The 4-6-0 and suggestions to counter it

The heterogeneity in football is not only related to the managerial styles, players, fans, stadiums, mascots, media attention, rivalries, competitions, money, history or plainly on popularity, but it is also a constructive sport working as a cohesive force in the unison of the forces around the world. The diversity is not only related with these handful factors, over and above this the multifarious formations play a pivotal role in the alignment of the troops onto the field. 

We have seen multitudinous formations over the course of the game, but a trend setter to the customary formations is yet to settle in. Individually we have seen teams playing the recognized formations in the form of 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3, 4-2-3, 3-5-2 to name a few amongst others however a switch to 4-6-0 remains a conundrum indeed which was superbly exemplified by the Euro 2012 champions Spain. Well, Barcelona has also been a driving force in the construction and employment of this formation but the consistent usage still remains a distant possibility. 

The trend is yet to settle in, nevertheless certain questions remain unanswered on the 4-6-0 formation.

Is 4-6-0 an invincible formation? How effective is this alignment and to what degree it can be tackled?

Let’s reason out a few possibilities that are capable for tackling this 4-6-0 formation:-

• Lessen the proximity between the midfield and the defensive line.

Certainly a uphill task, but not impossible as well. The desideratum for this causal to implement effect is by having set of two industrious defensive midfielders who can provide a strong base or the platform to provide effective manpower in marauding against 4-6-0 and also proficient to rotate along to attack or defend. Packing the midfield and having a resolute back-line while in a defensive setup ministers a greater barrier for the 4-6-0 opposition and thus can influence to break attacks and help turn possession into opportunities.

• Stop getting outnumbering in the midfield

Innovative formations are a norm in this aspect, where choking the central area can prove a decisive factor to break the 4-6-0 system repeatedly. Employing and emulating the 4-6-0 won’t help the cause in this scenario though. Staying guileless aligning this way is only supporting the reasons for the downfall. 4-6-0 thrives technically on the aspect of interchanging midfielders inculcating cursory movements to develop spaces for each other. Formations describe strategy and not where the players should camp in the field so competing with 5 players to mantle the midfield is a better approach than using formations like 4-4-2. Formations like 4-4-2 will act as a doom in this case and 4-5-1, 3-5-2 can be a boon.

• Playing the long-ball game and  operating a laborious tireless striker

Watching this approach employed by certain teams, this is surely a try-out strategy against the 4-6-0. Pumping the ball forward eliminates the midfield concern and provides a hazardous attribute for the high defensive lines employed by the teams. Also, can act as a factor to couple direct football along-with selective unpredictable usage of thumping the ball forward to a tall striker. A highly hardworking striker is mandatory and a priority to solve this aspect. Unsettling the centre backs, bring the team mates in the game, neat passing to midfielders, capable of dynamic all round performance as well as convert chances and proving a philosophical advantage on the counter attacks come under the requirements to decline the trade of the 4-6-0 and to destabilise the opposition’s lineup.

• Bestowing a false CB                                            

A defensive minded midfielder and a CB amalgam is the right candidate for this position. This particular approach would require playing this “False CB” covering the back line (containing 3 or 4 defenders), however lining deep with the spellbinding option of tracking the advanced false 9 attacker bombing forward (hence the false CB tactical genius). Thus this strategy can act leaving no place behind the line of defense and can help in curbing attacks.

Systems are dying, possession is becoming obsession for some, well the world is evolving, Innovation is the fundamental module to work upon – Will this formation evolve into the managerial books or ever become a commonplace?

Robin and the Wayne! So is Sir Alex, Alfred the Butler now?

View of the Strengths and weaknesses of this deadly duo

After the long awaited transfer saga, Robin turns a RED DEVIL. A stunning buy indeed, good signing. Maybe he’s entering his peak now. Being in the right place at the right time is a very underrated skill. That’s why RVP scored a lot last season, he has the knack. I don’t think we have had a ‘scary’ strikeforce in 3 years after the Rooney, Berba, Tevez, Ronaldo era. Van Persie would certainly help to change that. If you compare what we had last year to City’s four options, it’s no wonder they won on goal difference.

71 goals between Rooney and Van Persie last season. Sounds good to me. RVP is definitely a more out and out striker, getting most of his goals from inside the box. Rooney on the other hand, drops a lot deeper – without his penalties he would have scored 26 goals, meaning about 1 in 5 of his others came from outside the box (excluding free kicks). On this evidence, you could see them striking up a good partnership if Van Persie joins in with immediate effect, with Rooney playing off RVP. They wouldn’t really get in each other’s way, from the looks of things.

Strengths 

Experience 

If the deadly duo can develop instantaneous understanding, this partnership could be a lethal development for the opposition attacks to handle. With humongous minutes and wealth of experience under their belt, this could be  the difference during tight situations.

Finishing

Wayne is a more clinical finisher and has better movement in the box than RVP, but RVP is better technically and links play better and is more creative. Reverse the roles they played last season and you’d see the best of them in a altogether different opinion. Just contrasting this, it was evidently seen that Van Persie’s goals often came from a pass to him from out wide or in midfield, and he would take a touch and finish it. The majority of Rooney’s goals came after he had played the ball off to somebody, and he sprinted into the box to get a header, or rebound off the keeper. Which would indicate that RVP is better further forward. Of course,  if both played together they would quickly work it out for themselves.

Competition for places

RVP and Rooney will benefit from the competition for places, Rooney, in particular, needs a lesser burden on his shoulders in terms of games played and producing the goals. Considering the strike force, RVP brings to us an added attacking dimension – he’s adept at playing either as a lone forward, one of a pair, or  in a more withdrawn role just off the front . And that’s also him at his most useful – deep enough to create for those around him, high enough to remain a goal threat.

Hernandez and Wellbeck will certainly get their share of games and if they are more influential enough, they will stamp their authority into the first team. When it

gets busy later with the local domestic cups and champions league, (two games a week etc), they will need these strikers to play, so that the top strikers can rest.

Passing

“Threatening” is the first word that comes to mind with this pair, because not only can they put the ball at the back of the net with supreme ease with respect to converting chances, but these duo also possess the passing ability and technical ability. The notion that elevates them from other forwards is their passing efficiency and creating chances for others. Both had their respective pairs of assists last season and it eagerly remains to be seen how this partnership starts up.

 Formation Options

With the addition of ammunition or rather re-enforced Arsenal, United can employ traditional 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-1-2 or even 4-2-3-1.

My opinion would be a 4-2-3-1 with Kagawa playing CAM along with Rooney, Rvp, Valencia/Nani completing the front 4. I would  prefer playing Rooney out wide because Kagawa is not as good as Rooney defensively so he would leave too much space for Evra to be attacked from, hence why he shouldn’t play there. And RVP, Rooney and Kagawa would probably interchange a bit. Our left wingers have to track back and Kagawa is not too good at that.

 Support from Kagawa’s footballing abilities

Kagawa is a type of player we haven’t had, and have been missing. He could sit at the head of a midfield three, keep possession, link the midfield to our attack and wingers and create chances. I think that is the main situation he has been bought for. He will allow us to play a midfield properly and hopefully compete for possession with other good midfields. Kagawa has the footballing brain to play in any attacking position. His best position is in a 4-5-1 which we don’t play apart from in big games. In big games, he will be a massively important player at the tip of a midfield trio because we have no other players who can play the position.

Weaknesses

Aerial ability

Van Persie has very poor timing with headers and Rooney seems to be a lot better with his head than RVP. Competiting consistently on the aerial basis with taller defenders would be a challenge worth watching.

Injuries

Everyone knows the long list of injuries and the long spells on the treatment table. Maybe, its an age when footballers peak. Remember Teddy Sheringham ?

RVP’s alledged reason to leave was the club’s lack of ambition, they at least appear to be showing some for the 1st time in a while, maybe it’s too little too late for RVP?

Manchester United’s new signing Alexander Buttner – Under the microscope

As the transfer deadline is fast approaching, Manchester United are smart to acquire the services of another Dutchman, Alexander Buttner. It’s been confirmed via the player himself and Dutch TV that Manchester United agreed terms with 23 year old Dutch left back from Vitesse. Apparently he’s a very attack minded fullback. Valued at £3.9 million, he can turn out to be a good bargain. United couldn’t go into the season with just one left back.

A back-up was needed for this season with Fabio on loan to QPR, and with Fryers’s future undecided at OT but I would have preferred a better prospect. Nevertheless, as long as he is decent, I would rather sign prefer this signing than Baines. Cheaper and younger and both would only be acting as backup for Evra. If Buttner is good enough, he can come into the first team when Evra’s time is up. If not, he can remain as backup whilst we pay a little more for another first choice player. I still have a feeling there could be another signing besides this. The shortage of resources in our LB position may commensurate the possibility of another player joining the United ranks. Certainly United do have talented youngsters like Blackett, Brady who can play at LB, but at this moment they are very raw and young not capable probably to handle the challenges of the EPL.

Buttner’s major strengths include attitude and work ethic. Under the tutelage of the experienced personnel at Manchester United and under the watchful eyes of Sir Alex, it can only result in improvement. It can turn out to be a utility signing as he is adept on both wings and can even play as RB. Also has scored 10 goals in 100+ odd matches, which is a decent record considering his position being a LB.

Manchester United decisively got a LB at last, I think United’s summer shopping has now finished and we’ve strengthened our weak areas and added superior depth to attack. About time Evra got some competition, he’s had it far too easy in last two years. No pressure on his place in the side at all. Lets hope this guy is up for it.

Is the transfer window drawn to a close by the Red Devils or it’s just a Butt-plug approach to close the gap until we can lay our hands on Baines ?

Nuri Sahin: The forgotten footballer

Just where is Nuri Sahin? Are the midfielder’s injury problems still haunting him ever after, or is his absence due to non-footballing matters lying lowly in the pecking order at Bernabeu?

Sahin made his debut in the Bundesliga at just 16 years of age and remains the youngest ever player to feature in the German top flight, he also broke the record as the youngest ever goal scorer netting against Nuremberg in the same season. 

I think he is a very good footballer, but he needed to stay with Dortmund for another season. He made the mistake of joining Real Madrid to early. He had a fantastic season last year, but needed to stay one more and produce that form again. Since being signed for €10 million from Borussia Dortmund, Turkish international, Nuri Sahin has played 364 minutes for Real Madrid in 5 games. To make it difficult for 2011′s Bundesliga player of the year, he has been called up for various games but not been given enough chance.

Nuri Sahin is a midfielder who plays as a playmaker and who has incredible vision, great skill with a great passing range and technique. Sahin always had quality but lacked consistency. His is a dead ball specialist, with an astounding ability to whip in balls from corners or freekicks, and has scored some sumptuous free kicks this season (vs Bayern Munich and vs Werder Bremen).

He would have been a good signing for Manchester United last summer and probably a better move for the player. Madrid often dump players for less than they paid for them. They'd never be able to sell anyone otherwise! Sahin sounds great and if he wants regular football then United would be the place to go, given the current state of our midfield. Sahin’s reading of the game is also exceptional, often winning key interceptions in midfield. Sahin also possesses the work ethic and tenacity required to succeed in central midfield.

Nuri Sahin is just the midfielder that would fit in at OT. He may need to bulk up a little but he does not shy away from a tackle. Apart from Scholes and Carrick and occassionally Rooney, there isn't someone who could pass long. I think he would be particularly important if we were to go on the counter attack. He could easily release Rooney, Kagawa, Welbeck or anyone on the wings with this pin point long passes. I see him in the Xavi mould and although his shooting may not be on par with Scholesy, I think he would be a young, cheap and effective player in our center midfield. He's worth a shout at 12-16M.

What if he joins United ?

Kagawa's possible inclusion at United opens the door to us playing a 4-3-2-1 next season which means Carrick will be partnering another CM who will more than likely be a defensive minded CM. 

Playing both Carrick and Sahin as deep CM's wouldn't solve anything, it would just be like playing Scholes and Carrick, which has worked but its left us so exposed in numerous games this season. 

Not to mention that United and Real's rejects don't go hand in hand. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Sahin went elsewhere for 7m, became the player he was at Dortmund again and then United go back for him in 2 years when his value reaches 25-30m for another club.

Sadly for Sahin, he seems to be a victim of his team’s on-pitch success, as he finds himself currently at the bottom of Real Madrid’s midfield pecking order, behind the likes of Alonso, Sami Khedira, Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero. Hoping he joins a club where he can atleast get consistent first team football.

  

The metronome passer Sergio Busquets - Under the microscope

Sergio Busquests - The cunning serpent; silent killer aptly justifies the metaphorical phrase.

Don't judge a book by its cover - you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something, by its outward appearance alone, Sergio fits into this billing and it's insane how underrated this guy is. Playing in a team which produces superabundances of talent, bringing up from the ranks, it is obvious for a smart player to be forgotten as the team wins riches and whose command of the ball is overshadowed by the presence of more established creative forces in Xavi and Iniesta. 

Imagine Busquets is just 23 and having won the World Cup, Euros, Champions League titles, domestic successes with both Spain and Barcelona, what future he is gonna have, being already one of the best in his position. But all that diving and whining and theatrics and the imaginary-card-flashing; it’s bound to take the sheen off his achievements and hit his credibility. According to me, he's one of the most comfortable and relaxed guys to grace a football pitch.

He is the perfect DM for Barca, not your standard midfield destroyer but rather one who graces the play with his excellent touch and control. I think there is a lot more to see from this player, even if his impact on a match is often overlooked. The role of Sergio Busquets is quite different from a regular holding or a box-to-box midfielder. The fact that he is barely involved in creating goals with the killer passes, scoring goals or providing assists dismisses this unique player's importance. Goals are not even his forte, but when all the other Barca players playing tiki- taka dance around the opposition, Sergio plays a huge part being responsible for sustaining the tempo and with the possession control. Busquet's reading of game is truly amazing for a young man. His moving around the middle of pitch, looking for spaces all the time, helps in controlling the game and other teams cannot stop him due to the natural defensive instincts and his composure on the ball.

The young calm Catalan does not only rely on his tackling abilities, but he also keeps his man covered with his great positioning sense. His intelligence on the pitch and smooth passing is the closest to Xavi the Catalans have, and only Thiago has some similar traits, but he is still too young, raw and inexperienced to be anywhere close to succeed Xavi. Busquets is perfectly at ease as a CM, and Barcelona can have Romeu employed as CDM with Busquests further up the pitch after Xavi retires. He is becoming much better than today's aging and slower Xavi as he masters Xavi's distribution, short simple passes and awareness to be available for others. Also responsible for providing cover for the players who have left the defensive lines and positions(like the full backs do while Barca play), and with his great ball-winning techniques, he is often successful while tackling. While we wonder the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta will be the first names on the team sheet, the command that Busquet's possesses and the rock solidity he provides will be vividly palpable the times he is off the field.

However, some footballing minds can point out him for being more overrated by citing reasons like he is made to look good by the players around him. But he is certainly an important cogwheel of the sailing Spanish armada. Though his theatrics appeal more to the eye than his tenacious defensive shield that he bestows- but diving has become a skill and such things need strong penalties. Nowadays, players dive all the time and get practically no rough treatment but Busquets gets hated on continuously in a normal game. One sight I would want to see him bombing forward a bit more, adding a bit of Yaya Toure to his game! That could be a phenomenal lethal combination of attack minded play along with defensive solidity.

Sergio Busquets is a industrious example of what a modern-day sweeper is. He acts as a controller of the game when Puyol/ Pique/ Mascherano move forward in attack when Barcelona have possession, while he plays in front of the defense providing solidity trying to win back the ball when they defend. According to me, Sergio Busquests is surely the Unsung hero and exhibits a huge chance of becoming better than greats such as Gattuso, Makelele, De Rossi, Xabi Alonso or becoming the best of the lot amongst the pool comprising of Lassa Diarra, Cambiasso, De jong, Mascherano, Essien, Khedira.

Will the real Bébé please stand up ???

It is common sense that you shouldn’t judge a player based on his performance in pre-season friendlies, but a good preseason performance is responsible for creating a noticeable impression and if possible carving out an identity for a talent like Tiago Manuel Dias Correia  known to us as Bébé. 

When you look back to the time when Manchester United bought Bebe for a deal reported to be around £7.4 million, Real Madrid were also interested. United wouldn’t have just thrown 7 million at a completely unknown player without seeing something good in him. Sadly, Bebe underachieved and repeatedly since his transfer and is often regarded as one of the worst signings by Sir Alex. In fact I have always wondered why SAF seem to have some faith in him. From what we have seen there is something worthy of him to keep him at United. Mind you he came from the unknown land to the Theater of Dreams. You can imagine the pressure to perform he has been under. Maybe what he needs is confidence and I hope the preseason will do him good.

Bebe has the physical attributes, not the footballing ones mind you, but a horrendous first touch. It’s his speed and powerful shot that are attractive about him. He has the potential, the pace, is a beast of a man and that atrocious shooting power is enough to blow a hole through a wall. But so far in the preseason matches his link up play looked good, and his spacial awareness has improved. Or is it because Macheda abysmal performance is making him look good?

The motto should be ” we have nothing to lose ” to give him a fair chance. After his terrorizing performance, Sir Alex said,

“We’ll see how the season progresses for him, but it gives me a headache in terms of number of strikers we have there. That’s not a bad thing, though. He had his loan at Besiktas and then picked up the bad injury which kept him out for most of the season.”

“That is probably his first game for about eight months, so he will be pleased to be back playing and pleased he scored a goal.”

Signed blindly from Vitória de Guimarães, it was a gamble worth taking, but Bebe has failed miserably so far in United colors. He needs a year of consistent football, either with another English side or with our reserves with the odd league game or some league cup appearances before making another evaluation. What can been drawn from his pre – season appearances are: He was a threat and can be effective in providing that cutting edge in the final third that United so dearly missed in last season’s games. Can the forgotten man be back in the mix?

All transfers are a risk. Investing in a young players is a particularly high risk activity. Maybe United really believed that Bebe could be a rarity, a genuine unknown superstar. Thus, the hype over Moura and the reality behind it is a mystery.

Leaving the current transfer speculations aside, being the world’s 97,612th highest paid footballer – Bebe has lot to prove at United. The fact that his debut season was still better than Downing’s for Liverpool suggests he’s not a wasteful of talent. He isn’t completely awful or rubbish but is unlikely to make the grade at United.

Time will tell if he’ll be able to live up to his ridiculous price tag. In my opinion he just needs a good run of games to see what he is made of. Hope he gets a loan move in England. Could this season be the turning point in his Manchester United career?

Da Silva Twins - efficacious wingers in the realm of possibility ?

Beyond a shadow of doubt, Sir Alex can break no sweat over distinguishing between the energetic Brazilian twins – The Da Silva brothers. According to the latest transfer news, Rafael has signed a 4 year contract extension which keeps him at the club till 2016 and Fabio signed a loan deal with Queens Park Rangers for the forthcoming season. It is definitely a step towards regaining the top spot. Sir Alex is leaving no stone unturned in this aspect.

They have largely been injured, because of their fearless tackles. They definitely have a bright future and can bring some Brazilian flair to the entire setup. The twins love to bombard down the flanks and support the offensive play. But their way to the first team is blocked by players who have established themselves as regulars. On that account, I got a thought – can they play as wingers?

Sir Alex experimented by playing the energetic Rafael in centre-midfield against Blackburn, which backfired as the side lost 3-2. Fabio did come on as a sub last year against Wigan and played on the left wing. Also, Sir Alex started them as wingers against Arsenal in an FA cup match with Fabio scoring from a Rafael cross. So the signs do look promising.

In the future, can the Brazilian duo be put to work as wingers? Well, I have a host of reasons to back up this suggestion.

• Fabio has found the way to the first team blocked by O’Shea and Evra. If United sign Baines, then another player would be ahead of him. Even the likes of Blackett, Fryers (if he stays) will contest a place for the Left Back position. On the other side, Wes Brown often played as Right Back and more importantly, Neville had made that position his own. Jones and Smalling have emerged as potential defenders who are adept at playing at Right Back, thus further reducing the chances for the twins. Thus a change in roles would help. Deploying them as wingers can help in tapping their immense potential as well as kill the deficit of wingers in the years down the line.

• The center of gravity matters. Since a taller person has longer legs, they surely take longer strides compared to a shorter person and cover greater ground. However, they also have to deal with more mass as well, which ultimately results in tiring the person off quickly. Therefore, the Da Silva twins would be able to do well on the wings than other taller players.

• As Brazilians, dribbling would be one of the fundamental skills that they possess and this can be better used by deploying them as wide men. They are already good at accelerating and sprinting. If they can develop their game by providing quality crosses, they will be very lethal.

• Being young and willing to adapt, their stamina can be vital for United. The willingness to learn and the ambition to succeed may be a driving factor.

• The amount of injuries that they incur could lessen by a large amount as they would not have to tackle recklessly or block shots. Or they can play as solid full backs to the wingers with overlapping runs and the partnership of Rafael and Valencia surely looked deadly last time around. Rafael made the runs when Valencia hogged the touchline and Valencia took care of the pressing game and vice-versa when Valencia was on with his marauding runs.

If used cleverly, they can be of good use to the club. I surely feel they have a bright future in the United colours for many more years to come.