Playing style

[spuz 143]

To say that our squad is full of world class players is gross overestimation. Except Cech and maybe Ivanovic I doubt any of our players would get into a world XI.

Many more of our players have the ability and should be mentioned amongst the best.

It's just a pure coincidence that all of them are all under performing at the same time have been all season and purely coincidental they've been rubbish all season and stuck in a 'bad moment'. Coincidence that as a team we've looked shit all season too.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

4-3-3 has solved the problem before and it will see us win at Old Trafford on Tuesday as well.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

With these group of players I can only think of one system we can try..

Cech

Ivanovic - Luiz - Terry - Cole

Mikel

Benayoun - Ramires - Essien - Lampard

Drogba

A good ol' 4-5-1 with a lone striker in the form of Drogba, Torres, Anelka or even Kalou. Since we're weak on the left, playing Lampard there temporarily is the only suitable short term solution. Even playing Kalou on the left and replacing Essien with Lampard could work.

Of course this all look good on paper. But in practice our squad shows they are unable to handle changes in the formation.

p.s. Mikel is vital.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I posted this in the Malouda thread, I'll post it here as well, since it relates to this topic as well.

We should go back to the 4-3-3 with Drogba on the right, cause he can hold up the ball on the right and put in some dangerous crosses and Anelka on the left, since he is pretty good at cutting inside.

But if we stick with the 4-4-2, then maybe it's just me, but I think Malouda can do better than Lampard in the 4-4-2 we're playing right now.

----------------Torres------------------------

---------------------------Anelka-------------

Zhirkov----Malouda----Mikel----Ramires

Cole-------Terry------Alex/Luiz----Ivanovic

----------------------Cech-------------------

[Term-X 7,891]

I can understand the board's unwillingness to let the managers stamp their own identity to the squad, Carlo requesting Pirlo is a prime example.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I can understand the board's unwillingness to let the managers stamp their own identity to the squad, Carlo requesting Pirlo is a prime example.

The last time they did let a manager do that was with Mourinho by allowing him to bring Carvalho, Deco, Ferreira & Tiago..

[Term-X 7,891]

The last time they did let a manager do that was with Mourinho by allowing him to bring Carvalho, Deco, Ferreira & Tiago..

I'm aware of that. I was referring to the demands Carlo made, not the general premise.

[chrismada9 1,948]

You can't put all the blame on CA though. There's not much he can do about his midfielders not being able to make the easiest of passes.

Absolutely! Our midfielders need to start delivering. We've always used a 4-3-3 and it's worked year in year out, and it gets the best out of players like Lampard and Essien because they're used to it.

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

Ramires, Luiz and Torres aren't the problem.

Malouda, Lampard, Zhirkov, Essien and co are the problem. If none of these players can pass the ball or create anything then there's not much Ancelotti can do.

Agree with your views, well said Styles

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'm aware of that. I was referring to the demands Carlo made, not the general premise.

Mm, I meant that in the sense, after Mourinho left, 3/4 followed. Carvalho stated he'd wanted to leave well beyond last season, Deco wanted to go back to Brazil and Thiago was gone anyway. Ferreira's only stuck around because he feels a special connection with the club & probably because there wasn't much demand for him.

[eldo 868]

The last time they did let a manager do that was with Mourinho by allowing him to bring Carvalho, Deco, Ferreira & Tiago..

I don't think that Deco was Mourinhos signing.

I think that we made huge mistakes by signing 30 yos from another leagues..

[eldo 868]

p.s. Mikel is vital.

You *must* have a player who is willing to sit & who can actually play there. Playing Mikel let's everyone else get forward.

I said it in my piece before the PL game. We gift too much space in front of the back four & good teams will exploit that.

Every time United countered, it was because we were caught high up the pitch with no definitive midfield anchor.

Look at the time Carrick had on the ball to pick out the pass that led to the goal. No pressure on the ball because midfield were too deep.

Playing an anchor let's others push the ball carrier. Rooney was unmarked, but Mikel would naturally have dropped in there.

This isn't mine..But it's very well true.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

This isn't mine..But it's very well true.

Definitely agree.

Most successful teams always have a key anchor man now. Real have Xabi Alonso, Barcelona have Busquets ect.. He's more than a guy to be an extra line of defence.. He's an incentive for the team to attack in numbers.

Where did you grab that quote from?

[eldo 868]

Definitely agree.

Most successful teams always have a key anchor man now. Real have Xabi Alonso, Barcelona have Busquets ect.. He's more than a guy to be an extra line of defence.. He's an incentive for the team to attack in numbers.

Where did you grab that quote from?

Won't tell you. joke

Here. http://twitter.com/joetweeds

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Won't tell you. joke

Here. http://twitter.com/joetweeds

cheers!