Sweeper5Solid Lines are attacking runs - dashed lines are covering movement.

1. Do you think most teams (national, club) keep 4 players in defensive cover when attacking? Or do some keep 3 or 5 (matches against Barca don't count)?

2. When teams keep 4 as defensive cover, are these the 2 predominant methods of organizing the cover (mirror the top one for the LB getting forward)?

3. What teams / coaches do something other than keep 4 players back when attacking?

11.10.2009

Robert O'CarlosGenerally speaking, it seems an unwritten truism that the best attacking systems have 6 defensive players and 4 attackers, which is to say 6 players looking to be behind the ball and 4 ahead.
:-)

Some of the more aggressive teams would push both full backs up for width and move one of the centre backs up into midfield leading to something resembling 1-5-4 or even 1-4-5. Have to be good for that tho.
:-)

For an average quality team, I would assume your top example is the most prevelant system.

11.10.2009

FeriAtsSome teams like the element of surprise in their attack plan and send one of the back four to frontline. Vermaalen, A. Cole, Johnson and Evra(to an extent) do this regularly for their teams. You'd see them in and around the opponent's box once in every 3 or 4 set attack.

It also depende on the game, if you are United playing against Pompey at Old Trafford, you can be a little bit more adventerous. If it's away to Stamford Bridge, you priorities change.

12.10.2009