by 66-1112520797 » Wed May 21, 2008 3:09 pm
If Rafa sticks with this formation (4-2-3-1) then I can see a position available for Alonso. Even though he form has been poor for a long time now, there is always hope that he'll regain it. Though I've been one of his biggest critics and IMO rightly justified I'd be content with him staying even if we sign Barry. As Rafa loves to say Barry will give us "options", of course he can play LB, CM and possibly LW which I think is the position Rafa would deploy Barry in. If Alonso struggles with injuries and form etc then Barry can come in and sit next to Mascha.
If Rafa reverts back to the old 4-4-2 then I wouldnt see the need to keep Xabi and would think about selling around the 15 million mark or more. For me Alonso wont be able to hold down his place in a flat four midfield regardless of whether we sign Barry or not. Gerrard and Mascha in the center with possibly Barry or even Lucas (who hast impressed me either) will give us options still.
Even if Rafa stuck Gerrard out wide, Mascha and Alonso through the center are way to defensive and as we've seen with this before we lack creativity and and flair through the middle. With a flat four pushed on higher up the field its paramount for me you need someone he can burst through the middle snd join the attack, neither Alonso or Mascha do this well enough.
Which is why I have no problem with them teaming up together further back in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This formation for me allows us to get the best out of our better players ala Mascha, Alonso, Gerrard and Torres. That central quartet isnt the problem though its the wide areas that are, I cant see Barry offering Ronaldoesk opions out wide but he does have a good engine, can whip in a cross or two and has a decent shot, while maintaining a good level of defensive duties too. Exactly the kind of player Rafa likes.
In saying that though, who could guarentee Rafa to stick with one formation throughout the course of a season, it will be like rotations in formations instead, and the players wont no whetehr their coming or going if hes gonna chop and change personel and formations around like a mad man.
Last edited by 66-1112520797 on Wed May 21, 2008 3:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.