King Kenny's New 3-4-2-1 Formation Analysis & Preview of Gameplan vs Torres & Chelsea

Fantastic game vs Stoke. I think we could be better without Torres now as the team commitment and spirit is finally back without the self-minded striker. King's 3-4-2-1 formation remind me of The 3-4-2-1 or 3-6-1, whatever you like to call, adopted in the Champion Final vs AC Milan in 2005.

Reina
Skrtel Kyriagkos Agger
Kelly Lucas Auerlio Johnson
Meireles Gerrard
Kuyt

reminds me of the formation we used in the 2nd half 3 goal come-back vs AC Milan:

Dudek

Carragher Hyypia Traore

Finnan Hamann Alonso Riise

Garcia Gerrard

Baros

I even think King Kenny may watch back those old videos and take some reference from that. Benitez had done countless things wrong, but he did do something right to be fair. However, Benitez sometimes likes to give up something that's working and try some new stupid ineffective idea.The idea of this 3-4-2-1 is to press the opponent midfield, trying to out-number the opposing midfield and aiming for winning the midfield battle. Playing 3 CB can be effective to stop opposing teams with star strikers with one extra defender to perform double-team marking. The lone striker holds up the ball and drops back to assist the 2 AMF with good scoring ability in Gerrard and Meireles (Gerrard and Garcia in 2005) I actually think KING KENNY will use this formation vs Chelsea, but may be Gerrard will drop back to CMF and let Suarez to play in advanced attacking midfield role.

Reina
Skrtel Kyrgiakos Agger
Kelly Gerrard Lucas Johnson
Meireles Suarez
Kuyt

We will face the triple attack of Drogba and Torres with Anelka playing just behind. It's important we have 3 CBs to defend them. In Drogba, Terry, Invanovic and even Essien, Chelsea can have a few players good in headers and it's important that we keep playing K16 along with Agger+Skrtel+Kelly to defend their aerial attack! Chelsea is not particular great in the wings, especially on their right wing side, so Johnson can really attack more through the left flank. If we only play 4 MF, we probably could lose to Chelsea:Essien-Lampard-Malouda-Anelka (or Mikel).. since our MF cannot be as quality or as physical strong, it's important we out-number their MF by playing 6 MF to out-number their 4 MF. We need to press them early and stop them from create chances to strikers, as they don't have great wingers to trouble us, we need to bascially JAM-PACKING the middle, just like the way we battle AC Milan in 2005 final when they have great CMF but do not have wingers! Anyway, I do suggest Gerrard drop a bit deep to restrict the Chelsea MF as I think Lucas+Auerlio won't be good enough vs the Chelsea MF and they could be press and lose possession under the pressure of Essien/Mikel.

In attack, Kuyt may not trouble Terry and Ivanovic much, but his real function is to take Terry/Ivanovic out from their defensive zone and create space for Suarez and Meireles to attack. I think this may be an effective attacking tactics. For sure, when Carroll comes back, he will provide an extra dimension for us in attack.

I 101% support King's 3-4-2-1 plan. May be this won't be only used vs Stoke City, but rather a future plan especially after Carroll is fit. King's know we don't have natural wingers so he may stick with attacking the wing through wing-backs. Playing 1 extra CB, espcially Agger, to lessen our weakness in DMF as we all know Lucas isn't natural DMF and Poulsen is still average even if his form improving. There is no way to fit our new fantastic 4 in Carroll + Suarez+ Meireles + Gerrard with 4-2-3-1 that could bascially keep Meireles to the right MF that will never be effective as proven in some of the Hodgson's game. Therefore, playing 3-4-2-1 will be a great solution as Meireles and Suarez could play together with Gerrard just behind to direct traffic in the CMF, not to mention that even Joe Cole and Maxi can be more effective in those 2 AMF roles (being substitute for Meireles and Suarez) rather than forcing them to play wide on the wings. I do expect Carroll to start once he came back and Kuyt could take turn to start as CF depends on stamina and form.

The wing-backs will be very important in this formation with Kelly and Johnson being major key players in the game plan. When they need a breather, we may see Auerlio playing some more LB again while Johnson can also play some RB if Kelly needs a rest. In fact, when Carroll comes back and start as CF, may be Kuyt can help out a bit in RWB role.