Xabi: Barca close to my heart

[Paul]

The good thing about that formation is it is very flexible - it can go to 4-5-1 and 4-4-2 very easily as well.

 

Why has he never really gone for it, then? I mean, it can't be down to the players as he's got a squad that's almost entirely his now.

[Best Believe It]

Why has he never really gone for it, then? I mean, it can't be down to the players as he's got a squad that's almost entirely his now.

 

Good question.

 

I may be wrong in thinking he said he wants to play it, but I certainly remember him saying we've played best when we've played that formation.

 

I think the whole point of the formation is to press the opposition and keep them on the ropes. And maybe it needs key players Rafa's not been able to get.

 

When we played it against Arsenal - and I'm sure there've been more examples of this -we had Didi and Xabi holding, Gerrard behind Mellor, and Pongolle and kewell on the flanks. Is that better than we have now? Maybe on the left it is because for whatever reason Gonzo isn't there yet with his form. But is Pongo better than Pennant?

 

But yeah, if it is his preferred formation then it is a surprise we don't use it more.

[Neil G]

Good question.

 

I may be wrong in thinking he said he wants to play it, but I certainly remember him saying we've played best when we've played that formation.

 

I think the whole point of the formation is to press the opposition and keep them on the ropes. And maybe it needs key players Rafa's not been able to get.

 

When we played it against Arsenal - and I'm sure there've been more examples of this -we had Didi and Xabi holding, Gerrard behind Mellor, and Pongolle and kewell on the flanks. Is that better than we have now? Maybe on the left it is because for whatever reason Gonzo isn't there yet with his form. But is Pongo better than Pennant?

 

But yeah, if it is his preferred formation then it is a surprise we don't use it more.

 

I've posted on this before. I don't understand either why he doesn't use it, that was one of our best performances in the Premiership under Rafa.

 

If it was in his plans he'd have used it more often, as we've had the players to do it since he arrived. I don't think we'll see it again, which is a great shame.

[Dirk]

Against teams with decent wingers it'd mean we'd get torn a new arse hole, especially against teams where they have an attacking fullback and a winger on one flank.

[Neil G]

Against teams with decent wingers it'd mean we'd get torn a new arse hole, especially against teams where they have an attacking fullback and a winger on one flank.

 

How many of those teams are there in the Premiership outside the top four though? Against the Mancs, Chelsea and Arsenal we'd have to vary things a bit, but against anyone else we'd steamroller them.