Silva+Tevez+Dzeko+Balo...

[the--dud]

i feel we'll see them start more often than people seem to believe....

I agree - the whole reason the 4-2-3-1 was invented was to facilitate 4 attacking players whilst still retaining defensive solidity.

I do think have to play differently against the very top teams though.

I'd say we could comfortably play this against any team currently lower than 6th in the table.

 

[Dax777]

i feel we'll see them start more often than people seem to believe....

I agree - the whole reason the 4-2-3-1 was invented was to facilitate 4 attacking players whilst still retaining defensive solidity.

I do think have to play differently against the very top teams though.

I'd say we could comfortably play this against any team currently lower than 6th in the table.

We can play it against anyone. Silva, Balotelli, Tevez and Dzeko are not bereft defensively. Besides if you have DeJong and Yaya behind them you should be fine. If they click, i'd play them most of the time.

It is more a matter of fitting together than it is one of attacking impetus. We can play all four against anyone. Matafact, I'd hope we do it specifically against the good teams.

 

[blueprint]

as I commented on the Barry thread...

...one of the knock-on effects of playing Silva/Tevez/Balo/Dzeko
is that it forces the two central midfielders (barry + Yaya) out of their comfort zone.
Often, when they play alongside NDJ...there seems to be a fair bit of aimless midfield passing.
But with the extra responsibility of
being only two in midfield, they step their game up + there is a greater sense of commitment / urgency about their play.

You nailed it. We stop-starts i.e. stutters with NDJ 'lateral passing' allowing the opponents the extra sec to consolidate defensively.
The reason is NDJ is not renowned for his creative midfield ability. We have to depend on the others.

The key here is Tevez, in lieu of NDJ, to augment the defensive duties of the midfield allowing it to be more fluid & dynamic. To wit Barry, Yaya, Silva's performances vs Aris.

 

[taconinja]

Saw an interview with Mancini saying we not would deploy this lineup/formation often "unless we improve." Gives me hope that as we inevitably do improve, we'll see it more.

Edit: forgot the word "not"

 

[cibaman]

Horses for courses. Cant see us playing yesterday's formation at Chelsea, but its clearly an option at home against teams that defend in depth.

It could be that once NDJ is fit we'll play variations on that theme depending on the strength of the opposition.

 

[Mancio]

Saw an interview with Mancini saying we would deploy this lineup/formation often "unless we improve." Gives me hope that as we inevitably do improve, we'll see it more.

that "unless we improve" have to be intended as "unless dzeko-balo-tevez will improve their defensive work"

 

[hgblue]

According to ESPN Aris had 51% posession last night. Seeing as keeping the ball seems the major part of our game seems to me this team with these four doesn't seem to be able to keep the ball enough.So I doubt we will see them all together again.

Possession of the ball wins you precisely bugger all. Hope Aris were pleased with the possession stats last night as they headed off home out of the cup after a 3-0 drubbing. Same applied to us in the Derby. Plenty of pretty football played in front of the opposition but not hurting them. I'd settle for less possession but more attacking threat any day, as long as we defend properly and use the possession we have to good effect.

 

[taconinja]

that "unless we improve" have to be intended as "unless dzeko-balo-tevez will improve their defensive work"

I took it to mean ball retention.

 

[Mancio]

that "unless we improve" have to be intended as "unless dzeko-balo-tevez will improve their defensive work"

I took it to mean ball retention.

with dzeko-balo-tevez-silva all playing we dont have the midfield strengh for play passing game and do ball retention , we become a direct gung-ho side , a long ball team ;)

 

[taconinja]

with dzeko-balo-tevez-silva all playing we dont have the midfield strengh for play passing game and do ball retention , we become a direct gung-ho side , a long ball team ;)

I don't disagree, and I think that's what Mancini was getting at. ;)