[Danny]

What would that line-up look like in your view chu?

I'd love to know. Can't think of a single stronger player I've missed out.

[Jack Bauer]

I'd replace Muntari with Honda but seems like it's not gonna happen since Pippo didn't try it even once in preseason.

[Danny]

I'd replace Muntari with Honda but seems like it's not gonna happen since Pippo didn't try it even once in preseason.

Honda just isn't a CM. He can OCCASIONALLY hit the killer pass and has a mighty free kick as well as shot but I wouldn't trust him to make the right decisions in the middle. He is a trequartisa only, and he is actually ok in that role, but it's not one Milan use now. I didn't put Muntari in there because he was the best option, I included him because the alternatives are Cristante (who is suddenly looking dreadful after a couple of promising appearances last season) or Essien (who is dreadful, period). We have NO ONE else!

It's actually comical how threadbare we are there.

But yeah, CL spot beckons (despite the disgusting defence, miniscule midfield and permanently off-form attack)!

[Jack Bauer]

I agree that we MUST buy another good CM and I said it bunch of times already in the trunsfer thread but If we stay as we are I think Honda can fulfill this role better than the alternative. I think he has the characteristics to play there and I think he did it in CSKA for a while. At least we should have tried it in the preseason, we couldn't have done any worse.

[Danny]

I agree that we MUST buy another good CM and I said it bunch of times already in the trunsfer thread but If we stay as we are I think Honda can fulfill this role better than the alternative. I think he has the characteristics to play there and I think he did it in CSKA for a while. At least we should have tried it in the preseason, we couldn't have done any worse.

Even if we agree on this it still means that we're choosing between Honda, Essien, Muntari or Cristante.

That's absolutely desperate.

[Jack Bauer]

It is desperate and I never said what we have is enough for CL place or something like that. But if we are acting in the transfer market like hobos and not gonna strengthen the much needed CM position, then I'd rather be creative than going for something I know for sure won't be enough.

[X-Offender]

It is desperate and I never said what we have is enough for CL place or something like that. But if we are acting in the transfer market like hobos and not gonna strengthen the much needed CM position, then I'd rather be creative than going for something I know for sure won't be enough.

+1

[han2503]

It is desperate and I never said what we have is enough for CL place or something like that. But if we are acting in the transfer market like hobos and not gonna strengthen the much needed CM position, then I'd rather be creative than going for something I know for sure won't be enough.

This

[CHU-LIP]

I'd love to know. Can't think of a single stronger player I've missed out.

Honda and Cristante. Being off form in pre-season doesn't prove anything, and Honda not being a CM should open the door for a different formation. Surely doing so is better than playing with a midfield existing of Muntari, Poli and De Jong. If you're going to field De Jong, you could add Poli, but also Muntari? Really?

De Sciglio should be a definite starter. Not sure what to do with Armero (in defense or midfield?), but playing both Armero and Abate in a four man defense looks too vulnerable defensively. It's good to have options though.

[Danny]

Your selections are tenuous at best and prove my point.

[CHU-LIP]

Your selections are tenuous at best and prove my point.

Other people's words don't prove anything, only time will.

When will you guys learn that.

[kurtsimonw]

Wasn't a fan of the Honda signing, but 6 months in a new league being played out of position every week is never going to help him anyway. If he gets a chance at a more natural position for him, maybe we'll see improved performances.

[Jack Sparrow]

I don't completely understand why we decided to do away with the trequartisa concept. What is this obsession with the 4-3-3??

I think Milan's formation has always been the pyramid (4-3-1-2), the modified diamond (4-1-2-1-2) and the X-Mas Tree (4-3-2-1).

This 4-3-3 doesn't suit us.

[X-Offender]

I don't completely understand why we decided to do away with the trequartisa concept. What is this obsession with the 4-3-3??

I think Milan's formation has always been the pyramid (4-3-1-2), the modified diamond (4-1-2-1-2) and the X-Mas Tree (4-3-2-1).

This 4-3-3 doesn't suit us.

Any formation with a trequartista behind two strikers is dead in the world of today's football, unless you're going with a 3-man defense formation that allows you to have more push from the wing-backs.

The reason we've changed is because wingers have acquired a very important role nowadays. Every team plays with wingers, be it 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or 3-5-2. Moreover, going with a 4-3-1-2/Christmas-tree would require a lot of creativity in midfield and spectacular strikers in order to do without the aid that would eventually come from the wings.

That's what I think anyway.

[Danny]

Any formation with a trequartista behind two strikers is dead in the world of today's football, unless you're going with a 3-man defense formation that allows you to have more push from the wing-backs.

As recently as 2007 it was our system and we had a back 4.