NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 Going back to the Alan Ball theory for MLT - give your best player the ball as much as you can - would Lallana work as a CM in a 4? His skill is holding the ball when players tight around him, tight control and neat passing - all good skills in CM. He is not the quickest winger, and I don't particularly see his best attribute as crossing. He works very hard and is quick to close his man down. Could this sort of line up be effective? Lambert / Connolly (or Guly or Barnard) Pilkington or similar Morgan Lallana Ox-C Harding Fonte Jaidi Richardson We have several Morgan, Hammond and Chaplow who all can be the deeper CM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 He was used at the top of a midfield diamond on a number of occasions last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I know. Think Adkins will use different shapes again, but there are numerous posts about how we need an attacking CM (for 4-4-2) and was wondering whether we have a solution in house (on the bus) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I always wondered if he could play in the number 10 position, just behind the front striker(s). With Lallana and Guly both not being traditional wingers I also wondered if a Christmas tree formation might work: stadard back 4, Schneiderlin hammond and Chaplow in midfield, Guly and Lallana behind Lambert. Of course the full backs would have to provide the width. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 no but no matter what reasons people will give, you both will go on till submission as to why they are wrong so I wont bother with my opinion thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_bert Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think he could play there. I suggested it 2 seasons ago when we short of CM due to suspensions/injuries. You dont have to be a "brute" in the centre of midfield anymore. Modric plays CM and plays there very well. I think if we did bring in a quality wide player, like Pilkington, AL next to Morgan in CM would be a very successfull partnership. All IMO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 He played a lot of his youth football off of a striker. I have also seen him play in the middle of the park. For me he will not get the space he needs in the middle and would get bullied a bit. He would be an effective number ten though which to me is his natural position. Before he made his first team breakthrough I saw him in a reserve game at st marys against qpr (I think). He had a free role and put pahars in time and time again. I think he is good enough to play that role in the championship aNd would be a very destructive player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think he could play there. I suggested it 2 seasons ago when we short of CM due to suspensions/injuries. You dont have to be a "brute" in the centre of midfield anymore. Modric plays CM and plays there very well. I think if we did bring in a quality wide player, like Pilkington, AL next to Morgan in CM would be a very successfull partnership. All IMO of course. and a very well informed opinion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think he could DAGJFU in CM but I think he's more effective on the left, mainly because I disagree with the statement that crossing isn't one of his best attributes. I think he is so dangerous when he cuts back onto his right foot and dinks in a cheeky cross (or shoots) that to move him into a position where he won't really be able to do this would be madness. Ok, as far as crossing from deeper goes, he can struggle, but that's why we have Harding and Dickson! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think he could DAGJFU in CM but I think he's more effective on the left, mainly because I disagree with the statement that crossing isn't one of his best attributes. I think he is so dangerous when he cuts back onto his right foot and dinks in a cheeky cross (or shoots) that to move him into a position where he won't really be able to do this would be madness. Ok, as far as crossing from deeper goes, he can struggle, but that's why we have Harding and Dickson! I agree he can cross, but don't see it as his most dangerous - far more dangerous shooting from central position when he does drift in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexstar Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think his best position is centre-attacking midfield, spearheading a diamond formation. However, only the few occasions we played the diamond last season it failed, with miserable consequences. Get that right and Lallana will be even better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I always think a free role for him would work wonder, it's just having the ball, and team around him to do it. He doesn't seem like a natural winger but the amount he draws opposition players out there, it leaves a lot more room in the middle for the rest of the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 so I wont bother with my opinion thanks no, thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I agree he can cross, but don't see it as his most dangerous - far more dangerous shooting from central position when he does drift in. Yeah, but drifting in from the left. How many times have we scored because of him turning quickly and bending a cross or shot in with his right foot? He wouldn't have the opportunity to do that from a central position. Don't get me wrong, I honestly think he would be quality in CM (I don't get all this lightweight carp) but he is so good on the left. If it aint broke don't fix it. (My views are subject to change should we sign someone of the calibre of Pilkington ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 If it aint broke... He's class where he is, I'm more than happy with him on the wing. That's the place where he can best show off his dribbling and close control. On the wing he can make all sorts of defenders look foolish, twisting and turning then putting a cross on a plate for Rickie LambBhuna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 Plus it might render his current chant useless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 His best two positions are behind the strikers (at the tip of a diamond for example) or on the left wing where he can cut inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 What position does messi play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 No way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 Keep him where he is and let him roam, he can then come in centre and influence situations too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchen_block4 Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 His movement and flair would be wasted as a conventional CM. I'm sure he could do it, but his freedom would be severely restricted and we wouldn't see the best of him. He can't defend either, which would be a necessity for a CM. A free role or either wing is what he's suited to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 18 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 18 June, 2011 many of the worlds great talents over the years, and now, have not been known for their defending but played a very central role - not just behind the forwards but right in the middle of all play. I just liked Ball's theory of the more your talented player, who can make things happen has the ball the better. Another attribute that Lallana has, that may suit CM, is the fact that he rarely gives the ball away / makes the wrong choice - plays it simple when he needs to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saints-cris Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 Nope. Hes pretty damn handy where he is. Top of a diamond at the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 Do you remember the pillock who said last summer that Dan Harding would make a good central midfielder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 18 June, 2011 Share Posted 18 June, 2011 I think he's fine just where he is. You can't argue with his goals and assists return in the last two seasons so is obviously very effective coming in from the left. I'd rather us have a ball winner and a box to box cm in middle which would give lallana more of a free rein to focus on attacking which is exactly where we need him. The good thing is though, left, right or through thr centre he's still ****ing awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 When Lallana was out injured I thought we became very narrow in our play (well, on the left-hand side at least). In fact the ball barely went there other than when Harding was charging forward. Not sure though overall, could be worth a tinker if we definitely have the players to slot into the roles surrounding him. What I do know is that I was p*ssed off when EA changed Saints' default formation on FIFA 11 to the diamond. FFS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 Let's just see whether Lallana can hold down his usual role at the next level before we start making him out as some sort of CM messiah eh! For those of you with short memories the last time we were at this level Lallana's finishing was oft woeful and wasteul. He's progressed since then no doubt but as he can't tackle particularly well I'd think CM is a distinct no-no as of yet. All of our players with perhaps the exception of Fonte still have to prove that they can step up to this level match in match out or are still capable of it (this means Jaidi and perhaps Harding) This includes the fans faves like Lallana and Lambert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firead Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 Window cleaner you are talking through dirty windows.Lallana is class and having met him yesterday at our Community Family Fun Day can confirm he is a top bloke and even spent time with kids saving thier penalty attempts against him and me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 19 June, 2011 Author Share Posted 19 June, 2011 Let's just see whether Lallana can hold down his usual role at the next level before we start making him out as some sort of CM messiah eh! For those of you with short memories the last time we were at this level Lallana's finishing was oft woeful and wasteul. He's progressed since then no doubt but as he can't tackle particularly well I'd think CM is a distinct no-no as of yet. All of our players with perhaps the exception of Fonte still have to prove that they can step up to this level match in match out or are still capable of it (this means Jaidi and perhaps Harding) This includes the fans faves like Lallana and Lambert. as a 20 year old in a relegation side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 He's better in the hole - just that a ton of our other players -Lambert, Guly- think the same as well. I quite like the idea of a Xmas tree formation with two behind the striker - unfortunately, we don't have a big man who can lead the line (good though he is, Lambert's too prone to drop deep) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 Like so? ---------------------LAMBERT------------------ -----------LALLANA------------GULY------------ ----HAMMOND-------MORGAN------CHAMBERLAIN HARDING-----FONTE----------JAIDI-----BUTTERS ---------------------DAVIS--------------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 19 June, 2011 Share Posted 19 June, 2011 Going back to the Alan Ball theory for MLT - give your best player the ball as much as you can - would Lallana work as a CM in a 4? His skill is holding the ball when players tight around him, tight control and neat passing - all good skills in CM. He is not the quickest winger, and I don't particularly see his best attribute as crossing. He works very hard and is quick to close his man down. Could this sort of line up be effective? Lambert / Connolly (or Guly or Barnard) Pilkington or similar Morgan Lallana Ox-C Harding Fonte Jaidi Richardson We have several Morgan, Hammond and Chaplow who all can be the deeper CM Honestly I think passing is Lallana's weakness. He has an unorthodox style and it's a little deceptive to teammates, and he sometimes shins the ball doing so. With that in mind I think he's best used out wide where the skill to beat people, longer passes and crossing are more important than short passes, and I don't see him as so much of a creative playmaker in the middle - though his workrate and closing down would definitely be more useful in a more central role, and he's certainly got the vision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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