Flat back 4 v 5 at back

Thought he used 5 at back previously too but without much success. Wasn’t it Sheffield Utd on live TV

 

I would keep Sikora and let BRE go.

 

We played 4 at the back today didn’t we? Played 4 at the back last weekend too.

 

played 3 centre backs against Forest Green. Staunton and the two o’Connors

 

These threads always start harmlessly enough - a gentle discussion about preferences around formations, a bit of evidence and some history...

... then in two-three months time, it will be a case of McCall absolutely MUST play four at the back, it's the only possible formation, it worked for Parky, etc, etc.

Unless we're top and winning, in which case it will be a peaceful Winter for all

 

Well there were 3 CBs on the pitch at FGR but Staunton played LB and Wood was at CM alongside Watt. So it was a flat back 4.

 

I don’t mind the 5 away as gives us a bit more protection but think it’s a bit overkill at home when other teams sit there and wait for us.
If we sign a solid right back and a good defensive midfielder we can play 4 at home comfortably and defend well enough.

 

Not a big fan of 3/5 at the back. I don't think it suits lower league teams, as a general rule.

 

This is a non argument for me. 3-5-2 is not playing 5 at the back unless you are out of possession. For instance going forward we would not be playing with 5 defenders on the pitch. I like it personally but your wing backs need to be decent.

 

In the absence of any good wingers and given Wood and French can cross, I'd say 4 4 2 is out this season.

 

I agree. 3/5 at the back is a very flexible system IF you have good wingbacks who can get up and down the pitch. It allows you to play three CMs, which should, in theory, make us less likely to concede those horror goals where the opposition pour straight through the middle of our undermanned midfield. Also, if you play 3 CBs and one or more of them have the ability to carry the ball forward (which AO'C and Staunton both do) that can be a powerful attacking weapon. It is difficult to counter but doesn't leave you short at the back, because you still have two CBs in place.

 

The issue at this level with 3/5 at the back is its very easy to get penned in with no escape. The wing backs sit in as a flat back 5 when we are defending and if we win the ball back the only option is to boot it long which invariably gives possession away.

Whereas playing 442/433 you usually have a winger out wide in a bit of space that you can work the ball to if you win the ball back in your own half. I’ve seen us try 3/5 at the back many times under different managers and it rarely works. We end up defending deep in our half unable to get out.

 

I recall a home game against Yeovil many years ago when they played 442 against our 352. They had two fast overlapping fullbacks that actually gave them a man advantage in midfield and their front two were so laterally mobile our back three just didn't know who to mark. Ripped us to pieces.