BERBATOV AS A PLAY-MAKER?

If that is the case, the problem is with your midfield players not doing their job.
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One v one in the middle gives the forward too much space to work with.

No, but think about the space, two defenders in the middle is enough, one isn't.

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It is if he only has to mark one player.

If you are playing against a 4-5-1 and you play with 4 at the back, it means you are going to be outnumbered somewhere else on the field.

Do the maths, it isn't hard to figure out.

Being outnumbered somewhere else on the pitch (probably in the opposing box) is a sacrifice work making. One v one with so much space to work with in the heart of defence is complete and utter stupidity.

Cracking comment form one Liverpool fan to another on the Liverpool board, that I thought I would share with you guys.

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comment by T Bone Steak Roysters (U3947)
posted 22 minutes ago

People can moan Suarez_7 but to ask for the managers head after 1 year is not the Liverpool way.

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You just could not make this kind of stuff up.

One v one with so much space to work with in the heart of defence is complete and utter stupidity.

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You have two v two if both teams are playing 4-4-2. I guess we have been stupid for the last twenty odd years.

You have two v two if both teams are playing 4-4-2. I guess we have been stupid for the last twenty odd years.
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Obviously talking about the situation with 3 at the back when the wide forwards stay wide leaving one against one in the middle.

People can moan Suarez_7 but to ask for the managers head after 1 year is not the Liverpool way.
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The Serbian Legend (U13483)


“trequarista role” you have been playing football manager too much lad. The “trequarista role” means playing two people up top, and a man behind him in the middle with 3 players in the middle of the park, like AC Milan used to play, with Kaka, Rooney is certainly not that sort of player.

“I do think you have a point though. Rooney lacks the intricateness required to play the number 10 role. He can hit great long passes but doesn't have the vision to see ways to open the defence in the final third.” This is because our style of play, means most of our chances are created using wide men, as has always been the way under SAF, he has always been a fan of winger, and Rooney dropping deep, spreading it wide and then making an extra man in the box is exactly what we need.

“At the moment he plays more like a false 9 - dropping deep to play passes then getting on the end of crosses. I reckon he could play this role without another striker enabling us to play 3 in midfield. It would be a blend of the role he plays now and the one from 09/10.” Like he did against Bilbao? That worked out well didn’t it. You need somebody to lead the line, somebody to give defenders something to worry about, if Rooney plays up top on his own, and drops deep, you then have 2 defenders having the easiest game of their lives.

“I don't think putting him up front on his own would make him less influential” Again, like in Bilbao? When he was totally isolated, as he was in ’09? This leads to him getting frustrated, over elaborating, and that’s when his temper boils over. He likes to be involved with the game.

“Rooney's current position doesn't really exist.” What a ridiculous statement. He plays as a traditional number 10, he drops deep, keeps the ball, gets involved with the build up and scores goals.

“You shouldn't just write off playing him as a 9 because we would get less out of HIM. It's about getting the best for the TEAM.” I do agree with this, but we simply do not have a player who can take Rooney’s role in terms of keeping the ball, passing ability, work rate and invention at the moment.

When Rooney has someone in front of him like Welbeck or Hernandez, they like to run in behind the defence, therefore creating more space for Rooney to play in.

I think the role he currently has is his best role, but he could play up top on his own if we needed to pack the midfield. If that were to happen, we would need to ensure he has good service, otherwise he would get frustrated and drop back deep, leaving us with nobody leading the line. You can see this when he plays up top on his own for England, no service whatsoever.

Busby Babes

You are completely missing the point. With our current squad, yes, he is in the best position. But what I am saying is that we should adapt our game, play 451, to play possession football, and in doing so signing a midfielder or two, one of whom can play off the striker to provide service to Rooney. If we had a quality three man midfield we would have more of the ball, create more and therefore Rooney wouldn't need to be frustrated.

Like I am only in favour of moving Rooney because I am in favour of a change of system. I like 451, but if we were to change to it we would have to play Rooney either deeper or further forward. I am merely saying that I think it should be further forward.