3 Centre backs...

[alias75]

Worked pretty well today, the wingbacks gave us good width and it freed up Kewell who is probabaly more effective in that role. We all know Rafa has signed plenty of centre backs we have Roque, Antwi and Hobbs in the reserves and Agger arrived in the winter with Paletta joining in the summer, do we think this formation could be used more often in future?

 

Riise certainly is a perfect left sided wingback and Finnan and Krongkamp can do a good job on the right. That formation also frees up players like Kewell and Garcia who seem more effective when they arent restricted to one side of the pitch.

 

So is this the reason we've been signing all these central defenders or is it a formation that we'll still use very sparingly?

[Guz]

Considering we've used it about 3 times under Benitez so far - twice against Newcastle - I think we can assume it's a Plan B, C, D etc. It worked to perfection today though, he certainly does his homework and knows his own players

[madskilz]

It worked well today, but i think this is something we will only use in particular matches when the tactic is called for. You need four fisrt team centre backs in your squad if your going to compete at the top level, which is why Rafa has brought in Palleta also.

[Benitez]

aye looked good today. Worked well mostly, there was just one time when I paniced, cos of huge gaps that suddenly appeared, - think it was the move that led to Newcastle's first of only 2 efforts 1st half (Shearer). But after that it looked fine again.

 

And, a formation like that, means that someone like Steve Warnock plays far more to his strengths. He looked so much better in that role, than he does as an out and out full back. And as you say, same would probably go for other players too.

 

Be interesting to see how often Rafa plays that again this season, the few games that are left, give an idea maybe if it's more than just an occasional thing!

[Guest Sabre]

It works for teams like Newcastle who will work for knockdowns and the second ball. Having two v two can result in gaps opening up in front and in behind the defence especially with players like Shearer winning 50/50s and an onrushing midfield like Newcastle's.

 

It does look good when we're going forward too, especially when two centre backs don't mind spreading wide and bringing it forward - CarrAgger is a good mix