Formation for 2011/2012

[TheSandman]

4-4-2 is working for us  now and depending on what kind of role we ask Gabby to play in it and what kind of central midfielders we get in it could do so in the future. If Gabby plays a deeper role and helps out the midfielders more it might get round the issue of not having enough bodies in the midfield in some cases. Look at the way Rooney plays for Man United for example. For the midfield what we need to make 4-4-2 work is energetic midfielders. It worked last season with Milner and Delph has that potential. We'd need a slightly better version of Reo Coker to play alongside him.

However, I still think a 4-5-1/4-3-3 with a good attacking midfielder would work better more often especially away from home against 5 man midfield teams. It is a bit harsh on Gabby admittedly. Just because a 4-4-2 has worked in two games doesn't eradicate all the weaknesses we saw from it under MoN in three seasons.

Ideally, we should use both depending on what we need from the team. Tactics are not one size fits all. 

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Tactics are not one size fits all. 

Try telling O'Neill that.

[Concrete John]

Tactics are not one size fits all. 

Try telling O'Neill that.

Thing is we did use the 4-5-1 under him quite a lot in his earlier years, but it seemed to feature less and less as the longer he was here. 

I'm also of the opinion that we should have that adaptability about us and be able to play a number of ways.  However, I've always felt a manager should know what his best team is and that would be in a certain formation.  I still think when Gezza is drawing up his targets for the summer it will be with a 4-5-1 of some kind in mind.

[darren woolley]

I would say 442 it seems to work for us but being able to change when the need arises something MON just could not do.

[Mazrim]

Tactics are not one size fits all. 

Try telling O'Neill that.

He would have misheard and put a bid in for Fitz Hall.

[SO Villa]

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.

That game was always going to be a nervy, scrappy affair regardless of what the formation was.

[villasjf]

What about some wing halves and inside forwards for a change?

[Merv]

Next season will be interesting; I suspect Houllier prefers a variation on the lone striker formation, be it 4-5-1, 4-3-3 with a centre-forward flanked by two widemen or 4-2-3-1. But with senior defenders available again I think he's recognised the need to revert to something familiar, tried and trusted, for the crucial final games of the season, and it's the right decision.

[TimTheVillain]

What about some wing halves and inside forwards for a change?

Is Delph a wing half ??

[The Left Side]

4-4-2 for me but I agree that we need to have a plan B and C

[Archie]

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

Legend mate!

Anyhow, we didn't play 4-5-1 but 4-2-3-1 as  2 holding CM played behind the wingers and the advanced CM.

[Greg N'Ash]

1 went with mainly 4-4-2 and i'm happy with that. Unlike some i have  faith that gabby will form a partnership with bent given time, and someone will be bought in anyway this summer

[Holtenderinthesky]

                                        *New Keeper*


L Young               C Clark                *New CB*         *New LB*


                  F Delph               J Makoun         *New CM*
 

M Albrighton                                                              S Downing


                                              D Bent


So basically a 4-5-1/4-3-3 is what I'd expect/like to see next season.

[pestria]

                                        *New Keeper*


L Young               C Clark                *New CB*         *New LB*


                  F Delph               J Makoun         *New CM*
 

M Albrighton                                                              S Downing


                                              D Bent


So basically a 4-5-1/4-3-3 is what I'd expect/like to see next season.

You looking forward to championship football in 2012 then?

[Holtenderinthesky]

                                        *New Keeper*


L Young               C Clark                *New CB*         *New LB*


                  F Delph               J Makoun         *New CM*
 

M Albrighton                                                              S Downing


                                              D Bent


So basically a 4-5-1/4-3-3 is what I'd expect/like to see next season.

You looking forward to championship football in 2012 then?

Which of those players don't you rate?  Or do you disagree with not playing Warnock, Dunne, Friedel or Petrov?