The_Rock » Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:11 pm wrote:maguskwt » Mon Feb 09, 2015 6:45 pm wrote:I know your post is directed to yakka. But I just don't get your post. Rodgers did turn it around when he changed to 3-4-3 and that is before Sturridge came back. So how is that hiding behind Sturridge's injury?
And how is his 3-4-3 alienating alot of the players in his squad? The 3-4-3 is designed to make use of alot of our creative players. BR has stabilised the defense and at the same time made use of alot of our creative players such as Sterling, Markovic, Lallana, Coutinho and moreno with this formation. So now that Sturridge is back, he is suppose to spearhead this formation. With an out an out striker like Sturridge, this formation is suppose to have more goals. The question now is, which I have highlighted in when Sturridge return thread, who will give way for Sturridge?
Balotelli, Lambert, Manquilo, Allen, Markovic, Jorden Ibe and even Steven Gerrard......These players are either not picked or made to play in a system which do not suit their playing style. Balotelli and Lambert function better with a mobile striker next to them. Allen/Gerrard function better in a midfield 3. Markovic and Ibe are wingers/Attacking midfielders. Even Can....isn't it better to get him playing the Lucas role asap (as we don't really have anyone who could replace him when he gets injured) instead of putting him as a CB ?
FWIW, I don't really think our upturn in form is due to this formation Rodgers spent a whole night thinking about and later telling the whole world about his "Eureka" experience....
In fact I am pretty certain....our upturn in form is due to Rodgers finally picking Lucas in the DM role and putting Henderson next to him. And dropping Lovern for Sakho. These 3 changes made our team more solid and yes....I do think if we went back to 4-3-3 or the diamond...we would have at least got the same results.
I hope to god we win against spurs.... But I can see us doing badly against spurs if Rodgers just continues playing 3-4-3 and brining in Allen (or worst Gerrard) for Lucas's DM role.
I believe the key to beating spurs is to go ahead with a balotelli & sturridge strike force (ie...sterling playing in the diamond behind them). As long as we have enough attackers keeping the opposition defence busy, I reckon our defence might be under lesser pressure (ie...so less mistakes, more cleansheets....and mignolet continues to look awesome). Anyway if Lucas is really missing against spurs, lets just see how Rodgers sets up his team. This is the test to really prove if our upturn in form is due to a change in formation or just making sensible tactical choices.
Coming to the game against spurs, I would go with this formation
Mig
Manquilo Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Can
Hendo Coutinho
Sterling
Balo Sturridge
You've got to be kidding me when you mention the manager should be making use of a system that can allow Balotelli, Lambert and Allen to play. Balotelli has been given so many chances in the 1st half of the season to the detriment of our results. Lambert is a squad player. Allen is Allen as you have witnessed in his performance against Everton and many other games before, he brings nothing to the table. Jordan Ibe has just been recalled and he played quite well in the 3-4-3 formation against everton. Steven Gerrard, with all due respect he is my all time favourite, but is going down hill whichever system he played in. In fact Rodgers can be accused of playing Gerrard in whichever formation he employs. Markovic was playing very well in the 3-4-3 formation. Manquilo could play well as a right wing back but i'd rather have Markovic there. Can is one of two reasons (the other is Sakho) why our defense is solid now, and the fact that we deploy 2 deep midfielders in this formation, whether it is Lucas/ Henderson, Lucas/Gerrard in the middle. Moreno is one of the more consistently good performers at the Left Wing Back in the 3-4-3 as well.
I wouldn't fix which is not broken especially since now the players are getting used to it. The diamond formation that you have posted is the formation from last season which Rodgers was accused of continuing and failing this first half of the season. In fact, I would probably drop Gerrard to accomodate Sturridge coming back. Lucas/ Henderson pairing is a more solid pairing. If the defence is not conceding there is always a chance to go on and win it. But since Coutinho, Sterling, Lucas and Lallana are now serious doubts against Spurs I wouldn't be surprised if there are some changes in the line-up, especially like you mentioned putting Can as DM. But I'd rather keep the formation, I would go with:
Mignolet
Lovren Skrtle Sakho
Markovic Henderson Can Moreno
Coutinho/Sterling Ibe
Sturridge
Here I'm hoping either one of Coutinho/Sterling/ Lallana is fit. If all 3 of them are not fit, we're pretty much screwed. The 3 CB's and the 2 deep midfielders, Henderson and Can should provide a solid and defensive platform. Markovic, Moreno are the runners creativitiy as well as cover. Coutinho/ Sterling, Ibe and Sturridge are the creative and goal scoring threats.
If everyone was fit I would go with this line-up:
Mignolet
Can Skrtle Sakho
Markovic Henderson Lucas Moreno
Coutinho/Ibe Sterling/ Lallana
Sturridge
Yes, no place for Gerrard, Balotelli, Lovren nor Lambert.
by 