We won't be narrow if we have the right FBs. Enrique and Johnson are both brilliant for this, we just need to get them fit and interest respectively Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with the 4231 type system you're suggesting, I'm a big fan of it and if it were my choice, that's what we'd be playing. I just don't agree with your view that a player is wasted (in the sense you mean) in a 433. It just means width and creativity needs to come from somewhere else on the pitch.
Going back to the point of my article - if we adopt the formation you and crumpet are suggesting, and rely purely on our FBs for width, then we'd be hanging our faith on a system not applied by any of the top sides across Europe. Risky, especially having neither Johnson nor Enrique for the short-term.
But it wouldn't just be relying on the FB's either. Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho all drift into wide positions, Henderson isn't scared of pushing out wide too. I think a 433 is more flexible than a 4231 but that's not always a good thing
I don't know, maybe I'm talking rubbish, but haven't old fashioned 'to the byline' wingers pretty much died out now? It's much more fashionable to play with inside wingers (as BR calls them) these days such as Silva, Hazard, Messi (to a degree), Mata... I agree with Gerrez in saying that our full backs provide the width. Our current system is fantastic when we have an interested right back and a left back who isn't a complete and utter donkey. We looked so poor against Villa partly because Cissokho has so much space with the ball but was too **** to know what to do with it. If Enrique had been playing I think it'd have been a different story.
We looked poor against Villa because BR showed a total lack of respect and opted for Gerrard and Hendo in the middle. To try and rectify things, he then went three at the back meaning Cissokho was a key player in the system. Not the greatest example IMO
They haven't died out at all. They have merely evolved into also performing a forward's job and cutting in. But all the top teams have at least one modern winger, and some have two. (the article lists them).
I dont think we need wingers at all. Use the fullbacks (this, if you're reading Brendan, would require actually having some). In a system with GJ not moping about and Enrique not limping about, we play free flowing football and I dont see any problem with that. In that case we need an inverted triangle with Lucas back, Gerrard and Hendo ahead of him as two CM players, Coutinho ahead of them in a 10 and Suarez partnering Sturridge. Sterling can come in off the bench to play up front where he is excelling at the moment. This is on paper our strongest formation given that 3 at the back is disastrous and 2 in the middle is plain stupid. Using wingers when you have wingbacks is redundant and removes a strong midfield presence needed to play a high tempo pressing game. It seems no one save Sky (once) agrees with this. It works. 4-1-2-1-2 works. It has in the past and will in the future. It won't happen apparently. Hence why I'm not bothered if Salah joins Chelsea. Also we should get a strong, physical CM to replace Gerrard soon.
IMO that system is risky - no top side anywhere adopts it - but could work if Johnson and Enrique are fit. With neither of them available, no way.
Fair enough, but then we all know that Barca successfully played narrow by perfecting their original tiki-taka technique. Could we achieve that technique and so justify that system? Humbly, I'd say no.
Henderson and a younger Gerrard mold could play it no problem. We play it often when the three in the middle are fit. Its just the forwards and defense need to be on top of their game. In my opinion you either play with traditional wingers, or wing backs. Not both as we have done at points this season. That's why I dislike the 4-5-1. You get overlaps on the sides and no one in the middle. Its important to have Henderson support the other three ahead of him while the other two (Gerrard and Lucas) drop back to cover the CB's, who in turn have gone a bit wider to cover until the fullbacks return. It isn't risky, its just not used because it requires an extensive spine of the team. That often means fringe players or manager's favourites can't play the system unless they fit these roles perfectly. In my opinion we have the players for it. Its a question of if we are willing to try it.
Danilo, there's a reason only Barca tried that system - they were the only ones to perfect playing narrow centrally by way of their technique. I don't dislike it as much as the 3-5-2 system which also proponed wingbacks, however I do consider it risky. Additionally, it's a moot point now as it can't be applied without Johnson and Enrique. I don't like the 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 with traditional wingers either. Modern wingers (at least one in my opinion) should play forward in a 4-3-3 system (or 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-1-3)
livtor are you male or female ? if female post a pic of your breasticles if male post a pic of your girlfriend/wife's breaticles. if you dont have a gf/wife and you are male youre not wanted in my clique.
With Lucas in the team I've recently said that we need the energy in the other two midfielders that suits BR' formation of 4-3-3 So I'd go for ----Lucas---- Allen----Hendo I mentioned in a recent thread that this then leaves us with a front 3 of Coutinho, Studge and Suarez. This I thought was our best formation but left Gerrards quality on the bench and imo it's still an essential quality. To have Gerrard on the pitch someone has to go. My formation is..... ----Lucas---- Allen----Hendo ---Gerrard---- Studge-Suarez Coutinho is young and learning Gerrard gives us vision and quality on the ball 2nd half against Villa he showed he still has the vision if not the box to box game and that formation allows us to let him attack and pick passes. Rodgers is wrong to play him further back he should be part of the front 3.
Just had PM from the leader of the clique..."if he calls it his again have him killed" Just letting you know I've always liked you and hate funerals. The breasts part was ok.
