Gerrard

[Big E]

All of my thinking about next years team/signings has been on the assumption we'll play a version of 4321/433 as we were last year.

 

However we're still not bidding for a genuine RW, and Barry/Keane are looking like our two main signings. I rate Keane, but I'm not sure how well he would play the right sided role.

 

One of the major limitations here is Gerrard IMO, in that he can't be as effecitive in a midfield 2. That leaves the 'hole' role and RM (his best position I feel), but he doesn't like it there

 

With the players we're after, a 442 with Babel/Gerrard wide and Torres/Keane up front looks the most balanced. Do you reckon this will happen? Or is there another signing on the way?

[sean]

Keane's not being bought to play wide right.

Off the front or as a pairing in a front 2.

[Big E]

So who are our wide players?

[Hassony]

So who are our wide players?

 

Babel, Kuyt, Yossi and Pennant (for the time being)

[johngibo YPC]

Might see a 4-3-3?

5-3-2 even?

[Big E]

Ok, I should have phrased it properly.

 

I'f we're building a title challenging team, with Keane and Torres as the front 2, Where will Gerrard play?

 

And are you expecting us to sign a winger such as Silva? Or more likely someone like Downing?

 

I don't think we'll play 5 at the back very often, though Degen/Aurelio/Dossena seem perfectly suited and it would solve the width problem. A 433 could work, but it would still involve Keane on the Right wouldn't it?

 

Babel Torres Keane

 

Barry Masch Gerrard

Edited July 18, 2008 by Big E

[Paddock170]

With Rafa's comments about attacking full-backs instead of expensive wingers then I imagine Gerrard will play more of a midfield role instead of supporting Torres.

 

The idea of a 433 type would suit with Mascerano in the middle with Gerrard on the right of the 3 hence Barry on the left of the 3 in a narrow midfield.

 

This would then balance the midfield and allow changes with substitutions.

 

Obviously Torres up front with Yossi/Babel/Kuyt/Keane supporting.

 

None of our so called wide players play like wingers so it would not really be a massive change in the way they play.

 

As long as they stand in the right place (Torres quote) then they should be okay.

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

Ok, I should have phrased it properly.

 

I'f we're building a title challenging team, with Keane and Torres as the front 2, Where will Gerrard play?

 

And are you expecting us to sign a winger such as Silva? Or more likely someone like Downing?

 

I don't think we'll play 5 at the back very often, though Degen/Aurelio/Dossena seem perfectly suited and it would solve the width problem. A 433 could work, but it would still involve Keane on the Right wouldn't it?

 

Babel Torres Keane

 

Barry Masch Gerrard

 

If Keane is playing centrally behind Torres, Gerrard will play on the right, or in the centre mid, depending on the opposition.

[surf]

With Rafa's comments about attacking full-backs instead of expensive wingers then I imagine Gerrard will play more of a midfield role instead of supporting Torres.

 

The idea of a 433 type would suit with Mascerano in the middle with Gerrard on the right of the 3 hence Barry on the left of the 3 in a narrow midfield.

 

This would then balance the midfield and allow changes with substitutions.

 

Obviously Torres up front with Yossi/Babel/Kuyt/Keane supporting.

 

None of our so called wide players play like wingers so it would not really be a massive change in the way they play.

 

As long as they stand in the right place (Torres quote) then they should be okay.

 

After three years of lurking you've decided enough is enough?

[Guest the Dude abides]

Arbeloa--------Skrtel--------Carra-------Dossena

 

 

----------------Masch--------Alonso

 

----------------------Gerrard

 

----Keane--------------------------------Babel

 

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

 

Imo, is how we'll look to line out more often than not(still can't make up my mind who makes way for Agger). Masch and Alonso/Barry are/will be certain starters, so is Gerrard, obviously. So thats three players that need to be accommodated in a central position so there's no room for Keane to play centrally unless Gerrard to moved out onto the right. Which i would love to see being honest but don't envisage happening. If Kuyt can play wide then surely to God Keane can?

Edited July 18, 2008 by the Dude abides

[Paddock170]

"After three years of lurking you've decided enough is enough?"

 

My lurkaholic days are over.

[surf]

"After three years of lurking you've decided enough is enough?"

 

My lurkaholic days are over.

 

I see you haven't mastered quoting people yet though. 

 

[Whitey]

Gerrard is class, and can play just about anywhere he wants IMHO.

Physically, he's a phenomenon, and I think at times he's under-utilized - for example, he's actually very good in the air, but prefers to take the free/corner kicks. Maybe that will switch up with potential new signings...

 

I still like him being given a more 'free' role, but it sounds like that may be switched up a little with Lucas being told to be more 'free' too.

 

The more he's in the game the better for me.

[Paddock170]

I see you haven't mastered quoting people yet though. 

 

 

[MFletcher]

I imagine he'll be playing on the right hand side of midfield for most games, but with outings in the centre if the opposition aren't particularly strong.

[Cooger]

I suspect it will be exactly like the last couple of season's.

 

Gerrard will be used in various roles depending on the opposition - Centre midfield, on the right and behind Torres.

 

What's nice is should Keane arrive we have another threat to play behind Torres. Should Barry arrive (or Alonso stay), we have another player who can play in the centre and do a good job alongside Mascherano. I'm not convinced about Kuyt on the right, but then again I'm not his biggest fan. I'd rather see Babel on the right with a left winger brought in.

 

The squad is looking strong, options in most positions, capable of playing various formations. GErrard won't care where he is playing (despite what Andy Gray and Redknapp say), as long as we're winning and competing in all competitions.

[Rahul]

------------------------reina-------------------------

 

degen---------carra---------agger---------dossena

 

------------------------masch------------------------

 

-----------babel-------stevie---------barry----------

 

-----------------keane--------torres-----------------

 

 

?

 

No way is Keane coming in to play on the right of midfield.

[Guest the Dude abides]

------------------------reina-------------------------

 

degen---------carra---------agger---------dossena

 

------------------------masch------------------------

 

-----------babel-------stevie---------barry----------

 

-----------------keane--------torres-----------------

 

 

?

 

No way is Keane coming in to play on the right of midfield.

More chance of Keane playing as a right sided forward then there is Babel playing where you have him there imo. Not even sure what to call that position.

[Rahul]

More chance of Keane playing as a right sided forward then there is Babel playing where you have him there imo. Not even sure what to call that position.

He played pretty much the left sided equivalent last season behind Torres.

[Guest the Dude abides]

He played pretty much the left sided equivalent last season behind Torres.

 

And he was rubbish. His only place on the poitch imo is part or a three man forward line or alongside Torres if we're going to be playing with two strikers. The formation you're drawn up there i can't ever see Rafa playing.

 

------------------Gerrard

 

-----------Keane-------Torres

 

That permutation i just don't see happening.

 

Whats wrong with

 

-----Keane----------Gerrard---------Babel

 

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

?

 

Its not like Keane would be playing as an out and out winger. We'd still be getting our width from the fullbacks which Rafa has gone out of his way to say on a few occassion. We keep Gerrard where he's happy and has built up a great understanding with Torres. We'd have Keane doing what Kuyt done only with much more quality.

Edited July 19, 2008 by the Dude abides

[Rahul]

And he was rubbish. His only place on the poitch imo is part or a three man forward line or alongside Torres if we're going to be playing with two strikers. The formation you're drawn up there i can't ever see Rafa playing.

 

------------------Gerrard

 

-----------Keane-------Torres

 

That permutation i just don't see happening.

 

So what do you think then because I don't think Keane will play on the right and I can't see Rafa wanting to move Stevie from behind the striker(s).

[Guest the Dude abides]

So what do you think then because I don't think Keane will play on the right and I can't see Rafa wanting to move Stevie from behind the striker(s).

 

 

I've edited my previous post to say what i think will happen.

[Guest the Dude abides]

So what do you think then because I don't think Keane will play on the right and I can't see Rafa wanting to move Stevie from behind the striker(s).

 

 

And he was rubbish. His only place on the poitch imo is part or a three man forward line or alongside Torres if we're going to be playing with two strikers. The formation you're drawn up there i can't ever see Rafa playing.

 

------------------Gerrard

 

-----------Keane-------Torres

 

That permutation i just don't see happening.

 

Whats wrong with

 

-----Keane----------Gerrard---------Babel

 

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

?

 

Its not like Keane would be playing as an out and out winger. We'd still be getting our width from the fullbacks which Rafa has gone out of his way to say on a few occassion. We keep Gerrard where he's happy and has built up a great understanding with Torres. We'd have Keane doing what Kuyt done only with much more quality.

[Rahul]

Why pay £20m ish on Keane and then play him where he isn't going to be at his most effective. And seemingly he hasn't done that well when played wider for Spurs.

[Rahul]

double post

Edited July 19, 2008 by Raz