For the more intense football brains

I've been thinking about formations.

What's the difference between 4:3:3 and the diamond? Surely the diamond is 4:3:3 when the middle man in both threes plays a bit deeper?

If the middle man in the front three plays deeper then surely that's 4:4:2?

If there's a diamond there's bound to be a big space in the middle for the opposition to play in.

If the players are thinking about this like I am there's no wonder we're crap.

Think I'll go for a lie down.

 

I always think of a diamond as 4-4-2, but the central midfielders are more split up length ways, and the wide midfielders are narrower.

I think of 4-3-3 as 3 strikers, with the one in the middle heading the spear.

 

What do we play then? I've heard Danny accused of getting it wrong with both.


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There is no magic formula for formations. The starting formations of both teams will add up to 10. Therefore each player theoretically has his direct opponent. However, the theory about formations is that you are trying to exploit the areas where your team is strong or where the opposition is weak, or indeed vice versa, cover the areas where you are weak or where the opposition is strong. You want the majority of your players in areas where most of the action is likely to take place, because these are the areas where the game's outcome will be decided by domination of possession. Your players must dominate the opposition in these areas either by working harder or by being more numerous. A team that is outnumbered in any area of the field is likely to lose the battle in that area because the opposition is able to pass the ball around them. In two teams consisting of 10 outfield players, it is impossible to be dominant in every area. The art is to dominate in the important areas, and the formation should help the team to do this, whilst also recognising that each player needs to win their individual battle against their designated opponent.

There are any number of formations in todays game, and even more when we consider formations from the past that are still recognised in the naming of position on the field. The 4-3-3 system is one that can be set up in two ways. The more usual way is to play with a centre forward and two wide players and describes the system when in possession. This system is also known as 4-5-1 when not in possession because the two wide players fall back into wide midfield positions when the ball is lost whilst the centre of the field is protected with 3 midfield players because this is where most goals are scored. It is usual to have one of the midfield players slightly advanced of the other two in order to provide closer support for the centre forward, and in this form is sometimes referred to as 4-2-3-1. The system relies heavily upon the centre forward being able to resist pressure from the opposition central defence, control the ball and find a colleague and tends to need a player like O'Grady to be effective. We currently have no player able to make this system work.

The system that we have used in the last 3 home games (I cannot speak for away games as I do not attend) has been a different version of 4-3-3. In the version that we have been using, the three front players are allowed to take up any position (central or wide left or right). Without the ball, their job is to put pressure on the opposition full back and centre half to prevent the opposition playing from the back, but they are not required to join midfield at any point in order to support the midfield three defensively. Assuming the opposition is playing 4-4-2, our midfield is outnumbered and must work harder than the opposition in order to compensate. The deficiencies of the system are revealed because when we tire, there is more room for the opposition at the edge of our box and more room equals more time and therefore greater accuracy.

You are right that the diamond is comparable to 4-3-3. However, we were playing Williams, our workaholic midfield player at the tip of the diamond. Not only was he able to drive at the opposition with the ball at his feet and thereby create space for others as he attracted covering defenders to his run, he was also able to get back when the ball was lost in order to do his job in defence as well. Williams was vital to the success of our team as has been proved by our displays following his injury.

I have stopped commenting upon systems and methods of play of late because the whole thing has become irrelevant. Currently, our biggest problem is not the system, it is the number of injuries we are having to cover, which in some positions means that we are having to play the third or fourth choice for that position. That is bound to affect a team adversely because understanding and anticipation are lost and the established players do not know whether they can trust their young colleagues.

 

A very full explanation and it answers many questions.
1) It's not just about formations.
2) Players must win their individual battles with skill, knowledge determination and the thing that is lacking at the moment experience.
3) The manager needs to put out the strongest team available regardless of injuries, because injured players are not an option.
4) The player that wants to win his battle will always beat the player who wants it less, unless faced with overwhelming skill differential.

A back room staff that can keep players on the pitch can win promotion just as much as a talented player.

We are going to be playing a team tonight who want to win their battles. On paper we have an overwhelming skill differential. If the lads are not hungry we are in trouble. It's the FA Cup and I remember Marine and I remember Rhyll and was at White Hart Lane when we showed Enfield who was boss.

 

I went to all three of the Rhyl games and none was in any way an enjoyable experience. I suspect that tonight will be dour and difficult and that once more, it will not be an enjoyable watch. I suspect that the result is dependent upon the team we are able to field and most will know the end result 30 minutes before the start.

 

We need an early goal, or it could be a long night.