Team v QPR (H)

[DJS]

Friedel

Walker Kaboul Bassong Assou-Ekotto

Lennon Sandro Parker Modric

VDV

Adebayor


I stand by my belief that trying to cram Bale, Modric and VDV into our offensive areas unbalances the team.

My solution was to drop VDV but he's pretty undroppable at the moment so Bale should be benched - he's been out of form and although Lennon is also off-form the midfield has better balance with Lennon on the right and Modric on the left (Modric isn't too good on the right).

Bale could play right-side by in the way our system works he hasn't been anywhere near as effective as he is for Wales.

During the summer when we were linked to Parker I thought a Parker / Sandro combo in the middle would make an excellent partnership with Modric on the left giving us a slightly more narrow midfield.

My suggestion then was for Bale to move back to left back where he would be able to attack from deep making it harder to double-up on him and he could overlap Modric.

Disco-Benny has been pretty good for us this season though so I just can't see a logical reason to drop Benny for Bale.

Bale needs a kick up the arse and to get back to the dizzy heights he reached before.

Lennon also needs a kick up the arse but there is no better alternative to him for the right (plus I wonder if he'd be more effective with Modric on the left rather than us having two wingers).

Otherwise it's a choice between Sandro and Parker to be dropped, Modric moved central and Bale on the left. But even then I'd have liked to see Krancjar given an opportunity (if he's fit?).

 

[tototoner]

................Friedel
Walker Kaboul Bassong Assou-Ekotto
.............Parker Modric
.....Pienaar Van De Vaart Bale
...............Adebayor

4-2-3-1. 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-3 with Pienaar and Bale wing forwards

 

[felmani26]

Friedel

Walker Kaboul Bassong Assou-Ekotto

Lennon Sandro Parker Modric

VDV

Adebayor


I stand by my belief that trying to cram Bale, Modric and VDV into our offensive areas unbalances the team.

My solution was to drop VDV but he's pretty undroppable at the moment so Bale should be benched - he's been out of form and although Lennon is also off-form the midfield has better balance with Lennon on the right and Modric on the left (Modric isn't too good on the right).

Bale could play right-side by in the way our system works he hasn't been anywhere near as effective as he is for Wales.

During the summer when we were linked to Parker I thought a Parker / Sandro combo in the middle would make an excellent partnership with Modric on the left giving us a slightly more narrow midfield.

My suggestion then was for Bale to move back to left back where he would be able to attack from deep making it harder to double-up on him and he could overlap Modric.

Disco-Benny has been pretty good for us this season though so I just can't see a logical reason to drop Benny for Bale.

Bale needs a kick up the arse and to get back to the dizzy heights he reached before.

Lennon also needs a kick up the arse but there is no better alternative to him for the right (plus I wonder if he'd be more effective with Modric on the left rather than us having two wingers).

Otherwise it's a choice between Sandro and Parker to be dropped, Modric moved central and Bale on the left. But even then I'd have liked to see Krancjar given an opportunity (if he's fit?).

But then Harry will take into consideration the game against Rubin Kazan so the perceived first team won't play out in Russia with some not even likely to travel so I cannot see why he would start Lennon on the weekend, especially in the place of Bale when in all probability he will start against Rubin.

We need to play our best 11 against QPR, no if's, but's or maybe's about it and Lennon does not fall into that catergory, regardless of formation.

 

[bubble07]

so with gallas and pienaar back that just leaves king daws hudd kranjcar and corluka injured. Not too bad

 

[DJS]

We need to play our best 11 against QPR, no if's, but's or maybe's about it and Lennon does not fall into that catergory, regardless of formation.

So you're saying cram all our best players into the team regardless of formation or balance?

 

[opensaysme]

................Friedel
Walker Kaboul Bassong Assou-Ekotto
.............Parker Modric
.....Pienaar Van De Vaart Bale
...............Adebayor

4-2-3-1. 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-3 with Pienaar and Bale wing forwards

I'd go with that too.

Lennon, Gallas, Defoe, Livermore, Giovanni, Gomes, Sandro.

On the bench.

 

[felmani26]

So you're saying cram all our best players into the team regardless of formation or balance?

No not at all, I still believe with the players available and I am including Sandro in this, that the 4231 formation serves the purpose of being the best formation we can offer as it plays to the strengths of all our top players.

People may say it is too defensive by having both Sandro and Parker in the middle but by virtue of their presence we can afford to let VdV roam and Walker to effectively be our right midfielder which in all honesty, as shown against Blackburn, he can already bring to the table what Lennon offers us so I just don't see the clamour to disrupt this formation to accomodate Lennon, who quite frankly has been dreadful this season.

 

[dvdhopeful]

The biggest problem with Sandro and Parker playing is that is pushes Modric out of his best position, which is central midfield. Luka can certainly do a job out wide, but it isn't where he is most effective. Away from home Luka out wide is a sacrifice worth paying as it means we are stronger in the middle, at WHL against a newly promoted side, I want Luka alongside a strong midfielder, so that he can influence the game.

I worry with Sandro and Parker in midfield, as it puts a massive amount of pressure on the front four, which would include Luka who isn't prolific and Bale who has hit a dry spell. If Sandro can become more box to box, that increases our options, but I think leaving all the attacking to Luka, Bale, Ade and VDV, we won't score enough imo.

 

[Davo99]

I think the idea that Scotty Parker can only defend is a myth, he's pretty good in attacking areas too.

 

[felmani26]

The biggest problem with Sandro and Parker playing is that is pushes Modric out of his best position, which is central midfield. Luka can certainly do a job out wide, but it isn't where he is most effective. Away from home Luka out wide is a sacrifice worth paying as it means we are stronger in the middle, at WHL against a newly promoted side, I want Luka alongside a strong midfielder, so that he can influence the game.

I worry with Sandro and Parker in midfield, as it puts a massive amount of pressure on the front four, which would include Luka who isn't prolific and Bale who has hit a dry spell. If Sandro can become more box to box, that increases our options, but I think leaving all the attacking to Luka, Bale, Ade and VDV, we won't score enough imo.

But then you only have to cite Man City as the obvious example of a team that employs two holding players which in no way compromises their attacking prowess and looks to encourage the likes of Micah Richards (see Kyle Walker) into a more advancing role.

 

[DJS]

I think the idea that Scotty Parker can only defend is a myth, he's pretty good in attacking areas too.

This.

At Charlton he always played with Matty Holland alongside him as the defensive midfielder.

Scott Parker is not a defensive midfielder by trade, but like Palacios he does the job as others weren't available.

Sandro is a bread and butter DM, but Parker should be allowed to push further forward and use his excellent range of passing whilst also providing defensive assistance when needed.

 

[dvdhopeful]

But then you only have to cite Man City as the obvious example of a team that employs two holding players which in no way compromises their attacking prowess and looks to encourage the likes of Micah Richards (see Kyle Walker) into a more advancing role.

Fair point, however, if you look at the 'front four' Citeh could in front of Barry and Toure, they will score more than our front four.

Aguero, Silva, Dzeko, Nasri etc.
Ballotelli, Milner, Silva, Nasri etc.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

You think a front fout of Balotelli, Silva, Milner, Nasri would score more than a front four of Adebayor, Defoe, Van der Vaart, Bale?

 

[Chilli]

I'd like Redknapp to drop Parker for Sandro. Ideally I'd prefer Gomes to Friedel.

:rofl::stupid:

Please for the love of all the monkeys in a tree, tell me you are joking??

Arguably they are our two besties.

F**k me:bang:

 

[Chinaspur]

I love how the front triangle of Ade, Defoe and VdV is taking off as an idea - it should be pointed out the original idea was based on the world's worst use of stats...

However, the stats do show with that front three we are guaranteed two goals a game from the three of them...magic!

 

[dvdhopeful]

You think a front fout of Balotelli, Silva, Milner, Nasri would score more than a front four of Adebayor, Defoe, Van der Vaart, Bale?

This season it is 9 vs 10 in our favour.

However, replace Milner and Nasri with Dzeko and Aguero and it is 24 vs 10 in their favour, which is more the point I'm making - if we are playing with Sandro and Parker, Luka and Bale need to step up.

 

[leffe186]

The biggest problem with Sandro and Parker playing is that is pushes Modric out of his best position, which is central midfield. Luka can certainly do a job out wide, but it isn't where he is most effective. Away from home Luka out wide is a sacrifice worth paying as it means we are stronger in the middle, at WHL against a newly promoted side, I want Luka alongside a strong midfielder, so that he can influence the game.

I worry with Sandro and Parker in midfield, as it puts a massive amount of pressure on the front four, which would include Luka who isn't prolific and Bale who has hit a dry spell. If Sandro can become more box to box, that increases our options, but I think leaving all the attacking to Luka, Bale, Ade and VDV, we won't score enough imo.

A massive amount of pressure on the front four? There's four of the fuckers. I worry when there's a massive amount of pressure on one or two players. If we're relying on four players to score the bulk of the goals, then that's not so bad. The idea is that Walker and BAE will also be able to support. The main problem is that Modric doesn't usually score much, but I think if we persist with that system he will.

 

[Davo99]

I'd take 1-0 and 2-1 wins, even if City are winning 3-0 and 4-0.

 

[ethanedwards]

You think a front fout of Balotelli, Silva, Milner, Nasri would score more than a front four of Adebayor, Defoe, Van der Vaart, Bale?

They have scored 13 goals between them so far.

 

[Dangerous_Clive]

Sorry to disappoint those of you that still haven't worked Harry out after 3 years, but...

...barring injuries/suspensions/the need to defend a first leg lead, Harry will NEVER play Sandro & Parker together at home.