Get over what ? It was a light hearted response to Monty's rather odd rambling about linesmen and Sunderland's present form - absolutely no problem from where i sit Mr Ruined Party !
I think you're all assuming that by 442 I mean a rigid 3 straight lines. A 442 can resemble 4411 or even 4231 depending on the movement of the players. Obviously one striker will be deeper than the other, but it's still essentially 442. If you're going to be fussy about the numbers representing the exact formation you might as well call it 222211 or something. My main contention is that Rodriguez should play up front with Lambert, the same line-up and formation as the end of the Reading game. That doesn't mean they'll be holding hands but I think playing 2 orthodox strikers qualifies the formation as 422. The player in the hole on the 4231 is deeper and more of a midfielder than a striker and I don't think, without Lallana, we have the personnel to play that more effectively than 442.
Saints will start with J Rod as lone striker with Rickie just behind, Ramirez on the left.....same as we started 2nd half against Reading. Sunderland are a very poor side, they will not cope with our attacking prowess.....Saints 3-0
There are two fundamental flaws with that theory: A) Reading played 4-4-2, Sunderland won't B) Reading are ****.
It's important how we do against teams like QPR, Reading, Aston Villa and Sunderland...3 down and 1 to go. Wigan was a real disappointment, but I think we played them too early.
4-4-2 is still a perfectly good strategy in any division. It may not be as good as a 4-5-1/4-3-3 for keeping possession, but it is good when you want to get the ball forward quickly, and of course it sacrifices one man in the middle for some extra fire power. Also as PTF has already alluded to, for a team that plays with a lot of fluidity, a 4-4-2 can look pretty much the same in action as a 4-5-1/4-3-3/4-2-3-1 if one of the strikers drops into a support role behind the other.
Feeling more confident hearing that Lallana could be back verrryyyyy soon. Still very quiet officially though.
Have to give Sunderland credit. They've sold all their seats for Saturday. Very impressive on the Saturday before Christmas!
Sunderland away support is always good lamby - especially as they often have to travel a fair distance. The mackams are proper football people.
Where else do you think? Stalking Twitter 24/7 for the smallest piece of news, and pretending to be "ITK"
