Without wanting to sound like a Beckham apologist (I'm not one, or at least I didn't think I was) it's probably not unreasonable to suggest that he's Real's best player week-in week-out this season. And I actually don't think there's any problem with his position in the England team, provided it's on the right. Gerrard and Lampard, though - there is a problem. Neither looks right in the holding role - Becks actually did it better against Northern Ireland although he was probably at fault for the goal, failing to come out to pick up the player who put Healey in. So unless Gerrard plays wide, and he doesn't play there enough for that to be a smart choice, he and Lampard duplicate each other. I would consider rotating them in the attacking central position with a proper holding player taking the other slot: Carrick or Parker, perhaps, or King again, who did nothing wrong there although I'd prefer to see a player who plays the position as a specialist.
Ericsson seems to look for his best 10 outfield players and searches for a formation in which they might be able to operate. I'd suggest looking at formations, putting his best available player in each position and then going with the one that looks like the best team. 3-5-2 and 4-5-1 would both accommodate Frankie and Stevie but would they be our best teams?
I think it's an interesting exercise: take the formations above, add 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 (4-2-4?) and select the best man for the job in each slot. Which team looks most likely to win the World Cup? Which has the best cover for key players, allowing replacement for injury without requiring re-shaping?
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Date: 2005-12-30 10:24 am (UTC)Ericsson seems to look for his best 10 outfield players and searches for a formation in which they might be able to operate. I'd suggest looking at formations, putting his best available player in each position and then going with the one that looks like the best team. 3-5-2 and 4-5-1 would both accommodate Frankie and Stevie but would they be our best teams?
I think it's an interesting exercise: take the formations above, add 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 (4-2-4?) and select the best man for the job in each slot. Which team looks most likely to win the World Cup? Which has the best cover for key players, allowing replacement for injury without requiring re-shaping?