4-4-1-1

[Steven Royston O'Neill]

Steve Bruce will stick with the 4-4-1-1 formation
Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon

Published on Friday 22 July 2011 11:30


STEVE Bruce expects to stick with his ploy of using a withdrawn striker when the Premier League gets under way.


The Sunderland boss is yet to deploy an orthodox two-man strike force during the club’s pre-season campaign – preferring instead a 4-4-1-1 formation with one man playing in the hole behind the lone striker.

Stephane Sessegnon is expected to hold down that role, with the Benin international thriving there towards the tail end of last season and already making an impression this time around as he bids to get on the scoresheet for the third successive game against Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow.

The likes of Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque are also comfortable in the attacking midfield role, although Bruce will not rule out reverting to 4-4-2 with Connor Wickham, Asamoah Gyan and Ji Dong-won at his disposal.

But Bruce believes 4-4-1-1 offers more protection to the defence, with the deeper frontman able to drop into midfield when Sunderland are on the back foot.

Bruce told the Echo: “If you’re playing against good players, you leave yourself open at the back by playing 4-4-2.

“There’s not many teams now, who play two out-and-out strikers. One’s always off the main striker in the midfield area.

“It suits Sess and it suits the team and I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen of him.

“There’s other players who can play in that position, plus there’s the two boys who’ve just come in and Asamoah as well.

“Asamoah hasn’t started yet, he’s back and training with us and training very hard. We’ll introduce him over the next week.”

Sessegnon was used on either flank after arriving at Sunderland in a £6m move from Paris St Germain in January.

But it was when the 27-year-old was handed a more central role that he thrived towards the end of the season, helping Sunderland achieve their goal of a top half finish.

Bruce added: “We’ll look to keep him in that second striker role because I always think that’s his best position. And if he can score a few goals, as he has done in the last two pre-season games, then that helps as well.

“He scored three in three towards the end of the season and he’s come back this year in good shape which gives us hope.”

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I am very happy with this, are you and does this bring an end to a new striker?

 

[yogi2409]

One word - African Cup Of Nations!

What if Benin qualify and then what looks like our first chouce strikeforce is taken away for god knows how long?! Plus what about the possibility of injuries? For me we need another experienced striker, ive given up hopes of a marquee signing but for me we need at least one more to prevent a similar situation to last season.

 

[Commachio]

No not happy. Sticking with that formation, what are Wickham and Dong-Won meant to do?

 

[DaveySAFC]

We still need another striker, I'm also not happy with that formation.

 

[Haggisbag]

We got so many draws early last season playing this formation (a lot of clean sheets too, though). The points only really started to pile up with Wellbeck and Gyan together up front. SB will probably mix it up a bit I reckon.

 

[Aussie_Mackem]

Definitely happy with this.

Sess should be the main man this season, he is head and shoulder above the rest of the squad in class and skill, and we need to use that to our best advantage.

I always thought another striker was an outside chance, as it would move Sess to either wing, negating his flair and creativity. The simple fact is our back four + Cattermole is not strong enough to allow us to play with two strikers and Sess supporting, so it is a sacrifice we need to make.

If anything Wickham will be used coming off the left wing, although I would hope to see Ricco make this position his own.

Have said before and will say again, would love to see us make a bid for Carlos Vela. Could play on the left wing and support Gyan/Sess up front, has bags of skill and knows how to finish. Granted he is slightly lightweight but his technical ability makes up for it in my opinion. Would suit our passing style of play perfectly.

 

[Not_cricket]

How about going back to 2-3-5. It might catch a few teams out

 

[Steven Royston O'Neill]

One word - African Cup Of Nations!

What if Benin qualify and then what looks like our first chouce strikeforce is taken away for god knows how long?! Plus what about the possibility of injuries? For me we need another experienced striker, ive given up hopes of a marquee signing but for me we need at least one more to prevent a similar situation to last season.

Thats 4 words but I take your point

No not happy. Sticking with that formation, what are Wickham and Dong-Won meant to do?

Plan B and change formation in games

We got so many draws early last season playing this formation (a lot of clean sheets too, though). The points only really started to pile up with Wellbeck and Gyan together up front. SB will probably mix it up a bit I reckon.

But if we keep clea sheets, Gyan starts to score, he will, sess and midfield score

Definitely happy with this.

Sess should be the main man this season, he is head and shoulder above the rest of the squad in class and skill, and we need to use that to our best advantage.

I always thought another striker was an outside chance, as it would move Sess to either wing, negating his flair and creativity. The simple fact is our back four + Cattermole is not strong enough to allow us to play with two strikers and Sess supporting, so it is a sacrifice we need to make.

If anything Wickham will be used coming off the left wing, although I would hope to see Ricco make this position his own.

Have said before and will say again, would love to see us make a bid for Carlos Vela. Could play on the left wing and support Gyan/Sess up front, has bags of skill and knows how to finish. Granted he is slightly lightweight but his technical ability makes up for it in my opinion. Would suit our passing style of play perfectly.

good points

 

[Gil T Azell]

4-4-2 at home, 4-4-1-1 away.

Should be attacking at home and going for the win every game inc, the manu/citys, arsenal etc. I personally would rather attack these teams than invite 90 mins of pressure.
I understand the arguments we could get thrashed but that could also happen defending.
Not Cricket 2-3-5, deffo.

 

[Aussie_Mackem]

If that's going to be our formation, I would be more than happy with:

--------------- Mig ---------------
O'shea - Titus - Turner - Bardo
------------- Catts ---------------
Larsson -- Gardner -- Richardson
--------------- Sess --------------
--------------Gyan ---------------

As long as Richardson pulls his finger out and plays to his full ability. He needs to provide pace, width, and also track back to help out McBardo. At his best, Richo could be the key to success this season, and play a starring role as a third supporting striker. At his worst (which is what we have seen more often than not) he should be sat on the bench with his thumb up his arse. Wickham could be used off that left shoulder also, but would like to see him given time rather than thrown in at the deep end.

In my opinion, the biggest weakness is Cattermole. He has the heart that all of us love, and there is no doubt he would run through brick walls for the club. Unfortunately, the lad cant ****ing tackle. What is worse, he is slow, which means he lunges in and subsequently gets booked, or worse, injured.

Hopefully either Colback or Meyler can step up and challenge for his place.

 

[Mackemneil]

Gyan is world class, that makes for great opportunities for the man in the hole, whether it be Sess, Ricco or Steed ..... but Whickham and Dong-won are very inexperienced!, if Gyan gets injured we need someone to play the Gyan role, if not world class then atleast experienced in the Prem, DJ Campbell can play the role.

As for what do we do with Whickham and Dong-won ? ... in carling cup and lesser games we mught want to be more adventurous with a 4-3-3 approach, then you can use either or both. They will also get 15-20 mins in matches that we are comfortable in. They are still developing.

Another forward is a MUST!! and despite all of the above I would like Bendtner on loan ............. more of a statement of intent than DJ

 

[blackcatsteve]

Benin are very unlikely to qualify for the ANC, yes its still mathematically possible with 2 games to go, but the likelyhood is they wont.

Ghana probably will even as a best place runners up, but again thats not nailed on yet (they can still win their group as well)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8613171.stm

 

[marcusblackcat]

In my opinion, the biggest weakness is Cattermole. He has the heart that all of us love, and there is no doubt he would run through brick walls for the club. Unfortunately, the lad cant ****ing tackle. What is worse, he is slow, which means he lunges in and subsequently gets booked, or worse, injured.

Think a lot of our fans think the same - not me mind as I think Cattermole is one of the most under-rated in our team. He CAN tackle Aussie - he got booked 3 times last season for winning the ball - nothing to do with a fould, just because he's Cattermole. I rate him very highly and think he'll be huge for us this season if he stays fit

 

[Nads]

It's an enourmous gamble with Gyan away for 4-6weeks.

It's Bruce's job he's gambling with, at the end of the day.

 

[Sidthemackem]

4-4-1-1 is a bit toothless for me. It doesn't threaten teams when we counter as it takes too long to build up an attack in strength. 1-1 against a back 4 is no contest unless one of the 1s is Messi and him we don't have.

With the improvement in experience and flexibility at the back that we now have I prefer 4-3-3 TBH with the chance of having a go at teams. Or maybe a 4-3-1-2.

 

[Chappaz]

Good formation imo. Sess is a good player and seems great in that role (like Ben Arfa is with us). Plus, Gyan is the only real proven EPL striker. Maybe next season, as Wickham develops, you guys could then move onto a 2 man strikeforce?

Wouldn't be a good idea at all for next season though. It would mean partnering Gyan up with Ji-Dong or Wickham who are both still in the early stages of development. Would be far too quick, so really, unless Bruce brings in another striker, 4-4-1-1 seems the only sensible choice.

 

[Shameless]

Good formation imo. Sess is a good player and seems great in that role (like Ben Arfa is with us). Plus, Gyan is the only real proven EPL striker. Maybe next season, as Wickham develops, you guys could then move onto a 2 man strikeforce?

Wouldn't be a good idea at all for next season though. It would mean partnering Gyan up with Ji-Dong or Wickham who are both still in the early stages of development. Would be far too quick, so really, unless Bruce brings in another striker, 4-4-1-1 seems the only sensible choice.

When is Campbell fit again? And what about Meyler, we do have quality players returning from injury and with those 2 up and running along with everyone else, we are a force!

The trouble is happy-chappy, if Sess or Gyan get injured we're like a brothel with one fanny. We need a loanee.

 

[yogi2409]

Good formation imo. Sess is a good player and seems great in that role (like Ben Arfa is with us). Plus, Gyan is the only real proven EPL striker. Maybe next season, as Wickham develops, you guys could then move onto a 2 man strikeforce?

Wouldn't be a good idea at all for next season though. It would mean partnering Gyan up with Ji-Dong or Wickham who are both still in the early stages of development. Would be far too quick, so really, unless Bruce brings in another striker, 4-4-1-1 seems the only sensible choice.

Pretty much agree with the sentiment mate, think Sess's form has twisted Bruces arm into not pursuing another forward as much as was prev expected. Hopefully Dong or Wickham might hit the ground running and take the strain off gyan, fingers firmly xd!

 

[Chappaz]

When is Campbell fit again? And what about Meyler, we do have quality players returning from injury and with those 2 up and running along with everyone else, we are a force!

The trouble is happy-chappy, if Sess or Gyan get injured we're like a brothel with one fanny. We need a loanee.

I'd group Campbell in the same bracket as Ameobi tbh. 4 goals in 31 games. If your star players like Gyan and Sess get injured, you don't really want someone like Campbell leading the front line to win games. Much in the same way I'd really rather not have Ameobi if Ba or our other new striker is injured.

I agree though. I think you guys need another proven striker. Ji-Dong and Wickham are far too underdeveloped to be reliable back-up to Gyan in the event he can't play.

Last edited by Shameless; Today at 02:38 PM. Reason: And stop giving me stupid fuccking rep, are you weirdly obsessed?

Not sure if that's directed at me but I didn't leave you any rep.

 

[Vincemac]

mm

I'd group Campbell in the same bracket as Ameobi tbh. 4 goals in 31 games. If your star players like Gyan and Sess get injured, you don't really want someone like Campbell leading the front line to win games. Much in the same way I'd really rather not have Ameobi if Ba or our other new striker is injured.

I agree though. I think you guys need another proven striker. Ji-Dong and Wickham are far too underdeveloped to be reliable back-up to Gyan in the event he can't play.

thats a bit unfair on campbell he was just coming good when he had that injury

Not sure if that's directed at me but I didn't leave you any rep.