Where Can Can Play?

[peterhague]

Even if we end up with Benteke, the team and squad are arguably stronger, we didn't really lack the players in certain positions, we just lacked the tactical nous to get it right. At the minute we will probably go into the season starting something like this:

-----------------Mignolet-------------------
Clyne----Skrtel-------Sakho---Moreno
-------------------Can----------------------
----------Milner---------Hendo-----------
----Firmino----Striker----Coutinho----

With a bench from:
Bogdan
Lovren
Flano
Toure
Ilori
Lucas
Allen
Ings
Origi
Sturridge
Ibe
Markovic

Then whichever youngsters come through too plus the ones we're buying. I'd personally have cut our losses on Lovren and bought a centre back, but that's about it. I think we might bring in an option at left back too.

IMO Firmino and Coutinho - especially Coutinho - lack the pace to play the wide positions in a 433. That team lacks pace in general, tbh. Pushing Coutinho wide is wasteful of his talents.

The MF should've been a 3 (DM, Can, Coutinho).

The attack should've been Sturridge, a goalscoring 'winger' like Depay or Felipe Anderson, and someone like Lacazette who can play either the striker or wide forward role.


That would've been an intelligent use of our resources. What we've done is pile waste upon waste. If our rivals buy well the gulf will become clear pretty quickly, IMO.

 

[Mamma Mia]

Peter and Skully's negativity is giving me a really good feeling about the upcoming season.

 

[mark1975]

Clyne's quick, and we have Ibe too, there are different options that can give us more width/pace, but Clyne gets up and down the line well, he can play wing or full back, his crossing is good, his link up play is good and he gets to the byline alot.

We could go with something like this aswell, interchanging Milner/Hendo and Coutinho/Firmino:

----------Milner--------Can-------------
----------------Coutinho-----------------
---Ibe--------Sturridge--------Firmino

We've got pace, it's just a case of getting the balance right. I agree about the forward point though, someone quick and versatile is more ideal, but then Origi and Ings are both versatile across the attack -- Obviously not prolific though.

 

[cloggypop]

The midfield will usually contain both Henderson and Milner.

 

[Squiggles]

Clyne's quick, and we have Ibe too, there are different options that can give us more width/pace, but Clyne gets up and down the line well, he can play wing or full back, his crossing is good, his link up play is good and he gets to the byline alot.

We could go with something like this aswell, interchanging Milner/Hendo and Coutinho/Firmino:

----------Milner--------Can-------------
----------------Coutinho-----------------
---Ibe--------Sturridge--------Firmino

We've got pace, it's just a case of getting the balance right. I agree about the forward point though, someone quick and versatile is more ideal, but then Origi and Ings are both versatile across the attack -- Obviously not prolific though.

That to me looks the most balanced. Realistically though I feel Henderson will start more often than Can.

In Milner, Henderson and Can Rodgers have three well rounded midfielders, but for them to be effective he's going to have to give them very clear and defined roles before each match.

 

[peterhague]

Clyne's quick, and we have Ibe too, there are different options that can give us more width/pace, but Clyne gets up and down the line well, he can play wing or full back, his crossing is good, his link up play is good and he gets to the byline alot.

We could go with something like this aswell, interchanging Milner/Hendo and Coutinho/Firmino:

----------Milner--------Can-------------
----------------Coutinho-----------------
---Ibe--------Sturridge--------Firmino

We've got pace, it's just a case of getting the balance right. I agree about the forward point though, someone quick and versatile is more ideal, but then Origi and Ings are both versatile across the attack -- Obviously not prolific though.

I'm not saying you can't construct a good looking team out of our squad. Quite clearly you can. But compared to what could've been achieved? And to what our rivals *will* achieve? Probably not. We could've had something like


Mignolet

Clyne
Abdennour
Sakho
Digne

Kondogbia
Can
Coutinho

Anderson
Lacazette
Sturridge


That was achievable this summer.

 

[mark1975]

Fair enough, I still think it's the basis of a good squad. If we can be indulgent with Can and allow him to blossom in the middle of the park, then we will have some player on our hands. He's got everything.

 

[Frogfish]

Eventually...or with unlimited resources but for now I think the priorities are LB, striker and those positions we've already filled. It's been a good window so far.

I agree on all of that. Though think Illaramendi would be a massive instant improvement to our midfield as a metronomic passer and has, with 90 games for RM, a lot of experience (including, or especially in, Europe) too for a young lad.