So we all know we are in serious need of a right sided midfielder, though some would say we need a winger, either way we all agree we need the right hand side sorted out.
Now I was pondering who we might buy, as you do, but then I got on to thinking about something I think is more important in relation to whoever we buy.
Since Steven Gerrard has been playing out on the right hand side, and we adopted a very simple 4-4-2 (in general) we have seen our results improve dramatically, with the additional bonus of the clean sheets we are accumulating. This has been wonderful, but what happens if/when we get in the new recruit?
Will we still play a 4-4-2 and move Gerrard back into the centre with Xabi, and therefore Sissoko on the bench? So the Midfield has a look like this:
Kewell Gerrard Alonso ?
Or is it possible Rafa may go back to the system of a 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3(however you prefer to call it), that he used so much last season and at much of the start of this, in the same sort of style that Chelsea often adopt with Robben/Duff, with us having the new RM and Harry Kewell doing the same roles, so it would look like this:
Crouch
Kewell Simao (for example)
Gerrard
Sissoko Alonso
BACK FOUR
GK
Now the first option of 4-4-2, could be good, as that’s how we have been playing of late and the team seem quite fluid in this formation, but this could be partly due to the way the Stevie G comes off the flank and roams the pitch, making it harder for opposition players to know who should be marking who, and while they figure it out, we go and score a goal. I would expect the new player to be more of an out and out right sided player and to tend to stay there, making him easier to mark, and the formation becomes a lot more rigid.
With this formation, I don’t see Sissoko starting many games, more brought on to add muscle in the last 20mins or so. But could the exclusion of Sissoko actually be a BAD thing?
Is it possible, that we lose a bit of muscle in the centre of the park, especially with Gerrard getting forward to do damage. With more defensive duties it may take slightly from his attacking game? And at the same time, there would be an increase in defensive duties for Xabi, and this will affect his 'own game' ie; passing etc;
Whereas in the 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1 (how ever you like!) with Sissoko in the middle, I feel it allows Stevie to get forward a lot more and do damage where he is best, joining the attacks from deep or driving at defences with the ball in tow. I also feel that what we don’t get from Sissoko in the passing department, we WILL get from Alonso, as Momo’s presence, will also allow Xabi to focus on setting the tempo and dictating our play more, as Sissoko, deals with the donkey work.
I’d like to hear peoples views on the following, both what formation they think RAFA will play, but also what formation they think themselves would be best suited when a new right sided player comes in?
And also, Could a right sided player coming in during this current transfer window actually have a detrimental affect on the team? Should we consider leaving it to the summer?