This article has got me thinking http://unofficialnetwork.org/2013/01/change-of-formation-leaves-room-for-striker-signing/ If all our players were fit, what would be the best 11 (I know it is about squads, and rotation), but if we were to line up in Europa League Final or FA Cup final who would you select. Certainly if 4-4-2 was the preferred formation, then fitting Holtby, Sandro and Dembele would be a problem So it has to be 4 2 3 1, surely Lloris Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Assou-Ekotto Dembele Sandro Lennon Holtby/Dempsey (hopeful that Lewis will tie this place down, but haven't seen enough of him yet) Bale Defoe
thats mine too don't wanna hijack the thread SD, but presuming Holtby does come in, the only concern for me in our current team, is the lack of height for set pieces. who have we really got who can challenge? Verts dawson/caulker (unlikely to see both of them on the pitch at the same time) Bale? Walker? Dembele? has anyone seen him header the ball? we don't have a lot of options. our front 4 could be Lennon, Holtby, Bale and Defoe. - still, at least we're forced to play proper football!
Before Holtby signed, that was my line up also, as I was hoping to either see Dembele pushed forward and Carroll given a chance in CM, or for us to sign a CAM and have Dembele in the centre with Sandro. 4-2-3-1 has taken over from 4-4-2, and is now the most commonly used formation in football as it does cover so many areas of the pitch, but that CAM/Striker partnership is key and I hope Holtby proves to be a great signing.
If we're talking best XI with everyone fit and on form, my team would be: Lloris, Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Ekotto Sandro, Dembele Lennon, Holtby, Bale Adebayor To be fair, if that team was firing on all fronts, it would seriously give Utd and City something to think about.
a lack of height can't be a a defining factor for set pieces over what people can do with the ball at their feet. on top of this..we are **** at set pieces so forget it.
I agree with your team SD, except would also put Adebayor in for Defoe. Remember the Adebayor of September-December last year? He was unplayable, worked his socks off, and linked up with our attacking midfielders beautifully. In my opinion he was the number one reason why we were doing so well at this point last year. Defoe will never have that aspect to his game.
As we stand: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Dembele, Bale; Holtby; Adebayor. Back up: Friedel; Naughton, Gallas, Caulker, Fryers; Sigurdsson, Livermore, Carroll, Dempsey; Obika, Defoe.
Everton have had the £8.6 mill bid rejected though, which was the funds that came free when the Fer deal fell through. Apparently Sevilla want closer to £16 mill though and I can't see Everton forking out that.
Lloris Walker Kaboul Caulker Vertonghen Dembele Sandro Lennon Holtby Bale Ade With Friedel, Defoe, Daws, Parker, Benny, Siggy & Dempsey on the bench (and apologies to t'other Kyle)
What about (for this season) a midfield of Dembele Holtby Lennon Dempsey Bale Neither of our sitting mids are defensive as such, but both look good in the tackle and good on the ball? Then Sandro will slot in next season and Holtby can replace Dempsey.
