FML, Champions League 2009/2010 FML (15 Viewers)

[Bjerknes]

Nah, even idiots can play the straight 4-4-2. It's the easiest system there is. Which is why it's limited, IMO.

I even say the US should use the straight 4-4-2 because of our limitations as a footballing nation, compared to greater talent.

 

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[Red]

4-4-2 takes a skilled and intelligent squad if it to succeed at a high level.

If you play it with idiots, it is predictable and will fail against top teams.

 

[Bjerknes]

But you do admit it is the simplest system, right?

We had success with it against Spain and for 45 against Brazil. And the reason being is it suits our needs and isn't confusing to the players.

For it to succeed at a high level you do indeed need great players because it's a predictable system.

 

[Red]

I don't know that it is the simplest.

It is the most widely played and so it is the system that most players are brought up playing, so they understand it inside out and most players are moulded into being suitable to play a certain position within it.

I would point out that a 4-4-2 can be completely different depending on what sort of players and tactics are used within the system, as can any system, so it's probably over simplistic to just be speaking about the basic shape of a team.

 

[Nicholas]

Congratulations Burke.

 

[Fred]

You have to understand that I've seen you guys play a lot in Europe over the years because you're one of the "American" teams. But apart from today, you guys very rarely impress me in Europe. It's just my opinion. From matches like Roma to Villarreal, I'm rarely convinced by you lot. It seems like you're a different side at times when comparing your performances in the Prem and CL, not to mention the competition.

What I will say is that I wish you would be the top side from England in the CL because it's much more ideal than phony clubs like Manure and Chelsea doing well. But you know that, so I'm not sure why you're asking.

Actually over the years we have been much less impressive in the EPL than we are at the CL. Mediocre teams have always beaten us in the league, but in Europe we more than often beat the small teams, however ugly the win is. So i think if you compare our performances in the two competitions in the past 3-4 years, you'd find that we're poor in the CL but utterly atrocious in the PL.

The Henry - Vieira era was different, at that time we were always devastating in the league but we choked it up in Europe.

Now back to our CL performances, If you don't remember, i myself said we were lucky with the draw in last seasons CL, we were poor and only went through to the semi finals because Villareal and Roma were completely average when they played us. Which is why despite being poor we went through.

This season has been different though, we thrashed Porto today, we qualified easily out of our group, and all in all barring the first leg against Porto we are having a good tournament.

 

[Nicholas]

Congractulations Fred, Arshavin was immense tonight. I have to say I was dissapointed with Porto, Not to take anything away from the victory though.

 

[Ahmed]

4-3-1-2 works with good fullbacks and classy players in midfield like Milan had. Lets not forget how they won the Champions League these years with that formation. We just can't seem to field it because we have retards in possession who pass the ball like football terrorists in Sissoko and Melo. Marchisio doesn't offer much inventiveness either.

Sali and DC on our flanks wouldn't provide us anything either.

spot on...but we're not going to get new CMFs again, so it's absolutely crucial we get 2 attacking fullbacks.

It wasn't crappy Ahmed. Both Gio and Camo did well, especially Camo who made 4 assists in a very short time with those tactics. Amauri also had his best matches in that formation, which isn't surprising.
And it wasn't so much about the formation being great as it was about the formation suiting our players. With a 4-3-1-2 we had to go from the middle and we lack players to do that. We lack wingback to offer width in that formation and we don't have enough movement and fast ball play to open the defenses.

But it has to be said that with Camo out, we didn't really have options to replace him and I doubt that the 4-2-3-1 would have worked so well.

For next year though, I'd like us to invest in wingers.

IIRC we had one outstanding game vs. Atalanta where Camo really stole the show, but we still struggled to truly make a big impact...couldn't break down the Israeli side at home, not to mention the mauling we got vs. Bordeaux in France.

 

[Fred]

Haha, I knew you were going to stick it to me the minute Bendy scored the third goal

I hope he continues like this until he proves me wrong, although i strongly doubt it, this is probably a one off, i wouldn't get my hopes high.

But to be completely fair to him, it was a fantastic performance even if we dn't count the hattrick, he held the ball up well, he linked the play and he was always making himself available.

Congractulations Fred, Arshavin was immense tonight. I have to say I was dissapointed with Porto, Not to take anything away from the victory though.

Porto were poor, they would have never lost 5-0 if they weren't poor no matter how good our performance was. But the way we played today, even if Porto were at their best, we would have won at least by a two goal margin. The whole team was absolutely immense, and our passing game was at its very best.

 

[Nicholas]

Fred- I would like to see you draw a Barcelona,Madrid or Inter next to see how far you have come, in this season competition I don't think you have been tested that much.

 

[Fred]

We haven't been tested at all i would say. We got the easiest group and then got one of the easiest teams in the second round.

Wouldn't mind drawing anyone barring the English teams now. Would be interesting playing Real or Barcelona to be honest.

 

[Nicholas]

Check the funny pictures thread. Something in there for you dude.

 

[Byrone]

So what will it be,Fred? Mastercard,visa or cash?

 

[Fred]

Check the funny pictures thread. Something in there for you dude.

So what will it be,Fred? Mastercard,visa or cash?

Meh feck you man, i don't need this :groan:

Mates been texting me all day saying they're arguing about what restuarant they want to go to

 

[Byrone]

Meh feck you man, i don't need this :groan:

Mates been texting me all day saying they're arguing about what restuarant they want to go to

I hope they strip you down clean.

 

[Fred]

Oh they will.

 

[Ahmed]

Meh feck you man, i don't need this :groan:

Mates been texting me all day saying they're arguing about what restuarant they want to go to

let's go Kantaaki!

 

[Fred]

Lol, i wish

 

[Eddy]

 

[Byrone]

let's go Kantaaki!

Where's snoop when we need him?