What do you think of Modric on the left now?

[mil1lion]

Just thought i'd bring this subject up again, now that we've played Modric on the left for the past several games. And i have to say that i'm happy and surprised at how well its working in midfield at the moment. The first thing i've noticed is that the left back is not so heavily exposed as i thought could happen. No goals have come as a result of the left side. And we have kept 3 clean sheets (including the Cup Final) since we implemented the system. Whats really helping is that, in Jenas and Palacios, we have 2 midfielders who cover a lot of ground in the middle. And Modric is able to come infield more as the game goes on and gaps start appearing, where he is able to influence play in behind the strikers.

So far i think its working really well with Lennon on the right and Modric on the left. And its a position Modric played a lot in for Dinamo Zagreb too. So maybe he could make that spot his own afterall. If he does, then he'll be our most creative and influential left midfielder since David Ginola.

 

[guy]

I think he's fine playing there. He only plays like a typical LM in defence. When we have the ball he goes where he pleases, whether it be down the left wing, up amongst the strikers or in the middle of the park.

It helps that BAE is defending brilliantly at the moment. Seriously he's playing triffic

Modric is a class above, we must keep him for a good few years, then only sell to barca not the mancs

 

[stickyfinger]

Still not making good use of the full extent of the pitch. Modric is a knight, you want him in the centre. Kinky play. I'd agree, with things as they are, having him on the left is the most balanced approach we can muster. But long-term, nah. If you like it now ..

 

[idlepete]

I like it. Oddly, not being one of the centre two allows him to get into the game a little more and he seems to see more of the ball.

 

[walworthyid]

He still does well out there but MUST have a proper left back behind him ie not Chimbo or Corluka.

I would rather he played centrally though!

 

[sidford]

he didnt have a great game on saturday but hes only beginning to learn how to play there. i am a big fan of 442 as opposed to just one up front, which given our front men i dont think would suit us, so going with modric on the left is a good way of getting him into the team without a mjor shift in formation.
if he can learn how to play there we will have pace on the right and then a lot of technical ability on the left so it could gives us different dimensions. i agree we need a strong left back but given how much modric will come inside we do need a LB who can get forward a bit to offer some width there - step forward a revitalised bale!

 

[ginol@14]

he plays well wherever he is on the pitch
but would still be more effective in the middle
he always wants to create something when he is on the ball and it hampers him sometimes being out on the left

 

[Kendall]

good as long as BAE plays.

Modric can then have a free role to drift in and it allows us to play our two best midfielders. We've looked a lot strong in midfield since Jenas and Palacios became a partnership and long may it continue

 

[davros]

I love having Modric, Lennon and Keane in the side. In my dreams we play a system in which these guys switch positions all game long leaving the opposition confused and sad.

 

[stemark44]

I am worried for Modric and the way he plays in this league.
He is a great little player with a big heart but I fear that he is only a tackle away from a serious injury.
I don't like the way he takes the ball with his back to the defender,he invites the defender to get close to him,feints to his left and then turns quickly to his right or vice versa.
Its great when it comes off but in this league thats asking for bother and in midfield you have to look after yourself.
I hope I am wrong but for me he should play the ball straight back to one of our players and then recieve the pass back when he is facing the defender.

 

[bubble07]

I want Modric in the middle where he belongs and want a defensive left sided midfilder like Sulley Muntari on the left to provide extra steal

LENNON PALACIOS MODRIC MUNTARI

 

[nicdic]

He's done well, but then he's done well in every position he's been asked to play. The fact is though he still needs to play in the centre to get the most out of him. He comes inside too much, putting too much emphasis on Lennon, meaning teams can easily double up on him as they know that Corluka isn't gonna get that far forward, and there is no one to switch the play to on the left as BAE rarely goes further than the half way line.

I can see why he's being played there at the moment as it allows us to play Palacios and Jenas in the centre which looks a decent partnership. However I'd still much rather see Modric partner Palacios in the middle. I think we could probably play a left handside of BAE and Bale and that would be pretty good. Bale has been looking better in recent weeks. Ultimately I don't think we'll get to see that til next season, but it's a lineup I'd very much like to see.

 

[Dundalk_Spur]

Any reason given for BAE not playing on Saturday?

I think we will see the best from Luka next season hopefully we will have a settled team and they can gel properly.

 

[DarT]

Modric on the left is a restrictive system for me, he only really appears to be able to get into the game to any great extent when he comes inside and plays effectively behind the strikers. Not that i have a great problem with him doing this, other than that he leaves a massive hole behind him on the left, that at the very least restricts the left back from pushing on, and at the worst leaves us woefully exposed down our left side.

Personally, whilst i can see some current reason in our struggles this season for playing this formation in terms of perhaps great solidity by having two players that sit in front of the back four, ie Jenas and Polacios.

But for me i still feel that Modric should be played in centre midfield, so it becomes an either or with JJ in a 4-4-2 or with the two incumbents in a 4-5-1, assuming that we have someone capable to play left wing.

 

[mil1lion]

The trouble i have with him playing in the middle is, he will still get restricted at times in the middle anyway. Especially when we go up against a 5 man midfield. So he still has quiete spells even in the middle. But if he gets caught out, we are in more trouble through the middle than down our left side. By playing on the left, he can still come infield and link up with the strikers. So i dont think the switch to the left has taken so much out of his game than i feared it would. And if we want better distribution in the middle then we still have Tom Huddlestone.

 

[THOWIG]

For me we have to swap Jenas and Modric over. I know he isn't a left sided player, but I feel Jenas has the discipline to play in this role. Modric has to play centrally as when he pushes further up he is outstanding. Jenas on the left will provide better cover for Assou Ekotto.
It also allows us to switch to 3 in midfield as Modric pushes up behind the front two.

 

[spurslenny]

we should stick with this formation, its getting better and better as each game goes by. Bale can come in as cover in the event of injury or suspention

 

[fozzi44]

the fact that he has looked good on the left is because he is such a good footballer - u could stick the guy anywhere and he would do an great job. Personally i think we need him in the centre alongside wilson,jenas or zokora.

 

[Bruts]

I want Modric in the middle where he belongs and want a defensive left sided midfilder like Sulley Muntari on the left to provide extra steal

LENNON PALACIOS MODRIC MUNTARI

:rofl: did you see him against Man Utd?? Made Bentley look like a world beater

 

[DC_Boy]

since the 'new mid' formation started we have 8 points in 4 games unbeaten (we also went 2 hrs with man u at wembley)

so it seems to be working pretty well

doubtless other formations/personnel will be tried - but while we're in a relegation fight I'd advise to stick with what is working