3-4-3
by Herr Ed
Has it not occurred to anyone that the formation which would facilitate the most efficient deployment of player resources is 3-4-3? It’s simple geometry!
In present day 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 formations we have an attack that is cut-off from the rest of the team with the striker(s) floundering around without support.
3-4-3 speads the players evenly across the pitch allowing them to cover the space most effectively. The symmetry of the formation enables the players to support each other with the minimum of effort. For example, the defence can be supplemented with midfield players without the attacking shape of the side being compromised.
3-4-3: it’s the future of football. Come on Sven - it’s not too late for a bold experiment!
January 31st, 2006 at 8:46 am
Interesting point Herr Hippo! Another point of note, if a midfield diamond is used within the 3-4-3 formation, then as well as being symmetrical defensively and offensively, the formation has 4 degrees of rotational symmetry, allowing the outfield players to rotate positions in an attempt to bewilder the opposition. A factor which surely cannot be overlooked by Sven this summer.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:15 am
This formation is flawed as it means that defenders will have to do too much running around.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:37 am
Despite having one less defender than regular formations the balance of the 3-4-3 configuration means that the defence will not be overburdened as support can be provided by the midfield who are, in turn, supported by the attack.
January 31st, 2006 at 11:06 am
I still can’t believe Sven hasn’t tried the ‘Hawaii’ 5-0-5 formation, which dispenses with wishy-washy, neither-one-thing-or-the-other midfielders and lays it’s cards on the table with 5 up front attacking and 5 at the back defending. Long balls might not be attractive, but they sure are effective, especially with Peter ‘Crafty’ Crouch up front.
January 31st, 2006 at 11:16 am
I still can’t believe Sven hasn’t tried the ‘Hessington Binary’ 0-10-0 formation, which dispenses with ineffective, discrete positional units and gels the team together in a cohesive hole. If midfielders are supposed to attack and defend, then 10 midfielders could do the work of 20 separate attackers/defenders! Simple arithmetic applied to devastating effect. this system would also allow England to play Beckham, Wright-Philips and Gerrard on the right, altough it does also multiply three-fold our perennial achilles heel, of who to play on the left!
January 31st, 2006 at 11:58 am
It can’t be long before Sven plumps for the ‘Atlantic 2-5-2′ formation. As well as freeing up space on the pitch by sacrificing a man, the formation gives the opportunity for the back line to focus on their jobs and the midfielders to express themselves.
Apparently American Samoa have had limited success with this approach but have been involved in some high scoring games.
January 31st, 2006 at 3:01 pm
When will SGE give the ‘I’ formation a run out? Is he crazy?
By playing a 4-1-1-4 system there is a quick transference of the ball from defence to attack. The full backs would be more like ‘ball wardens’ and the central midifeld partnership akin to a scrum-half and fly-half in rugby union.
If England use the ‘I’ formation in the World Cup I can guarantee results.
February 4th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
How about the honey-diamond formation? Placing the oft-maligned diamond formation into a hexagonal honey-comb lattice utilises the strongest materials known to Man and Bee. It’s about time Sven was stung into action!
February 7th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Buzz off!
March 20th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Liverpool played 3-4-3 at the weekend and beat Newcastle 3-1. This proves that this article was right!