I’m still digging the idea of the 4-2-4. We can with the personnel that we have. I wouldn’t be expecting Ronaldinho to track back. He never has, and never will. But as I said, Henry does, Messi does, Iniesta assuredly does, as does Eto’o. The midfield hole can be fixed with a roaming Ronaldinho on offense, and not making stupid passes. Don’t forget that with that 4-2-4, we would have ball control all day with Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto’o, all of whom have exceptional ball skills and don’t give it up. If everybody runs off the ball, there’s always an open man.

Further, given that defenses would pack it back against that front four, probably playing a single striker, there would be plenty of time to get back with the pace of Abidal, and Yaya’s solidity in the defensive midfield.

But as Jenny said, Rijkaard would never try anything that adventurous. Risky? You bet. People couldn’t be lazy with the ball or their movement. But they shouldn’t be, anyhow. Pass, move and make yourself available for the next pass.

Jenny, I definitely admit that the midfield would be vulnerable, but Henry is tracking back more and more defensively. He’s been making some very nice plays. Same with Bojan and as I said, Messi already tries to get every ball back. Iniesta is also a ball hawk.

Almost every goal that we’ve yielded recently has come from the wing, through someone going too far upfield and being out of position. The Llorente goal during the Bilbao match was the typical goal that we’ve been giving up–fast counterattack off a long ball. If the back line stays home and people track back, that danger can be controlled, I think.

And you’re right about Rijkaard. He’s a relic of the time when all he had to do was turn in the lineup card and turn the boys loose, which was his “job” in ‘05. He really had to start coaching in ‘06-07, and look. And even though we’re in second place, it’s even worse this year.

I couldn’t tell why the Donovan goal was disallowed either, but I’m glad it was. I’m not a fan.

What does it matter really? Rijkaard the one at helm and daring moves are simply not his style. And by the way, what’s he been smokin’? Ronnie better than Messi right now? When a monkey flies out his butt! Messi has out performed the Brazilan since last spring! That’s not to say Ronnie’s not capable of returning to form, but in the here and now…today… Messi is the go-to man, the Messiah, the mastermind, the magician, and the engine that turns the Barca attack. Any questions Frank? Good, I didn’t think so!