The Numbers Game
Its always been my belief that a side with basic players should stick to 442 as not only is it the formation likely to be best known by almost every player (as they’ve probably been using it since primary school), but it also provides a good balance of defensive cover without setting out completely on the back foot.
However Celtic fans over the past few years wouldn’t have been dramatically surprised of the failings attributed to England’s formation in the world cup. Inflexible, obvious, slow, and overly reliant on individuals to pull teams through games. Seeing Strachan have a very European double holding midfield of Sno and Lennon when we played at the top level of the worlds premier club competition was not a failing in itself. If we had trusted McGeady and Naka more with the ball (being the only 2 creative players of the outfield 10) then we might have had more success and got forward in numbers to pin Milan in a tad more.
Ever since O'Neil reverted away from the 352 I just don’t think we have attacked with the same speed, numbers, pressure, or intent. I think you need really good players working in a good unit with a real togetherness to succeed at the top level with a 352 (or even an out and out 433).
I also think a back four, particularly in a league that we maintain such a possession advantage in most games, give a huge amount of possession the our defence and rely on fullbacks carrying the ball a huge number of yards to start most attacking moves.
As fullbacks have to carry the ball so far forward, their ability or inability to do so, severely affects how the players in front of them both set-up and indeed play. Good attacking fullbacks give midfields a chance to play more infield rather than the obvious route wide with only two forwards in attacking assistance
Given we haven't yet showed to have top players who work well with each other and haven’t had a defence comfortable on the ball for quite some time now, I am not surprised that we have stuck with the 442 and are likely to start the season at least with the same.
However Celtic fans over the past few years wouldn’t have been dramatically surprised of the failings attributed to England’s formation in the world cup. Inflexible, obvious, slow, and overly reliant on individuals to pull teams through games. Seeing Strachan have a very European double holding midfield of Sno and Lennon when we played at the top level of the worlds premier club competition was not a failing in itself. If we had trusted McGeady and Naka more with the ball (being the only 2 creative players of the outfield 10) then we might have had more success and got forward in numbers to pin Milan in a tad more.
Ever since O'Neil reverted away from the 352 I just don’t think we have attacked with the same speed, numbers, pressure, or intent. I think you need really good players working in a good unit with a real togetherness to succeed at the top level with a 352 (or even an out and out 433).
I also think a back four, particularly in a league that we maintain such a possession advantage in most games, give a huge amount of possession the our defence and rely on fullbacks carrying the ball a huge number of yards to start most attacking moves.
As fullbacks have to carry the ball so far forward, their ability or inability to do so, severely affects how the players in front of them both set-up and indeed play. Good attacking fullbacks give midfields a chance to play more infield rather than the obvious route wide with only two forwards in attacking assistance
Given we haven't yet showed to have top players who work well with each other and haven’t had a defence comfortable on the ball for quite some time now, I am not surprised that we have stuck with the 442 and are likely to start the season at least with the same.
posted by Michael__67 at 2:51 AM
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