football-management.co.uk

[yorkie_martin]

Every time I have opened the sports pages since the England vs Macedonia game, and McClaren's mooted switch to a 3-5-2 formation, all I have seen is scorn poured on this tactic.

It's outdated ; it leaves the flanks unprotected ; all our attacks will be predictably up the centre channels ; etc. etc.

Well it may be a poor formation for most nations, but I firmly believe that it plays to the STRENGTHS of the players England have available.

--- All the best English defenders are centrebacks, so why slight that strong point by only playing two of them in a 4-4-2 ?

--- It's the only way to get Gerrard off the wing and play him in the centre alongside Lampard.

--- Ashley Cole is always tempted to desert his defensive duties and scurry forward, so why not give him the remit to do just that as a wingback ?

--- And having five in midfield means the wingbacks do not have to venture forward beyond the strikers at every opportunity ; what better position could you find to re-introduce the skills that Beckham has ? We all know his pace has gone, but the vision and passing are still superb, and can be applied effectively from the halfway line.

Bring it on McClaren ! 3-5-2 is the new black !
_________________
Sheffield Wednesday ; Game 3
(never won a bloody thing !)

[flemmy]

It's surprising really especially after they ripped into Sven for sticking rigidly to a 4-4-2 formation, but was tonight the place to experiment against possibly the best other team in the group? with hindsight obviously not
Ah well at least a certain Mr. Neville might even be shamefaced enough to keep quiet for a couple of days!
_________________
West Ham G3
Midtable mediocrity
" like my dreams they fade and die "

[MattW]

Mr Neville came out with the usual 'We must up our game' today. I'm sure he said that after Macedonia, so why didn't they? If its a waste of everybody's time saying it, then shut up!