Wow, you really want us to go for it that much? That would be exciting, but 4 attacking players? Punch tracked back well in the Fulham game though, so I'd definately play him. What's your issue with Guly? When he plays, he does help out the full back. We must be aware of the threat from Jarvis today.
Don't have an issue with Guly so much as a player as I think he is a talent but do we really think he fits with what we have done well so far this season. I don't think he is lazy like many say but I don't think he is a grafter either. He can only replace 1 or 2 positions for me in which I feel unless injured should not be replaced - gaston/Rickie/lallana. I think he can be a bit of a luxury. I don't think it suggests we are particularly going for it with my strategy but we will test any defence with them as the most forward four players. Puncheon I thought had one of the best first halves I have ever seen him play and never deserved to be subbed, mayuka is dangerous and quick,he can play on the left or right off of Rickie and lallana can tackle and I see him acting as a positive going forward but also being able to drop into the centre of the park if we are defending. I guess I'm kind of saying midfield 5 when defending and up front 3 when attacking with lallana in the whole. Think it could work. I thought hooiveld had a shocker last week but wouldn't be surprised if he played to try and cope with Carroll in the air.
Mayuka could add pace to frighten West Ham, Puncheon tracks back well, Guly could hold the ball up and Lallana could play centrally, all options, which is great for Adkins, but interestingly noone has mentioned Rodriguez and he seems to be one that is likely to start with Adkins.
Agree about Punch. I'd still like to understand why you think Mayuka would be good tracking back defensively and is a good tackler. I'm not doub ting this fact, just haven't seen him playing enough and wondered where you have seen him doing this. Guly does graft, it is just that his long languid style makes him look like he is not. Adam runs with a lot of effort and huffing and puffing and pumping of arms. I wouldn't sawp Adam with Guly for sure, just that from what I have see, Guly can cover a full back and less likely to leave him exposed. He can play in three of the "one or two" postions you mentioned. I agree though he wouldn't start ahead of those three.
How about we play 442. Midfield of Lallana Davis Schneiderlain Punch, with Lambert and Mayuka upfront???
Agree about Guly, like I say I don't think he is the hardest working but I like many others have have never accused him of being lazy, I agree it it is his running style and his figure that sometimes makes him look a little laid back. With regards to Mayuka, I don't know if he will be good defensively but I can only go on what I have seen and he looks exciting. He is quick and strong and looks a handful, and I think he needs a start. I believe if we can get him in the team he will be hard to displace. Also interesting Boruc wasn't involved with the U21s in their last game, unless anyone knows if he is injured, does anyone think he could be in contention?
I think we will go between a 4-5-1 without the ball and 4-3-3 with it. We will want to have width as against Everton our downfall was that we gave them too much space in the channels; West Ham's winger will also want to achieve similar feats.
Haha I like it, still not sure it helps the cover aspect down the wing with lallana/fox. Also it's way to simple formation for Mr Adkins!
Hehe, that is a good point though. Our weakness at the moment is definitely left hand side defence. Maybe our CDMs need to start taking a bit more responsibility for that side between them if we want to keep Lallana in attacking positions.
Reeves is a good shout. He's probably our most defensively capable winger. I'd rather see Lallana on the right than in the hole though. But then obviously we'd be complaining about a lack of cover on the right.
I agree. I think Adam is often more creative in the centre and we need someone to protect Fox on the left ... and I haven't a clue who that is.
Lallana's weakness is also his strength, he is a free spirit that finds himself in great positions "between the lines", where he often causes the most damage. He is not a traditional left midfielder that will run up and down the line for 90 minutes and that would detract from his effectiveness greatly if he was asked to do so.
The more we talk about this the more I want Adam in the hole, he played too deepn v Wigan 1st half if I remember right and he was getting the ball in the wrong places - where he couldn' hurt the opposition - he sometimes gets isolated from the game on the left, he doesn't play on the right because he's less likely to come inside and he doesn't have the pace to go outside like a trad winger. Shame Chappers doesn't seem to be in form (or good enough?) he would provide cover for the full back.
4-4-2 is still a useful formation and it always will be. Nowadays a good team has to be drilled in 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 variants.
