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Diamond Formation
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I would just maybe like to add another insight into the various discussions on Toffeeweb, whether it is 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 formation, etc.
It is clear that the middle of the park is the strongest area of the team. Our wings look very weak at the moment and people like Pienaar and Bilyaletdinov are more natural central attacking midfield players playing on the wing.
I would like to see Everton play a 4-1-2-1-2 or a diamond formation, just as Chelsea did at the start of last season. In my opinion, it would work because of the amount of good midfielders we have.
Defensive Mid: Heitinga or Fellaini could easily play here, maybe Rodwell or Neville if we're desperate.
Two Central Mids: A number of players could play here: My first choice would be Arteta and Rodwell, but we still have Fellaini, Bily, Pienaar and Osman just to name a few.
Attacking Mid: My favourite would be Pienaar, but again Cahill or Bily could play there.
This formation would then sort out people's persistence to play two strikers: Saha and Beckford, I can see this pair perhaps working quite well together, with Yakubu and Gueye as back up. Yes ideally, I would rather see another top class forward but we do not have the luxury.
The only problem is the lack of width, which the full backs would be trying to provide. But we do not have a good right back to do this. Baines is sorted on the left. Coleman is great going forward and would potentially fill in this position but isn't good enough defensively. Neville and Hibbert might, but probably would not work.
Even so, this would be the only problem. I can see Everton having more success than not with this formation.
Ben Jones, Posted 25/08/2010 at 10:39:59
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As for your formation, yes I see that working well... trouble is, as you have pointed out, the forward line: the Yak and Beckford for me would be the best option.
The choice of Beckford reeks of pure desperation to me...
I'd put him in though for this. But is a change of formation really the answer to the start of season performances?
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6335229,00.html
My own personal candidates for this trio would be Pienaar, Bily and Arteta. Like you said Ben, these are players that prefer a central role yet have been forced out wide under Moyes.
The idea would be that they play in this advanced position, roaming form left to centre to right, confusing opposition defenders/midfielders, and playing predominantly between each other (they all have the skill and passing ability to play intricately here).
You would then have 2 defensive mids sitting behind these 3 protecting the back 4 when we don't have the ball. My choices would be Fellaini and Rodwell, allowing the youngster to get forward when we do have the ball.
I'll grant you, what did reek of despearation was Everton's unseemly haste to sign the guy in the first place after his Old Trafford cameo. But he was on a free... and we were desperate.. so yes, I'll give you that ? his signing reeks of desperation. Using him now he's here is far more about hope than desperation.
Coleman seems to have become some kind of iconic figure to some blues, dont get me wrong, I've been impressed with what Ive seen but we have seen very little. I worry the expectation level for him when he does come through is sky high.
Pienaar plays centrally for SA but he is also far and away their best player. He is far more effective for us on the left and this perception that he is a centre mid forced wide is IMO not true. He won our player of the season playing from the left and that is proof enough that he should play there.
The question for us and DM has got to be, would Coleman starting right mid be more of a threat when attacking than say Leon Osman.
For me, the answer has to be yes. He's the only one with a bit of pace and more importantly, makes good decisions in the final third of the pitch.
I can't understand why people can't give him a chance. At 22 if you're good enough you're old enough.
4-0 score tonight
COYB
This means that both Fellaini and Rodwell can play together as the deeper lying 2 with Arteta, Cahill and Pienaar as the 3 further up the pitch supporting the lone striker.
For me it's a no-brainer, I just hope Moyes defies his previous form and catches on sooner rather than later.
Sorry to burst that particular bubble but until the player's either decide or are coached to start to run off the ball, move the ball quickly, play through teams instead of in front of them and start looking like they give a shite about winning then nothing will change.
This talk about formations is getting very tedious. In any given match the formation a team uses will change 3-6 times. Rigid formation's are outdated, especially at the level we aspire to play at.
I watched all the pre-season friendlies and they both look terrific prospects, along with Gueye, also watched the Reserves on monday and it looks like the next batch of young players isn't far away either.
So, if Moyes doesn't give them a go soon, they will be overtaken by the next lot.
We used to boast that we were the fittest team in the league and would cover acres of ground in every game but since we decided we are a "footballing side" the running off the ball and closing the opposing team down just isn't happening.
Moyes hit on something when he discovered 4-5-1 a year ahead of the competition and qualified for the champions league. We've played 2 teams so far who chase, close down and cover the pitch, not to mention foul and there's plenty more where they come from. We have the quality personnel the next step is to get the best out of them by selecting the right formation, only by doing this can we imrpove.
I think it's a bit much saying Beckford is an act of desperation, Ciaran. Like Heitinga last year, give the guy a chance before writing him off please.
Howard;
Coleman-Jags-Johnny-Baines;
Rodwell-Fella-Arteta;
Cahill-Pienaar or Bily;
Beckford or Saha or Yak.....
Playing 3 slightly defensive midfielders (who can pass!) would really allow the full backs to bomb on and provide the width. Gets all the best midfielders on the pitch, and in more natural locations. Allows Rodwell and Felli to play together (our future), could be very fluid with Mikkey and Pienaar swopping roles now and again and the same on the other side with Rodwell and Cahill... Gets 2 players offering genuine support to striker (instead of just Tim in current system)...? Sounds too good to be true?
But will all you Coleman lovers really wanna play Coleman on Sunday against Ashley Young? Cmon!
Looking at the match, the Saha and Beckford partnership looked promising when Beckford set up Saha's goal.
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1 Posted 25/08/2010 at 14:11:30
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