Posted:
Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:06 pm
by stmichael
Just going back to comparisons with Rafa's Valencia, we are missing a Baraja type player just as much as we miss an Aimar type player.
Valencia's central midfield scored 10 goals a season, roughly 75 percent of them scored by Baraja. Whilst Rafa was at Valencia, he was basically a Spanish version of Gerrard, but with better positional sense. I think in Rafa's first season at Valencia, Baraja ended the season as the top scorer. The problem we have is our central midfield doesn't score goals, let alone provide a goal threat. To play with one upfront you need roughly 10 goals to come from central midfield imho, you need goals plenty from your midfield and not just from the wide players.
This is the one thing that Alonso needs to improve on big time, fair enough that he's been played in a defensive midfield role but imho he doesn't score enough goals and now that we have a class holding midfielder in Mascherano, I really would like to see Alonso playing 10-15 ft futher forward. We know that he can, he played alongside a holding midfielder in a traditional playmaker type role at Real Sociedad.
Posted:
Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:37 pm
by shineshin
i prefer 4-2-3-1
but gerrard must be in the midfilder position.......
not even right winger:angry:
bellamy or penant maybe can replace each other of the right hand side position:)
Posted:
Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:28 am
by Bad Bob
Well, I think yesterday's game provides strong evidence in support of Stu's assertions about Gerrard. The 4-5-1 simply does not play to our skipper's strengths--at least not in games (like yesterday's or last Saturday's at Man City) where our opponents sit deep and attempt to soak up pressure. Playing Gerrard just off a loan striker leaves him virtually no room to operate. He barely gets enough touches and then he's put under pressure with very few outlets for the ball.
And, it's not just down to opponents closing him down. One of the big problems yesterday was that Sissoko was getting the ball in positions that Gerrard would have loved to fill. Coming from deeper positions, Sissoko provided an easier target than Gerrard for the wide players, which meant that one of our worst ball carriers and passers was trying to drive the attack forward, usually with disastrous results.
Thank fook Rafa recognized the problem early enough to correct it this time. Hauling Momo off on 55 minutes and reverting to a 4-4-2 was the right move--not because of Kuyt's introduction, but because it allowed Gerrard to drop deeper. From a proper CM position he started getting more touches and he was able to fill space much more effectively--ghosting into gaps between Boro's midfield and attack brilliantly, as the goal illustrated.
So, what have we learned? One conclusion is that 4-5-1 is not the way to play against teams that intend to sit deep and play for the draw. This is primarily because we do not have the personnel needed to break teams down in this formation. Gerrard, as the "in the hole" player does not have the creativity and vision to pick out teammates and play clever 1-2s in tight quarters. Moreover, as Stu often reminds us, he has to sacrifice so much of his natural game in this role and it really influences his level of performance. On the flanks, Pennant is continuing to look the part and has been our most dangerous player when we've played 4-5-1. With Arbeloa in behind, as well, we get a fair amount of joy down the right. The problem is there's no one offering a similar threat on the left flank, which disrupts our balance and makes it easier for defenders to overload our right flank. Up front, both Crouch and Kuyt are willing workers but they, too, don't quite have the skill to work the necessary 1-2s effectively. Moreover, they don't always make the correct runs to get on the end of the crosses coming in from the right.
So, until we have the personnel to play 4-5-1 effectively (i.e. a Riquelme/Aimar type 'string puller', a proper left winger and a striker who knows how to get on the end of crosses and cutbacks), we need to primarily stick to 4-4-2.
Posted:
Mon May 28, 2007 8:41 am
by mungi
i think the systems rafa will use next seaosn will largely depend on who he gets in the market. if he gets a player like eto'o rafa will be more comfortable in playing a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 because eto'o is that type of player where he can play 1 up front and players such as gerrard kewell garcia can play off because he process a nice touch which sets him up in good postions to pass. his positioning is also expetional because he gives space to his teamates through his runs. If Rafa gets someone like Villa he might use 4-4-1-1 most of the time with Villa up front and kuyt behind him. This also means Gerrard back in the right midfield with alonso and masherano in the centre. kewell on the left. another alternative if rafa is looking for width is bringing on pennant for alonso or masherano dependiong on the situtation and putting gerrard back in the centre. i think the key is who rafa buys and if kewell and can play for long peroids of time without gettinmg injured. Im sure whatever happens Rafa will know best