Liverpool game

There isnt a need to play a target man, they are for teams who knock it long. Who's Man U's target man for example? Nobody, because they play it on the deck, which is what we're supposed to be doing.

Ba can lead the line without having long balls pumped to him all day.

 

True, but I'm not sure we are good enough yet to play the ball out of defence every time when under pressure, especially away from home at Liverpool. I want us to pass it out, but we do need another option if we are put under pressure, and if the long balls don't stick we'll be on the back foot all game. I'm not condoning long ball tactics in any way.

 

Touché. I always forget to consider how left-footed Benny is, and the effect that has.

 

Narrow diamond formation anyone?

 

There's some truth to that, except I'd hardly say Best or Shola have been demonstrated an ability lately to keep possession and offer quality hold-up play from long balls. And if they're not successfully doing that, they're offering next to nothing unfortunately.

 

If we do have to hoof it clear now and then, Ba is still tall enough to win a few headers. I just dont think Best is worth keeping the team when all he does it attract long balls, which is exactly what we're trying to get away from. We quite often even prefer them to a short pass when we arent even under pressure.

Basically, I'd sacrifice a few "headers won" for some better football - Best out, Ben Arfa in. I do think when we play teams like Stoke we should rotate though, and use players like Best who can win us headers.

 

With Santon and Cissokho yes, with Raylor and Simmo no.

 

I like the narrow diamond but not sure we could make it work. Also means dropping Jonas unless you put him at full back.

- - - - - - - - - Krul

Santon - - Taylor - - Colo - - Jonas

- - - - - - - - - Tiote
- - - - - Cabaye - - Guthrie
- - - - - - - - Ben Arfa

- - - - - - - - Ba - Best

You also have two great ball distributers (Cabaye, Guthrie) and no wingers for them to pass to.

 

True. Narrow formations rely quite a lot on the full-backs and Raylor and Simmo aren't the best.

 

I think both Santon and Jonas have both the fitness levels and ability to almost act as wingbacks, getting forward a lot.

It's frustrating that whenever we try this crazy formation porn with a fluid attacking system we either are too weak in one department or have to play someone out of position. We are just a couple of signings away from being a really good side (a full back, winger and pacy striker maybe).

 

Completely unrelated note, but my girlfriend and her family are diehard Liverpool fans, so I'm really hoping for the sake of bragging rights and our bet that we win on Friday...at least she put aside her allegiance and got me this season's training shirt for Christmas.

 

Who has been playing in CM for Liverpool recently? I could see Ben Arfa finding a fair bit of space in between the lines because Lucas is missing.

 

Henderson, Adam, Spearing possibly more (Shelvey?). Gerrard came on yesterday, dont know if he's fit enough to start though.

 

I hope Gerrard doesn't play, he's just one of those players who always play well against us.

 

Do you remember when he played against us at SJP when Liverpool thrashed us, may have been Givens last game, we gave Gerrard a standing ovation when he was substituted.
I was so proud of our supporters that day, talk about joy and pain.

 

Aye, it was probably the best individual performance I had seen from an opposing player at SJP. Would have been 1-10 if it weren't for Shay Given's heroics. He looked so fed up after that game.

 

Liverpool are just one of those teams that does well against us!!

Can sense another 3-0

 

Can't see where 3 Liverpool goals would come from!

 

-------------- - Krul

Santon - - Taylor - - Colo - - Jonas

- - - - Cabaye - - Tiote - - Guthrie
- - - - - - - - Ben Arfa
-----------vuckic
- - - - - - - - Ba

A three man midfield with no wingers worked well in the Keegan's second spell whilst HBA playing in the Ozil role could give us the creativity and cutting edge to unlock the better defences in the league, such as Liverpool's

 

Sounds like formation porn............