++ [ originally posted by Stuart ] ++
You're forgetting Gudjohnsen who has been of great value to Chelsea over the last two or three years. Mourinho basically deploys a 4-2-3-1 system with Makelele anchoring, Lampard next to him, two of Robben, Duff, SWP and Cole in wide positions and Gudjohnsen behind the lone striker.
Very true. However, Mourinho's often played Gudjohnson as lone striker, with three out and out midfielders behind him. Maybe with Crespo available to him now, he won't bother with that much, but it's an option. If Essien's going to break into the team immediately, Lampard's place seems the least secure. His form is supposed to be rather poor. I can't see that lasting though. Makelele's no spring chicken, so maybe he'll go long term.
++ [ originally posted by Stuart ] ++
Agree about switching back to 4-4-2. The 4-3-3/4-5-1 is useful for tightening things up late in a game and hitting on the counter with the likes of Giggs, Park and/or Ronaldo wide though. It's a pretty decent alternative and Man Utd certainly have the players to make it work but 4-4-2 is a better fit.
It's being played right now because Ronaldo wasn't fit. With him injured (and Giggs for that matter, United were down to Fletcher and Miller as their options on the right for a 4-4-2. Neither looks comfortable on the wing. The three-pronged attack seemed far more sensible for the short term. I agree though that with Ronaldo, Giggs, Park, Rooney and Van Nistelrooij all fit, it'd be daft to play only three attackers.
++ [ originally posted by Stuart ] ++
Tottenham are a very capable side with a good mix of experience and youth. Robinson, Davids and Keane have been around for quite some time and then there's the young guns such as Michael Dawson, Michael Carrick, Wayne Routledge and of course Jermain Defoe. I'm backing Martin Jol's team to finish in the top five.
Btw, did anyone see Defoe's goal against Middlesbrough? What a strike!
Do you think they'll win anything? I suppose the European Super Cup is a possibility...
Spurs ahve some quality players - four excellent strikers (Defoe and Keane in particular, though the don't combine brilliantly), a glut of good midfielders (including Davids!), and a solid keeper. Still a bit lightweight at the back though. ing is decent, and they seem to have a new right back who might be up to the job, but they could certainly do with another centre half.