Is there a best formation?

[stanvax]

Originally Posted by blackbrookred

However it's difficult to recruit 2 midfielders who are good enough to win the midfield battle on their own.

Personally 3-5-2.

3 central defenders and 2 wing backs. A holding midfielder who can drop back in to cover a central defender if they get pulled wide and 2 up top working closer together.

Problem is effective wing backs are hen’s teeth at this level

[LlayDragon]

Originally Posted by blackbrookred

However it's difficult to recruit 2 midfielders who are good enough to win the midfield battle on their own.

Personally 3-5-2.

3 central defenders and 2 wing backs. A holding midfielder who can drop back in to cover a central defender if they get pulled wide and 2 up top working closer together.

It's no easier to recruit effective wing-backs thank effective CMs, harder I'd say.

If you can get two breakers who can manage basic passing then 4-4-2 could work, but you would need good wingers and strikers to pick-up the attacking slack. That would give us more points of attack than this season.

[LlayDragon]

Originally Posted by sparky

All of this. Sports science is a wonderful thing in many sports, but it also has a lot to answer for as many fall victim to paralysis by analysis. At this level, keep it simple.

I really don't want another season of punts and percentages.

However our part-time DoF seems to call the shots.

[blackbrookred]

Originally Posted by stanvax

Problem is effective wing backs are hen’s teeth at this level

As are 2 midfielders good enough to control the middle of the park, that's the level of football we are at I guess.

[LlayDragon]

Originally Posted by blackbrookred

As are 2 midfielders good enough to control the middle of the park, that's the level of football we are at I guess.

We struggled to get WBs when we were in the league too.

After we lost the two Edwards we were never able replace them. It was always with FBs, which effectively made the formation 5-3-2.

[davewilli]

Originally Posted by LlayDragon

It's no easier to recruit effective wing-backs thank effective CMs, harder I'd say.

If you can get two breakers who can manage basic passing then 4-4-2 could work, but you would need good wingers and strikers to pick-up the attacking slack. That would give us more points of attack than this season.

I think 442 is a thing if the past, other than a variation to change things up a little during a game. The opposition if necessary just overload the midfield and enjoy pockets of space to control the game.

Currently 433 seems to be, the most popular at all levels including internationally with considerably less teams opting for 352.

[blackbrookred]

Originally Posted by LlayDragon

We struggled to get WBs when we were in the league too.

After we lost the two Edwards we were never able replace them. It was always with FBs, which effectively made the formation 5-3-2.

I wouldn't be unhappy with 5-3-2 as long as the full backs are mobile enough. That's been part of the problem this season. I personally don't like 4-4-2.

[LlayDragon]

Originally Posted by blackbrookred

I wouldn't be unhappy with 5-3-2 as long as the full backs are mobile enough. That's been part of the problem this season. I personally don't like 4-4-2.

Our problem is that both Edwards were wingers who learnt to defend, rather than FBs that learnt to attack.

If we could get wingers who could do this (meaning a lesser-spotted left-footed left-winger) we could be in business.

Our problem is we have real problems with land quality players anywhere other than defence, which IMO is the easiest place to get them.

[blackbrookred]

Originally Posted by LlayDragon

Our problem is that both Edwards were wingers who learnt to defend, rather than FBs that learnt to attack.

If we could get wingers who could do this (meaning a lesser-spotted left-footed left-winger) we could be in business.

Our problem is we have real problems with land quality players anywhere other than defence, which IMO is the easiest place to get them.

Playing 4-4-2 will still require that left winger.