Tactics Talk

Have been wanting to do this for a while, but procrastination is one of my biggest strength. Since we're mainly a Sunday league team, personal development is mainly tasked to the individual. Tactical preparation normally starts 15 mins before a game and i guess that's about it. Thus i felt if i put some of these up, it may help when i reshuffle the team to deal with threats from diff opponents.

First Up: Our Favoured 4-2-3-1
(history puts the Spanish, French and Brazilian as among the first to use it!)

This a defensive formation where the attacking edge is compromised to the minimal as both the side midfielders and the fullbacks can push forward, usually on the counter. Fundamentally, this formation is similar to the 4-5-1 which packs the midfield depriving the opposing team to build up their attacks. However this limits the pressure upfront as lone striker is deprived of a partner thus it is important that the lone gun has the strength and holding ability to excel in the solitary position.

The defensive strength of the tactic comes in the middle 2 which is responsible for slotting into the gaps during the full backs forays upfront and also been the first to close in on the opposing passes or dribbles through the middle. The natural choices would be 2 DMs in the center but the challenge comes when u give the 2 the freedom to initiate counter passes in attack plus keeping in mind that they have to control the forward line of the 3 attacking midfielders. Think Makelele, Alonso, Barry and Frings.

Benitez's idea was to get Barry in so as to fit the formation with Gerrard, Kuyt and Keane behind Torres as the 3 AMs. I'm just so happy his plans didnt manage to materialise. The potential for the formation to flourish is that the 3 can be customised to fit the stage of the game, whether u are behind, preserving your lead or to counter certain strengths in the opponents. ( so better dun question me how i do it). This shall not be discussed as not to leak any secrets wahahaha!

Hope this helps in making sure our substitutions dont end up with some blur cock in the team unable to slot into the positions eh!! haha. If you guys got the time, go watch past games like Man U against Roma (although Man U strength is 4-3-3 to me), Holland and Protugal in Euro 08 or how it failed in Ramos' Tottenham haha!!

cheers pple!
Alex