Chelsea and Boro fans mourn the death of 4-4-2
Thursday, 29 January 09, 04:31 AM · Comments(2)
Morning Peeps, Chelsea fans and Boro fans,
I hope everyone is well because this one could be a tear-jerker. Tissues on hand everybody because, as the title says, this post is about the death of 4-4-2. Not the magazine, you numpty, the formation.
I witnessed an awful game of football last night at Stamford Bridge. The game was billed to be an exciting encounter. Chelsea were chasing Liverpool and Manchester United whilst our lot were trying to break the dreadful run of form.
Gareth Southgate hinted he might play an attacking formation at the Bridge, playing two up front, but he went against his initial thoughts and played one up top with the bus parked behind Marlon King.
Apparently we defended well for 60 minutes in last nights game. Where has Southgate clutched that assumption from? Was he watching the same game as I was? Chelsea are a shadow of the team that played under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. They play a very narrow formation these days, which makes them very predictable.
The Blues have no clue how to play their 'other' best players. It seems the team is jostled around Frank Lampard. Don't get me wrong, Lampard is a terrific player, but the Chelsea line-up needs to play a formation that will allow them to get the ball into dangerous areas from out wide. Drogba was excellent when he came on and single-handedly tried his best to break past the big red bus.
Even Big Phil needs to look at a 4-4-2 formation to boost his team.
Southgate should have noticed Chelsea's lack of ambition in the first half and changed the formation to 4-4-2. It was clear after about 15 minutes that Chelsea would play the ball around in midfield with no end result. The only time the Blues got the ball wide in the final third was when Anelka picked the ball up and if he had the ball there, who was in the box? You guessed it, nobody.
Last nights game will not be used as an advert for Premier League football. Lack of ambition, no passion and two managers that are clueless with tactics. 4-4-2 was officially dead last night.
Southgate will get a lot of stick from Boro fans after last nights defeat. Most, including me, expected to see a brave formation and a strong attacking line-up to face Chelsea. We were all disappointed Gareth.
What did we have to lose? Nothing. We were stuffed 5-0 at home against Chelsea so why did Southgate feel it was important to park the red bus at Stamford Bridge? He feared the worse of course. Something that will backfire on him in the not so distant future.Boro had nothing to lose against a top four side and showed no adventure what so ever in the game. Johnson had a couple of jinking runs down the right, but barely troubled Cole. Downing was as quiet as a mouse all evening, hardly on the ball and never able to threaten.
The player I feel most sorry for was Marlon King. He was put up front on his own to deal with Alex and Terry. Welcome to Middlesbrough Marlon.
So as both sets of fans witnessed a dour football match it was left for the supporters to reflect on how their teams can improve.
Southgate needs to get his hand away from the worry button and be bold and brave for once otherwise he might be doing another Pizza advert very soon. If we do not play a 4-4-2 formation at home to Blackburn on Saturday, then we can all fear the worse. Sorry to say it, but we will be bottom of the league and out of the division at the end of the season.
Change the formation Southgate. Be bold. The players are good enough!
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james laville said:well i am a hardcore boro fan and i wouldnt want boro to go gdown but if we do ...
gregorysmiller said:mate if your counting on alfonso alves to keep middle up from chmpshp then you ...
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2 Comments · Add yours
There must be some blame pointed at the players as well as the manager. Southgate obviously went to the Bridge with a game plan and it worked for an hour. The players have to look at themselves after conceding two goals from set-pieces. I do agree with the formation though. Too many times we have played this ridiculous formation and where has it got us!?! The Blackburn game has become even bigger now after they clawed a two goal deficit back last night to earn a point. Big game!
It must be frustrating for players like Downing, Johnson, Alves, King and Tuncay when they go to places like Chelsea and the manager gets the team to play defensive. In some ways it is down to the players to perform no matter what they are asked to do. Surely though, players will play much better if they are played in the right positions with the best service i.e. Alves and King up top by themselves will not get much joy. I just hope Southgate gets it right quick otherwise we could get relegated this season and then we would be in a right mess!