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Tried and Trusted
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With the players currently at Moyes's disposal he could field:
Howard
Gosling Yobo Jagielka Lescott
Neville
Arteta Rodwell Baines
Osman
Yakubu
That would be like for like with the system that has served us so well over the last couple of years:
- Lescott back at left back, where he has been a revelation and is free to get forward (especially with Baines offering cover), instead of in the middle, where he has been highly suspect and culpable for a large proportion of the goals we have so far conceded.
- Jags back in his peferred position, where his confidence visibly grew last season.
- Gosling the only option at right back until Jacobsen is match fit and ready to enter the fray.
- Neville playing the Carsley role.
- Osman linking up with the front man a la Cahill
- Baines offering an option from the left, since he's more adept at getting forward than he is at defending.
Ok, Davey has gone two up top to try and appease those who criticise him for being negative, but it personally seems like he's trying to do too many things at once. Stick to the system and the personnel that the players know and understand and we will start grinding out the results again. THEN he can experiment with throwing on another striker to open a game up.
It is plain for everyone to see though that we're desperately lacking creativity. Pienaar and Osman are hard-working players, Vaughan and Anichebe will hustle, Cahill will pop up in the box and bag you a goal, but there's only Arteta who can make something out of nothing. With Arteta struggling with injury and form at the end of last season, our chief provider was Mani. Surely, with Valencia so hard up, we could strike a deal to bring him back on our terms?!!
Simon Birdsey, Posted 31/08/2008 at 14:03:39
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Simon not a bad article and many points agreed with, however on the Fernandes side it looks more and more like we are potless as the four signings we have made and Saha wouldn’t set a petrol soaked rag alight never mind the EPL.
I feel sorry for Rodwell as the kid looks like he has an eye for a pass but putting him alongside a centre half is doing him no favours.
I feel sorry for Rodwell as the kid looks like he has an eye for a pass but putting him alongside a centre half is doing him no favours.
That is the worst team I could imagine.
Settling for second best already.
Let's Just wait until Tuesday morning then tell us all what you think.
Settling for second best already.
Let's Just wait until Tuesday morning then tell us all what you think.
I’d prefer this:
-------------------Howard---------------------
Neville-----Yobo-----Jagielka-----Lescott
Arteta-----Castillo-----Osman-----Obinna
--------------Saha-------Yakubu--------------
With two weeks till the next game we’ve got time to get the players settled and work in our deficiencies in previous games.
Moyes will definatly introduce some new players and freshen us up a bit. Give the likes of Rodwell a rest.
-------------------Howard---------------------
Neville-----Yobo-----Jagielka-----Lescott
Arteta-----Castillo-----Osman-----Obinna
--------------Saha-------Yakubu--------------
With two weeks till the next game we’ve got time to get the players settled and work in our deficiencies in previous games.
Moyes will definatly introduce some new players and freshen us up a bit. Give the likes of Rodwell a rest.
I still think DM should bring in Dortmund?s Buckley, I?ve watched him last week and this guy is pure class!!
And for less than £2.5m, that would be a steal.
And for less than £2.5m, that would be a steal.
I like the look of Connor?s team however, Lescott is our best central defender, he did very well at left back but he is brilliant at center back, he has had a couple of stinkers and needs to be dropped (and will be). This happend last year as I remember and he came back better for it.
Simon - it might work on FM but not in reality (though I do like the idea of Gosling at right back).
Connor - a much better idea
Connor - a much better idea
Mouthino has been named in the traveling party for Sporting for their game tomorrow night. As usual the stories are false of him coming to us!
Connor,
I was trying to avoid the so-called FM route of including players that we haven’t officially signed yet, as I get slated for it by da management here at Toffeeweb towers.
Castillo might be a better option as the anchor man with Pip remaining at right back. Alternatively, Neville as the anchor with Castillo in front, as he does have an eye for goal. I wouldn’t discount Rodwell though, because he has shown that he can influence a game.
My concern, should we also sign Larsson, is that we’ll be top-heavy with strikers and still desperately short in midfield. If Henrik joins Saha at the club, that will give us Yakubu, Saha, Larsson, Anichebe, Vaughan, Jutkiewicz, Baxter, Agard. Will we be playing three up top?!! I think that Larsson could be a good foil for the Yak, as he’s a clever player. But Moyes is going to have to start loaning some of these younger players out, as he’s stalling their development having them so far down the pecking order.
With regards to Mani, wasn’t it suggested that we could have him on loan for another season?
It’s intriguing too that Zayette has joined Hull on a season-long loan.
I was trying to avoid the so-called FM route of including players that we haven’t officially signed yet, as I get slated for it by da management here at Toffeeweb towers.
Castillo might be a better option as the anchor man with Pip remaining at right back. Alternatively, Neville as the anchor with Castillo in front, as he does have an eye for goal. I wouldn’t discount Rodwell though, because he has shown that he can influence a game.
My concern, should we also sign Larsson, is that we’ll be top-heavy with strikers and still desperately short in midfield. If Henrik joins Saha at the club, that will give us Yakubu, Saha, Larsson, Anichebe, Vaughan, Jutkiewicz, Baxter, Agard. Will we be playing three up top?!! I think that Larsson could be a good foil for the Yak, as he’s a clever player. But Moyes is going to have to start loaning some of these younger players out, as he’s stalling their development having them so far down the pecking order.
With regards to Mani, wasn’t it suggested that we could have him on loan for another season?
It’s intriguing too that Zayette has joined Hull on a season-long loan.
Its looking more and more obvious with each game that Yobo and Lescott cannot play together in the centre of defence (rather like Gerrard and Lampard for England in midfield), the 2 are individually class and both play well with the much more vocal Jagielka! I think though that not using Baines at left back is a complete waste. We need that kind of depth though and need Moyes to be strong and decisive for the good of the team, thats the most important thing!
As we appear to be into full FM mode, how about playing Lescott in the Carsley role? He has far better qualities regarding being comfortable on the ball, passing and reading the game than Neville and Jagielka, not to mention his height. This would allow DM to field the back four a lot of posters are looking for. Just a thought!
I agree that Jack Rodwell should have a break.He is a centre half first and foremost and I believe that he will be a great footballing defender.Yesterday,on this site he was subject to some totally cretinous stick,To keep him in a side that are looking utterly bereft of confidence and to play him out of position is damaging one of our best assets.
John I feel that Lescott’sbest position,whether he likes it or not,is at left back.Short term Baines left midfield and,dare I say it ,Neville in the holding role.
However,my biggest concern is the Yak.He is very much a confidence player and and is not a player to chase lost causes.He is the tyoe of luxury that a top class side must tolerate.Can’t picture him in a relegation battle though.
Rod Liddle wrote an interesting article in the Sunday Times today concerning just how important the month of August is.If there is any substance to what he says then we have wottying times ahead.
John I feel that Lescott’sbest position,whether he likes it or not,is at left back.Short term Baines left midfield and,dare I say it ,Neville in the holding role.
However,my biggest concern is the Yak.He is very much a confidence player and and is not a player to chase lost causes.He is the tyoe of luxury that a top class side must tolerate.Can’t picture him in a relegation battle though.
Rod Liddle wrote an interesting article in the Sunday Times today concerning just how important the month of August is.If there is any substance to what he says then we have wottying times ahead.
Sorry, I can?t type. Worrying times! It?s stress.
Andy, I totally agree with you regarding Lescott at left back and Baines on the left hand side of midfield. My suggestion of Lescott in the Carsley role was only to try and keep Neville where he belongs - at right back. He should never, ever, venture into the centre of midfield!
I’m a big fan of Baines but not as a winger. He played there on the opening day and looked lost. He’s much more effective attacking from deep like he did on Saturday.
Defensively We do look stronger with Jags at centre back, as classy as Joleon and Yobo are Jag’s is that classic stopper in the Stubbs/Watson mould.
I agree simon that, the defence above would be our stronest on paper but I’m sure a balance could be found to integrate Baines into the team at fullback. It would cause a problem keeping our 3 centrebacks happy. Maybe Joey could play at rightback therefore keeping a strong aerial presence among the back four?
Defensively We do look stronger with Jags at centre back, as classy as Joleon and Yobo are Jag’s is that classic stopper in the Stubbs/Watson mould.
I agree simon that, the defence above would be our stronest on paper but I’m sure a balance could be found to integrate Baines into the team at fullback. It would cause a problem keeping our 3 centrebacks happy. Maybe Joey could play at rightback therefore keeping a strong aerial presence among the back four?
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1 Posted 31/08/2008 at 18:41:36
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