I get your point about leaving spaces - but that's why we need high energy players as wing backs, if not then it should be down to Lucas (or Gerrard) to drop into any gaps. I think it's a system that takes a long time to master, but if you do, it can be extremely beneficial - both defensively and offensively.
Thought Henderson was better than Enrique yesterday. Still haven't seen us match the football we played against Stoke in that first hour. Thought we were the better team against United in the CC, but not complaining as they were 'better' (without creating anything) against us at Anfield in the league. Overall, apart from Studge (and now Suarez) there's nothing to get carried away about. This season teams have got the measure of Coutinho (ie just kick him and the ref will continuously turn a blind eye), but the results are good and, has been pointed out, we don't face any major tests until December (hubris warning after Soton!) and by then I hope there'll be confidence and steel in the team. Oh, and that Sterling starts to come good again.
Total football wasn't about changing the shape of the side though, it was merely that every player could cover for every other, allowing the side to flow in a way that hadn't been seen before. To achieve that, you need a selection of extremely talented intelligent pro's, who've been schooled in every aspect of the game.
I'm helping out a mate with the local u10s team, I've suggested at the begging of the season (and he agreed), that we get everyone playing different positions each week, my little nephew played in goal last week, played up front this week (scored a goal too). Results aren't important at that age, what is important is that they enjoy the game, be confident with the ball at their feet and get a better appreciation of what is required for each position. We aren't banning long balls, if you have to get rid in defence, do so, but try to keep it simple and play out, also, if someones made a good run upfront and you can find him, hit that ball. Love giving back what little knowledge I have of the game, results could be better but the kids are loving the options to play all over the pitch.. #sorryforthederail
so three points i can think of: 1. the system. I agree in principal about the space issue but most of all i think shaky or no the point must still be made a "betterside" did find us out. i.e Utd. all it took was rooney to drop off deep and our midfield was torn asunder. a lot of english prem sides play one up now so the 3 cbs have one guy spare all the time. Lucas got hauled off v southampton after he got ran ragged by utd and southampton. Gerrard though didn't hmmmmm tell you something? 2. Point two on gerrard then. ofr me if you really want to persist with this system then i agree coutinho is desirable but in his absence the only option is to move gerrard out of the role he's weak at (off the ball tracking and position covering etc) and put him back in that no 10 role. That woulds surely give a genuine 3 in midfield for us again.... would require henderson or allen in DM. 3. point 3 build on point 2. If you put henderson at DM then you play wisdom... and hell you might as well go back to 4-3-3 then.... I think just in my opniion its all about dominating an area of the pitch, we can have a back 5 defending but thats no good if you lose possession cos you can't pass it. We are allowing sides now dominate possession of the ball as we have one spare CB standing about doing nothing while others in midfield are marked up. 3-5-2 is just a system for a particular match where you can get the most out of that game. it'd work v a 4-4-2 and did in the 90s. a 4-3-3 will hurt it as every cb will be occupied and the midfield will be outgunned. same for 4-5-1 which palace will try next weekend.
