So, we are getting daily complaints about Luis Suarez's role in the team. People feel it is not the right position for him. Some people are confused about why he keeps playing there. But I think I have it all worked out. I actually twigged onto this idea against Stoke, but yesterday made me even more sure. Currently we are not playing with an out and out striker, and though Suarez is the man in the middle of the front three, this doesnt necessarily make him our main man when it comes to goal scoring. To me it looks like Suarez is currently playing a hybrid role, mixing a false 9 with a center forward. When watching our team attack, Suarez is often not the furthest player forward. Suarez is often playing in a role behind the other members of the front three. What Suarez does in this area is collect the ball, use his skill and creativity to drag the back 4 towards him, and then works to create a space to play the killer pass through. Our wide forwards are often the furthest players forward. Rodgers lines them up so that when they cut inside they are angled so that they can shoot on their stronger foot (left foot on the right, right foot on the left). It is these players jobs to make the runs in behind the back 4 to collect the killer pass from Suarez and get a run on goal. Just like what happened with Sterlings goal yesterday. Assaidi also has reputation for being very good when coming narrow and getting one on one runs at goal. But of course this isnt fail safe. We are never going to create a run at goal every time. This is where we have to be patient, creative and work the ball well, with good pass and movement. The full backs get forward into the wide positions, the wide forwards work the channels and Suarez and the attacking midfielder arrive to crowd the box. Sahin's goal against Norwich seems to show this idea some what. But so far this season we have not been crowding the box at all well enough. But this is where I see the attacking midfielder getting a lot of goals in the future. Finally, I'll talk about where Walcott would fit in. So far our wide forwards have not always been making these runs, or at least not consistently. But making runs like this and turning them into goals is what Walcott does best. So Walcott could well be the perfect option for this system. Of course this does not excuse Suarez's poor finishing. He is still getting the most goal chances and wasting them. But I think thinking of him as an out and out striker is not the right view. Whether you'll like or agree with this idea I do not know. But it looks to me like this is part of our plan to me. Our players are still mastering this approach in the final third. But with time this could prove very successful. I still think we will sign a direct striker as an alternative though. But I can clearly see how Carroll does not and never will fit this system.
To summarize: -Suarez collects the ball deep. He uses his skills to tempt the opposition center backs to close him down and then open space in the opposition defense. -Our wide forwards come narrow into the space left by the center backs. -A quick release can send a wide forward free on goal. -The opposition full backs will follow the wide forward they are marking. -Our full backs get forward into the space left by the opposing full backs. -We move the ball around in and around the opposition box until an opening comes. -The attacking midfielder arrives late in the box to fire the killer ball or take his tap in.
If a center forward was to be bought in, it would be interesting to see if Suarez would be pushed out wide, Rodgers seems to fancy Suarez in the middle. I do admit I actually like Suarez in the middle, his work rate is immense and he leads the charging down, then you have his clever movement and his ability to drag defenders to make space in the middle. Also worth noting he's getting himself in to better goalscoring positions too, he just needs to start converting them. It's been said a lot recently that 'he's not a great goalscorer, he's a scorer of great goals', I disagree. Through out his career for club and country he has scored goals consistently, he's already got 7 so far this season in all competitions, their's always room for improvement for every player and the same goes for Suarez. On Walcott, I wouldn't say no to him joining us. I just hope it doesn't ruin the progress of Suso or Sterling.
I thought about mentioning that. But decided other wise. I doubt Walcott would dent Suso and Sterling's development. If any thing it will help avoid over playing them and allow them to move forward at their own pace. If players use the space Suarez opens up better we will be cruising. To me it looks like Rodgers is building around Suarez and Lucas in the middle.
Well, it does kind of bugger the thought pattern Sterling is the opposite, he passes too much rather than beating his man. I think that is a age thing though.
There was a moment against Stoke when Sterling gave the ball to Suarez, and then went on a great run. If Suarez had quickly played it back to him Sterling would have been through. But instead Suarez tried to walk through the Stoke defense. No one walks through the Stoke defense.
Allen is the link between the to. A very important player. Lawro had a big dig at Allen yesterday. Was very harsh. He suggested he only passes side ways and backwards, and then suggested he gets favouritism because he is like Rodgers son.
Walcott is definitely not the solution for me. We simply need more attack minded players in the box when pushing the opposition back, often there is simply no-one there, or perhaps just one or two. Not meaning in a risky way, as always keep Allen and Lucas/or whoever is in for him, disciplined looking for the counter attack runs - their intelligence to read the game is a strong element to both Allen and Lucas's overall game. The solution is an out an out experienced striker, which we'll get in January for sure
I think it will be two possible systems we will choose between depending on the situation. Suarez as the false 9, and Sturridge leading the line.
I don't listen to Lawro and didn't make an exception last night. Doesn't surprise me that he said it. All teams need a link player, not every player should be looking for a killer ball, I am very happy to see Allen pass sideways and backwards because he is retaining possession for us, he is ALWAYS a option too. Of course, he can pass forwards too but I appreciate he values possession more than creativity. That is a good thing
You don't hear pundits slate Busquets - Allen for me is a similar player, and as he develops I reckon he'll be a better all round player than Busquets. Allen ALWAYS find space to make himself available, his ability to read the game is incredible for a player of his age. Allen = reads the game, finds space, one or two touches releases the ball at pace. That's his role in the team and he does it perfectly.
Walcott isn't the option we'd pick if we had the choice of the world's best. But we don't, and he's better than nothing.
Basquetes could be playing in England next season. Chelsea and City are linked. I think at the moment we need a goal scoring in that position. Walcott fits that description.
