RedrebelI was thinking of which was the best way to use wingers with an attacking midfielder so I came up with this formation. This is technically a 4-3-3, but instead of all three midfielders being center-midfielders, there is one defensive mid, center-mid, and attacking mid. I personally believe this can be a very effective formation because first of all the defensive midfielder is going to stay defensive and hold midfield. The center-mid is going to have the function of attacking and defending, and the attacking midfielder will be in a more advanced position than the usual center-mid in a 4-3-3. Thus, it will help link the 3 forwards with the midfield which than will make distributing easier. Some of you would rather have two attacking midfielders, and one defensive midfielder, but all you really need is 1. What do you guys think about this formation?
30.11.2008
JonnyHowsonThis is what Marseille use, it works very well
30.11.2008
nvrThis is effectively a 4-2-3-1. Wingers are not strikers, they go into the 3rd tier, with your attacking midfield.
I can't see the difference between defensive and central mids. In reality they would be playing side by side as it would be quite meaningless trying to defend the width by themselves when they are 5 meter apart from each other.
30.11.2008
RedrebelYou are right nvr wingers are not strikers, but they are attackers, forwards, out-side forwards, etcet. They are attackers not midfielders if that is what you mean. There is a difference between defensive and central mids. The difference is that defensive midfielders hold midfield and don't attack as much. Center-mids attack and defend. Defensive midfielders are more defensive oriented, that doesn't mean they never attack, but their main job is to hold midfield, recover the ball, initiate attacks. You are also right in reality they would probably play side by side, but one of them would attack and one would stay in midfield.
30.11.2008
RedrebelCool, I didn't know if anybody used this formation Jonny.
30.11.2008
RedrebelRemember nvr, this are wingers not outside midfielders theres a difference.
30.11.2008
Robert O'CarlosLiking this formation a lot. I like the way it almost looks like 2 at the back with 3 shielding in front of them. Obviously the team would never be spread from box to box so I don't think the lack of width in midfield would be too much of a problem.
A couple of questions for you Redrebel:
is the defensive midfielder almost playing like a sweeper (purely concentrating on defending and dropping into the back line when under pressure)?
do the centre midfielder and attacking midfielder split any defensive duties (such as the centre midfielder defending the left side, the attacking midfielder the right)?
This formation would all pivot on the defensive midfielder for me. What physical areas of the pitch are his limit? It almost looks like a back 5 with the central defender pushing up and looking to get into challenges early.
Marseille look like they play something very similar to this but their midfield looks quite fluid also. Cana (who I'd expect to be more defensive) seems to be breaking forward to join the attack quite a lot so far this season. So they don't play an out and out defensive midfielder but somewhere between this formation and a 4-2-1-3.
01.12.2008
RedrebelThe defensive midfielder would not be purely concentrate on defending, but if the opposing team gets passed midfield and is pressuring, sure who wouldn't want an extra player defending, but the point of the defensive midfielder is to stop the ball at midfield before it gets close to the last line and than distribute. For your second question the centre midfielder and attacking midfielder will split defensive duties just like you said. For your third question the limit for the defensive midfielder would be the box because as you know when teams attack they push they whole team upward and the defence line is at midfield. So, the reason the defensive midfielder should always be outside the box is to prevent counter attacks and look for trash and than score. And for your Marseille comment the defensive midfielder can attack, but he has to make sure the ball doesn't pass him when his team loses the ball.
01.12.2008
