Football Formations 4-4-2, 4-5-1 and 4-3-3

Football Formations 4-4-2, 4-5-1 and 4-3-3

 

The 4-4-2 system of play used successfully by teams such as Liverpool, AC Milan and Everton in the mid-1980’s is till the most favoured balanced structure.   Although it lacks flair the 4-4-2 has become the basis for innovation to the modern 4-5-1 and the latest form of 4-3-3.

The most recent shift in modern tactics is the notion that only three bands of players, defence, mid-field and attack exist in a team structure.   There is more recent recognition that each of these bands can be subdivided into smaller groupings so that players can be moved up or down, or to the left or right.

Mourinho’s Chelsea had an orthodox back four with Makelele playing in  front of them for protection, and Joe Cole and Arjen Robben operating both as wingers and as auxiliary midfielders.

Welsh Premier League teams often show variations of the basic 4-4-2, some with creative attacking innovations, others looking very vulnerable in defence.  There is a greater tendency to work towards a new system, than to choose a system which works around the inclusion of the most skilful players.    This has a great effect in team selection both when all players in a squad are fit, and also when key players are injured.

 

Acknowledgement

Wilson, Jonathan, Inverting the Pyramid, (Orion, 2008).

Author: B. Steer

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Filed under: Football Coaching Views

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