4.. 4.. 2

[Flight]

After last terms disastrous first half playing 4 4 2, then playing so brilliantly 4 2 3 1 for the second half of the season, I don't think anyone would have expected Rafa to switch back to playing 4 4 2. This to the extent that when we, out of nowhere, bought Robbie Keane most of us expected to see him taking the place of Kuyt on the right side of the 3. How dare Rafa tear up the Gerrard-Torres partnership.

 

Yet here we are, unbeaten up to October in any competition, joint top of the Prem and max points in the CL, with wins over the Mancs and Everton in the bag. More importantly, you can see it working on the pitch. It struck me last night, that for the first time in two decades I was happy with every single player on the pitch. Even Kuyt, who has looked so poor in this formation, has formed a solid partnership with Arbeloa. On top of that players like Agger and Babel on the bench.

 

I'm going to repeat that bit, for myself more than anything. For the first time in two decades I am happy with every single player in every position on the pitch. Happy days. I was astonished when we started playing 4 4 2 again, but I'm just as surprised that it is working so well. What a manager.

[Chili Palmer]

After last terms disastrous first half playing 4 4 2, then playing so brilliantly 4 2 3 1 for the second half of the season, I don't think anyone would have expected Rafa to switch back to playing 4 4 2. This to the extent that when we, out of nowhere, bought Robbie Keane most of us expected to see him taking the place of Kuyt on the right side of the 3. How dare Rafa tear up the Gerrard-Torres partnership.

 

Yet here we are, unbeaten up to October in any competition, joint top of the Prem and max points in the CL, with wins over the Mancs and Everton in the bag. More importantly, you can see it working on the pitch. It struck me last night, that for the first time in two decades I was happy with every single player on the pitch. Even Kuyt, who has looked so poor in this formation, has formed a solid partnership with Arbeloa. On top of that players like Agger and Babel on the bench.

 

I'm going to repeat that bit, for myself more than anything. For the first time in two decades I am happy with every single player in every position on the pitch. Happy days. I was astonished when we started playing 4 4 2 again, but I'm just as surprised that it is working so well. What a manager.

 

 

good post. I don't think we have totally binned the 4-2-3-1 formation tho. Rafa loves options.

[yellow jumper]

think the movement has been much better in recent weeks, to such an extent that it's hard at times to know exactly what formation we are playing.

 

although kuyt can be frustrating with his touch and use of the ball - and despite my doubts about him in a 442 - i think he's been really instrumental in sharing some of gerrard's defensive burden (at times against marseille and everton he was almost playing centre mid for periods of the game). keane's also done his fair share, the tackle at left back last night being just one example.

 

the manager has to take a lot of credit. the popular view is that he's stubborn, unwilling to deviate from his principles, but at the beginning of each season i see positive examples of him trying to address aspects of our game that was lacking previously. given the way in which we finished last year it was/is a considerable gamble to mess with something that looked to be working so well. the ambition is admirable.

 

i think whatever people think about his transfer record the reasons for each signing invariably become clearer as the new season goes on. the improvement in away record in his second season, and the impact of crouch and sissoko therein, as an example.

 

already this year we look better at defending set pieces, and have been tested there against villa, everton and united. torres has scored all of his goals away from home. the full backs look far more positive. a more conservative rotation policy.

 

i still think this set of players have another 15 or 20% to find, but it says something about the quality we have that we are still winning tough games. it's crucial that this remains our base level, can't afford any slumps.

[IcelandicFan]

Yet here we are, unbeaten up to October in any competition, joint top of the Prem and max points in the CL, with wins over the Mancs and Everton in the bag. More importantly, you can see it working on the pitch. It struck me last night, that for the first time in two decades I was happy with every single player on the pitch. Even Kuyt, who has looked so poor in this formation, has formed a solid partnership with Arbeloa. On top of that players like Agger and Babel on the bench.

 

This comment means we will now loose our next league and Champs League game ! Do you realise what you have done ?

[Flight]

This comment means we will now loose our next league and Champs League game ! Do you realise what you have done ?

 

 

You know I thought about that before and while I was posting. It doesn't matter. Unlike other false dawns in the last couple of decades, this is for real. A solid team. Sooner or later we will lose, but it won't stop the massive progress Rafa has made with the teama nd continues to make.

 

 

 

Another thing I forgot to mention, which I meant to. In this 4 4 2, with Torres and Keane both up front, we are seeing the best our captain has ever played. Some fantastic performances from him.

 

 

We really need to appreciate Stevie, even more than we do. We won't have him for many more years and who knows when, if ever, we will see his likes again. I remember feeling the same in Hansens final years about him. I know Stevie has more than a few years left, but what a player he is. We take him for granted, too often.

[Chili Palmer]

You know I thought about that before and while I was posting. It doesn't matter. Unlike other false dawns in the last couple of decades, this is for real. A solid team. Sooner or later we will lose, but it won't stop the massive progress Rafa has made with the teama nd continues to make.

 

 

 

Another thing I forgot to mention, which I meant to. In this 4 4 2, with Torres and Keane both up front, we are seeing the best our captain has ever played. Some fantastic performances from him.

 

 

We really need to appreciate Stevie, even more than we do. We won't have him for many more years and who knows when, if ever, we will see his likes again. I remember feeling the same in Hansens final years about him. I know Stevie has more than a few years left, but what a player he is. We take him for granted, too often.

 

I don't think this is the best Stevie has played, it is definatley the most controlled and he does seem happier than ever.

[JRC]

Slightly off, or at least askew to, the topic, but anyone else picked up the sea-change in attitudes; Ferguson now openly discusses the essentail nature of rotation, Wenger was criticised last year for not doing it, and Charlie Nicholas -yes, Charlie f***ing Nicholas - last night opined that Chelsea were looking leggy because Scolari already hadn't rotated enough.

 

Whilst, typically contrary, Rafa only made one change last night.

 

Good points, btw, we are definitely looking more and more like a team than a collection of players.

[Molby]

the system works if we have the appropriate players

 

so....4-4-2 has been better this season without Mascherano, as Xabi prepares the forward play far better and Gerrard gives him options going forward

 

Add Riera and we have balance and width

 

huge difference from having Gerrard and Masch, and no thrust or proper width going forward

 

in some games, many games, we will need Masch and so will need to adjust the system accordingly