From the game and a half we've seen of Anita at RB, I'm starting to wonder if he might be able to do a job at RM, when Simmo comes back at RB. He's got a great cross on him, he's got pace and strength on the ball. He looks like he's growing in confidence as he gets used to the English game. He's better defensively than HBA, who could then move more centrally, and he's a country mile better than Obertan. He'd work in the RM role Raylor played for a while last season, covering the full-back while also getting forward and causing problems for the defence. Maybe: --------------Krul--------------- Simmo---Saylor--Collo---Santon Anita---Cabaye--Tiote---Jonas -------------HBA--------------- ---------------Ba-------------- (This would also give the option of a five-man midfield, with Anit moving further central and HBA on the right.) I know he's said he'd prefer to play at CM, but I can't see him dislodging Tiote or Cabaye, unless we play a 4-3-3, which won't happen unless cisse is dropped and Marv plays LM. Even so, Jonas' work rate and grit may put him ahead of Anita there anyway. So, in order to get him in the team in a more comfortable position, this could be a solution. Thoughts?
Dropping Cisse isn't a wise move IMO. We need to keep playing him, he's gradually getting better, but his finishing is still off, he needs a goal for confidence.
Could be an option depending on the game. For example against City, ManU Chelsea etc where we need to be solid defensively i would seriously consider this formation as it would be effectivley Ba and HBA up top on the break with others joining later. Have a feeling though he will be used mainly for European/Cup games once Simmo is fit again if he wants to play CM and the odd game when Tiote/Cabaye/Jonas are injured, suspended or on international duty
If we're gonna be solid defensively, and we play 4-4-2, then we should only play Ben Arfa with Ba or Cisse up front. No point in playing him RM in a more defensive 4-4-2, because his defensive abilities aren't very good, all he can do is track back, that's it. I think that line up looks good. But against Manure at home, if we were to play more solid and defensive, I'd play this - -------Ba--------Shola--------- Jonas---Tiote---Cabaye----Anita Santon--Colo---Saylor-----Perch/Simmo ------------Krul--------------------- Long balls to Shola and Ba. It causes teams like Manure problems. Bring Ben Arfa on later in the game for Perch, switch Anita to RB, if we need a late goal.
Pretty much agree, same tactics we used against them last time. Depends on Vidic being fit as to whether it'd be super-effective like squirtle on charmander, or simply critical hit, like another pokemon oh feck it I can't be bothered continuing this nerd metaphor... Anyway, I think we could probably even just stick with Cisse up top with Demba, to be honest. He tried hard today to win headers, but was often isolated, and when he's not on his period he's a fantastic finisher, the kind you need against Man Utd really...
Cisse was as bad today as I remember seeing him. Stick him in the league cup/Europe squad for the time being until he starts scoring. He really could have cost us the win.
My thoughts on the whole penalty issue are this:- 1. Cisse was offered the chance to take the pen by his team mates 2. He was brave to step up and take it 3. It shows that his team mates also believe he just needs to stick one away to gain his sadly lacking confidence 4. He missed the pen and missed it badly, not good for his confidence, but, had he scored it, would it have been worth the gamble 5. In hindsight it was irresponsible for the decision to be made 6. Do l think it should have been made, yes l do, for Cisse, no from the point of view that it showed a lack of clinical thinking and discipline 7. Could Cisse have cost us the game, no, it was a team decision and the team would need to step up and take responsibility for it. 8. Should AP drop Cisse ? No, show faith, he will come good.
