reasons we got him? It all seems a bit square peg in round hole to me.

For me his best position is one of the three behind Sturridge, however I'm hoping that 4-4-2 diamond would be the system for us going forward, and we have an abundance of talent, so fitting them all in is going to be tricky (I know it's a squad game). Personally I'd love to see Lallana, Sterling, Balotelli and Sturridge all playing in the same team, but I'm not convinced it will work in this formation, tell me I'm wrong?
 
From what I have read from Saints fans Lallana much like Coutinho isn't nearly as effective on the left as he is through the middle.
 
Dirkus_Circus said:
From what I have read from Saints fans Lallana much like Coutinho isn't nearly as effective on the left as he is through the middle.
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Definitely, but I can't see him being effective as part of the midfield two in the 4-2-2 diamond, no doubt he'll be fantastic as the number 10.
 
I've got a really good feeling about lallana.

I think he will add a killer instinct that will go some way to filling the void left by Suarez.
 
He's going to tear teams apart with sterling & Markovic making runs around him, Sturridge running into space & Ballotelli tying defenders laces together.
 
The midfield diamond is the big discussion point again.

I betcha Brodge was never thinking about using it again once Suarez shipped off, cos he's a died in the wool 4-3-3 man, and only went diamond last season reluctantly to accomodate those two up front.

Given our indifferent start to the year, our lack of creativity out of midfield, and Balotelli though - we might head back down the diamond route.
 
Skullflower said:
He'll be good but I think he'll be another who shits himself when we play the top sides.
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He was Southampton's best player on the pitch against us at St Mary’s a few months back, and he ripped United apart at Old Trafford last season.

I’m not worried about him at all.
 
Ryan said:
The midfield diamond is the big discussion point again.

I betcha Brodge was never thinking about using it again once Suarez shipped off, cos he's a died in the wool 4-3-3 man, and only went diamond last season reluctantly to accomodate those two up front.

Given our indifferent start to the year, our lack of creativity out of midfield, and Balotelli though - we might head back down the diamond route.
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That's what I like about Rodgers - he's flexible and knows how to use the resources he has at hand. Went 3-5-2 for a few games last season, didn't work too well and switched back to 4-3-3 then 4-4-2 diamond, but when we had a few games where we needed to protect a score after stupidly conceding goals, he would still throw on a centre back as a sub and go 3-5-2 again with a more solid back line.

I didn't watch Balotelli at Milan, but apparently, he also can play on the wing. Wonder if Rodgers will still go 4-3-3 in some games even with Balotelli in the starting team. Perhaps a bit like how he used Suarez at times even with Sturridge in the team, though without limiting him to staying out wide only.
 
Ryan said:
He was Southampton's best player on the pitch against us at St Mary’s a few months back, and he ripped United apart at Old Trafford last season.

I’m not worried about him at all.
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He did say "top sides" though
 
I agree with Skully. I think he'll be decent, but I'm not expecting too much from him. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised.
 
I keep forgetting we bought him. He'll be an ace asset once he's fit again. With a fully fit squad we've got great options all over the pitch, except screening the back four. There we are fucked.
 
Lallana can not truly take the next step as a player until he shaves of his silly Errol Flynn mustache and poverty beard.
 
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