01 Oct 2019 12:56:32
Heres a "crazy" thought for you all. what is wrong with playing 442?
At the height of english footballs dominance the favoured formation was 442.
All these formations and tactics imported from european managers/ coaches has, in my opinion, ruined the fluidity of our game.
Managers are now too scared to play a simple 442 system as they're classed as clueless.
Here is my winning formula.
Goalkeeper (obvs)
Overlapping full backs
2 centre halves ( 1 banger and 1 fast and comfy on the ball)
2 wingers (who cover for full backs getting forward)
2 cm ( 1 banger and 1 ball player)
2 strikers ( 1 good in the air 1 fast on the ground)
I watched this style dominate europe for many a club.
Football is such a simple game.
Yrs ago managers didn't bother going to watch the opposition, they just concentrated on their own team and style of play.
Tactics? The only tactic you need to bed into your players is to fight till the end and score more than you concede.
Managers are all over the place with tactics and formations that most of the players have no idea what they're doing in most games!
Just my opinion but maybe this game needs to get back to basics.
Give it a try Marco . i want to see you succeed at our club as i'm sick of changes and i'm tired of tactics where we have no balance in the team and players unsure of their role.
01 Oct 2019 13:27:19
100 percent agree.
01 Oct 2019 14:01:59
It's not as simple as you think tho pauly. Footballers have got fitter, faster and more intelligent. Although world class players, not sure even pele or best would be as good in this era. (Controversial but defenders would learn quicker and it's a complete different animal now)
I do feel we should give 442 a try, just because all our opponents know we play 4231 and we play fast counter attacking football if they don't attack we can't counter it.
I would play this team if all fit
Pickford
Coleman/ sidibe
Kean
Mina
Digne
Iwobi
Delph
Gomes/ Davies
Bernard
Dcl
Kean
Maybe even 4411 so number 10 can work both midfield and attack as needed.
Same back 5
Richy
Delph
Gomes
Iwobi
Bernard
Dcl/ kean.
01 Oct 2019 16:37:30
I agree 4-4-2, still think Tosun has something to offer in a 4-4-2 role, if only he got an extended run out instead of part games now and again.
01 Oct 2019 18:24:59
Hate to say, but if Best played now most opposition teams would be down to nine men every game. The man was pure class in a day when players got the crap kicked out of them, and played on mud baths.
01 Oct 2019 19:11:05
Tactically playing 442 against 442 would be ok but against 433 or 4141 or similar and we would just get crushed in midfield. Our full backs would need to be better defensively.
If we think it's bad now it would certainly be a roller coaster ride every season.
01 Oct 2019 22:44:54
Sorry smit but most of the continental teams played those formations and still got stuffed by the 442 system.
01 Oct 2019 23:48:30
Geoffjohno, that's crap mate, I was a rubbish footballer but fast and fit, 1972 I played against a Santos Team including Pele in HK. They didn't need to break into a trot. Woburnblue, spot on.
02 Oct 2019 00:13:22
Sorry Pauly which continental teams got stuffed by 442?
And which team stuffed them?
I'd like to know.
02 Oct 2019 01:39:49
Smit most english and scottish cubs played 442 against am array of european clubs who employed a variety of formations. i'm sure you understand when i say that 442 was an english system that was derided by just about every other "top" european clubs and managers. i'm certain the bayern munich manager even shouted at kendall during the 3-1 mauling that "this isn't football mr kendall".
Many italian teams employed the sweeper system and 1 upfront.
Spanish preffered 433.
I think the dutch employed 352 and although teams had success they met and lost out to british clubs using a 442 system.
02 Oct 2019 02:06:05
Bct it's a moot point but I feel Messi and Ronaldo would run rings round past great players because now they are such athletes.
In your reply you said my statement is crap but then said you were a rubbish footballer so they didn't need to work as hard. Put best, pele, even dixie in modern day sides and they would struggle more physically than skilfully. Past players would be dead in 40 mins as modern day footballers can run for weeks and don't have 10 pints a day and/ or smoke 20 a day.
Great players are great players, they have wonderful technique and skills and have adapted their game to the era they play in.
This is why we could never find out who is the greatest player ever is.
02 Oct 2019 06:15:15
Mate that was 30 odd years ago it is just an outdated formation for modern football.
02 Oct 2019 09:58:37
I remember 2-3-5 god I'm getting old.
02 Oct 2019 13:09:34
Smit why is it outdated? Its 11 v 11 on any pitch.
2 fast wingers putting crosses into a box all day would cause havoc for any team. Do you honestly believe that the array of modern tactics we have witnessed at our club have had any lasting effect? How about the countless talented players we have wasted and ruined that eventually left due to trying to play in systems that clearly don't suit their game?
My original point was just pointing out that returning to the basics of a simple game may actually benefit a team that is clearly as lost as us.
We're all fans mate and we're all looking for answers. just my opinion mate.
02 Oct 2019 14:11:49
Pauly i understand what you are saying but the game has moved on and 442 in the premier league nowadays would really struggle. Look at the few teams that still play it where possible Burnley and Bournemouth.
02 Oct 2019 21:09:23
Pele would struggle I’ve heard it all now. The man would have taken apart any defence in the prem. 😂😂😂.
02 Oct 2019 22:34:53
Burnley and Bournemouth are 2 teams punching above their weight and tbh its probably the 442 system that keeps them in the prem.
If a club had the resources to put quality players in the system they would be a strong team.
{Ed001's Note - Bournemouth spend money like water, they have a Russian oligarch who has consistently pumped money into the club and they still can't defend. Howe is holding them back massively.}
03 Oct 2019 00:20:14
Theyre not going to attract big names players tho ed1.
{Ed001's Note - so what? Did Leicester?}
03 Oct 2019 12:52:59
I was talking about a style of play not money mate.
{Ed001's Note - but you said Bournemouth were punching above their weight, I was just pointing out they weren't really.}
03 Oct 2019 18:11:33
For an unfashionable club and a completely unknown (in europe) club. i would say to stay in the prem for so long they are definately punching above their weight.