But we DO have 3 midfielders. That's the beauty of the 3-4-1-2. You still have the same midfield triangle as in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. The only thing you lack is a second layer of width and the possibility of overlapping runs. But in terms of midfield control, you have the same as you do in a midfield three. Our only problem has been that Moses has been playing the "1" position like a forward rather than a mid. This will change with Coutinho, who should give a better balance of depth to the central midfield, meaning we can build attacks more patiently. But the assertion that we have been playing defensive counter-attack with the back three is incorrect, as the numbers show. We were more defensive before the back three, than with it, and we conceded more possession with the back four than the back three.
He hadn't played as if he was on fire, more the slight breeze cutting across New Brighton on a summer's day than El Nino, the force of nature.
I think PoP is assuming that Skrtel will not feature regularly as the CCB in a 3412, but Sakho or Agger or even Toure will.