Formation

[Dastardly and Muttley]

Okay, so far this season it has been said that we have lacked ideas and organisation.

As I've said in another post, I think the answer could be to play a 4-4-2 diamond formation, as the roles within this system are very clearly defined.

The back four play as usual in a 4-4-2, surely they will be used to this, so shouldn't be a problem there.

The four midfielders all have clearly defined roles within the team:

Defensive midfielder: Basically does the "Makelele job" as it now seems to be known. Sits in front of the back four, breaks up opposing attacks and takes the pressure of the defence by providing an easy "out" ball to the midfielders, something which has been sadly missing this season. This role could be filled by Russell, Skuse or Brown.

Wide Players: Again, it's very simple. They stay wide, giving options for the defensive midfielder to pass to when he gets the ball. They then look for opportunities to cross or pass the ball forward to strikers or attacking midfielder.

Here we have Murray or Cotteril on the right and Harley, Smith or Cotteril on the left.

Attacking Midfielder: Someone who can link the play between the midfield and the strikers. Ideally needs to be someone capable of finding space and making good, neat, short passes, ala Dennis Bergkamp. In our current squad we have Michael Bridges who has been praised for playing in this role, or Wilkshire may be able to do a job here.

Strikers: With this formation working effectively they should now receive a steady supply of crosses from both wings, and be attacking as part of a triangle with the attacking midfielder. This "triangle" of players, means that whenever one has the ball, the other two are looking for space and providing options for the ball holder.

Current candidates for this position, Brooker, Stewart, Gillespie.

Basically it's all back to basics. Players know what their jobs are, and can clearly see their role in the team. The defence should always have an "out" ball to relieve the pressure, stopping the hoofs upfield and the attack should always have three players in the team to create chances for them.

[richieb]

Okay, so far this season it has been said that we have lacked ideas and organisation.

As I've said in another post, I think the answer could be to play a 4-4-2 diamond formation, as the roles within this system are very clearly defined.

The back four play as usual in a 4-4-2, surely they will be used to this, so shouldn't be a problem there.

The four midfielders all have clearly defined roles within the team:

Defensive midfielder: Basically does the "Makelele job" as it now seems to be known. Sits in front of the back four, breaks up opposing attacks and takes the pressure of the defence by providing an easy "out" ball to the midfielders, something which has been sadly missing this season. This role could be filled by Russell, Skuse or Brown.

Wide Players: Again, it's very simple. They stay wide, giving options for the defensive midfielder to pass to when he gets the ball. They then look for opportunities to cross or pass the ball forward to strikers or attacking midfielder.

Here we have Murray or Cotteril on the right and Harley, Smith or Cotteril on the left.

Attacking Midfielder: Someone who can link the play between the midfield and the strikers. Ideally needs to be someone capable of finding space and making good, neat, short passes, ala Dennis Bergkamp. In our current squad we have Michael Bridges who has been praised for playing in this role, or Wilkshire may be able to do a job here.

Strikers: With this formation working effectively they should now receive a steady supply of crosses from both wings, and be attacking as part of a triangle with the attacking midfielder. This "triangle" of players, means that whenever one has the ball, the other two are looking for space and providing options for the ball holder.

Current candidates for this position, Brooker, Stewart, Gillespie.

Basically it's all back to basics. Players know what their jobs are, and can clearly see their role in the team. The defence should always have an "out" ball to relieve the pressure, stopping the hoofs upfield and the attack should always have three players in the team to create chances for them.

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Post this on the SL Forum - with a foot note to print off & take into BT's next team talk.

But would the players take it on ?

Seems as if anything the manager says, changes when they get on the pitch.

[Gerry Gows' Tash]

Problem is that if you play 4-4-2 with an "in the hole" type player (agree that bridges is the best at this and why he wasnt played there saturday is a mystery to me) then if the attack breaks down you only have 3 in the middle and the oppo tend to find it easy to break through you. 3-5-2 on the other hand still leaves 4 in the middle and the extra man in the middle (in theory) gives more flexibility to change quickly from attack to defence.