***If you haven’t read my earlier entries make sure you go back by clicking here ***

So Pre-Season has been a funny one. We started with an Asymmetric 4-1-3-2, and ended slightly differently…

We set out with a formation. Looked Good. Everyone was taking well the formation, moving the ball in patters and phases of play like we had asked. We just lacked that cutting edge in the final third, but that would come with time no doubt.

But then it all came crashing down around us against Club Brugge. A disasterous performance where we were beaten 1-0 and to be quite honest, I know this is the 95/96 database, but we could still be playing now and we wouldn’t have scored. It was a woeful performance. Blunt in attack, toothless in the middle and oblivious to all defensive responsibilities. It would of been a pummelling against a top team.

So we changed the formation again. This time we went to an asymmetric 4-2-4. Something I didn’t really want to do as I felt it would expose us at the back but hey, we gave it a go.

Low and behold it appeared to do the trick!

We went away to Genk and recorded a 2-0 victory playing extremely well, with room for improvement in the final third but our build up play and defensive shape was simply lovely. Now I know this wasn’t the proper test of the formation, but the next game was.

We had the visit of a dominant AC Milan team to Anfield and this would be the true test of the formation.

After a cagey first half, we came to life in the second half as we ran out 3-1 winners! Get in!

McManaman, Owen and Rush scored the goals which secured the victory. What was even more pleasing that we suffered an injury to Steve McManaman, our Left Inside Forward when the game was finely poised at 1-1. What’s the problem you ask? Well we don’t have another winger! A formation change was required.

We went from formation A…to formation B.

And we scored 2 goals whilst keeping AC Milan at bay. Happy days!

For the rest of pre-season I will be continuing to develop and tweak the tactics above to try and find the perfect plan A and plan B. Maybe even a plan C of which will be there in case of emergency.

As I touched on earlier in this series, squad depth is a serious issue within this squad with us only having 21 senior players, of which includes 5 Under 20’s. Work was to be done!

With limited funds available, I was restricted in the market, and I couldn’t afford to lose any players. My first signing, as you may predict following my earlier comment of no wingers, was a winger. Being an LFC fan myself, I couldn’t resist kind of following history and bringing in a player who did spend a period of time at LFC.

Vladimir Smicer. I just couldn’t help myself. A player with the ability to play on both wings with high work rate and determination he will play a key role across the year rotating with John Barnes and Steve McManaman. At just 22 years old and only costing £2M it was a bargain.

My second and final signing was Flavio Conceicao who joined us as a 21 year old from Palmeiras for £11M. As a youngster with high expectations he will be key as we’re light in the holding midfield role. I intend to use Flavio as a Segundo Volante and hope he can have a positive influence.

So that’s my business and early pre-seasons fixtures and sums up where I am at as I head into the season. My next entry will come maybe 10 games in? I don’t know, I’m sure a natural break will come soon and I will update you, if not I will force a break!

Finally, It’s time to set some targets, but first the boards targets (Most important, I need my job)

Premier League Winner

Champions League Semi-Finalists

FA Cup Finalists

No pressure huh?

I suppose my personal targets can’t be much different…other than keep my job and hopefully secure some kind of silverware!

Thanks for reading, I will be back soon!