Is kolarov what you expected?

[Didsbury Dave]

What are you talking about?

The system is 4-2-3-1.

He's a full back.

If he doesn't defend properly we're in the shit.

Yes, we're playing a 4-2-3-1. It's well established that the way you get width in the formation is to have the fullbacks go up in support while the two central midfielders provide cover for them. It's the only way the formation works. In effect, the fullbacks become midfielders while the central midfielders funnel things towards the central defenders. That's a problem when Lescott is in as we all witnessed last night.

YOu're getting confused with the diamond midfield.

Most width comes from the wide men in the 3 in our formation.

Yes, fullbacks who bomb on give you an extra dimension, especially when the likes of Silva go drifting. But they have to be able to defend first and foremost as a fullback in any system. The only system which provides some cover is 3-5-2, but noone plays that any more.

 

[taconinja]

YOu're getting confused with the diamond midfield.

Most width comes from the wide men in the 3 in our formation.

Yes, fullbacks who bomb on give you an extra dimension, especially when the likes of Silva go drifting. But they have to be able to defend first and foremost as a fullback in any system. The only system which provides some cover is 3-5-2, but noone plays that any more.

That'll teach me to read forums very, very early in the morning where I'm at. ;)

How we've played lately looks to me as if we're unbalancing the pitch by overloading one side with the central midfielders covering for the attacking fullback as he overlaps with the attacking midfielder on that side and if it doesn't work we put the ball back to a central midfielder and unbalance the other side. I don't think in that style the fullback can adequately track back. It relies on having quick, pacey defensive midfielders as well as a quick, pacey central defender. Those aren't the words I would use to describe Vieira or Lescott.

 

[persvenality cult]

YOu're getting confused with the diamond midfield.

Most width comes from the wide men in the 3 in our formation.

Yes, fullbacks who bomb on give you an extra dimension, especially when the likes of Silva go drifting. But they have to be able to defend first and foremost as a fullback in any system. The only system which provides some cover is 3-5-2, but noone plays that any more.

That'll teach me to read forums very, very early in the morning where I'm at. ;)

How we've played lately looks to me as if we're unbalancing the pitch by overloading one side with the central midfielders covering for the attacking fullback as he overlaps with the attacking midfielder on that side and if it doesn't work we put the ball back to a central midfielder and unbalance the other side. I don't think in that style the fullback can adequately track back. It relies on having quick, pacey defensive midfielders as well as a quick, pacey central defender. Those aren't the words I would use to describe Vieira or Lescott.

Surely correct. I don't think we are quite playing 4-2-3-1, but that part of the team is functioning in exactly the same way as Russia under Hiddink @ Euro 2008. There, all the width on that left side came from Zhirkov, a converted left winger who started at LB but played most of the game around the opponents penalty area. Defensively you go to a back three, and the defensive midfielder on that side covers. Exactly as Lescott and Viera did (that they did it poorly at times is another matter)

This is done because 4-2-3-1 is notorious for it's lack of width. I don't know someone can arrive at the statement 'the width comes from the three', when we play one innie-outie winger who spends half his time playing as a central striker, and another innie-outie who is a free-floating play maker!

It's similair to Barca with Alves on the right. Many depictions of their starting line up now put him in between defence and midfield, not part of a back four at all.

 

[Conor Mcfc]

Does anybody remember his PL debut? He had Lennon in his back pocket before injury. Lennon being one of the fastest little shits in the game.

 

[without a dream]

Having seen Evra made to look like a schoolboy for half a season I'll reserve judgement, he's showing signs of improvement every game though.

 

[bluelady47]

come on guys, don't lets start writing off one of our players until he's fit and settled. give him a chance yeh!

 

[Shooter 83]

Great signing,no worries about him just wait till he has a good run of games and gets used to the pace.

 

[jimharri]

 

[Rammyblues]

Just give him time, same with Boetang they will both end up being what we all expected of them.

 

[rowsley_st]

Not impressed me at all...Slow, looks disniterested, can't tackle, shooting been wayward...Got ran ragged v Leicester but finally got a shot on target..although he didn't connect properly with it.
Zaba for me at left back.