Man of the Match Vs United

[5354 204]

I think Zhirkov was 1 of the best player... keeping Valencia quiet. The only thing about Zhirkov is that he should have better ball controlling to stop losing possession :/

[Kostas 1,468]

While Zhirkov did get the better of Valencia he frequently looked too light as Valencia just pushed him aside with ease.

I'm think that when Ashley is back YZ can combine with Malouda and create an unstoppable left flank.

Edited April 4, 2010 by Kostas

[Jon 18]

Malouda. It's amazing the run of form he's currently on. An outside shout for Ferreira, I thought he was wonderful yesterday.

[Cameron 30]

Alex. Absolutely superb, rock at the back.

Didn't really get the greatness about Malouda until I saw it on the tele later in the evening.

[Kujamowicz 16]

For me it's of course Florent Malouda. Making really much in front.

Yuri Zhirkov also played a very good match.

I'm think that when Ashley is back YZ can combine with Malouda and create an unstoppable left flank.

True Cole is currently best left defender. But how would you like to play with 3 of them in one squad?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Like this:

Drogba

Malouda, Cole

Zhirkov, Mikel, Lampard

Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic

Petr Cech

[Kujamowicz 16]

BlueLion,

That's an idea! Ashley Cole as a left defender (on the other hand he likes supporting attack), Zhirkov as a left midfielder, and Malouda as a left winger. But, we need to make Cole to stay as a left-back with no offensive raids.

[diskoviolente 425]

Ash and Malouda and Yuri might get not enough space attacking wise. They will cancel each outher out i am afraid, getting in their running-paths, so to say.

Ash is an attacking-minded fullback. A little less is Yuri, who has really a great technique shutting wingers down. I think it depends on the team we play against. Either play Ashley/ FloMo or Ash/Yuri i´d say.

[Blueboy 14]

Like this:

Drogba

Malouda, Cole

Zhirkov, Mikel, Lampard

Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic

Petr Cech

lol, this line-up could lead to two things;

1. We trash our opponent, with an amazing attacking display from the left

2. While Cole, Zhirkov and Malouda are all busy attacking, counterattacks will expose our left hand side and result in a decent amount of extra goals against!

Nontheless, it is a left hand side nothing short of phenomenal. Many teams in the world would envy anything that comes close to that.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Then we get Mikel to filter in as a third CB alongside Terry and Alex. Its a system very similar to what Lyon used to play when Malouda was there, with Abidal, Govou and Malouda on the left.

[Cameron 30]

Think I prefer Essien to Zhirkov...

[zolayes 14,489]

seems we have the left side well covered ,,just need bos back for the right

[Rambo 1,729]

I'm glad we were patient with Florent, what a player he's became for us.

Edited April 6, 2010 by Tech9C

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Think I prefer Essien to Zhirkov...

So do I, just suggesting how it could work. Plus Essien's injured whereas Ashley Cole's fast coming back to fitness.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

I think the main reason of the downfall at the Inter game was because Malouda isn't that well at pulling back, at when Ballack was playing he was moving more into the area that the centre, meaning he was weakening the center of the midfield why trying to strength the left flank. That's why we crumble when he was subsituted as the left flank was left bare.

[Fulham Broadway 17,314]

I think the main reason of the downfall at the Inter game was because Malouda isn't that well at pulling back, at when Ballack was playing he was moving more into the area that the centre, meaning he was weakening the center of the midfield why trying to strength the left flank. That's why we crumble when he was subsituted as the left flank was left bare.

Cole would have made all the difference. Oh well, move on....

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Cole would have made all the difference. Oh well, move on....

Yeah, even though Ash is a attacking minded LB, he has the pace to get back and defend. But having Zhirkov playing left midfeilder and then Malouda as left winger, surely, Zhirkov would be in the way? I think it's better that we used that position as a second attacking midfeilder. Lampard the scorer on the right, and someone of the left as the playmaker or another player who can exploit the defence ie Kakuta or Kalou, and the centre playing back as a defensive to help the defence. That way we would have a system which would be hard to counter attack on when all the pieces are all together.

[Manuf 1,448]

IMO playing such an offensive left flank wouldn't be so great. I'd rather play something like this:

Cech

Ivanovic Alex Terry Cole

Mikel Essien

Lampard

Cole Malouda

Drogba

In that case we would have such a great control over mid-field, while Cole and Malouda would rock the left flank. I think Zhirkov is a great sub and we didn't see much from him on mid-field so I don't know if he wouldn't get in the way with FloMo or Ash. I think Yuri is player that Mourinho could praise for "having possibility to play Yuri or Ash on left back, Yuri or Malouda on wing or Yuri/Lampard/Deco/etc. in mid-field".

[ZanSnake 1,211]

My ideal formation would be:

Cech

Ivanovic Alex Terry Cole

Mikel/Essien

Lampard Essien/Deco/Ballack

J.Cole Malouda

Drogba

With Cole over-running Malouda in attack, but Malouda deep back incase the attack didn't work, so he would be in the LB position only momentarily whilst Ash retreats, same as J. Cole on the right hand side. With having Lampard and Ballack helping the sides if needed we still have the defensive midfeilder to help break the attack before they can even have a go at the defence.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I was only suggesting how we could filter them all into the same team. And it would work for when we are chasing the game. That was my point. In my ideal team Zhirkov wouldn't even be on the pitch.