[Archived] Blackburn Sign Chilean Superstar Carlos Villanueva

[joey_big_nose]

He is listed as a left winger on the Rovers website and has played often for the Chilean national team on the left wing. So it is not suprising many view him as a midfielder.

[LeChuck]

Left winger is very different to central midfield though. You don't see people saying Lennon/SWP/Pennant etc. will play in central midfield.

[joey_big_nose]

Left winger is very different to central midfield though. You don't see people saying Lennon/SWP/Pennant etc. will play in central midfield.

Sorry, I meant he is listed as a midfielder on the Rovers website!

To me he is like Joe Cole, or Juninho, or Zola. You can't play him in the middle of an expansive 442 with wingers but you could put him at the tip of a diamond. You just need to give him defensive cover. Luckily we have lots of guys who can play in midfiled and are good at covering the ground, doing the donkey work and being physical - Emerton, Mokoena, Pedersen, Grella, Reid

I can see him being used in a midfield like this if Dunn isn't available:

-------------Carlos

Pedersen---Grella----Emerton

It's not that radical. We used it a bit last season with Bentley playing behind the front two. Carlos looks like he might be better at that sort of role...

[LeChuck]

Sorry, I meant he is listed as a midfielder on the Rovers website!

Hah, fair enough.

I'm sure Bentley only did it in a midfield five, apart from the occasions where we experimented playing in a deeper Tugay-like role when Bellamy and Pongolle were here.

I'll hold my hands up if I'm wrong, but I'm certain Villanueva will never play in the centre of a midfield four. Teams in Premiership stopped playing 4-4-2 diamonds years ago, and there's a very good reason for that...it has far too many defensive flaws, and often leads to ugly football due to the lack of width which leads to teams relying heavily on the attacking midfielder to create something.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

I must be the only one who thinks this formation is balanced yet formidable:

Robinson

Ooijer--Samba--Nelsen--Warnock

Emerton--Grella--Pedersen

Dunn--Carlos

Cruz

[67splitscreen]

I must be the only one who thinks this formation is balanced yet formidable:

Robinson

Ooijer--Samba--Nelsen--Warnock

Emerton--Grella--Pedersen

Dunn--Carlos

Cruz

I think you are pretty close with the formation.

[AussieinUk]

I must be the only one who thinks this formation is balanced yet formidable:

Robinson

Ooijer--Samba--Nelsen--Warnock

Emerton--Grella--Pedersen

Dunn--Carlos

Cruz

Thats actually a nice team. I would worry at RB, with Ooijer's lack of pace, but as you put it, it does look balanced

[67splitscreen]

Thats actually a nice team. I would worry at RB, with Ooijer's lack of pace, but as you put it, it does look balanced

That team provided approx 30 league goals last season, obvious exceptions, Grella and Carlos.

So it does need some tinkering, unless Carlos gets 20 which I doubt.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

That team provided approx 30 league goals last season, obvious exceptions, Grella and Carlos.

So it does need some tinkering, unless Carlos gets 20 which I doubt.

After seeing his accuracy against Grimsby - I think 20 (in all competitions) is definitely on for Carlos.

One of the the poorer sides of the premiership is the defending - in theory he should have less room than he did against Grimsby - but I don't think that is the case. They packed a 5 man defence - with a deep lying midfield. Hopefully he will come off the bench to win the game on Saturday

[joey_big_nose]

I must be the only one who thinks this formation is balanced yet formidable:

Robinson

Ooijer--Samba--Nelsen--Warnock

Emerton--Grella--Pedersen

Dunn--Carlos

Cruz

There is no way I would drop Roberts. No way unless we sign someone.

We can't play Dunn, Carlos and Cruz all together. Theoretically all good players, but they will all be moving round that same area of pitch, central and in front of the box. I can't see it. You could maybe do it if you had Roberts as the "Angel on the tree" so to speak as he would run the defensive line.

If we do get a right winger we need another "proper striker". If Roberts gets injured we are a bit screwed (not as much as if Cruz does but nearly) unless Derbs picks up.

[Ronin]

Hopefully he will come off the bench to win the game on Saturday

To be honest though, I hope the game is well won before that happens. Although if he can score one or two to bury them, I'll be happy with that

[T4E]

After seeing his accuracy against Grimsby - I think 20 (in all competitions) is definitely on for Carlos.

If that happens then we might as well start saying goodbye to him now!

[The1mattjansen]

If that happens then we might as well start saying goodbye to him now!

Welcome to football in the 21st century.

[Doaksie]

I must be the only one who thinks this formation is balanced yet formidable:

Robinson

Ooijer--Samba--Nelsen--Warnock

Emerton--Grella--Pedersen

Dunn--Carlos

Cruz

Terry Venables? Is that you?

[LeChuck]

We can't play Dunn, Carlos and Cruz all together.

I agree to a certain extent, but if Villanueva or Dunn were filling in for Pedersen, then the other could play in the centre. I mean, last season we played 4-2-3-1 with Dunn on the right and Bentley in the middle...we could easily do that again but with Villanueva taking Bentley's place.

I don't think Villanueva will be expected to play every game though, and we already know injuries dictate Dunn can't do it either, so I don't see a problem with them alternating a central role between them. I have no problems with dropping Roberts by the way. Santa Cruz was excellent last season when Roberts was a bit-part player, I don't know why a few people have decided Santa needs Roberts to be able to play well. In fact, he was excellent when Hughes was experimenting with 4-2-3-1 last season. That's still my preferred formation this year, and one I think we'll settle in to eventually.

------------Robinson-------------

Ooijer Samba Nelsen Warnock

--------Emerton Grella ---------

--[NEW] Villanueva Pedersen--

----------Santa Cruz------------

Given the players at our disposal (namely a glut of central players), that would seem to fit our squad best. As I said, Dunn and Villanueva can battle it out for attacking midfield role (actually, both would provide cover for the wings as well), Reid and Mokoena can cover the central positions, and the defence pretty much sorts itself.

Obviously if we're lacking something then Roberts is a brilliant option from the bench to give the opposition something different to deal with.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Terry Venables? Is that you?

I even put Santa at the top of the tree for symmetry and sentimentality.

[67splitscreen]

Do you adapt your best eleven players to a formation you think is best for a given game?.

Adapt the formation to your players strengths and stick with it?.

Or,ideally players that can interchange, in a changing formation depending on the position in a game.

One of the things that concerns me is, playing your best eleven, and losing the balance of the team, similar to Capello with England"s midfield (Gerrard, Lampard) so fitting Carlos in is going to be interesting.

[67splitscreen]

I agree to a certain extent, but if Villanueva or Dunn were filling in for Pedersen, then the other could play in the centre. I mean, last season we played 4-2-3-1 with Dunn on the right and Bentley in the middle...we could easily do that again but with Villanueva taking Bentley's place.

I don't think Villanueva will be expected to play every game though, and we already know injuries dictate Dunn can't do it either, so I don't see a problem with them alternating a central role between them. I have no problems with dropping Roberts by the way. Santa Cruz was excellent last season when Roberts was a bit-part player, I don't know why a few people have decided Santa needs Roberts to be able to play well. In fact, he was excellent when Hughes was experimenting with 4-2-3-1 last season. That's still my preferred formation this year, and one I think we'll settle in to eventually.

------------Robinson-------------

Ooijer Samba Nelsen Warnock

--------Emerton Grella ---------

--[NEW] Villanueva Pedersen--

----------Santa Cruz------------

Given the players at our disposal (namely a glut of central players), that would seem to fit our squad best. As I said, Dunn and Villanueva can battle it out for attacking midfield role (actually, both would provide cover for the wings as well), Reid and Mokoena can cover the central positions, and the defence pretty much sorts itself.

Obviously if we're lacking something then Roberts is a brilliant option from the bench to give the opposition something different to deal with.

Good stuff there LeChuck.

I will go for similar.

------------Robinson-------------

Emerton Samba Nelsen Warnock

------Andrews/Reid-- Grella ---------

--[NEW] Villanueva Pedersen--

----------Santa Cruz------------

More pace and mobility at RB, over the old head of Ooijer, no other reason,

Either way CM or DM which ever way you look at it is pretty strong, with plenty of running in it.

When you start putting names down like this, the names not on it, makes the squad look a lot stronger.

Who'd be a manager.

[Tris]

After seeing his accuracy against Grimsby - I think 20 (in all competitions) is definitely on for Carlos.

If that happens then we might as well start saying goodbye to him now!

You're a reet bundle of laughs!! Everything's a disaster, except this one thing which may be ok, in which case you're already preparing to lose it?!!

I blame Elmo. Do you want me to get a contract taken out?

[simdohquo]

I can't see Carlos playign in a 4-4-2 which would be a standard approach ... but a 4-3-3!

-- Robbo

-- Simpson Nelsen Samba Warnock

-- Reid Dunn Grella

-- Derbyshire Cruz Villanueva

Obviously this could swirched round to include Emerton, Roberts, Gamst, Mokoena, etc. worth a try!

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

If that happens then we might as well start saying goodbye to him now!

Santa Cruz disproves that theory.

However - IF Carlos can replicate his Grimsby form in the Premiership - we will struggle to hold onto him for more than a couple of seasons. The positive aspect to this - we will have two good exciting seasons to show for it. Better to have dared to dream than just settle for a functional team (like MH seemed to)

[T4E]

You're a reet bundle of laughs!! Everything's a disaster, except this one thing which may be ok, in which case you're already preparing to lose it?!!

I blame Elmo. Do you want me to get a contract taken out?

Oh, so you've found your charisma again? I had heard that married life does that to you, nice to see you've come out the other side of it.

[philo]

why did we not bring villanueva when we were 2-1 down

[joey_big_nose]

I don't think it was the sort of game that we could aford to lose width by putting on another striker.

However with Treacy coming through and hopefully a new quicj signing on the right this could be what Ince is aiming for.

-----------------Cruz

Treacy---Carlos-----Dunn---[NEW GUY]

------------------Grella

Warnock---Nelsen---Samba---Simpson

------------------Freidal

You could probably get away with not having a roberts type of player providing the wingers provided the pace and supported him. Carlos would get the "Arteta" role - not too many defensive duties and expeted to orchestrate and get forward.

I have a feeling this is where Ince is heading. Could be an attractive side. Its how Ince has set up his previous teams.

[Wiggy]

I don't think it was the sort of game that we could aford to lose width by putting on another striker.

However with Treacy coming through and hopefully a new quicj signing on the right this could be what Ince is aiming for.

-----------------Cruz

Treacy---Carlos-----Dunn---[NEW GUY]

------------------Grella

Warnock---Nelsen---Samba---Simpson

------------------Freidal You could probably get away with not having a roberts type of player providing the wingers provided the pace and supported him. Carlos would get the "Arteta" role - not too many defensive duties and expeted to orchestrate and get forward.

I have a feeling this is where Ince is heading. Could be an attractive side. Its how Ince has set up his previous teams.

I wish!