Can he do it? I mean, he has pace and running (though he still can't beat players well). Has quite an eye for the pass and his crossing can be an invaluable asset to the team from the middle.

Thoughts on him and Frank swapping positions during games?

Theoretically, seems a good plan A-and-bit.

He loses the ball far too often. I dont think he can play at the tip of the diamond.

He loses the ball far too often. I dont think he can play at the tip of the diamond.

BINGO! That's it, nuff said, final word. That it is the basic point for me. You can't play at the tip and lose the ball, that's not the bloody point. You're supposed to keep hold of the bloody thing and bring others into play. I don't think, as good as he has been recently (and let's not kid ourselves, it still isn't world beating), I've seen a CFC player lose the ball as much as him.

Let Joey play at the top, he hasn't got the pace, but he retains well and would do the job best of all for me.

-------Joey-------

Yuri-------Lamps

------Ess---------

Give Zhirkov a run and see what he can do. Essien looks a bit ineffective in the role he played yesterday, but still need him in the team.

but joey loses the ball too!

having said that, we should still try him there, and IMO he's more suited to the position than lamps or malouda are.

Edited August 10, 200915 yr by gullit4

but joey loses the ball too!

As does everyone, even Messi, but not as much as Malouda.

And Lamps shouldn't be considered for that position IMO, he defends a lot as well and makes late runs into the box, hard to make those LATE runs (where he's at his best) when you're supposed to be the furthest advanced.

Edited August 10, 200915 yr by Gem

we totally agree on lamps- but I think joey loses the ball more than we'd like for a player playing in that position.

if he's fit and playing well deco is far and away the best player for that position IMO, but those are big ifs.

(although now it's also hard to see whether joey himself will be able to get fit and play well for an extended period of time- although he'll be good to have back, it's now a few years since 2005/6- if carlo proves a success and he doesn't make his mark it will be an uphill battle to carry on being a first choice next season)

As does everyone, even Messi, but not as much as Malouda.

And Lamps shouldn't be considered for that position IMO, he defends a lot as well and makes late runs into the box, hard to make those LATE runs (where he's at his best) when you're supposed to be the furthest advanced.

totally agree, playing lamps there takes away a massive part of his game. he is far too close up to the defence to be able to catch them unawares with his runs. ive actually thought malouda would be more suited to this position than on the wing, hes just never looked like a winger to me. maybe top of the diamond or 2nd striker.

Malouda is also very left footed which is a drawback playing at the TOTD, Joey is much better passing with both feet.

He could but I think Deco would be lot better in that position. What I liked in Malouda's game against ManU was his runs forward. He was actually our only player doing that. Essien does it often but he wasn't at his best yesterday for some reason. Others just took one or two steps forward, looked for pass and turned around.

Against better teams you need cover so the diamond is maybe better but we could easily go for 3-1 in the midfield against lower teams:

Zhirkov/Malouda----Lampard----Essien

-----------------Ballack/Mikel---------------

Actually that will probably happen by itself in our home games against lower teams...We could even use Deco in place of Mikel/Ballack in those games. His passing at its best is very enjoyable to watch.

Have to agree that Deco has by far the best touch and on the ball skills in our squad. He's the best player to play at the tip of the diamond. Essien is fast becoming our OShea, although a world class one. He still has no set position in the squad and that is alarming. However good he is, his last best performance came when he was man marking Gerrard in the DM role. Maybe that really is his best position. Breaking play and starting attacks.

If we need someone to keep the ball, let's try Drogba at the tip!!! He's got a mean shot on him as wel!!

Sorry but Drogba is as creative as my two year old cousin with a paintbrush. He's best suited where he's playing right now.

I agree that Deco is probably more suited to the top of the diamond, but he's too inconsistent to get that role week in week out. Joey Cole should be played there because he has the skill and the pass to play there very successfully.

For me the question should be who plays on the left - Malouda or Zhirkov? It could go either way. In Malouda we have a player in form leading on from last season and has just signed a contract extension. But then we have a player we've just played £18million for who has a good reputation preceding him...

Sorry but Drogba is as creative as my two year old cousin with a paintbrush. He's best suited where he's playing right now.

dont agree at all. hes created plenty of goals for our other players over the years, most notably battering liverpool at anfailed to set up a belting win.

I don't think he has the intelligence to create, or be good enough on the ball to link play between the midfielders and the strikers. His best attribute is his pace, and running with the ball, but playing him at the top of the diamond doesn't get the best of his qualities out of him. Lampard is quality in that position, keep him there. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

100% agree with dkw - Drogba's vision, technique and general ability to pick out a pass is probably second to only Lampard (and possibly Deco) in our current squad IMO.

The fact he has an eye for goal, and is probably the best striker in the world at holding up the play and generally destroying the other team's defence just probably makes it easier to miss the other parts of his game that are awesome :lol:

dont agree at all. hes created plenty of goals for our other players over the years, most notably battering liverpool at anfailed to set up a belting win.

Exactly. Battering them from the front not at the tip of a diamond where he would be wasted. Anelka would even be better suited for that role.

Exactly. Battering them from the front not at the tip of a diamond where he would be wasted. Anelka would even be better suited for that role.

The only people on our team suited for the AM role is Lampard, Cole, Ballack or Deco.

This is why Van der Vaart wouldn't be a bad signing.

Edited August 10, 200915 yr by PraetorianGuard

The only people on our team suited for the AM role is Lampard, Cole, Ballack or Deco.

This is why Van der Vaart wouldn't be a bad signing.

Schneider wold be better. Shame it's not gonna happen

After yesterday, I would stick Riccy there! :lol:

After yesterday, I would stick Riccy there! :lol:

i love the way percy goes on them runs, he really wants to be a winger doesnt he....love the guy.

Riccy's runs are great, one of my favourite parts of his game, he just strolls into midfield when he wants to...pure brilliance.

As for Drogba playing at the tip of the diamond, the suggestion was a joke, but in fact he might not play badly there. I think he does have the intelligence to play there and probably has the technique too, but he'd be wasted if he's not up front - maybe in a year or two when he loses a bit of his pace.

I originally said this in the match thread, but i guess its more relevant here:

Lampard didn't seem to excel in his role despite the goal, but again I'm hoping its just a matter of him learning how to play there more effectively. Personally I'd like to see Deco and Ballack given time at the tip as all three players offer something different...maybe they could switch roles throughout the game if 2 or 3 of them are playing.

No and it would be stupid to try him there, he has only recently started playing well on the left, so I'd keep him there.

Malouda, plays good right where is was yesterday on the left, he is playing better with every game, I like him now I didn't before. However, I prefer Joe Cole can't wait for his return.

I don't think he has the vision for it, he is a good dribbler but loses the ball far to often and doesn't have the ability to pick the decisive ball. Should be Lampard, he has all the attributes for it.