Topic: The 3-4-1-2. Is it the way forward?

[El Denzel Pepito]

Think this might be good in here, from a while ago. Sort of explains why Brendan went with a 2-1 in midfield at first, as he explains that he has a 'rule' that you shouldn't go forward if you can't come back (Gerrard?). He's switched to a 1-2 in midfield now allowing Gerrard to go forward but only in a contained way, still dictating play from further back.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/wxTt4UGulNc?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/wxTt4UGulNc?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3</a>

[Euskadi]

Think this might be good in here, from a while ago. Sort of explains why Brendan went with a 2-1 in midfield at first, as he explains that he has a 'rule' that you shouldn't go forward if you can't come back (Gerrard?). He's switched to a 1-2 in midfield now allowing Gerrard to go forward but only in a contained way, still dictating play from further back.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/wxTt4UGulNc?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/wxTt4UGulNc?hl=en_US&amp;amp;version=3</a>

Thanks for that video, I am not sure if my interpretation is correct but when he talks about that I wonder if he means during the match as opposed to pre match selection, so for example at the end of the match and you are protecting a lead? Though I also though that it could be in phases so when you are trying to conserve energy at that period during the game both individually or as a team that you switch into a 2-1? 

[rocco]

Anybody know how many PL games we have played this season with 3412 and how many we have won ?

[PhaseOfPlay]

Anybody know how many PL games we have played this season with 3412 and how many we have won ?

5 games in the 3-5-2 and variations.

W3 D1 L1

[rocco]

5 games in the 3-5-2 and variations.

W3 D1 L1

Cheers , had it down as 5

352 ...2
532....3

[L666KOP]

5 games in the 3-5-2 and variations.

W3 D1 L1

Would it be possible do you think to play 352 against the lesser teams, but swap to a 433/451 against stronger oppostion ?

I feel the 352 is helping us break down/overwhelm the teams we 'generally' sruggle against, simply by overwhelming them with forward numbers, and do you think it's the tactics (and I us the word loosely) or player discipline that lets us down against the likes of Arsenal/Southampton ?

[Sally]

I think this is a very good system to utilize however we're a Central midfielder short of it being one of our ideal formations,

The only problem is i can't see it incorporating Coutinho and SAS as well as moses or aspas so we can't fully let slip the dogs of war on the opposition without being steam-rolled in the midfield, unless the CB's take it upon themselves to occasionally fulfill the DM role with lucas and push up more to fill any empty spaces.

[paulrazor]

i think this could have been the way to go the latter stages against Everton, it was pretty much discarded at half time against Arsenal.

could we see this return over Christmas against the likes of City in particular?

[007.lankyguy]

i think this could have been the way to go the latter stages against Everton, it was pretty much discarded at half time against Arsenal.

could we see this return over Christmas against the likes of City in particular?

I could see it possibly returning v City, although one of the problems we had playing it was the 'half spaces', either side of the midfielders and between the wing backs. And that's an area where City really look to use and exploit. But I could see it as a possibility. I'd like to see it return as well because I think it suits us in many ways, mainly because it allows Coutinho to play as an attacking midfielder and that's never a bad thing.

[paulrazor]

I could see it possibly returning v City, although one of the problems we had playing it was the 'half spaces', either side of the midfielders and between the wing backs. And that's an area where City really look to use and exploit. But I could see it as a possibility. I'd like to see it return as well because I think it suits us in many ways, mainly because it allows Coutinho to play as an attacking midfielder and that's never a bad thing.

plus i dont think he was once played in that formation which i think was tailor made for him behind the front two

moses played there but looked awful, admittedly that is not his correct position

[KillieRed]

Probably don`t have the fit personnel for this right now, however...Am I the only person on here who wants a return to having two up front?

Balotelli obviously needs a strike partner, so any combination of Borini-Balotelli-Lambert must be worth a try. I would actually play Borini (for the running and all round effort) first and add one of the other two. Coutinho or Sterling as the one in that formation with the other one ready to come on.

I`m not gonna post a formation. Make your own 

[SwordInYourGut]

Probably don`t have the fit personnel for this right now, however...Am I the only person on here who wants a return to having two up front?

Balotelli obviously needs a strike partner, so any combination of Borini-Balotelli-Lambert must be worth a try. I would actually play Borini (for the running and all round effort) first and add one of the other two. Coutinho or Sterling as the one in that formation with the other one ready to come on.

I`m not gonna post a formation. Make your own 

On current form, playing 2 strikers from that lot would almost be like going down to 9 men. Rather just line up with a false 9, with Lallana Sterling and Coutinho interchanging and kill teams with the movement and tidy exchanges. Play Gerrard Henderson and Allen to provide strong cover behind that front 3.

[KillieRed]

That`s another option, perhaps we will see this tonight!

I for one would like to see it against the better teams we face, it also shoehorns all our better players onto the pitch.

Against the lesser teams, 2 strikers must be worth trying.

[paulrazor]

hasnt really been tried in about a year has it

arsenal away i think was the last time it was used.

[Nessy76]

That`s another option, perhaps we will see this tonight!

I for one would like to see it against the better teams we face, it also shoehorns all our better players onto the pitch.

Against the lesser teams, 2 strikers must be worth trying.

One would be a start...