Yep. Can You Have "Too Much" Quality?

I think we've all got a very clear idea in our minds as to our best formation and starting XI. But whatever one you write down, the chances are someone is going to say, "how can you leave 'x' out?".

I'm all for settling on a formation and starting XI and pretty much sticking with it. The players grow into their positions and roles, thus the team grows with it.

Whether that is impractical or not now I don't know-but 38 league games when clubs used to play 42 and pretty much do that? Liverpool, with Cups a 'plenty to play in back in one season in the 80's used something like 14 players all season!

Every player at the club will feel, pretty much, that he should be starting and will have a beef with someone if he isn't. With 20 plus possible starters fighting for 11 places, there are going to be some unhappy people about the place.

Do you change things around to keep everyone happy or, as the argument goes, to pick a side for a particular game or opponent?

Again, I say pick your formation, your starting XI and stick to it as much as you can. If someone drops out and their replacement does well, keep them in until they have to miss out. Chop and change as little as possible, identify that side, that way of play swiftly and stick with it.

Let opponents worry about us and what we can do, sod all this sitting around chatting about them and their perceived dangers. Does that mean you get "sussed"? No, it shouldn't. Quality should be able to adapt and overcome that sort of predictability. And we have it now.

Incidentally, am now wondering if, with the players we have, 4-3-3 wouldn't work a treat?

Posted By: Martin Peters, Oct 4, 10:10:08