I'll start off by saying that 5-3-2 worked wonders for us in league 1, and we were right to stick with it when we were promoted. However, it's been apparent for 6 months now that we can't stick with this same formation going forward. I do think 5-3-2 is a good formation if you're one of the best teams in the division, which we're not.
The main problem with the formation is that our 3 key creative threats are the number 10 (when we use one), and the wing backs.
First issue is the number 10. We've clearly seen that when we don't play Duffy, there's no spark. No probing runs and passes, just 3 centre mids shifting the ball slowly in front of the opposition allowing them to regroup. There's no risk takers in the middle, and nobody cute enough to play the perfect pass. If we do play a number 10, they're often marked out of the game by a couple of higher quality sitting midfielders, and the opposition happily let Lundstram/Evans or the centre halves take their chance to create.
However the biggest issue for me is the wing backs. This formation leaves 2 of our main attacking threats and creators as defenders. For me it's that simple: we're expecting DEFENDERS to regularly create quality chances, play the perfect cross, perfect pass, beat a man down the line. It's asking too much at this level with the quality of the opposition, and the relative quality of our full backs. As an aside, if we play this system Freeman has to play more as he's the only wing back we have with the quality and output needed in and around the box.
Also, since teams have adjusted to our formation they limit any space in behind. I can barely recall any times we get in behind a defence with space, having men over or a man free in the box to pick out. Again, this means we need the PERFECT pass or cross to get a chance. Combine this with a slow build up, a reluctance to cross, and a lead striker who doesn't gamble enough (Clarke), and we severely limit our chances. We're now creating far fewer chances, and when we do we're relying that an average strikeforce can take the odd chance they do get.
To me, we need to get back to the basics of a mid table championship side. A back 4, get more creative players on the pitch (Fleck, Duffy, Woodburn) and play the percentages more. We need more attacking players on to do the creating, helped out by full backs, not being reliant on them. More creative players means more positive passes, runs and crosses, and leads to more chances and maybe more goals. We don't have the quality at the top of the division, so increase the quantity of what we create.
The 5-3-2 looks done to me. We're not defensively solid with it, and we're no longer the attacking threat. Time for a change.
The main problem with the formation is that our 3 key creative threats are the number 10 (when we use one), and the wing backs.
First issue is the number 10. We've clearly seen that when we don't play Duffy, there's no spark. No probing runs and passes, just 3 centre mids shifting the ball slowly in front of the opposition allowing them to regroup. There's no risk takers in the middle, and nobody cute enough to play the perfect pass. If we do play a number 10, they're often marked out of the game by a couple of higher quality sitting midfielders, and the opposition happily let Lundstram/Evans or the centre halves take their chance to create.
However the biggest issue for me is the wing backs. This formation leaves 2 of our main attacking threats and creators as defenders. For me it's that simple: we're expecting DEFENDERS to regularly create quality chances, play the perfect cross, perfect pass, beat a man down the line. It's asking too much at this level with the quality of the opposition, and the relative quality of our full backs. As an aside, if we play this system Freeman has to play more as he's the only wing back we have with the quality and output needed in and around the box.
Also, since teams have adjusted to our formation they limit any space in behind. I can barely recall any times we get in behind a defence with space, having men over or a man free in the box to pick out. Again, this means we need the PERFECT pass or cross to get a chance. Combine this with a slow build up, a reluctance to cross, and a lead striker who doesn't gamble enough (Clarke), and we severely limit our chances. We're now creating far fewer chances, and when we do we're relying that an average strikeforce can take the odd chance they do get.
To me, we need to get back to the basics of a mid table championship side. A back 4, get more creative players on the pitch (Fleck, Duffy, Woodburn) and play the percentages more. We need more attacking players on to do the creating, helped out by full backs, not being reliant on them. More creative players means more positive passes, runs and crosses, and leads to more chances and maybe more goals. We don't have the quality at the top of the division, so increase the quantity of what we create.
The 5-3-2 looks done to me. We're not defensively solid with it, and we're no longer the attacking threat. Time for a change.
