It was a conversation I was having with Frem no less, in response to another post which prompted me to consider our tactics for the forthcoming season. In recent seasons, as we all know, the favoured tactic at VP has almost exclusively been 4-4-2. The only real times we showed any variation was when Houllier tried 4-4-1-1.
In a way, this was understandable given our strength in wide positions with English international wingers in Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. However with both having moved on over the summer ,I examine the possibility of changing from this tactic as, for me, with the current squad there are more suitable alternatives.
Is 4-4-2 Really the Way Forward?
During our first pre-season game and win at Walsall, McLeish seemed to favour playing 4-4-2. However, I believe we need to change from this tactic as we it has become very predictable. Under Martin O’Neill we rigidly stuck to 4-4-2, playing to our strengths in hoping to exploit the pace and trickery of Downing and Young. It involved quick counter attacks and, in the main, it worked, but by the end of his tenure, teams had worked us out.
He was doing his best, but using what he considered to be his strongest selection. However, when teams came to VP in particular, they sat deeper and deeper which nullified the threat of counter attacking. With no space for the wingers to get in behind opposing defences, we struggled to take control of games and to kill opponents off.
Our central midfield two were, at best, workman-like, and we could not unlock ‘park the bus style’ defences. It was as if we only always looked to our wide men for the creative spark, and when they could not deliver we became impotent.
Its not just Villa however, the 4-4-2 tactix looks antiquated in modern football, even given that Manchester United favour it. However compare England’s finest against Barcelona, and even Sir Alex looked tactically naïve. His failure to be bold enough to change tactic was almost embarassing.
Look at last summer’s World Cup also, and England fell a long way short when faced with Germany’s 4-2-3-1 formation. two sat deep in Khedira and Schweinsteiger and, from there, dictated the pace and distribution of the team. So can we learn anything from this? Yes, and we need to learn to become more flexible. Given our dearth of staring and back up wingers, I believe 4-2-3-1 is the way ahead given our current squad.
Deutschland Uber Alles
4-2-3-1 is a formation which, when played correctly, offers us the greatest protection in front of the back four while also offering an attacking threat. It is a formation which requires dynamism, guile and movement from the attacking three behind Bent, and I believe we have the players to carry it out.
With Bannan, Ireland, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, and our new winger all competing to play behind Bent, we also have good players in Makoun, Delph and Petrov and Gardner. The latter group can shield the defence and dictate the play. In back-up we also have Hogg and Herd, among others, and the blend of youth and experience is an exciting balance.
4-3-2-1 is also a very flexible formation, much moreso than 4-4-2. It easily and seemlessly interchanges to 4-3-3, 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1 as the game requires without having to make changes to the starting XI. If, for example, we are away at an attacking team, we can drop the attacking midfielders back, creating less space for the opposition and stifling their attacks.
4-2-3-1 also negates the need for genuine wingers and given concerns that we have only Albrighton, and maybe Johnson, at present, we lack back-up should anyone get hurt. Against Walsall, Ireland seemed to line up on the left however this is not something I believe we can use against classier Premier League opposition. Why? His tendency to move infield means that we become narrow and open up space for opposing right sided players to hurt us.
Using 4-4-2 also leaves us light in midfield, I believe. Bannan is neither a winger nor central midfielder in a two. Ireland is the same, and Gabby would be a square peg if asked to play anything other than an attacking role also. It is my hope that he has learned from playing behind the main striker last season and, as much as I am not his biggest fan, I think, like Podolski, he can offer great pace and an explosive shot played on the right of an attacking three. In my opinion, he lacks the composure to play anywhere else.
Practice Makes Perfect
It is my hope we use the Asian Cup and the two remaining friendlies after that, to work on different playing styles. However I have some doubts given Big Eck’s predominant use of 4-4-2 when with Birmingham & Rangers. The few times he did vary with Scotland he actually achieved great results, with the standout victory being a win over France in Paris.
It’s fair to say we have much better players attacking than Scotland and so maybe McLeish will be brave enough. I for one certainly hope so.
Perhaps we will not see any variation in tactic in the Asian games, with McLeish not wanting to show our hand against Premier League opponents. The other thing is why on earth are we playing abroad against Premier League opponents at all in pre-season? Yes, I know it is about money and tapping into new markets but I see little to no value.
Some will argue that it gives McLeish a chance to learn about his squad against Premier League opponents, but I don’t buy into that. It is a half-baked tournament, and I hope we move away from such fixtures next pre-season.
Your Thoughts?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the tactics going forward. I am sure plenty will disagree with my assessment while no doubt my preference will have its supporters too. However, this is what blogs like this are all about – to discuss the best way forward for the club.
We may not always agree but we are all trying to pull in the same direction, and we want the same thing ultimately, which is for our football club to be successful.
The Author
