The Tactics Thread

[Kostas 1,468]

Cue Chelsea fans over-analysing diamonds faults after our first defeat. It's going to be 2008 all over again.

[Madmax 9,219]

[Clevemayer 764]

^+1

superb Madmax this is exactly what I'm regarding as our strongest line-up right now may be drop anelka and get torres there because I think anelka is worse than Drogs right now (I know this sounds impossible but its like that) with josh comeing on for franky every now and then for about 30 - 45 Min.

:goodpost:

[DYC. 7,542]

For the Man Utd game:

Cech

Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz

Mikel

Bos------------------------------------Cole

Ess/Rami - Lamps

Anelka - Torres

This will probably be United's line-up:

VDS

O'Shea - Smalling - Vidic - Evra

Carrick/Scholes

Fletcher - Gibson/Anderson

Nani - Berbatov - Rooney

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

For the Man Utd game:

Cech

Ivanovic - Terry - Luiz

Mikel

Bos------------------------------------Cole

Ess/Rami - Lamps

Anelka - Torres

No, we're not stooping to Scumpool levels.

[DYC. 7,542]

No, we're not stooping to Scumpool levels.

Cole and Bos aren't defenders in my formation (that's why I put them in front of Mikel in the holding role). Think Dani Alves at Barcelona or Marcelo at Real, they spend more time on the opposition half than their own.

This was Liverpool's formation:

Reina

Skrtel

Kelly - Carragher - Agger - Johnson

Lucas

Maxi - Gerrard

Mereiles

Kuyt

Malouda and Anelka offer us nothing from the wing and Bos and Cole already play like wingbacks. Only this way we have more security at the back and Mikel won't be such a risk with all the defensive responsibility.

Barcelona play in a somewhat similair way when in possession (at times), only like this:

Valdes

Piqué - Busquets - Puyol/Abi

Xavi - Iniesta

Alves-------------------Messi------------------Maxwell

Pedro---------------------Villa

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I don't want to play with 3 centre-backs, thats what I mean by stooping to scumpool level. We already play like that on defence cause Mikel drops deep and plays like a 3rd centre-back.

Mikel dropping deep is good enough as far defense is concerned.

[steve5221 91]

I dont think 3 at the back, that is the tatic for a smash and grab win and we can't do that at home. Plus Ferguson f**cks up the tactics against us usually and is likely to drop Berbatov and go 4-5-1.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

For United

Čech

// Ivanović - Luiz - Terry - Cole \\

Mikel - Essien

\\ Ramires - Lampard - Malouda //

Torres

[zolayes 14,489]

would like us to try 3 5 2 or 3 1 3 1 2

[steve5221 91]

That could work, Torres scares the sh*t out of Vidic and Ferdinand when up front alone.......

[Rambo 1,729]

Not a big fan of Mikel and Essien playing together in the midfield.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Not a big fan of Mikel and Essien playing together in the midfield.

Me neither, but when you've got Nani bombing down the right and Rooney linking up with Berbatov it helps to overcrowd the midfield. Cut off the supply instead of the target.

[steve5221 91]

If Mikel does play he has to watch a few of his tackles early doors......don't get booked in the first 10 minutes....

[DYC. 7,542]

I don't want to play with 3 centre-backs, thats what I mean by stooping to scumpool level. We already play like that on defence cause Mikel drops deep and plays like a 3rd centre-back.

Mikel dropping deep is good enough as far defense is concerned.

Well I guess we disagree then. I would love to see us play 3-5-2 once as I think it solves our winger problem and our reliance on our fullbacks for width (without leaving too much space at the back). And like I said, Mikel isn't good enough defensively. And we have three great CB's too and more importantly, one who is excellent in building up from the back.

@steve5221

Don't agree with the 3-5-2 being a 'smash and grab' tactic, you should be able to dominate a game (you're playing with five midfielders, five and half with Anelka's tendency to drop deep).

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Essien and Mikel have to play this game to cancel out United's midfield. Ramires should play wide right in a 4-3-3 for this game as far as I'm concerned...

Cech

Bosingwa - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Mikel

Essien - Lampard

Ramires - Torres - Anelka

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

Spot on, but if Essien's on top form would play him instead of Ramires

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Carlo discussing 'pressing' tactics

At Milan there were three times of pressing - to wait for the opposition to come into our half and win the ball and do counter-attack, to press in the middle of the pitch and to press immediately when the opposition goalkeeper passed the ball from the back.

The best shape to have good pressure all over the pitch is 4-4-2. If you play with the diamond it is more difficult to close the width of the pitch.

http://www.chelseafc...2302771,00.html