Is 3-5-1-1 a viable option for us?

Cracking article this....
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4705/the-dossier/2013/02/02/3716178/-?

The Dossier: Why playing 3-5-1-1 could turn Newcastle from relegation fearers back to European fighters
Alan Pardew’s men have struggled to hold on to leads this season and struggle away from home on a regular basis, but a change in formation could work wonders for the Magpies

Newcastle United have largely had a season to forget. Twelve months ago, the Magpies were in the middle of an unlikely, unforgettable campaign in which they finished fifth - above eventual Champions League victors Chelsea and nestled in a coveted Europa League spot.

But since that peak in May, Alan Pardew’s men have been on a slippery slope that appeared bottomless. After a middling start to the season they slumped majorly and had picked up just seven points in the Premier League out of a possible 39 heading into Tuesday night’s away victory at Aston Villa, which ended up being their first away victory since the start of May 2012.

Part of the reason for Newcastle’s tumble down the table has been their inability to hold on to a lead, and their failure to turn momentum in their favour when they go behind. One of the most repeated statistics once the club go a goal down is that the club are yet to come from behind to win under the ex-Southampton boss’ tenure.

However, Sunderland fans aside, it would be hard to find a supporter that believes the Magpies have a poor team on paper. France internationals, Netherlands stalwarts, Argentina veterans and beyond bolster their first-team ranks. Injuries have often exposed their frailties but, with almost everybody fit, that excuse is starting to hold less weight.

What Newcastle need is an approach that will spark their potential into action instead of leaving it untouched. Many Magpies fans craved winter transfers and they were rewarded handsomely with six additions in January, but where change really has to happen is on the pitch, and playing in a 3-5-1-1 formation would be a great way of instigating this difference.

Playing with three centre-backs allows Newcastle's attack-minded full-backs more freedom
Pardew has hopped between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 in pursuit of the form that saw them beat the best teams in England last season. However, playing three centre-backs - with their current full-backs further up the pitch - has not appealed to the former West Ham United manager yet, but Newcastle have the potential to thrive in such a situation.

Davide Santon is an excellent footballer, but he does not seem a natural full-back as his defensive ability is far more restricted than his attacking nous. Shifted higher up the pitch into a left wing-back or left midfield role would let the Italian focus on his strengths. Likewise, January signing Mathieu Debuchy is terrific at galloping up the pitch, and would work easily into a 3-5-1-1 set-up.

French newcomer Massadio Haidara will provide ample cover in Santon’s position, while Shane Ferguson - who has struggled at times on the flank in the past nine months - could yet blossom into a reliable left-sided player. The likes of Ryan Taylor, Danny Simpson and Gabriel Obertan could be considered as alternatives on the right, with each back-up providing different pros and cons to their inclusion.

Former Montpellier skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was the addition that made the 3-5-1-1 feasible and no longer a fantasy. Mike Williamson and James Perch are good support to have, but they are not the quality of player Pardew will want to be naming week-in, week-out should the club be trying to reach to the European qualification spots in the top tier.

Steven Taylor’s return into the heart of defence as soon as he regained full fitness against Villa demonstrated Pardew’s preference of the lifelong Magpies player. Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini has years of experience alongside Taylor, meaning Yanga-Mbiwa would have ample assistance settling into the line-up should Pardew field three centre-backs.

The three best midfielders that Pardew has at his disposal ahead of Saturday’s Chelsea clash provide all the angles his team would require. Vurnon Anita breaks up play in front of the back three and provides cover for when Santon or Debuchy venture forwards on attacking forays; Yohan Cabaye provides the flair and the panache that is key to unlocking the trickier teams that Newcastle might face; and new signing Moussa Sissoko is what the side truly lacked - a box-to-box player with a talent for passing and excellent vision.

Once Cheikh Tiote returns from the Africa Cup of Nations he will likely take Anita’s spot, though his role will be more hard-tackling than the Dutchman’s. Alternatively, Jonas Gutierrez could ably slot into the midfield three depending on squad rotation, but his best days are unquestionably behind him. Gael Bigirimana and Dan Gosling (once fit) are lesser options at St James’ Park this season, too.

please log in to view this image

Ahead of that midfield three can sit Sylvain Marveaux for the time being, though you would be foolish to think Hatem Ben Arfa would not waltz mesmerisingly into that position once he is back fit. Up front, Papiss Cisse would be the first choice to lead the line, with competition having lessened somewhat since his Senegalese compatriot Demba Ba left for Stamford Bridge in the winter window. On the other hand, acquiring Yoan Gouffran in January has added to the attacking ranks, and Shola Ameobi provides a sturdier - but far less pacy or goal-savvy - outlet than Cisse.

Playing in this line-up offers more protection when Pardew's side are on the back foot
This system has plenty of fluency, and a major benefit to this 3-5-1-1 line-up is its flexibility. When defending a lead, Pardew would not have to make a single substitution to change to a more defensive line-up; instead a few players need only slide back in the system to turn it into a 5-4-1.

Santon and Debuchy would revert back to full-backs to create a back-line of five, while Marveaux would drop to become the most forward-positioned centre midfielder of the four, creating a squashed diamond-of-sorts regarding how the midfield looks. Anita would still be covering the full-backs should they choose to counterattack, while Cabaye and Sissoko would also have the freedom to venture out of their own half if they fancied an attack. But the focus would be unwavering defence, which is nothing to be ashamed of for a team of Newcastle’s standing.

Alan Pardew has tailored his side with a distinctly French connection, but now he should embrace a tactic more commonly associated with another continental European country - Italy.

Manchester City’s ego-heavy dressing room rejected Roberto Mancini’s attempts to implement having three centre-backs, with many a player showing a public disdain for the coach’s flirtation with playing wing-backs.

Wigan showed the impact it can have on a team with more limited talent late in the 2011-12 campaign, though it is hard to argue that Roberto Martinez has had unbridled success as the club remain in the relegation region. Very few other Premier League sides have dared meddle with the traditional number of centre-backs they play, despite top teams abroad such as Juventus showing how well it can work.

However, Newcastle have the players to perfect it on English soil, and Pardew - whose long deal at St James’ Park has been ridiculed since the north east club started playing so poorly as soon as the ink was dry - would have an opportunity once again to impress if such a gilt-edged gamble paid off.

 

I just read that too!! Good read. I thinks it a bit late in the season with trying new systems though. New Players + New System = DISASTER!!

 

Like the look of that formation, we seem to have the players to play it and have cover there and everyone would be in their natural positions. Good idea for seing games out.

 

With this sort of formation you need to be good at counter attacking, something which we are not. Krul is slow as **** to distribute the ball, and it's a style we're not really used to.

You're going to concede some possession. You need to let the opposition team come at you, and get them up the pitch. You need to have some good ball winners so you can nick possession back while the opposition is up the pitch.

It's a good tactic if you do it right, but the only problem is if your opponent decides to sit back, then you're basically ****ed. Against sides like Stoke, this formation would be worthless.

 

Great article, can't see anybody disagreeing with the overall concept, sadly the person who calls the shots pardew is tactically inept.

I also agree that we need to be caution on a complete re vamp however we need to change things quick as if we play how we did second half against vile today its going to be a day to forget

 

Decent read I've just never been a big fan of the three cb formation.mainly due to my own football manager attempts

 

Think I'd switch Marveaux and Cabaye.

 

Peterborough play similar kind of formation, but a bit different:

------------Gayle---------------
----Tomlin----------Boyd-------
Rowe---Newell--McCann---Little
--NKP----Zakuani----Bostwick--
-------------Olejnik-------------

It seems to have worked OK for them, considering they've only started doing at all well since this started

 

Would it not be a good time to do it, so the new players don't have to adapt at a later date? If management think that it might work.............!

 

The mild mannered janitor speaks sense.

 

Possible and would maybe help with our problems on the left where Santon is getting exposed weekly now.