Tramore, it all depends how you play 442, it doesn't have to be hoof ball, many a team plays it in Europe but there it is dependent on full backs that fly up and down the wings and a defensive midfielder who can actually play football.
We have either not understood how to play 4231 over the years or as is most probable, we have not had the playing staff to carry it off.
For instance - a Henry or Barton cannot play in the 2 as they simply cannot pass, the tempo is lost from the beginning, no pace in attack.
Those in the 3 need to be defending from the front as if their lives depended on it - Any of Fer, Phillips x2, Hoillet spring to mind?
The 1 has to be mobile, an athlete with skill and able to take his chances - Austin tick all those boxes?
The 4, well, primarily love defending, be organized and able to bring the ball out under some semblance of control - No comment
The full backs - Marauding Kris Akabussis, up and down all the time being constant menaces - Bosingwa, Hill, Young, Konchessky, Suk Yung, - oh I'll stop!!
So to end it - it is the quality of the playing staff first and foremost - the 4231, 253, 442, 712 or whatever is a development - No one used to complain at the entertainment value of Man United playing 442 throughout the 90s did they.
