Loving the way we are setting ourselves up at the moment. Watched us against Wolves and both the attacking and defending style has completely changed from the last two seasons. Noticed at least 3 different formations during the course of the game: Base Formation: GK RB_CB_CB_LB DM AM___AM RW________LW CF When attacking: GK CB_DM_CB RB_AM_AM_LB RW________LW CF When defending: GK RB_CB_CB_LB RW_DM_AM_AM CF_LW When attacking the wingbacks push very far forward and link up with the middle. The defensive midfielder drops all the way back into defence (he basically becomes an extra centre half). This means that there is always at least 3 at the back at all times during open play. The formation essentially creates a potential 7 man attacking force whilst still protecting the defence from counter attacks. The players also adopt an almost total football style, switching and swaping postions during attacking buildups - creating confusion for the opposition. We are very fortunate to have ample attacking players in our squad who are capable of playing in a variety of different positons. When defending, the players shuffle positions. One of the advanced wingers drops back and along with the defensive midfielder and the two attacking midfielders, they create a flat 4 man midfield shape. The team basically reverts to a rigid 4-4-2 formation, with two banks of four players behind the ball at all times. They defend in much the same way as Italian teams of tradition. Creating a solid wall of eight players which on Saturday, Wolves found impossible to penetrate. I have to say, I was very impressed with the discipline of the players in this new system. They kept their shape constantly and every player knew where he needed to be where his team mates should be at all times. If we can carry this system into the season and utilise it to it's full potential, we may see some decent results. However, this is a tiring method of football and relies on concentration and discipline at all times.
The biggest difference for me is tthat we always have 3 in the middle. We have to sacrifice a striker, but we press and keep possession so much better, which allows fullbacks and wingers to do things that they wouldn't have been able to do before. ----------------Davis------------------- Clyne-----Fonte-----Hooiveld-----Fox Guly-----JWP-----Morgan-----Rodriguez ---------------Lallana------------------ --------------Lambert----------------- ----------------Davis------------------- Clyne-----Fonte-----Hooiveld-----Fox -------------JWP-----Morgan----------- Guly-----------Lallana-------Rodriguez ---------------Lambert------------------ ----------------Davis------------------- -----------Fonte-----Hooiveld--------- ---------------Morgan------------------ Clyne------JWP-----Lallana-------Fox -----Guly----Lambert----Rodriguez-- I take my hat off to them if they can manage that without complications.
Steven Davis and Jack Cork will be above James Ward-Prowse in the pecking order for central midfield.
If we stick to this 4-3-3 formation, then he'll be coming off of the bench to make an impact so will still have a part to play.
I'll be relying on you lot to tell me what's going on. As far as I could tell last year, Kelvin was in goal, Rickie was on the far post, and everyone else was somewhere in between.
Football Manager tactics geekery. It's very noticeable in the friendly matches when we're concentrating on the football rather than getting caught up in the atmosphere as there isn't much of an atmosphere. As FM proves, it's a lot easier to mind-smash this stuff than it is to actually do it and the friendly matches make you appreciate why Nigel Adkins has a big fat contract.
He successfully changed the tactics from Div1 to the Championship making us one of the best passing sides with initially only the addition of Cork. Now he and Andy Crosby are looking to make the necessary defensive adjustments for the Prem. We have to be more solid than we've been in the last two seasons but I have confidence that Adkins will get it right in this division too. I hope Nigel does get it right because managers don't get much time these days and I wouldn't want to lose him even if we are struggling.
