Anelka in talks with Chelsea and City !

Exactly, S4P. The athletic 4-4-2 for the league and the layered 4-3-3 for Europe. Man U do a similar thing.

Anas Al-Liby wrote:Exactly, S4P. The athletic 4-4-2 for the league and the layered 4-3-3 for Europe. Man U do a similar thing.

It's a really simple thing to employ. Amazing that so many managers do not see it.

S4P wrote:

Anas Al-Liby wrote:Exactly, S4P. The athletic 4-4-2 for the league and the layered 4-3-3 for Europe. Man U do a similar thing.

It's a really simple thing to employ. Amazing that so many managers do not see it.

Well, Arsenal and Liverpool don't really have the players to go 4-3-3, and I wouldn't say Tottenham do either. On the other hand, neither team has gone out and acquired the right sort of players to play this way despite them being available.

COTR wrote:

.....................cech

beletti....carvalho...terry....cole

Cole.....essien......ballack....Malouda

...........Drogba....anelka

That would be rubbish with all 4 wide players going outside to get on to their strong foot.

Anelka also says in the same interview that he would mind staying at Bolton, which basically means that Chelsea and Manchester City are going to really have to get their paycheques out. L'équipe are quoting a figure of 26 million euros, around 18 million pounds.

To me that seems about right. Anelka is one of the top strikers in the world, and I think that we would be unfair on him if we didn't allow him this last chance to make it in a big club. However, just to let Grant and Eriksson know that going on about how they love other teams' players, we should make Shinawatra and Abramovich pay twice what we paid for him.

Anas Al-Liby wrote: Well, Arsenal and Liverpool don't really have the players to go 4-3-3, and I wouldn't say Tottenham do either. On the other hand, neither team has gone out and acquired the right sort of players to play this way despite them being available.

I think we are close - just need an attacking left midfielder

-----Gerrard--Mascha--Alonso------

---Babel-----------------------????---
----------------Torres----------------

Kewell would have been great in this system but sadly I suspect that injury and age have robbed him of too much pace now.

S4P wrote:

Dark Savante wrote:He probably wouldnt suit Chelsea to be honest , he is strong but holding a ball as a lone target man isnt his strength and I would not use him that way.

He won't play up front on his own. He'll play alongside Shevchenko (or Pizarro) during the ACN and alongside Drogba for the rest of the season.

In fact, signing Anelka makes sense because (so long as he is scoring goals) it means we can rest Drogba in some of a 'low-key' matches to keep him fit and fresh for the big matches.

Playing 2 upfront doesnt mean playing 2 strikers and 3 central midfielders who are unlikely to give width which will make it 433 or 451 (assuming Cole or Kalou plays else it would be 4) dont think Chelsea will play 442.

Roger Hunt wrote:

Anas Al-Liby wrote: Well, Arsenal and Liverpool don't really have the players to go 4-3-3, and I wouldn't say Tottenham do either. On the other hand, neither team has gone out and acquired the right sort of players to play this way despite them being available.

I think we are close - just need an attacking left midfielder

-----Gerrard--Mascha--Alonso------

---Babel-----------------------????---
----------------Torres----------------

Kewell would have been great in this system but sadly I suspect that injury and age have robbed him of too much pace now.

Babel isnt a winger wont work on right on the left it would as he can come inside have a pop ,the point is the 3rd midfielder can play the AMC or SS when required as you lot say this is Gerrard worst position so

----------Alonso------------Mascherano-------

Gerrard---------------------????---------------------Babbel

-----------------------Torres----------------------------------


But the problem would be width ,fullbacks will be important Alves and Aurelio would be good enough and Torres will probably provide some as he will run into channels also the AMC like VDV.

Gerrard can play into the space behind the front man, but not from it.

So if you cushion him in nicely next to Alonso and Masch, with the freedom to exploit the space infront of him, no problemo.

But if you ask him to start in the final third, this is what he is poor at.

Anas Al-Liby wrote:

S4P wrote:

Anas Al-Liby wrote:Exactly, S4P. The athletic 4-4-2 for the league and the layered 4-3-3 for Europe. Man U do a similar thing.

It's a really simple thing to employ. Amazing that so many managers do not see it.

Well, Arsenal and Liverpool don't really have the players to go 4-3-3, and I wouldn't say Tottenham do either. On the other hand, neither team has gone out and acquired the right sort of players to play this way despite them being available.

Its true we don't but i hope Wenger tailors are formation slightly for the AC milan game (away especially) to sometihng like this:

---------------Flamini---Fabregas---------
--Van Persie-------Hleb-----------Rosicky
------------------Adebayor----------------


It'd be considerably more dynamic than just playing a 4-5-1.

you get home alright last night?

yeh no probs mate, altho someone nicked my bikelight neway so it wouldve been a bitch of a cycle if i wouldve had to...

damn someone actually took your light? wait, from the house? thats mental

Jingle bellack wrote:damn someone actually took your light? wait, from the house? thats mental

yeh, it doesnt really matter, just gloriously random...

yeh thats really odd, maybe one of the pricks from the year aboves took it in some sort of joke. that is really odd

Jaime wrote:Saviola to Bolton.

You wish. The guy will sit on your bench earning his fat weekly wage packet.