The_Adder

Any idea why?

Nasri hasnt got any balls, so no, actually he looks like he shouldn't have any balls anyway, definite Lesbian. Alonso ticks all the tactical boxes for me and sorts out the balance of our midfield, plus he is an 'older head' and has a ridiculous amount of experience, what we need. Nice work Logic and yes, exactly how it would look.

Alonso holds his positon, reduces the space between out back four and midfield and is a genius passer of the ball from deep - with the type of attacking players we have (Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho) it could be perfect. A midfield of Alonso as the 1 and Gerrard as one of the 2 with Lucas, Henderson, Allen as the other one looks really good to me, I think we would be better of signing Alonso than a Wanyama type I really do.

That is exactly how you would play it. Xabi has always played at the base, even with Masch. Masch was DM but he was also a roaming DM and not someone who holds their position in the way that Busquets does for Barca and what is getting Alonso back would improve us defensively as he is excellent at positioning himself to minimize the space. Gerrard 's average position from the Villa game was ahead of Hendersons. It was Rodgers 1-2. Xabi would be the one in that and Gerrard as part of the two, all about balance.

In such a formation yeah. But agree with Foxtrot, I would prefer Xabi to Eriksen for our midfield if we had a straight choice as he is excellent at positioning himself defensively and we know about the rest of his game. I think our creativity is now fine, it is our positional sense and defensive work that needs improve and Xabi would give us more balance than Eriksen would at this stage.

I like Henderson and his has desire and energy and they are two ace qualities to have. He should be starting every game for us when we go 4-3-3. I would like to see us go for it against West Ham at the weekend though, so my mind is in a quandary of who should start and I think Sturridge should.

Yeah number 10 type.

You mean 'very good'? Yes. Eriksen is CAM, whereas Coutinho is playing left for us and has for a while.

Well he's never been wrong before...

Fully fit Lucas - Gerrard - Xabi Allen, Henderson on the bench. That'll do. Xabi's positional sense is some of the best you will ever see, having him in the middle would make us more solid and that is before we even go on about his dreamy passing of the footyball.

He's is next season's Michu and cost even less I like him.

We all dream of a team of Lucas's? Club needs someone else in that position for sure, someone good who can come in and fill that role superbly when Lucas isnt playing as at the moment it all falls apart when he isnt.

Yeah Jay has been pretty on it - excellent with loads of stuff including Coutinho, think he was the first on that. Him and that Stephen Martin fella seemed like that are both grown up adults who genuinely get real info and are not in the least bit arsed about being the next big ITK as they both have mental age over the age of 8.

Has he picked the most boring Engladn team in history? It would be some achievement: Hart Johnson Smalling Lescott Cole Carrick Milner Cleverly Gerrard Wellbeck Rooney

And possibly beyond

Raw materials are there, I like his passion too - I think he is one of those players who is either great or completely turd.

That'll do just fine, then Alonso please.

We could do that ironic cheer, that could work

He's no Aquilani

Where can I see this team? I'm intrigued...

Imagine if he was 4 years ago in Ant's world and Rafa was still in charge

Thats great Rory, I think this has been your best match thread to date too. I would be starting Coutinho though, Downing benched, Henderson coming in. Think we weaken our attack considerably without him and he has been scoring or assisting in each game.

Pepe Agger Iniesta - Alonso - Xaxi - Gerrard - Ozil Ronaldo - Messi - Falcao - Suarez

I'd be more than happy with Eriksen, Wanyama, Williams and that Indi defender from Feyer - with Tom Ince thrown in. Eriksen and Wanyama are in the last years of their contracts I think? So is Tom Ince. Eriksen: £14m Wanananayama: £8m Williams: £8m Indi: £6m Ince: £3m Still £39m though. £20m spends + sales of Carroll, Srktel, Coates, Spearing, Downing (?) Prob doable. Or Kev Gameiro? Yes please, that would give us a top, top base of our midfield.

For me, he simply doesn't play if we are not playing the three in midfield. That is where he excels and I think it is the only place he can and does. If we play this new attacking formation (which we should only use at home IMO) then he sits on the bench and comes on when and if we need to control it.