Logic

It clearly is. (Although I was guilty of not seeing the problem with it until I had a daughter so maybe it isn't so clear after all )

Agree with this. The BNM should be a holding midfielder rather than any other type though IMO. If the aim is to play a 4123 at least.

He isn't as influential as he was because he's playing a role that doesn't suit him IMO. He has been playing as the holding midfielder I either a 1-2 midfield or a 4231. Problem is that he was at his best when playing a more proactive role which included pressing the opponent and winning tackles. He's also a good passer of the ball so he should fit in a lot better if he is played further forward. A midfield of Hamann*; Lucas - Gerrard in a 1-2 with three forwards in front of them is better balanced than a midfield with Lucas; Allen* - Gerrard. Playing a 2-1 in midfield changes the whole setup of the team with the wide forwards having to be more like wingers. It also requires that 1 to be a Rafa-era Gerrard type of player (being able to play as a midfielder and a forward) and we don't have a player like that at the moment as I don't think Stevie can play that role over the course of a full season and Coutinho is more of a forward than a midfielder. * type of player rather than those exact players.

IMO it would be better to get a better holding player (makelele/hamann type), play a 1-2 in midfield with Lucas pushed further forward. Lucas isn't a real holding midfielder as he likes to be involved more which tends to create a gap in front of the defense.

But think of all the merchandise we can sell over here if we get one! We'll sell tens of shirts more than we do now!

Correct. He was probably considered a better prospect than Alfreð but went to a big club (us) too soon, didn't develop due to lack of games and ended up in Iceland for the rest of his career.

Alfreð Finnbogason is an interesting choice. He's a striker similar to Sturridge in style (fast, technical nr 9). Has managed his career quite well by choosing teams were he gets games instead of signing for big clubs earlier in his career (anyone that can name an Icelandic forward that was on our books a decade ago or so?). He's very confident in his own ability and could very well step up a level or two from his current club. I don't think he's good enough for us though and would at most be backup for Sturridge. And if we are going for Icelandic strikers I'd think Kolbeinn Sigþórsson would be a better choice (although he's been struggling with injuries).

Regarding the goalkeeping situation. There was this weak shot from the Thai nr 10 in the first ten minutes that took a bit of a bounce before reaching Mignolet. For some reason I half expected the goalie to spill it (just a bit) before claiming it but Mignolet claimed it with ease. IMHO Reina of the post Rafa era seemed to lack the concentration needed and often made these minor errors that probably never cost us but probably didn't inspire confidence in him from our back 4. (Or more likely, I'm full of s*** and don't know what I'm talking about )

Our squad has for quite some time fitted the more narrow formations with the width coming from the fullbacks. It still does to some extent IMO so the Brazil 4222 would be a good option.

It would be aspas up with sturridge and Alberto with Coutinho. 4222 was the default formation for Brazil for some time and is also the formation Pellegrini preferred with Villareal. It requires very attacking fullbacks that can do repeated sprints the length of the field for 90min. It's a great formation if you can get the right players for it.

To me Arsenal targeting Suarez means one thing, and one thing only. They are afraid of us and worry that we are about to overtake them in the league.

great thanks! was curious as how Brendan was going to set up the team with the players available. :-)

Thanks. Hendo most advanced in the first and Alberto+Pacheco as the two in the second (or Downing for one of them)? (this is what happens when you are out in the middle of nowhere with no high-speed internet so no way of watching the game...)

ali posted the following over in the transfer thread in general football:

Anyone know what formation we played. Was only able to listen to parts of the game on lfc.tv. Was it 4231 (like in the end of last season) or more like Brendan's (presumably) preferred 4123? Or something completely different...

It wouldn't be surprising if there is an exception to that clause when it comes to dealing with us. It would be incompetence of Purslowesque proportions to let a clause like that apply to your biggest rival(s).

Why do you think there's less of a chance we'll see him again if he goes to Spain than if he goes on loan to a PL club playing a style of football completely different from ours and playing a role we have no intention of using him in the future (or stays and gets limited appearances for us)?

If the club believe suso has potential to become an asset in the next few years the worst thing we could possibly do is to ship him off to s*** PL teams playing kick & hope football. We should only send him to teams playing similar to us, even if that means sending him away from the PL. If Almeria is willing to play him as one of the two in a 4123 he will learn more than playing the standard 442 or 451 of the lesser PL teams.

Our stance should be that it would take a transfer request, an offer of +45m and for everything to be concluded before luis is scheduled to return to training. If one of these isn't fulfilled luis stays until next summer.

Before people complain... How many teams in the PL play in a similar style as we do and could fit Suso into their starting XI most weekends?

Oh, you just wait and see what Warrior comes up with. "Rise Up™ with the LFC™ Viking Warrior™ Helmet special offer. Get a free plastic LFC™ Viking Warrior™ Helmet in your nations colours with every travel package on offer (plane and/or ferry ticket not included for Norwegians).

Red&White viking helmets won't work if you're targeting Swedes. (because f*ck the Danes) Other than that -

http://youtu.be/GmCtci6cen8

Yup. He's way too good for the U-21's, but still too risky to get played centrally with the first team. So either he gets occasional appearances wide-right with the first team or he needs to go out on loan to develop. I think he has the potential to become a very good player so I'd prefer loaning him out to get him games in a more central role (either in a 433 or a 4231).

Nah... he played on the right of the three in the Rafa-style 4-2-3-1. But he fits the best as one of the two in Borrell's/Rodger's 4-1-2-3. Only question is if he'll fit in the premier league due to him not being the biggest/strongest.