4-3-3 musings

[Drogba11CFC 108]

How about 4-2-3-1?

Cech

Bosingwa Alex Terry Cole

Ramires Essien

Anelka Lampard Malouda

Drogba

Essien and Ramires switch between going forward and dropping back, with Lampard as the main AM.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Agreed mate, looks a good system. Would require great discipline from either Ramires or Essien, however. But it would give us so much more potency going forward - but only if you put Kalou or Sturridge in for Anelka. Some pace, energy and enthusiasm will help us win matches, as opposed to slow dribbles backwards and forwards.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

How about 4-2-3-1?

Cech

Bosingwa Alex Terry Cole

Ramires Essien

Anelka Lampard Malouda

Drogba

Essien and Ramires switch between going forward and dropping back, with Lampard as the main AM.

Tbh mate thats sorta similar to what we already have. In our midfield 3 Lampard is given the most freedom to roam forward and whoever plays on the right hand side of the midfield 3 (Ramires or Essien) is given the more defensive responsibilities to aid the holding midfielder. Also I think that Ancelotti's attempt to employ the diamond last season proved one thing, Lampard is should not be deployed high up the pitch in an AM position, it completely wrecks his late runs into the box which is one of his best traits.

Personally I like the look of the midfield 3 of

Essien

Ramires, Lampard

However I think the really big flaw we have at the moment (aside from the obvious need for another centre back) is that our wingers rarely go past people, for this Im looking more at Nic Anelka than Florent Malouda. When he comes inside (and deep at the same time) it makes our team so narrow and thus so easy to defend against. I would love to see us bring in an out and out winger in january, somebody who will keep the width, somebody who is actually a winger and somebody who can dribble past a player because that would be an entirely new dimension to our team.

[Badboy 1,526]

The problem is that you need 2 proper, world class wingers to use a 4-3-3 properly. We only have one good winger in our squad and that's Malouda. Kalou is never going to give you a succession of great (or good) performances and Anelka is just a wandering striker who simply cannot play out there.

I would have Malouda and Zhirkov on the wings, rotating like Duff and Robben did for us so well 5 years ago (fuck me, is it that long ago...). Both left footers too, it will confuse so many teams defences. Duff and Robben were instrumental to our first 2 title wins, especially the first one. Malouda and Zhirkov could be just as good and have a similar impact if they are used properly.

Ollie you have hit the nail on the head that is exactly what we need Zhirkov has a very good turn of pace and Malouda has a bit of pace too with a lot of intelligence. That is exactly what we need buzzing around Drogba !

[LDN Blue 7,903]

How about 4-2-3-1?

Cech

Bosingwa Alex Terry Cole

Ramires Essien

Anelka Lampard Malouda

Drogba

If you're talking about 2 holding midfield players, then you have to slot in Mikel for Ramires/Essien. Mikel's been the most solid player this season, everyone was singing his praises in October, everyone saying how brilliant he was, and now everyone's writing him off? Mikel is a better defensive midfielder than Ramires is. Essien is looking shaky back there, he's making rash tackles and give away reckless free kicks (which cost us), he's ill disciplined as of late.

Also I'd say take out Anelka, because he doesn't know a thing about sticking to his position. I'd say switch Malouda to the right flank and bring in Zhirkov on the left. Or even play Kakuta instead of Anelka.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I would have Malouda and Zhirkov on the wings, rotating like Duff and Robben did for us so well 5 years ago (fuck me, is it that long ago...). Both left footers too, it will confuse so many teams defences. Duff and Robben were instrumental to our first 2 title wins, especially the first one. Malouda and Zhirkov could be just as good and have a similar impact if they are used properly.

Yeah! Exactly what I've recommended. It just can not work having Anelka play wide any more, he used be good there but things have changed. Until we invest in a proper winger, who can play primarily on the right, Malouda should take up that flank.

[eldo 868]

OllieCFC and The Big Drog :goodpost:

[Clevemayer 764]

kostas , i thought you know better !!!!!

essien >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mikel @Dm and @CM , being not in top form and making an error doesn't make you worse . it's the same case of comparing kalou with Drogba , Drogba was shit yesterday while kalou was lively does that mean kalou is better ??!!!

how pathetic, what fuckin bullshit...

Essien is nowhere near a Mikel in the DM right now, or lets face it since one and a half year, Mikels Position ist called DEFENSIVE Midfielder, not, Defensiv-runningforward-giveassistseverymatch-playkillerpassesevereyandeachsingletimeyougetontheball-dontintercept-dontattack-defend-cover-attack-intercept-Position, FFS you're all kdding me right now arent you? this cant be true...

@Kostas

you're so fuckin right and its so obvious that it HAS to hurt anyone who REALLY dont agrees with you at this moment....

greetings

[Ollie 4,400]

You could even play bosingwa as a winger when our back 4 is Cole, JT, Alex and Ivanovic as a right footed option. I think the way he plays could work. We have Ipswich at home in the FA Cup next weekend (i think). Surely the type of game to try something different. Maybe that option is unavailable for then but just anything different is worth a try.

[Rambo 1,729]

some really good suggestions in here, bottom line is Carlo needs to start experimenting more with different formations/players.

[Kostas 1,468]

In hindsight, that CL game against Marseille was probably our best chance to either play the kids or experiment with our starting XI. We ended up starting Ferreira on the left-side and witnessed Drogba being lovestruck with Marseille.

[Ollie 4,400]

Yeah that game was the biggest waste of 90 minutes ever, Drogba lovesickness just got on my nerves that day too. It was a 100% meaningless game and still Carlo did nothing experimental. I can understand not doing it in a carling cup or fa cup game a bit because u can still get knocked out, but in a meaningless game, come on...

[spuz 143]

Yeah that game was the biggest waste of 90 minutes ever, Drogba lovesickness just got on my nerves that day too. It was a 100% meaningless game and still Carlo did nothing experimental. I can understand not doing it in a carling cup or fa cup game a bit because u can still get knocked out, but in a meaningless game, come on...

Agreed. I'd put shit teams out in the mickey mouse cup too. Completely pointless competition.

That could have been a game where the likes of Josh etc got 90 mins big game experience under their belts.

[Ollie 4,400]

VS Newcastle (H) Carling Cup

Chelsea

• 22 Turnbull
• 19 Ferreira
• 26 Terry (Alex 46)
• 38 Van Aanholt
• 43 Brumayellow card
• 07 Ramires
• 10 Benayoun
• 18 Zhirkov
• 23 Sturridge
• 39 Anelka
• 44 Kakuta (Kalou 46) (McEachran56)

Substitutes

• 01 Cech,
• 33 Alex,
• 62 Chalobah,
• 46 McEachran,
• 47 Clifford,
• 50 Mellis,
• 21 Kalou

That was a step in the right direction anyway, in the CC vs Newcastle. Altho we lost, great experience for some of those players.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

That was a step in the right direction anyway, in the CC vs Newcastle. Altho we lost, great experience for some of those players.

The big question is though, what will he do vs Ipswich next week?

Personally I want a mix, because I still want the win over that scumbag Keane..

Turnbull

Bosingwa - Bruma - Terry - Van Aanholt

Mikel

McEachran - Lampard

Kakuta - Drogba - Zhirkov/Malouda

Starting 4 of those guys will be fresh to see, but they'll also be supported by the experienced guys. I'd like to see Sturridge & Clifford to come on off the bench for either one youth player & one experienced player or both youngsters. Hasslebaink got it spot on when we played Zilina.. You can't field a full team of youth players, that's not how they'll learn.