Week 1 Match 4 - Fulham v Stoke

“EVERTON” v Bolton (Injured: Criscito & N’Zogbia)
attacking formation:
------------------------------ A.Begovic ------------------------------
Rafinha ---------- P.Jagielka ------ M.Sakho ----- J.Vertonghen
------------------- Y.M’Vila ------------ R.Meireles ----------------
---- Gervinho -------------- L.Suarez ------------- L.Podolski ----
-------------------------------- D.Bent --------------------------------
defensive formation:
------------------------------ A.Begovic ------------------------------
Rafinha ---------- P.Jagielka ------ M.Sakho ----- J.Vertonghen
Gervinho --------- Y.M’Vila ------- R.Meireles ------- L.Podolski
----------------------------- L.Suarez -------------------------------
------------------------------ D.Bent --------------------------------
Subs:
1)B.Foster 2)S.Kjaer 3)D.Santon 4)A.Ramsey 5)R.Alvarez
6)Douglas Costa 7)H.Rodallega
Captain: R.Meireles
Freekick: L.Suarez/L.Podolski
Corner: R.Meireles
Pens: L.Podolski

Our style of play will be slick passing game, every member of our 11 is comfortable on the ball. We have craft & creativity in the central and wide areas. Look to move the ball around the field quickly trying to find openings in the opposition defence. When not in possession we look to close the opposition down very quickly and pressure them, hustling them & getting in their faces to win the ball back and start another Everton attack. The amazing thing about this team is the energy, speed and power that the players possess.

GK – The Bosnian is a 6ft 5 monster. A great shot stopper but even better at commanding his area, he is excellent at coming to claim crosses and will apply these skills to the game in hand. He has the best view of the attacks developing and will help organise the defence barking out instructions from the back.

CB’s – Keep a defensive line at least 20yards from goal thus nullifying pace threat whilst not exposing us to massive threat from the air especially as both CB’s are good in the air. Both Jags & Sakho are real leaders at the back! Neither CB will be man marking today but they will work as a team to deal with any danger that comes their way using their physicality, pace and good anticipation skills. Di Natale is a tricky customer but he does struggle against fast physical defenders and that is what he faces today, Rondon on the other hand is a strong lad but here in England this is bread and butter for the CBs.
Fullbacks will look to deal with any danger coming down the Bolton wide areas. Both are good defenders and will look to jockey the wide players down the line and block their crosses, our fullbacks will not allow them to cut infield. The fullbacks can offer support going forward providing width and allowing our wingers to cut infield. If either fullback goes forward the other will tuck in so we have in effect 3 cb’s at the back & M’Vila will hang back ready to cut out any attempts of a counter. On a quick counter attack both fullbacks will look to see if they can play a ball over the top for the wingers to burn past the defence and get through on goal. If there are no wide players the fullbacks can tuck in a bit to help out the CB’s, especially Vertonghen would be good at this.

Centre Mid – We will look to move the ball quickly through the central midfield area. We have a good combination of power, pace and stamina in the middle of the park so we can mix it up a bit. M’Vila will act as the DM & he will be asked to do a job on Hamsik today, closing him down very quickly, hustling him and giving him no time on the ball. Meireles offers quality going forward without leaving his defensive responsibilities. When not in possession Meireles will look to close down Marin(if he is playing centrally, otherwise Boltons alternative) as quickly as possible and pressurise him. We hope that putting this much pressure on Hamsik+Marin will mean that Bolton will not be able to get their game ticking and this is where we will start to dominate. Both midfielders can move the ball around looking to link up with or play in the wingers or forwards. When we go forward we push upfield as a team and Meireles will get into attacking positions. Will anybody track him?
Wings – Gervinho has an opportunity to shine today. He is most likely up against Enrique, a decent player but one Gervinho can definitely beat for pace. Gervinho will take him on with his trickery and pace always looking to burst past him outwide to whip a cross in or cut infield and drag him out of position leaving space for the fullback to overlap. Podolski is another direct, pacey winger mixed with power and a lethal shot. He will be operating from the left looking to cut in and attack the space between the fullback and the CB. He will also look to burst past the RB Corluka and get in a cross or cut back in to his team mates. When a wide player has the ball in a wide position the opposite wide player will burst in at the back post & Bent will gamble at the front post with Suarez arriving late giving us good options to receive the cross. When defending the wingers will tuck in to form a hard to breakdown and compact midfield, they will try to offer protection to the fullbacks when we are not in possession.

Suarez – Starting in the hole between midfield and attack he will look to pick the ball up deep and link up play for us. He can take players on with his skill, or hold the ball up and play in the other attackers. He has a great eye for goal and playing as the support striker off bent his movement will drags defenders all over the field. If there are no options on Suarez will shoot from range as he has a good record of goalscoring from outside the box. With no recognised DM fit for Bolton we feel Suarez could have a massive impact for us today.

Bent – Our goalscorer (hopefully!) will be leading the attack. As we are playing possession and slick passing we will rarely go long for him to hold it up unless we are under the cosh or there is an opportunity to release him with a long ball. However his team mates will look to link up with him and play off him if they can get the ball into his feet. Bent is an expert finisher and we are hoping the wide players can put crosses in for him to bury or his team mates can lay off to him to smash home. When the ball comes into the box he will always be looking to get in between the 2 CB’s. Bent has the knack of getting in the right place at the right time, he will sometimes hang on the shoulder of the last man looking to bend runs in behind him to collect a through ball.

Subs:
On 70mins Ramsey on for Meireles – Our high pressure high intensity game will require some fresh legs in the centre & Ramsey coming on for Meireles gives us exactly that.

If winning on 75mins – Rodallega & Douglas Costa on for Gervinho & Bent. By this stage the Bolton defence will be tiring and Rodallega adds some fresh power and pace into the attack. Costa the livewire youngster can produce something special from the wing, his fresh legs can really get at the defence. He pops up with a few goals cutting in and letting fly from this position.

----------------Kameni
Di Silvestri---King---Johnson---Tremoulinas
----------------Palombo
-------Montolivo---------Augusto
Farfan----------------------------------Guardado
-----------------Cardozo

Formation 4-3-2-1

Injured players: Jonathan Woodsman and Harry Kane

Subs
Smithies
Kaboul
Neville
Hargreaves
Ethrington
Quagliarella

Freekick 26 yards or more: Montolivo
Freekick 25 yards or less: Cardozo,Guardado,Montolivo, Augusto
Corner left: Montolvo
Corner right: Guardado
Penalty: Montolivo

GENERAL
We are up against the champions, we need a variety of ways to attack them. We have speed and trickery on the wings so we will use them to counter or attack them fast. In the centre we have strength and precision and try to dicate the game in midfield and make forward passes. I feel the team is balanced throughout and we have the ability to play Football or outfight them. Augusto will be looking to get forward and past the two centre backs I feel his pace will cause them to panic and drop deep. Let's put pressure Ochoa, I don't think he has played this season, Carodozo to rough him up a bit and put crosses where he may struggle and in hope he may fumble them.

Kameni, has the job to control and maintain his 18 yard box especially his 6 yard where he has to be loud and clear. If he can claim a ball or punch it out he has to let the defenders know early. I want him to throw the ball out to wingers to start quick counters or to my fullbacks. Sometimes he may kick it out long to Cardozo, when he is one v one I want him to close the gap and stand up as long as he can to give the striker little room. If he can I want him to tip the ball away from danger when someone shoots to stop the rebounds. He has to constantly shout/talk to the defenders letting them know what dangers are around them or if they are not concentrating.

Di Silvestri main job is to defend, watch the ball and don't dive in, jockey thier winger onto his weaker foot and push him away from goal. When he goes forward he will make runs to open up space for the winger. If he recieves the ball put in early crosses to catch them off guard.

Tremoulinas main job is to defend, watch the ball and don't dive in, jockey thier winger onto his weaker foot and push him away from goal. When he goes forward he will make runs to open up space for the winger. If he recieves the ball put in early crosses to catch them off guard.

Johnson will pick up thier main striker the big physical one. He has the right attributes to play a hard tough but fair game. Close him down and don't give the striker room to manoeuvre, don't dive in but force him into mistakes or pressure by positioning yourself. JOhnson will get rid of the ball don't play around with it as that is not his game.

King will pick up the second striker or the attaking mid, but he won't jeopardise his position by following his man, if the attacker drops deep Palombo will pick him up. King will bring the ball forward and pass it to midfield or sometimes long to Cardozo. I want my centre backs not to far from each other, don't get stretched and don't leave gaps but if it does happen Palombo will have to help fill in.

Palombo is our DM, stay infront of the back four and play as the protector. Put pressure on the opposition midfield and make them hurry and don't allow them time to settle on the ball. Palombo will not push up much so we keep our shape and protection in midfield for the team. When he does get the ball play it simple to teammates close by nothing fancy.

Montolivo is the cheif creator, always looking to keep the ball movingand look for space and free players. He will look for runs from our wide players and feed balls into thier path. If he can't get into his passing rhythm or Cambiasso is closing him down he will drop back a bit and try to make his passes from deep. Montolivo will also help Palombi in defensive duties so we don't get out numbered.

Augusto is the most attacking from our trio in midfield, he will look to get between the opposition midfield and defence. Look for the runs and position of Cardozo and try to play him in. When off the ball he woll make runs between Spurs centre backs trying to create a gap between them for our players to exploit. I want him to take the ball forward and run at the opposition. When Spurs try to start moves Augusto will put pressure on thier playermaker, Modric or Cambiasso depending on who starts the passing from deep, snuff them close them make them pass it backwards.

Farfan has speed and I want him to use it, run at the defender make him commit into tackling. Make runs because Montolivo will be watching out for the runs and play passes that you can run on to. Put crosses into the box early, try to look for Cardozo who will use his size to intimidate the opposition keeper Ockacha and rough him up a bit without cheating. Augusto will be looking for any knock downs.

Guardado will use his close control and dribbling ability to beat his man and put a variety of crosses in such as far/near post, cross shot, floater, in swinger. He will also cut in and look for a teammate or even shoot the ball.

Both my wingers will help thier fullbacks when defending.

Cardozo is the powerhouse, hold the ball and play it to teammates. He has a very good left foot and if the opportunity arises he will shoot outside the box. He has to be aware of the early crosses and try to get infront of his man. He will switch sides on both centre backs to keep them guessing. He is very strong but also mobileand I feel he has the pace and agility over the Spurs centre backs. He will also try to peal of his man on the blind side and watch for passes from Auguesto.

SUB 68 MINS
Guardado off Ethrington on (Fresh legs)

SUB 72 MIN IF WINNING
Augusto of Hargeaves on (Energy and defesinvely strong)

Palombo---Hargreaves
-------Montolivo

SUB 72 MIN IF LOSING
Augusto of Quagliarella on (Another striker on playing 4-4-2)

SUB 83 MIN IF WINNING
Tremoulinas of Kaboul on (Defensive at the back)

83 MIN TACTICAL SWAP
Farfan will play just behind the two strikers in a 4-3-1-2 formation

-------------------Farfan
---------Cardozo---Quagliarella

Tottenham vs Stoke

------------------------------Ochoa------------------------------
van der Wiel-------Rolando--Mertesacker------Coentrão
---------------------------Cambiasso---------------------------
Barnetta-----------Modric-----van der Vaart----------Bale
--------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------Gilardinho---------------------------

Subs: Alnwick, Naughton, Dawson, Sandro, Wijnaldum, Götze, Benzema

General: Whatever you do doesnt matter! Play to your strenghths, your weakness will be exposed. Try working on your weakness to limit vulnerability, you will lose your strengths and you will still be exposed due to it being your weakness anyway. So I think you should go out the, just play football how you want, ignore all of my (manger) instructions below. Go get a win lads !!

Keeper: Command your area, talk to your defence and help them stay organised.
Fullback: Attack Attack Attack, that is your strenght so get forward, pin the opposition wingers back. get crosses in the air for Gilardinho and low/along the floor for van der Vaart. Keep your width, mix runs up either overlap winger or make the run on the inside of the winger. Defending........mark opposition winger, do your best to stop them crossing or making runs, try force onto weaker foot.

CB's: Mertesacker will man mark the target man, Rolando the SS. Challange for every ball on the ground or in the air. Do you best to stop the attacker making any ground.

Cambiasso: Protect you back four. When the fullback attack you need to help the CB's out. Command the midfield, make it yours. get crunching tackles in. With the ball spread it to the flanks.

Modric: Help Cambiasso and VDV in the middle of the park to tackle and win the ball. Be the creative spark in the middle. distribute the ball, play through balls into the channels and to the front man. Feel free to go on dribbles as this is a strength of yours. Dont get too far forward, lurk around in the middle of the pitch so your always open for a pass and to start the attack again.

Wingers: Barnetta & Bale whats the point in defending, your both too weak at it so bomb forward, put preassure on the opposition fullback, pin them back so they cant get out of their third of the pitch. Gget crosses in the air for Gilardinho and low/along the floor for van der Vaart. Every so often drift in, play a through ball or if in a position to shoot go for it. Attack back post when ball comes in from opposite flank.

van der Vaart: Help Modric and Cambiasso in the middle to tackle and win the ball. Want you to get forward more and support Gilardinho. Use your creativity and match winning ability to work some magic. You have an eye for goal so shoot when you want. Try play off Gilardinho too as he is useful with his head and can supply knockdowns for you. Your best attacking so attack more then the other central players.

Gilardinho: Play out and put striker. Play off the shoulder, make forward runs looking for through balls. Look to get you head on all crosses, go for goal or knock down for VDV. In the area shoot.

Subs:
Any score - 64th minute:
Benzema for Gilardinho
Götze for van der Vaart
Modric for Sandro

Change to following formation:

-----------------------Sandro-------Cambiasso---------------
Barnetta----------------------------------------------------Bale
----------------------------------------Götze---------------------
-------------------------Gilardinho-------------------------------
No matter what the score go all out attack. As a team our weakness if defending, so just forget it as there no point in trying to work on it, we are poor at it and will alwats be exposed by the likes of Carlton Cole, Heskey etc. Best for of defence is attack to go for it, play the best attacking football you know you can and go hammer the Stokies!!!

HOOOOOORAH

LIVERPOOL

……………………………………REINA ……………………………
LICHSTEINER......MEXES……ZAPATA…CRISCITO
……………………..DEROSSI…….…L.DIARRA…………..
A.JOHNSON………………GERRARD ………N’ZOGBIA
……………………………………P.CISSE ………………………..

DOUCHEZ
ANSALDI
PAYET
CABAYE
ADRIAN LOPEZ

CAPTAIN/PEN/FK/CORNER: GERRARD

DIRECT STYLE OF FOOTBALL, ATTACK DOWN THE WINGS OR THROUGH THE MIDDLE. PLAY WITH A LOT OF WIDTH. PLENTY OF MOVEMENT FROM THE FORWARD PLAYERS AND GERRARD WILL BE PLAYMAKER LOOKING TO SLIP THE OTHER ATTACKERS IN.

DEFENCE: WE HAVE EXCELLENT GOALKEEPER AND DEFENDERS WITH LOTS OF EXPERIENCE. CBS WILL STAY TIGHT TO ATTACKERS TRY TO ANTICIPATE PASSES AND INTERCEPT THEM. WE WILL PLAY A MEDIUM LINE. OUR CBS HAVE PACE, ZAPATA WILL MAN MARK THE MAIN FORWARD AND MEXES WILL COVER WITH HIS PACE AND GOOD READING OF THE GAME. FULLBACKS PRIORITY IS DEFENDING TODAY TRYING TO SUFFOCATE OPPOSITION WIDEMEN AN TAKE THEM OUT OF THE GAME. LICHSTEINER WILL GET UP AN DOWN THE RIGHT TO SUPPORT THE ATTACKS WHEN THERE IS A CHANCE BUT CRISCITO WILL STAY BACK AT ALL TIMES KEEPING THE DEFENCE STRONG.

MIDFIELD: IN THE CENTRAL AREA LASS DIARRA WILL BE OUR DM. HE WILL BE A BALLWINNER FOR US AND CAN ALSO PLAY DECENT FOOTBALL. HE WILL PROTECT THE ALREADY EXCELLENT DEFENCE AND SHOULD STOP US FROM CONCEDING BY BREAKING UP OPPOSITION ATTACKS AND COVERING OUR ATTACKING PLAYERS. HE WILL TRACK THE RUNS OF THE OTHER TEAMS ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS. DEROSSI WILL BE LOOKING TO USE HIS STAMINA TO GET UP AND DOWN THE PITCH BETWEEN THE 2 BOXES HELPING OUT WITH DEFENCE AND ATTACK. HE WILL USE HIS GREAT PASSING AN VISION TO START ATTACKS. HE WILL LOOK TO PICK OUT ATTACKERS OR GET IN A SHOT. DEROSSI WILL MAKE LATE RUNS INTO THE BOX. THIS MIDFIELD PAIRING IS VERY TOUGH AND SHOULD ENSURE WE CONTROL THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK.

WIDE: ADAM JOHNSON WILL BE PLAYING ON THE RIGHT WITH A LOT OF ENERGY AND A GOOD DELIVERY HE WILL LOOK TO PICK THE BALL UP AND GET CROSSES IN FOR CISSE AND THE OTHER PLAYERS TO ATTACK. HE IS AN OLD FASHIONED ENGLISH WIDE PLAYER WHO LOVES TO RUN UP AND DOWN THE FLANK ALL DAY, HE WILL TAKE ON DEFENDERS WITH SKILL AND HE HAS A GOOD HABIT OF POPPING UP WITH GOALS. HE WILL SUPPORT THE FULLBACK AND TRACK THE OPPOSITION WINGER IF WE ARE ON THE BACK FOOT.
N’ZOGBIA ON THE LEFT IS A VERY TALENTED PLAYER AND WILL LOOK TO LINK UP WITH THE OTHER ATTACKERS AS WELL AS GETTING THE BALL DOWN AND HAVING A GO AT MIGUEL. HE IS VERY DIRECT AND WILL GO FOR GOAL AND HAS GREAT PASSING TO MAKE CHANCES FOR HIS TEAM. HE WILL BE LOOKING TO SLIP IN CISSE OR GERRARD OR GET A GOAL HIMSELF. BOTH WINGERS WILL PROVIDE PLENTY OF WIDTH AND STRETCH THE PLAY. AT TIMES THEY WILL NEED TO GET BACK AND HELP OUT IN DEFENCE BY TRACKING OTHER TEAMS WIDEBOYS.

GERRARD: PLAYING OFF CISSE TODAY IN THE HOLE I THINK THIS IS HIS BEST ROLE. HE WILL LOOK TO ACT AS A PLAYMAKER PICKING THE BALL UP AN LOOKING 4 THE KILLER PASS TO ONE OF OUR ATTACKERS. HE WILL ALSO ATTACK THE GOAL HIMSELF AN WONT BE AFRAID TO SHOOT IF HE GETS A SIGHT OF GOAL AND IS WITHIN 30YARDS. HIS LATE RUNS INTO THE BOX CAUSE HAVOC FOR DEFENDERS AND HE WILL SOMETIMES ADVANCE FURTHER FORWARD THAN CISSE LOOKING FOR THE GOAL.

STRIKER: PAPISS DEMBA CISSE SCORED 22 GOALS IN THE BUNDESLIGA LAST SEASON AN HAS BEEN ITCHING TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO IN FURIOUS LEAGUE. HE HAS A LOT OF PACE AN POWER AN IS GOOD IN THE AIR WITH A GOOD SPRING. HIS MOVEMENT CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR DEFENDERS AND HE PLAYS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE LAST MAN LOOKING TO GET IN BEHIND THEM WITH HIS PACE AN WELL TIMED RUNS. HE CAN ALSO HOLD THE BALL UP SO WILL LOOK TO LINK UP WITH THE OTHER ATTACKERS IN THIS CASE.

SUBS
ON 75 ADRIAN LOPEZ FOR CISSE
ADRIAN WAS TOP SCORER AT THE EURO U21S RECENTLY. HE IS VERY GOOD TECHNICALLY AN A TOP FINISHER. HIS FRESH LEGS WILL GIVE THE DEFENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO WORRY ABOUT
ON 80 PAYET AN ANSALDI 4 JOHNSON AN LICHSTEINER
A LOT OF FRESHNESS DOWN THE RIGHT IF CAPDEVILLA IS STILL PLAYING HE WILL BE TIRING AND WILL BE TERRIFIED TO SEE THE ELECTRIC PAYET RUNNING AT HIM WITH ANSALDI OVERLAPPING

-----------------Akinfeev
------------Alves--------Hangeland
---Srna--------------------------------Capdevilla
---------------Carrick---Josue
--------Hazard--------------<<--Ben Arfa
----------------------Cahill
----------------Crouch

BENCH
Sorenson
Cuellar
Miguel
Diarra
Tosic
Gonzalez
Granero


TACTICS
We need to be resilient today. With Liverpool missing Aguero and Torres they should lack a bit of a cutting edge. We should try to isolate the front man, with our full backs and central midfielders working hard to stop the supply. Overall we will have a defensive mentality, try to keep a clean sheet.


DEFENSE
Our full backs should use their pace to match the wingers and keep up with them. It is imperative that they are forced wide and prevented from cutting into the box. Bruno Alves should hold the line together, and we should have a flat back four. Hangeland should go for the aerial battles with Alves ready to sweep up. The full backs should get forward when opportunities arise, as they will be covered by the midfield.


MIDFIELD
Carrick should be a deep lying playmaker, and should sit deep. Occupy the space which Gerrard likes to get into and be just in front of the back four. When in possession, have the confidence to spread the ball around and try some long balls forward to the frontmen. Josue should mark Gerrard, he will go flying in with tackles and should occasionally get forward. Ben Arfa should cut inside in a 'drifter' role. He will get onto his stronger foot and take some shots, like Robben's style. Hazard should stick wide and try to get crosses in as we have good aerial ability.


ATTACK
Cahill is free to move around and should constantly get into different positions. He will make his trademark late runs into the box and try to cause problems for the defensive mids/defenders. Crouch should lead the line and try to win the headers. He is a good finisher and should try to stick away any chances he gets.


SET PIECES
Left Corner - Hazard
Right Corner - Srna
Free Kicks - Ben Arfa/Hazard
Penalties - Cahill


SUBSTITUTIONS
If winning then bring on Granero for Cahill, Granero will provide extra energy. Also bring on Miguel for Hazard later, moving Srna to RM and Miguel fills in at right back.

If drawing then bring on Tosic and Granero for Ben Arfa and Cahill.

If losing then bring on Gonzalez for Josue, Gonzalez should be box to box, but attack. Overall our mentality becomes more attacking and we will pressure them much more.

“EVERTON” v Blackburn (Injured: Podolski & Spearing)
attacking formation:
------------------------------ A.Begovic -----------------------------
Rafinha ---------- P.Jagielka ------ M.Sakho ------------ G.Clichy
------------------- Y.M’Vila ------------ R.Meireles -----------------
---- Gervinho ---------------- L.Suarez ----------------- J.Mata ---
--------------------------------- D.Bent ------------------------------
defensive formation:
------------------------------ A.Begovic ------------------------------
Rafinha ---------- P.Jagielka ---------- M.Sakho ---------- G.Clichy
Gervinho --------- Y.M’Vila ----------- R.Meireles ----------- J.Mata
------------------------------- L.Suarez -------------------------------
-------------------------------- D.Bent -------------------------------
Subs:
1)B.Foster 2)J.Bosingwa 3)J.Vertonghen 4)A.Ramsey 5)R.Alvarez
6)T.Huddlestone 7)H.Rodallega
Captain: R.Meireles
Freekick: L.Suarez/R.Meireles
Corner: J.Mata
Pens: L.Suarez

Our style of play will be slick passing game, every member of our 11 is comfortable on the ball. We have craft & creativity in the central and wide areas. Look to move the ball around the field quickly trying to find openings in the opposition defense. When not in possession we look to close the opposition down very quickly and pressure them, hustling them & getting in their faces to win the ball back and start another Everton attack. The amazing thing about this team is the energy, speed and that the players possess. Our quick passing game should ensure we have the lions share of possession but if Blackburn try to pack the midfield our wingers will tuck in and Suarez will drop infront of the midfield to a 4-4-1-1 so we pass our way out of midfield and break quickly via the wings and forwards.

GK – The Bosnian is a 6ft 5 monster. A great shot stopper but even better at commanding his area, he is excellent at coming to claim crosses and will apply these skills to the game in hand. He has the best view of the attacks developing and will help organize the defense barking out instructions from the back.

CB’s – Keep a defensive line at least 25yards from goal thus nullifying pace threat to some extent (our defenders are fast anyway) whilst not exposing us to massive threat from the air especially as both CB’s are good in the air. Both Jags & Sakho are real leaders at the back! Jagielka will man mark the Blackburn main striker, with our relatively high line he will be forced to try and hold the ball up and Jags will anticipate the best time to get a tackle in (If Cole is the main striker the high line could cause him problems as he is not the most technically gifted and will struggle to beat our CB’s for pace or with a bit of skill). Sakho will be looking to sniff out any other danger and will cover Jagielka using his physicality, pace and good anticipation skills.
Fullbacks will look to deal with any danger coming down the Blackburn wide areas. Both are good defenders and will look to jockey the wide players down the line and block their crosses, If they try to cut infield the fullbacks will track them and they will be smothered between the fullbacks and DM. The fullbacks both have pace and could be up against some speedy wingers today, so they will match them for pace and wont dive in but bide their time until the right opportunity to get the challenge in. The fullbacks can offer support going forward providing width and allowing our wingers to cut infield. If either fullback goes forward the other will tuck in so we have in effect 3 cb’s at the back & M’Vila will hang back ready to cut out any attempts of a counter. On a quick counter attack both fullbacks will look to see if they can play a ball over the top for the wingers to burn past the defense and get through on goal.

Centre Mid – We will look to move the ball quickly through the central midfield area. We have a good combination of power, pace and stamina in the middle of the park so we can mix it up a bit. M’Vila will act as the DM & he will be asked to protect the defense today, he will patrol the area ahead of the defense anticipating danger and cutting it our before it materializes into anything serious. Defensively he will look to close down any attacking midfielders and snuff out the attacks. He will not be man marking in particular but will be looking for the Blackburn midfielder who advances furthest forward at any one time. If we have Blackburn pushed back in their half M’Vila can move up slightly higher as he is a good passer and might be able to release a team mate. Meireles offers quality going forward without leaving his defensive responsibilities. When not in possession Meireles will look to close down any advancing midfielders as quickly as possible and pressurize them (obviously not the same midfielder M’Vila is picking up!). Both midfielders can move the ball around looking to link up with or play in the wingers or forwards. When we go forward we push upfield as a team and Meireles will get into attacking positions. Will anybody track him?
Wings – Gervinho has an opportunity to shine today. He is most likely up against Cissokho, a decent player but one who prefers attacking to defending. Gervinho can definitely beat with his trickery and skill as well as in the air. Gervinho will take him on with his trickery and pace always looking to burst past him outwide to whip a cross in or cut infield and drag him out of position going for goal or leaving space for the fullback to overlap. Mata is another direct, pacey winger mixed with creativity and an accurate shot. He will be operating from the left looking to cut in and attack the space between the fullback and the CB trying to create an opportunity for a shot or a chance for a team mate. He will also look to take on the RB and get in a cross or cut back in to his team mates. His creativity should open up some changes for Bent and Suarez. When a wide player has the ball in a wide position the opposite wide player will burst in at the back post & Bent will gamble at the front post with Suarez floating & Meireles arriving late giving us good options to receive the cross. When defending the wingers will tuck in to form a hard to breakdown and compact midfield, they will try to offer protection to the fullbacks when we are not in possession.

Suarez – Starting in the hold behind Bent today Suarez has shown he can give even the worlds best defenders nightmares. He will look to run at the defenders at speed, bamboozling them with his dribbling and trickery to make space for the shot. He can strike or bend them in from inside or outside the box and will look to take on the shot when in range. At times he will push further upfield next to Bent or even further forward than Bent looking to get into scoring positions. From his starting position he can look to create and play in our other attackers. If Veloso is asked to man mark Suarez he will be dragged all over the field, sometimes up top sometimes in the hole and I think this could leave a gaping hole in the Blackburn midfield. When not in possession he will drop back to pressurize the Blackburn DM.
Bent – Our goalscorer (hopefully!) will be leading the attack. As we are playing possession and slick passing we will rarely go long for him to hold it up unless we are under the cosh or there is an opportunity to release him with a long ball. However his team mates will look to link up with him and play off him if they can get the ball into his feet. Bent is a composed finisher and we are hoping the wide players can put crosses in for him to bury or his team mates can lay off or release him to him to smash home. Bent has the great ability of always being in the right place at the right time to nick a goal. When the ball comes into the box he will always be looking to get in between the 2 CB’s. Bent has pace and power as well as good ball control so he should prove a real test for the Blackburn defense today. Bent will sometimes hang on the shoulder of the last man looking to bend runs in behind him to collect a through ball.
Both strikers have great movement and the ability to find space and we are hoping this test will be to much for the Blackburn rearguard.

Subs:
On 70mins Ramsey on for Meireles – Our high pressure game will require some fresh legs and Ramsey coming on offers exactly that playing the same role as Meireles.
On 80mins – Rodallega on for Bent. All action last 10 minute performance by Rodallega, putting himself about, chasing down lost causes and basically doing everything he can to get us another goal.

Sunderland (vs Stoke)

----------------Gordon
Fanni -Godin---Cahill-----Santon
-----------Parker--Fellaini
Johnson------------------------Turan
-----------Forlan-Adebayor


Subs: Cudicini, Lugano, Friedrich, Menez , Biglia, Canales, Agbonlahor.

Injured: Welbeck, Taiwo

Summary:
Attacking – Johnson, Turan and Forlan will provide the creative spark. Forlan will have free reign to drop deep, go wide stay further forward. We expect Stoke to only have Palombo as a DM. Forlan will look to get away from him, if he follows Forlan, Forlan will go wide and Turan or Johnson will move centrally into the space created.
We will look to have Adebayor and Fellaini providing us with the height in the box on the end of crosses.

Defending – Fanni will stick with Young and not give him space, whilst Santon will do the same with the RW. We will attempt to stop the supply forward with Parker picking up Hernanes, and Fellaini getting in the face of Montolivo.
Any Stoke player named that does not play, the Sunderland player will pick up the replacement

Gordon - will command the area, coming for crosses. He is in the best position to see what is ahead of him and will be alert to any balls played in behind the back four, acting as sweeper.

Fanni – Your first responsibility will be to pick up the left winger and stop him from playing. We expect this is to be Young. He is tricky, but you have the pace and strength to stay with him. Don’t dive in, just stay tight and don’t give him space to work in. He will try and come inside and you should position yourself to block that run. When we are attacking, you can look to overlap Johnson and get crosses in. When Santon is forward, stay back.

Santon – Your main responsibility will be to pick up the right winger and stop him from playing. We are expecting this to be Farfan or Goetze who are fast, but so are you. You have the pace to stay with him, so keep him outside, where crossing is not his strength. When we are attacking, you can look to overlapTuran and get crosses in. When Fanni is forward, stay back

Godin – If Stoke play one up, you will be the spare man today, using your pace and reading of the game to pick up any loose balls and any runners from midfield. You are right sided so be alert that if Young cuts inside and gets past Fanni, you are in the space that he is running into. If they play two up, you will pick up the second striker. Get forward for corners and attacking free kicks


Cahill – You will pick up the main striker today, expected to be Quagliarella. Quag hasn’t had much match time recently, playing second fiddle to Cardozo, so he will be a little rusty and lacking sharpness. Stay close to him and keep him on his heels. Get forward for corners and attacking free kicks

Parker – you role today is to protect the back four, breaking up attacks and making a general nuisance of yourself. You also have the role of keeping an eye out for the AM, expected to be new boy Hernanes. He is new to the English game, a South American who has come from Italy. He will be much more used to a slower pace and time on the ball. Get in his face and don’t give him time to think.

Fellaini – Use your energy to get about the pitch, playing box to box. Defensively, you should look to get up close to Montolivo. Stay close to him and don’t give him time on the ball and he won’t be able to start passing the ball about. Stopping Montolivo from playing will cut off the main supply line forward. Offensively, get into the box when the ball is wide and use your height advantage to get on the end of crosses.

Johnson – We are expecting you to be up against Tremoulinas today. He can be tempted to dive in, so use your trickery and pace to beat him and leave him on the floor. The CB will have to come across to cover you, creating more space centrally. Forlan will be looking to drag the DM out of position, so be aware of that and if he comes right, move into the space created. Fanni will also look to overlap, so move inside when he does to create space.

Turan – We are expecting you to be up against Di Silvestri today. Use your flair and dribbling to run at him and beat him for both pace and skill. Get crosses into the box for Fellaini and Adebayor. Santon will also look to overlap, so move inside when he does to create space. Forlan will be looking to drag the DM out of position, so be aware of that and if he comes left, move into the space created.

Forlan – you have a free attacking role today. Get on the ball and look to feed the other forward players. You have reign to drop deep, or to get into the box. Do whatever you feel is going to cause the mosr damage. If the DM sticks tight to you, drag him out of position by going wide, leaving space for the wide players to move into. Defensively, put pressure on the defenders and don’t give them time on the ball

Adebayor – Make a nuisance of yourself today, keeping mobile and running everywhere. Bully the CBs and let them know you are there. Your have height, strength and pace, and will be difficult to handle. Forlan will look to put you through, whilst try and get on the end of crosses from Johnson and Turan.

Subs:
70 minutes any score

Agbonlahor on, Menez off
Johnson on, Turan off

Agbonlahor-----------------------Menez
-----------Forlan-Adebayor

Agbonlahor and Menez bring sheer pace and both will run at a tiring defence that has already been given the run around by Adebayor, Johnson, Turan and Forlan.

75 minutes if losing

Parker off, Canales on
-------------------Fellaini
Agbonlahor----Canales---------Menez
---------------Forlan-Adebayor

An AM to bring more creativity centrally

75 minutes if winning

Forlan off, Biglia on

------Biglia----Parker--Fellaini
Agbonlahor-----------------Menez
--------------Adebayor

3 defensive midfielders, Adebayor supported by two fast tricky wingers.


Captain: Parker
Vice captain: Gordon
Free kicks/Corners: Forlan / Turan
Penalties: Forlan

STOKE TACTICS VS SUNDERLAND

----------------------Kameni

Di Silvestri------Kjaer------Johnson------Tremoulinas

---------------Palombo------Montolivo

------Farfan------Gotze------Hernanes------Young

Formation: 4-6-0
Injured player: Kaboul and Hargreaves

Subs
Smithies
King
Neville
Guardado
Holtby
Kane
Quagliarella

Freekick 26 yards or more: Montolivo
Freekick 26 yards or less: Hernanes/Young
Corner left: Young
Corner right: Farfan
Penalty: Montolivo

General: We are looking to shock and confuse Sunderland with our style of play. We don't have a set striker and the four infront will switch positions and look to move around making it hard for Sunderland to pick them up. We will look to Target Santon, run at him he is nervous he hardly played in the leauge for Everton. We know Afro will try to bash my players are try to look for weakness but is not expecting this formation or style , this just shows he is scared and is concentrating on us rather then his own team.

Kameni, has the job to control and maintain his 18 yard box especially his 6 yard where he has to be loud and clear. If he can claim a ball or punch it out he has to let the defenders know early. I want him to throw the ball out to wingers to start quick counters or to my fullbacks. when he is one v one I want him to close the gap and stand up as long as he can to give the striker little room. If he can I want him to tip the ball away from danger when someone shoots to stop the rebounds. He has to constantly shout/talk to the defenders letting them know what dangers are around them or if they are not concentrating.

Di Silvestri first job is to defend, jockey thier wingers don't dive into the tackle and use your positional sense to push him on his weaker foot or drive him away from goal. Thier wingers may try to come inside this is where one of my DM will help and close the gap and force him away. He will push up and his main type of crosses will be cross shot or cut backs for anyone one of my attackers.

Johnson will pick up Adebayor or whoever plays as thier main CF, he is very strong and relishes a battle, I want him to try to close any angles for thier striker to shoot. Give him no time on the ball and pressure him into mistakes.

Kjaer will pick up any other attacker or play as the spareman, he has the know how to read the game and get in the way without really having to put in a tackle. I want my defence to keep a decent line, not to deep so we are camping and not too high for them to play behind us.

Tremoulinas first job is to defend, jockey thier wingers don't dive into the tackle and use your positional sense to push him on his weaker foot or drive him away from goal. Thier wingers may try to come inside this is where one of my DM will help and close the gap and force him away. He will push up and his main type of crosses will be cross shot or cut backs for anyone one of my attackers.

Palombo is the DM who puts pressure when they come into our half, don't let them rest on the ball make them pass backwards. Play the ball simple nothing fancy. If one of the FB is out of place cover for him.

Montolivo will be the main man to start moves for us, play the simple pass and move game. Play balls in behind thier defence, I feel we are quicker then them, we have four fast players who can latch onto the ball. Always try and be available for the pass and keep the ball ticking. Control the tempo slow or speed it up. Both my DM will work as a unit to stop the Sunderland attack.

Now this is where it gets tasty, I have four attacking players, they are comfortable on the ball, good dribbling ability, speed, awareness and creativity. This is a reciepe to hurt Sunderland and open them up while confusing thier players. They will play all around the attacking third, they will move around looking for gaps in the Sunderland team. Use the width and also through the middle. This don't mean they will just sit thier and not help back, whoever is wide at the time will help the fullbacks.

SUB 70 MIN IF THE FORMATION IS NOT WORKING
Gotze off Guardado on
Hernanes off Quagliarella on
We play 4-4-2

Young---Palombo---Montolivo---Guardado
--------------Farfan---Quagliarella

Black Burn tactics


---------------P.Robinson---------------------
----G.Gonul---F.Fazio-----N.Onouha--------Vrsaljko--
----------M.Marin--Willam---Defour----Elia----
--------------Gyan--------------Dong-won------------

subs:
Simon Mignolet, Jack Colback , Steed Malbranque,Heiko Westermann, Miguel Veloso , Dennis Aogo , Tolbi

GK: He is very Confidant and can be relied on when it comes to major games , he can all so cope under pressure plays short / long balls

Defense: Fazio and Onouhda and Gonul stay the same as they have shown they can work good in a team can be relied on Vrsaljko replaces the powerful Cissokho
only Gonul and Vrsalijko will press when team is attacking and come up to corners as the other 2 stay back

Mid: ball will be played mostly down both flanks , they will defend as well as attack , as well as track the ball and pressing in own half , every 35minutes Elisa will switch flanks with Marin to allow more shooting and counter possible weakness

Forward: Gyan up front again , powerful pressing all over as well as tight marking making sure he wins the ball , Dong won will play as support forward trying to win the ball and trying to open space for Gyan

70 minutes Steed Malbranque on for willam


Captain: Robinson
Vice captain: Elisa
Free kicks/Corners: Elisa
Penalties: Gyan/Marin

Bolton Tactics Vs Stoke

Lineup
-----------------Reina
Kelly----Naldo----Agger----Rat
-----------Tiote----Adam
Kuyt-----------------------Afellay
---------Di Natale----Aguero
Subs
Bradley
Corluka
King
Van Bommel
Sturridge
Davies

Set Pieces
CKs - Adam
FKs - Adam
PKs - Kuyt

Tactics

Reina
Plays his usual game, when he has the ball in his hands he will always look for a quick kick/throw out to set up a counter attack.

Centre Backs
Agger will pick up Gyan as he has the aerial ability and pace to compete with him, whilst Naldo will hang back looking to pick up the other striker/AM, and clear the ballshould gyan win the first header. Agger will be given licence to take the ball forward out of defence and move forward. On set pieces, both men will go forward and look to use their height in the box.

Full Backs
Defensively, their jobs will be to push the winger as close to the touchline as they can, and if the winger does look to put a cross in, then the aim will be to block the cross, when they are attacking, they will only go forward if our winger has cut inside and taken the full back with him to provide an out ball, when they cross the ball, they should look to drill crosses in with pace.

Tiote
Tiote is given a chance to stake a place in the team and his job today is to primarily sit infront of the back 4 looking to stop any runs from midfield, if either of our full backs go forward then he will drop back and cover their position. Offensively we dont expect him to go forward.

Adam
Adam is the playmaker of the side, he will look to find space between Blackburn midfield and attack, and look to play any of the front 4 in space, if he needs to play a long ball, he will look to target Kuyt who we feel has an aerial advantage against both full backs, if there is space in front of him he is given licence to run forward with the ball and shouldnt be afraid to test the keeper from outside the box. When he is taking set pieces, he should be aiming for one of Agger, Naldo or Kuyt.

Afellay
He will be the more tricky of the 2 wide men, looking to bamboozle the full backs and try to cut inside, when on the left, he will cut inside more often and try to shoot, on the right, he will look to stay out wide more and put crosses in, aiming them slightly longer for Kuyt to try and get onto.

Kuyt
Offensively, he and Affelay both have experience playing on both wings, so will switch fairly frequently, when we are attacking, a fair few balls from Adam will be in the air towards him, so he will be looking to head to one of the front 2, or to one of the cm's if they are in range, when he has the ball on the ground, he should be looking to cross whichever side he is on, but also when he is on the left, he shouldnt be afraid to cut inside and shoot. When Affellay or the full backs have the ball and put crosses in, he will look to get into the box and move to the far post. Defensively, he will track the full back if he goes forward, and will look to use his energy to harrass the back 4 when they are on the ball.

Di Natale
When he doesnt have the ball, he will look to drift slightly wide to find space behind the opposition full backs and centre backs to find himself space, when he has the ball, he wont be afraid to take on the centre backs, if they decide to back off him, he wont be afraid to shoot from outside the box. He also has great energy so will look to harass the defenders when they are on the ball.

Aguero
He will play slightly off Di Natale, aiming to make it dificult for players to directly man mark him, when he has the ball he will look to take on defenders, looking to use his pace and creativity to get past them, when he doesnt have the ball, he will look to drag opposition players towardsa him and create space for others.

Subs
If Winning
70 mins - Van Bommel and Sturridge for Di Natale and Adam - same formation, look to play on the counter

If losing
70 mins Sturridge on for Di Natale - change to a 4-3-3 with Afellay and adam give more attacking CM roles, and launch ball up to Sturridge and Kuyt

-----------------Schwarzer
Walker---Marchena---Shawcross---Baines
------------Gago--------Vidal
---Donovan--------Hazard-----Shaqiri---
-----------------Gilardinho


Subs: Flanagan, Boyata, Reyes, Sessegnon, Kuzmanovic, Ljajic, Drenthe

Injured: Varane, Romero


Tactics to follow....

afro i thought the league was finished.