The Tactics Thread

[Madmax 9,219]

All discussion on tactics and formations here.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

SIGN TORRES. And score goals.

[zolayes 14,489]

SIGN TORRES. And score goals.

bring back Sinclair ...scott not frank

[LDN Blue 7,903]

If Torres were to ever come..

Cech

Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Terry - Cole

Mikel

Ramires/Essien - Lampard - Malouda

Torres - Drogba

[Madmax 9,219]

I quite like the image of Ramires on the side of midfield. He certainly has the pace. AFAIR Brazil played him on the right in the WC didn't they? His crossing hasn't been on view much, but then we're not known for having classical wingers anyway, inspite of the best targetman in the world upfront.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I thought they used him at DM along side Melo? But if you're right then that'd be great!

[Madmax 9,219]

Pretty sure it was Gilberto with Melo

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think you're right Madmax.

But who are we kidding? We all know it will be 4-3-3 with either Drogba on the bench, or Anelka left on the bench with Torres wide right.

[Shane 2,275]

Torres would be wasted on the right tbf, I'd go 4-4-2 with Ramires on the right.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I know he'd be wasted, but I can't see Ancelotti changing systems, especially how mechanical the football was in the Diamond. We were merely functional, rather than fantastic.

[Madmax 9,219]

I'm against Torres coming because of the price and his injury record. But the one thing that I see happening if he comes is the end of our 4-3-3 days. There's no way Carlo will shift either one of Torres/Drogba on the wing. So it's likely to be the diamond again or the 4-4-2 and dammit we need a change like that because our system is just incredibly stale now.

[Peace. 4,352]

Maybe we could use a lineup :

Mikel

Ramires ----------- Lampard

Malouda

Drogba - Torres

On the paper it would be similar to a 4-4-2 diamond, but Ramires and Lampard wouldn't be used like winger but like they are used right now, ie our midfield won't change. And Malouda would be this 'winger playmaker'...

?

[Badboy 1,526]

I want to see a 4-4-2 with 2 wingers and 2 strikers at home against 70% of the league !

[jjd06e 37]

How do we work the midfield if we switched to a 4-4-2? Would we do a diamond type thing with Mikel back and lampard (maybe?) up with maybe Essien/Ramires/Malouda on the 2 outsides?

[Madmax 9,219]

Now Carlo's got the players he wanted, he has to figure out a way to set them up in a way that best utilises what's available in the squad. The alternatives -

1. 4-3-3 /4-1-4-1

You don't play a 50 mil £ striker on the wing. Which means Drogba either shifts out wide or drops to the bench. Both the situations seem unlikely. So our tried and (way too much) trusted 4-3-3 goes out the window. Which isn't a bad thing, considering how easily we've been taken apart by average sides. A change is what we've been crying out for, and this is the perfect opportunity to bring about one.

2. 4-4-2

At first glance this is the most tempting option. The Drog-Nando partnership upfront is mouthwatering. But imo this place undue pressure on our midfield. Lampard is untouchable - leaving just one centre midfield spot between Essien, Mikel and Ramires. None of those 3 are as tactically and positionally disciplined as what this role would require them to be. You've got to allow Lamps to do what he does best and that is to link up with the forwards. Hence, too much responsibility on the covering man in midfield considering neither of the forwards will track back. Also, the lack of natural width is disturbing. Right midfield becomes too deep for Anelka and Kalou. Too risky and likely to go pear shaped.

3. Diamond

Perhaps the favourite. Two strikers, combative midfielders and rampaging fullbacks - we've got almost everything covered here, except for one crucial cog - Frank Lampard. He really found it tough playing behind the strikers in the early part of last season when this was what Carlo put out. It's a position a bit too far forward for his liking and considering everything good we do usually comes from him, it's essential to utilise him in the best way possible.

4. Christmas Tree

I would go with this. Given the personnel and their characteristics, this is what suits us most. One of Drog/Nando upfront (preferably Nando - he's more pacy) serviced by the other in addition to Anelka. He's got the deftness of touch, the weight on the pass and the vision for one to set up chances for his teammates. Also, this doesn't require him to take on and dribble past players - something he's not good at. The centre midfield picks itself. Lampard in a role similar to the one in 4-3-3, Mikel in holding and Essien/Ramires alongside. The fullbacks bomb forward as usual (less on the right where Ivan looks to be shunted out now) yet maintaining a healthy balance between men committed to attack or defence.

Cech

Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Cole

Ramires, Mikel, Lampard

Anelka, Drogba

Torres

Note - The christmas tree is easily interchangeable with the 4-3-1-2 or the diamond. Only change being Drogba alongside Torres with Nico linking midfield and attack.