If You Were Manager

I'd fall on my sword.

Sadly, I'd probably miss because I put it too far back...

I'd play 4-3-3

                Reina

Johnson Agger Carra Aurelio

               Lucas

         Raul        Stevie

Kuyt         Torres      Maxi

I'd fall on my sword.

Sadly, I'd probably miss because I put it too far back...

Despite myself it made me chuckle that.

I'd Play:

              Reina                      Subs: Jones
Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio               Skrtel
            Raul Lucas                          Kelly
      Kuyt Gerrard Maxi                      Spearing
             Nando                              Shelvey
                                                   Pacheco
                                                   Ngog

I'd play that formation for the fact I liked the way we played with that under Rafa, obviously with either Xabi or Masch instead of Raul. It's the team I would play with the current players. Would be much different if I had my transfer wishlist Transfers, If I had a good budget I would bring in - Ashley Young, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Arda Turan, and Jan Vertonghen. Out the door - Babel, Aquilani, Konchesky, Poulsen, Jova, Degen. Job done la.

I would sign Luis Suarez for 15-20 millions (worth every penny).

I would play
                                                    Reina

                                            Skrtel Carra Agger

                                Johnson                           Konchescy

                                           Raul   Gerrard   Maxi

                                                Nando    cole

What do you reckon?

I wouldn't even have Konchesky on my bench.

As for Joe Cole.  Obvious to see the reason Chelsea let him go.

I'd swap him back for Benayoun in a heartbeat.

yes i agree cole hasnt proved what he is about this year but i think if we give him time he can prove us wrong, after all he is one of the most natural footballer i have ever seen and i would definitely buy a new left back as Konchesky plainy isnt good enough for us, but for now he will have to do.

Konchesky plainy isnt good enough for us, but for now he will have to do.

He doesn't 'have to do'. 

Better players in the reserves, better players on the bench, better players on loan.

I'd have Aurelio, Wilson, Agger, Kelly or Insua there before Konchesky. 

good shout, would you buy a new left back in jan or just make do with what we have?

If I was manager i.e Roy, I'd have he balls to admit the job is too big for me and walk away with my head held high knowing I'd gave it my best shot and failed before dragging a world reknowned sporting institution to its knee's and doing damage that will take years to put right.

But thats just me.

Roy on the other hand, won't resign, he's in it for the pay off now, which from my understanding will be most likely sooner rather than later, John Henry is not a happy man with our manager over many different things, but its teh results between now & January that will ultimately force John Henry's hand to stick or twist.

Well then Daz. How would you rectify it. What would you see us do and sign.

Well then Daz. How would you rectify it. What would you see us do and sign.

Me personally I'd F**k Roy out along with Poulsen and Konchesky,bring in King Kenny, I'd recall Aquilani and Insua, then I'd go on a little shopping spree and come back with Banega, Hazard, Turan and Mata during the January window and then adress the manager issue in the summer by bringing Rafa back and giving him the funds to make us competative, but I'm just a romantic.

Thought Banega has drifted in and out of games sometimes lately. Would take Young over Turan, but would be happy with any really. Especially at the expense of Roy's poor signings.

Me personally I'd F**k Roy out along with Poulsen and Konchesky,bring in King Kenny, I'd recall Aquilani and Insua, then I'd go on a little shopping spree and come back with Banega, Hazard, Turan and Mata during the January window and then adress the manager issue in the summer by bringing Rafa back and giving him the funds to make us competative, but I'm just a romantic.

You're a dreamer, man, but you're not the only one!!

I'll revert back to the old 4-2-3-1 which really made us looked very dangerous 2 season before. Then I will sell some of the moaners and deadwoods (Babel, Poultry, Konchesky). I'll find some pacey wingers to adapt to a more faster, flexible tactic i'll be using.

                                         Reina
   
 Johnson/Kelly      Carra/Agger       Sotis/Skrtel          Honda/Lahm/Taiwo (both Honda and Lahm are adventurous and like pushing forward)

                    Lucas/Aquilani    Gerrard/Meireles (any combination of both-or bring back Alonso)

Kuyt/Turan                Cole/some support striker that is good in aerial and passing        Honda/Young

                                    Torres

Support striker:
1.Llorente
2.Suarez
3.Higuain

Regarding Cole, I'd like to see us not play him on the left and see how he does.

Even the right side where he can have Johnson help him going forward will be better than the left. Don't think he'll get a run in the centre unless Roy has the balls to leave Gerrard out or drop an in form Lucas/Meireles.

Taking on board that Hodgson is convinced no-one could get better out of what he has - With what I have at my disposal right now (fitness permitting). ...

* I'd drop Konchesky, bring back Insua and eventually rotate him with Aurelio.

* I'd bring back Ayala and eventually play him (in rotation) with Kelly, Wilson, Sotis, Skrtel or Carragher alongside Agger as first choice.

* I'd play a flexible, attack-minded 4 3 3 with Raul, Stevie and Lucas as my first choice 'three' in midfield with Shelvey and Spearing as support.

* My first choice 'front' three would be Torres, Cole and Pacheco - with Kuyt, Jovanovic, Maxi, Ngog and Eccleston all used in rotation and support.

My starting XI would therefore read:
 
Reina

Johnson
Agger
Sotis
Aurelio

Lucas
Gerrard
Meireles

Pacheco
Torres
Cole

My bench: Jones, Kelly, Wilson, Shelvey, Maxi, Kuyt and Ngog.

Come January is a whole new post. ...

God if i were manager?

I would do the exact opposite to what Roy is doing!

* I'd play a flexible, attack-minded 4 4 3

Now that's just cheating....

Personally I'd be playing a 3-5-2, perm any three centre backs, depending on who is fit, from Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Kelly and in emergencies Wilson.

Employ Johnson & Aurelio as wing-backs. Gerrard, Miereles & Lucas would be my midfield three.  Torres would lead the attack, his partner would be dependent on who we were playing, put take your pick from Kuyt, Ngog & Babel.

Now that's just cheating....

Oops   

Shorterm, come January I would try and get shot of Poulsen & Konchesky and try and get a decentg striker in, someone like Darren Bent.

For the majority of games (due to lack of quality wide players) I would change to a more 4-3-3 and encourage two attacking full backs Johnson and Aurellio to get forward more regardless if we are home or away. Lucas and Meireles are more than capable of filling in allowing this to happen. Hopefully Agger would be fit and would replace Skrtel and same with Carra when he's fit again.

                Pepe

Johnson  Carra Agger Aurellio

     Lucas       Meireles
           Gerrard

Pacheco  Torres   Maxi

In the summer, would look to buy a top left back and two top quality wide men.

If i were Roy....i'd go take a sh*t in the middle of Goodison so as i was'nt available for the next game, and when the copper came to arrest me i'd do my famous face rub with a handful of sh*t, then say hows that for a surprize shitface        Ken Dodd style.

  HODGESON out NOW!!!