jmancubsfanThis formation was inspired by Redrebel. I put it on here because I'm considering using it for my adult rec league team. Here's what I have:
1) I should have a good sweeper coming back in front of an aging, injury prone keeper.
2) I have a strong center back who is very quick and good at making tackles.
3) I should have a good goalscorer/playmaker (maybe two) coming to me.
4) I have one good target forward who is very big and capable of doing a lot of things up front despite his size.
5) I'll also have someone who likes to dribble in particular to favor his left foot who will probably play near the front but has the endurance to run the field.
HERE'S WHERE THE DISCUSSION COMES IN.
In this league as I've described in previous posts there's really not much possession play in transition but rather half a team plays offense and half defense with a couple young play makers on each team bringing the ball up. I need to be able to hide some weaker players and maybe one or two who really can't do anything productive. Should I go with this formation? Does anybody have any other suggestions?
04.02.2009
CaptainGerardWe generally play deadwood close to the touchlines. The damage they can do is minimized if they are away from the action. Can he put a ball into the box from 30 yards? Make him a winger. Can he stick to his area and fill a void? Make him a full back.
05.02.2009
RedrebelIt's a good formation jman,but the center-backs you have on your outline won't really act as center-backs. As you know sometimes the outside midfielders don't manage to get back on position and defend. Than, the center-back you have outlined will have to act as a full-back. Also, remember that in able for a diamond back 4 to work you have to play zonally because if you play man to man it will be a disaster. Trust me I have played man to man in a diamond back 4, and it doesn't work and you will eventually play a flat back 4 without you noticing and use of the sweeper would be useless. If you have any questions I will gladly answer.
05.02.2009
jmancubsfanYes I understand the outside defenders will be fullbacks in that when they cover an attack out wide the sweeper will serve as back up and the center back (or stopper if you will) can offer support as soon as possible. But my only problem with that is I don't want to say they'll be involved in the attack because as Captain Gerard pointed out, these will probably be slower players as the faster players will be used as the sweeper, center back, and so on. I've considered using a 3-2-3-2 so that there would basically be two stoppers, one for each side, to roam and pressure the attack where it comes from with the three defenders in the back playing more zonally as you've indicated. It's sort of like playing a 3-5-2 and separating the roles of midfield 2-3 (two defensive, two attacking).
NEXT POINT OF DISCUSSION:
With my classic sweeper and aging goalkeeper prone to letting in an easy goal from time to time, we basically allowed the most goals in the league's 10 season history last season and the only players I'll be adding offensive types. From a formation standpoint, how can I keep it simple for those new to soccer, cut back on the number of goals scored against us, and still manage to have enough people up front to score when most teams seem to have four or five guys back on defense? I'm thinking maybe we could wear out some of the older teams by playing more possession oriented for the first half of the game and then change our tactics as the game goes on...
Thank you to those who have read and commented and all suggestions are welcome.
One last important note, in this league there are no practices only games but I will use the regular season to experiment before the playoffs.
05.02.2009
Agent_LewisI'd suggest Chelsea's 4-5-1. Your sweeper becomes a center back in a flat back 4, your weaker guys either become wing mids or fullbacks depending on their abilities (as mentioned by CaptainGerard), your left footed player plays left attacking mid, and your playmaker that is coming will play right attacking mid. My question - who'll play the Makelele role?
05.02.2009
jmancubsfanOkay agent Lewis, I'll answer your question when you tell me this:
What's the most important thing to have in someone playing the Makelele role?
You tell me what are the most important ingredients and I'll be able to go from there. I may look into picking up someone that fits that role in the few players I'll get to add.
05.02.2009
Agent_LewisHere's your answer - playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. What I mean is this: If your defensive mid can not only make a key tackle to stop an attack from building up, and then make a good pass to start a counterattack in the next moment, then you've got it.
Hope that helps.
06.02.2009
FeriAtsI guess Makalele is not a good example for an adult rec team. Even premiership clubs can't find players with his skills.
What you need there is a player who can read the game. It's OK if he fails a couple of tackles, the important thing is to be there and delay the oppponent a bit when they start an attack. It's an added bonus if he can pass the ball well, but that's not a must.
06.02.2009
RedrebelJmancub, not just because you are a full-back it doesn't mean you have to attack and I also forgot to mention that in able for a diamond back 4 to work none of those players should attack because it can leave you wide open for goals. That is why a the diamond back 4 is obsolete in professional football. But, if you want a formation that is solid defensively and can help you score a lot of goals and it is easy to play. Try the 5-3-2 or 5-2-3. You can attack as much as you want and not worry about being scored on.
06.02.2009
jmancubsfanActually being that this isn't professional football I'm talking about, I may have the man for the job. He really gives 100% out there and if he were a goal scorer he would be considered one of the best players in the league, but he's not. He's perfect for this role because he will make nearly every tackle and given most of our opponents will not have a player playing the Makelele role, it will actually be fairly easy for him to make a tackle and make that first pass as well. Thanks for all the advice guys, now I just have to align the front half of my formation and I think I'll be looking at a great season. Because it all comes down to making sure they know how to play their position more than where to play their position.
06.02.2009
