4–3–2–1 (the "Christmas Tree" formation)
Gentlemen i thought i would use this space instead of a blog to see just why there is so little support for this formation in England now and inparticular Manchester United fans and staff, Considering the success a new system of play and a narrow formation has meant for Liverpool. I had been thinking about this since around January and making a few noises on forums when Moyes bought Mata and Kagawa was still struggling and looking like a ghost of his Dortmund days. And this last few games they have started to show that they make a much better partnership than Rooney or Van Persie as Mata has 80 touches last game, Where as RVP and Rooney make about 4 passes per match to each other. And the style of play they bring to us is so much more pleasing than the longball and cross reliant system we have suffered under all season. Note that under our current system players like Young and Valencia have played almost 30 games each and yet have managed single figure assists between them all season. Juan Mata since January almost offers the same assist rates as both players nevermind Shinji Kagawa.
Wayne Rooney being the slow multiple touch hollywood passer he is simply holds up the play and gets in the way of any fluid one touch Mata Kagawa link ups in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. The only way to get him or RVP out of the problem was to my mind was play one up front alone and sell the other. Obviously we would dream of being a club with enough talent and trophies to have the luxury of rotating Wayne and Robin on a per game basis but it seems unlikely to be something neither player would accept right now, Although it should be noted that a defiant manager has both tied down to career ending contracts.
United already have a plethora of talented forward players like Mata and Kagawa and many sub standard who can leave to regenerate spending power, And aided by a formation which enables you to pack the midfield area it would leave United the luxury of being able to concentrate thier summer transfer window on finding an securing two world class midfield players and be able to offer them guaranteed week in week out starting places in thier natural positions.
Famous example are Milan and Ancelotti: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/01/22/teams-of-the-decade-14-milan-2002-07/
Here Gareth Southgate does a peice on defending against the 4-3-2-1: http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/tactics/defending-against-a-4-3-2-1
Gentlemen i thought i would use this space instead of a blog to see just why there is so little support for this formation in England now and inparticular Manchester United fans and staff, Considering the success a new system of play and a narrow formation has meant for Liverpool. I had been thinking about this since around January and making a few noises on forums when Moyes bought Mata and Kagawa was still struggling and looking like a ghost of his Dortmund days. And this last few games they have started to show that they make a much better partnership than Rooney or Van Persie as Mata has 80 touches last game, Where as RVP and Rooney make about 4 passes per match to each other. And the style of play they bring to us is so much more pleasing than the longball and cross reliant system we have suffered under all season. Note that under our current system players like Young and Valencia have played almost 30 games each and yet have managed single figure assists between them all season. Juan Mata since January almost offers the same assist rates as both players nevermind Shinji Kagawa.
Wayne Rooney being the slow multiple touch hollywood passer he is simply holds up the play and gets in the way of any fluid one touch Mata Kagawa link ups in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. The only way to get him or RVP out of the problem was to my mind was play one up front alone and sell the other. Obviously we would dream of being a club with enough talent and trophies to have the luxury of rotating Wayne and Robin on a per game basis but it seems unlikely to be something neither player would accept right now, Although it should be noted that a defiant manager has both tied down to career ending contracts.
United already have a plethora of talented forward players like Mata and Kagawa and many sub standard who can leave to regenerate spending power, And aided by a formation which enables you to pack the midfield area it would leave United the luxury of being able to concentrate thier summer transfer window on finding an securing two world class midfield players and be able to offer them guaranteed week in week out starting places in thier natural positions.
Famous example are Milan and Ancelotti: http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/01/22/teams-of-the-decade-14-milan-2002-07/
Here Gareth Southgate does a peice on defending against the 4-3-2-1: http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/tactics/defending-against-a-4-3-2-1
Last edited:
