RedrebelTo me this formation looks very interesting. You have 2 attacking midfielders,a second striker, and a striker. You technically have 3 playmakers. So, I came to the questions. Can this formation work? Can it be creative? Can it be deadly? From my personal point I believe this formation is actually very good. You have two attack minded midfielders that can actually move where ever they want to, which than means they can create goal scoring opportunities from where ever they are at. Than you have a second striker which would lure defenders outside the box and create gaps which the striker can take advantage of or the attacking midfielders. Defensively this formation looks very solid with two defensive midfielders protecting the midfield and supporting the back 4. What is your opinion about this formation?
10.11.2008
RedrebelI would also rather have center-midfielders instead of defensive midfielders.
11.11.2008
ArodU ONLY REALLY HAVE 4 ATTACKERS AND THERE IS TOO MUCH SPACE UP THE MIDDLE WHEN THE OTHER TEAM ATTCKS, IF U HAD ATHLETIC CENTER MIDS THAN U COULD JUS MUV UP AND ASK THEM TO DO EVERYTHING: OFFENSE AND DEFENSE B/C IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE DEFENSIVE MIDS WONT HELP MUCH ON
OFFENSE
11.11.2008
RedrebelSo, you are saying center-midfielders would be a better choice than defensive midfielders?
11.11.2008
prekaziI think for this to work, you need to make sure that your defence line is always very close to midfield, i.e. you don't lose easly in a midfield battle. which then also require to have a very good goal keeper, as he might be caught alone from time to time.
this sounded a bit like Chelsea, no?
12.11.2008
RedrebelI don't think this midfield would lose midfield battles because first of all you got two center-midfielders or defensive midfielders and the attacking midfielders can easily come down and help on the recovery of the ball. Thus, by doing this it would technically be a 4-4-1-1. So, I don't think the defense line should come very close to midfield. You also mentioned Chelsea. And I don't think Chelsea uses this formation if I am correct.
12.11.2008
RedrebelDoes any team use this formation?
13.11.2008
Robert O'CarlosLiverpool use this formation (with def. midfielders) and a few teams have used this in Europe this year.
As far as only 4 attackers goes, it's an unwritten guideline among managers that you should play with 6 defending players and 4 attackers. That doesn't mean 6 players hanging back in your own half. It means 6 players who look to push up the field but have the ball ahead of them at all times. Example: Riquelme or Stankovic always try to stay behind the play so they can pass forward to runners.
15.11.2008
RedrebelI think center-midfielders are a better choice than defensive midfielders.
15.11.2008
Robert O'CarlosI suppose the good thing about this formation if you have 2 defensive midfielders is that the centre of the pitch is closed off so you can think about concentrating on winning crosses, high balls and second balls in the air.
Attacking-wise it looks a lot like the Brazil formations of years ago where there was a strong narrow spine and the full backs had the run of the pitch.
16.11.2008
RedrebelThe thing I don't like about this formation is that it attacks with 4 players only and 6 or more will always be defending. I personally believe that in football "all" 11 players attack and "all" 11 players defend.
16.11.2008
MuzzyI think this could work, providing the LAM and RAM don't surrender the wings to the opposition, and leave the flanks glaringly open to a counter attack. You'd have to play a big man up front as well, like Adebayor or Drogba, to sustain the ball on his own up top.
16.11.2008
RedrebelYep, you are right correct.
16.11.2008
Robert O'CarlosI know what you mean Redrebel about all 11 attacking or defending but there are different ways to attack or defend. If you're attacking, think of the 6 rear most players as the playmakers looking to get into good passing positions and the front 4 as looking to run onto a killer pass or drag an opposing defender out of position. Think Andrea Pirlo. He plays in the sort of area a defensive midfielder would play but he's an attacking player looking to spring the rest of his team who are forward of him with a well placed pass.
I could put examples of how attackers can help defend as well but I'm a lazy, lazy man. ;-)
18.11.2008
RedrebelYeah, that is a way.
18.11.2008
