Formation for 2011/2012

[Concrete John]

Although the recent upturn in results since the Everton game is very welcome, it can't go without mention that this has coincided with a switch to a 4-4-2 formation.  Up until then Gezza has exclusively used 4-5-1 as his starting formation, so are we just seeing a temporary change in tactics or will we be back to 4-4-2 for the start of 2011/2012.

It's quite important as our summer transfer dealings should be geared towards a certain way of playing.  For instance, I can see us not signing another striker if it's one up top, but a full squad would need 4 for a 4-4-2, so one in addition to Bent, Gabby and the Fonz (I'm expecting Heskey to leave regardless) would then be needed.  Similarly the replacemnt for Ash, who I also expect to go, would be better as a straight 'number 10' in one formation, but a more traditional winger in another.

These sort of threads often get mixed up between what we expect and what we want, so I hope the above options cover all the bases.  And for the purposes of the poll, 4-5-1 is intending to include all the variations of it, such as 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, etc.

[Dave P]

I think our summer activity in the transfer market would be bias towards going 4-4-2.  We may go 4-5-1 in big away games.

[Dante Lavelli]

451 is my preference.

But the point above that any transfer dealings must be geared to a type of formation is probably the correct answer. 442 can work but you do need the right players.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

4-4-2

But if we're going to carry on playing with 2 wingers, we need a strong, quality midfielder to play with Makoun.

[Mazrim]

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to suit.

[SO Villa]

Don't panic, I've just phoned the coastguard.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Don't panic, I've just phoned the coastguard.

Did you get through?

They're getting rid of a few of them.

[nick harper]

I wonder if the players helped Houllier come to the decision to go 4-4-2 or he did it himself. I guess we'll never know but apart from Agbonlahor for Bent and Walker being at right back that was an O'Neill set up on Saturday.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I wonder if the players helped Houllier come to the decision to go 4-4-2 or he did it himself. I guess we'll never know but apart from Agbonlahor for Bent and Walker being at right back that was an O'Neill set up on Saturday.

Hard to say, but i'll bet the players voiced their preference to play 4-4-2.

[Concrete John]

I wonder if the players helped Houllier come to the decision to go 4-4-2 or he did it himself. I guess we'll never know but apart from Agbonlahor for Bent and Walker being at right back that was an O'Neill set up on Saturday.

Thought much the same thing after Newcastle at home.

[Mazrim]

MON didn't invent 4-4-2 and Houllier has used it before.
Unlike MON's typical 4-4-2 though it included patient build up play and ball retention.

It certainly didn't feel like watching an O'Neill team.

[TimTheVillain]

I've always like the Christmas tree myself.

[Concrete John]

It certainly didn't feel like watching an O'Neill team.

I very much thought Newcastle did - not a great performance but a clean sheet and a goal from a set piece.  We even got a cameo of Carlos at RB!! 

[Mazrim]

It certainly didn't feel like watching an O'Neill team.

I very much thought Newcastle did - not a great performance but a clean sheet and a goal from a set piece.  We even got a cameo of Carlos at RB!! 

Yes, that was more reminiscent.
A bit desperate and nervy at times but we were also somehow in complete control. Or that's how it felt at the time. Strange as it was only 1 - 0.
But Newcastle were shite.

[Toronto Villa]

I don't believe in one formation. Good teams should be able to use their squads in different ways based on the circumstance. Too often under MON we didn't have the ability to shift gears and try something different when our tactics were not working. I'd like to think GH has a preferred formation in mind, but would have the weapons in the squad to change things as soon that wasn't working. We need to be flexible, not set on one system.