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Continued


So What Now?

I think there are some basics that need to be sorted out regarding the overall defensive shape of our team without the ball and how to handle certain scenarios, but we should not be moving away from the back three because I think the trouble that we are encountering is starting further forward and can be remedied. Not only this, but the back three has been pretty solid, where a back four has not. In the past because Skrtel naturally drops quite deep there has been a chasm between our defence and midfield, worsened when the FBs go forward to support the attack. With the back three, it has not mattered as much how big the gap is as they generally - between the three of them - have dealt with trouble, or held it up enough until support arrives or the attacker takes a shot from range which Migs can handle. What is more, the three players generally are having their best games for us in it. If anything, the back three is the only part of the formation that does not require fixing.

We need to address the WB issues. Moreno generally has done ok, without being spectacular. He has had a bad couple of games, and that will happen. But there is little else we can do out there other than waste someone like Sterling - who can do a job, but is better suited elsewhere. Marko has done ok without being spectacular, but you feel you could get more out of him elsewhere too. The best has been Ibe because he has done the job properly: doesnt drift inside, keeps himself as a wide option and was smart when deciding whether to go forward or whether to hold his line. These issues can only really be solved if we decide to keep this formation, by signing the right players.

So, to solving that attack, I believe we have to switch to the two up top now if Sturridge is going to play. He needs a player close to him so that we can implement that quick one touch football that we have seen before. He said himself, in an interview earlier this week, in this formation we hold the ball longer and he has to be more patient. I read that as "I start making my runs, but the ball never gets to me". A part of that is because the player who would pass it to him, knows he is just going to do so and Studge will get bottled up. If Sterling is up top with him, and close to him, then the two can work the areas together, and it gives the opposition defence - as mentioned already - much more to think about.

So not a ditching of the formation. Just a change to some of the specifics I think. Today was a horrible day. It brought to the fore some of the issues with the formation, but it certainly was not the formations fault. Too many had a bad game, we had the Gerrard incident, and defensive errors or not, United moved the ball brilliantly well for their two goals.

My sincere apologies for the length of that post. I hope this is not the end for our top-four chances. Keep learning Brendan.Keep going Red men. Keep on singing fans. Keep fighting all. YNWA.