I think we're currently at a crossroads in terms of Brendan implementing his preferred formation and the players we have
Obviously, Brendan's long-term objective is a flexible 4-3-3 formation, however, sometimes I feel that we should be playing a 4-2-3-1, with a clearly defined role of a withdrawn striker in the centre of the "3". This isn't without its problems, though - chief amongst them being the perennial problem of our threadbare squad. I feel that some of our players are more suited to a 4-3-3, with others being more suited to a 4-2-3-1, but we struggle to field a full team of players in either formation without compromising due to injuries and/or a simple lack of top senior players.
Here I'll try to give my opinion on some of our key players in terms of deciding which formation we could choose to maximize the return we get from our current squad. I'll have to post some of it in the comments section - the character count is telling me I have characters left to use, but when I click publish it says I've used too many.
Luis Suarez: A fantastic talent, but almost in danger of becoming a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none in terms of the forward positions. Play him at centre-forward and he'll play well, stretching defences, creating chances and providing a decent fulcrum and focal point of the attack, but really does let himself down in front of goal.
n the wide forward areas he terrifies defences, but is often too slow to release the ball and takes on shots from wildly optimistic angles when there are better placed team-mates. Often comes up with a mind-boggling turn that unhinges a defence, but lets them off the hook with a poor decision, or overcooks it and allows the defence to recover.
Could be deployed as a withdrawn striker to utilise his excellent spatial awareness, but again there'd be question marks over his selflessness in the role. Would the striker in front of him be redundant, with Luis trying to do it all on his own?
My verdict: A wide forward role - I think he really hurts defenders coming in from wider areas on either side, he just needs to really start making the right decisions.
Steven Gerrard: I think it has to be the second striker role for Stevie, 4-2-3-1 all the way. He just doesn't look suited to slick midfield play, and if he's going to try and split the defence regularly then I'd rather he do it from an area where he's been effective at it in the past, rather than have him looking to do it from the halfway line. It seems that the debate will rage forever about how to use Stevie; for me, there'll always be that voice in his head telling him to force the issue, which means he'll never consistently click in a possession-based midfield.
My verdict: Second striker in a 4-2-3-1.
Lucas Leiva: Not much to say other than the fact that he's indispensable.
My verdict: Class operator at the base of any midfield we choose to play. Moving along.
Formation, Positions and Players
posted on 1/11/12
Good article Doc
Regarding Suarez :
Fantastic footballer but tactically he is a manager's worst nightmare. Rodgers has tried Suarez in so many roles already this season and not once has it all ever clicked, including the game against Norwich.
We played him as the lone-striker, playing on the shoulder of the last defender in games against Arsenal & Utd and look what happened. We played him in the wide forward role against Sunderland and look what happened. We are almost playing him as a "false-9" now, roaming around and while the goal return is good, the team performances as a whole still arent dominating enough.
I wouldnt put him in the wide forward role because he's not Rodger's type of wide forward. He is not going to stay wide waiting for the ball and then come in. Suarez is going to go looking for the ball and thus messing up our shape as a team and the whole team has to change their runs and play off him the whole match.
Our best performance dominance wise was the first half against Udinese. That is BR's vision for this team
So while Suarez is this great talent and the best number 7 we've had since the King, he just doesnt seem to fit.
Regarding Gerrard :
I'll say his best position is CDM. He doesnt have the legs & high-intensity that he possessed to roam in the CAM role that he played under Rafa. His passing hasnt been as bad as people make out this season. He also still one of the highest in terms of chances created. So let him dictate from deep and leave the running and huffing & puffing to someone else who can do it. I think him & Sahin rotating between CM & CAM was the best we've seen from both players.
Shelvey seems the best for the job for me atm in CAM. Just his final ball really needs to improve if we are going to rely on him.
I think we should play a very narrow 4-2-3-1 with one actual speedy winger ie Sterling on the left and one narrow wide forward ie Suso that will play closer to the CAM & striker proving midfield numbers & vision to create with the attacking RB providing the width.
posted on 1/11/12
Hi doc, ive read this on the way to work and am in a bit of a rush. Great article thouh so i felt the need to give my opinion.
Its no secret that we are very short in the striker role. Suarez looks to be having a great season bit jan can't come quick enough. A proven goalscorer in the box predator mould is badly what we need to pad numbers when we attack.
I agree suarez would be best utilised in wide forward role. Not a natural winger so sterling/assiadi on the the other side gives us width. Sterling has already proven he can follow instruction and come in off that wide line to fill numbers in the box when attacking from the other side.
Regarding midfield, this is our strongest area and we totally dominate teams in the middle. 4-2-3-1 maybe the best way to go until a striler is found, we look a bit toothless sometimes in 4-3-3 if players are injured etc. Jan cannot come quick enough.
Right im off to work, am late now! Sorry in advance if grammar is poor, this is all a bit rushed.
posted on 1/11/12
Absolutely fantastic article, as usual. Completely agree. Whilst I admire Brendan's philosophy and determination to stick to his system, we simply don't yet have all the players we need for it. Therefore we need to go to a formation which all players are suited to and with Suarez the only striker, that means we can't be crossing the ball, so that rules out wingers, meaning no Downing, for example, in a 4-4-2 or similar.
With Gerrard not the master of short simple passes and being excellent in penetration, whether it be a pass or a shot, he needs to be moved up, behind Suarez. We then need two players to play in sort of wide attacking midfield roles, Sterling is perfect for this on the left, he is great in attack and excellent tracking back, he tackles well also. On the right, we have a problem. Suso is not the answer for me, I rate the lad but he is better either in midfield where he can pass the ball. Aissadi is probably the best option there and that again highlights that we're missing a player there.
With Lucas and Allen, we have two players perfectly suited to the midfield roles. One the more defensive and one more of an all rounder. Obviously with Lucas out, Allen takes Lucas' role and Sahin takes Allen's.
In defence for me, it picks itself. Skrtel and Agger at the heart with Johnson and Enrique right and left respectively.
For me that is a far more balanced team and one where players work in their respective positions. It's much more creative with Gerrard pushed forward and is very sturdy in defence.
I admire Brendan's determination but we need a few players before we can play that system. We need a striker and an inside forward, at least.
posted on 1/11/12
Ahh, I remember the good old days.
Champions League football, chinese with the missus, happy times.
We challenged at the top table and Rafa my second father was the boss.
4-2-3-1, we ruled. I miss it. It's easy, just sign back 2-3 of the old guard and we'll be in the top four by March.
Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas Allen
Benayoun Gerrard Suarez
Fernando Torres
(Mascherano and Alonso on the bench).
Job done.
Great article mate.
posted on 1/11/12
If we sign Benayoun, I'll cut my wrists.
posted on 1/11/12
There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
Sory mate but i'm a nostalgic so and so. I'd happy live in a recurring world where 2004-2009 gets replayed for the rest of my life. Long live Rafa and our Champions League football.
posted on 1/11/12
In that case you can put Luis Garcia in there who was just as frustrating but is less likely to make me want to tear my eyes out.
posted on 1/11/12
I thought Yossi B was very good for us. Always seemed to play the right pass and that goal at Fulham!!
posted on 1/11/12
I thought he was terrible and despite the odd bit of magic wouldn't pass until he'd beaten a player and ran around in his own shadow when he got the ball. Was afraid to tackle a generally didn't look too fussed what result we got as long as he beat a few players and could claim to having a good game.
posted on 2/11/12
Great responses.
Jav, stop disappearing off JA606 for months