You leave Acosta on and take Stieber off. Also, after Arriola's move inside sparked our victory at SJ, you put him back on the wing. Sure, it might come out this way, but (1) Arriola's speed and relentlessness will be more of a help to a somewhat slowed down Rooney if he plays in the middle, and (2) Stieber may be our best server of the ball, although Acosta's not bad and Durkin is lurkin' as a top class passer. If we can't go to a 3-5-2, I wouldn't mind giving Rooney a chance up top alone, but with Acosta instructed to play under him. Mattoacks sits, Arriola stays in the middle and Stieber goes to the wing. This trades Mattocks for Stieber and allows Acosta to stay higher and closer to Rooney, while Arriola buzzes around the middle.
We're strong at mid. We absolutely don't need someone there who is less mobile, less good on defense, less durable. He'd better play up top, as close to goal as possible. Look, we've seen this movie before. The way he gets to still be effective is if we can create enough motion elsewhere that he can get isolated within striking distance of the goal. This will make him dangerous and make the rest of the team better. If doesn't need to work too hard to get into position, he can score. And if he does, he'll have fun. Then maybe... Otherwise, I fear, he will wilt in the hot summer sun and succumb, as they all do, to a season-ending "can't believe this is happening to me but why should I doubt it given the history of the team" hernia injury. He will watch us on DirectKick while he rehabs on the French Riviera, rolling over and over in his mind what he should do next. Should I have the lobster? No, I think the caviar would be better. No wait, this week I'm still being paid 300k pounds by "United". I think I'll have both. Poor guys in the black shirts... Ok, not sure if they still have DirectKick, but you get my drift.
I'm not convinced that we see a formation change. I actually feel better about the 4-1-4-1 with Rooney there. The formation often leaves the striker isolated and Mattocks often lacks the first touch and passing ability to continue possession in those situations. Rooney will solve this problem by dropping deep like a false #9 and retaining possession. Possession is the key to a successful 4-1-4-1. This allows players like Stieber, Asad and Acosta to drift upfield in and around the box where they can cause major headaches for opponents. Lots of technical ability there. Of course the other side of the coin is that you don't have the strong physical aerial threat for crosses and long balls. But neither did Spain when they won the World Cup in a 4-1-4-1. It actually works perfectly with what we have now ... Asad on the left and Stieber on the right. Both players will have the instinct to cut inside and keep possession as opposed to swinging crosses in.
Surely we can't be that stupid to give him Özil-type money... Aw fuck, who am I kidding; of course we are.