With a completely inexpert eye I've been trying to work out which teams have played in which way for the last month. We've seen quite a few 3/5 at the back formations, be interesting to see if this catches on in the Prem. Tika taka - Spain were the only ones left I think. Write them off at your peril, they'll be back, but they showed that you need top, top players at the peak of their game and fitness to play this way Pressing/fast counter attack - most popular style, press the ball almost everywhere on the pitch, break with speed and accuracy - fitness and skill essential Atletico Madrid the club model, it seems to me Chile the most aggressive version of this at the World Cup, but Germany, Holland (against Spain at least), USA, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador and probably others all playing versions of it - I've enjoyed watching this and suspect we will see more of it in England Build your team around an icon - Uruguay, Argentina, Portugal and Brazil. When it works great, when it doesn't........Belgium had several not quite icons and no discernible style (to my eyes) Try as hard as you can - Australia, South Korea, Algeria, Iran, Japan - some stirring performances, but not very coherent Balkan style - Bosnia and Croatia - very unlucky not to go further in my view, some good players and great intent, no fear Let's not risk anything - Switzerland, Russia, Greece. No tears with them gone. If it moves, kick it - Honduras. Truly ugly. Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana - self destruct should not be considered compulsory. Less than the sum of their parts. For completely different reasons I find it hard to categorize England and France. An inept and personal categorisation. But I've enjoyed the tournament, as I always do. Football is a great sport, somehow despite the money, cheating and histrionics, we still get great entertainment and drama.
I think that's a fair summary Stan. It has been a wonderful spectacle. Most games have been a demonstration of pace and passion. My favourite games have been USA v Costa Rica and Ghana v Germany and the only team I despise are Greece (never forgiven them for polluting Euro 2004 with the oppressive style of play). Controversially, although I want England to do well, I tend to find the more even view of the tournament once they're out to be quite refreshing too.
I'd say England can be summarised as - Defence - watch the ball to the exclusion of all else and pay no attention to the position of opposing strikers Attack - signal offensive moves clearly to give the other side more than a sporting chance of neutralising them
For there were some interesting setup, high pressing seemed to be a key feature with the lower ranked countries and we could see it work well for Southampton last year. Formation wise the 3 CB and wing backs looked good which is something we could adopted, Yun and Traore could cover the left side but we would be short on the right. For me the tactic which again isn't new, Liverpool played it last year, but has been exploited really well is this World cup is the DM dropping back between the 2 CB enabling the full backs almost free access going forward, creating a really fast smooth change of formation whenever it occurs, allowing you to attack down the sides and with a little tweak through the middle, opens up loads of attacking channels without harming the defensive capabilities.
France played the best football IMO Their own style but didn't turn up against the Germans that's for sure
I don't think you go far enough in your praise of France, DT. They played with such flair and superiority I was surprised that the tournament was ended prematurely at the group stages and the trophy handed to them. Va-va voom.
I was thinking something along these lines myself. You need a fantastic No.10 and nine hard workers around him. That will make for a successful team.
If Remy were to stay (I know, I know!!) then 3 at the back could be a way for us to play two up front and still have 5 in the middle. The trouble with it is that it's then hard to get Hoilett and Phillips into the side, unless they learn to be wing backs. Certainly a back 3 of Rio, Ned and Caulker would be formidable imo.
