Diamond Formation. What did you think?

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/diamond-formation-impresses.html

Alan Irvine seems to like it how about the rest of us?

 

[micknick]

I was going to post the same thing. We have talked about how to get the best out of the midfielders and I personally believe with the signing of Baines who can bomb up and down the left hand side as well as Jags can on the right hand side the width could come from the full backs meaning that the midfielders can play more narrow and thus a diamond formation:

******Carsley******
**Arteta*****Neville
*******Cahill******

A variation to formation depending on injuries, supsension and lack of form is imperative to a good season in both domestic and european competition.

 

[atrottel]

Ratcliffe was on Setanta, pointing out how DM had changed the formation after their fullbacks had gone marauding forwards a couple of times and essentially stifled them after that.

I think, instead of playing Carsley and Neville in the middle and Cahill and Arteta out wide, it ended up with Carsley holding, Neville and Arteta wide and Cahill/Osman filling in behind the forwards.

Worked pretty well. Although obviously in the second half the organisation went to pot a bit with the substitutions.

 

[FCConnecticut]

Interesting. Seems like a slighly more aggressive posture to me since I always felt our 4-5-1 (really a 4-4-1-1) was not that different than a diamond it just had a center mid in the... well... ...middle. So now what? We have two strikers and Cahill at the top of the diamond? The shape, IMO, has a more natural feel to it as all of your M's are in place for those slower building attacks.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

A definite improvment with our backs working well on the flank. Maybe advertising for Bainesy to dictate a up tempo gameplan. Could surprise a few people with our stength at the back. I'm loving it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

On paper it looks like the Brazilian formation, with two holding midfielders and two attacking midfielders. The full backs then provide the width. Who's going to be first with the "It's just like watching Brazil" chants?

 

[SuitsBlue]

I was going to post the same thing. We have talked about how to get the best out of the midfielders and I personally believe with the signing of Baines who can bomb up and down the left hand side as well as Jags can on the right hand side the width could come from the full backs meaning that the midfielders can play more narrow and thus a diamond formation:

******Carsley******
**Arteta*****Neville
*******Cahill******

A variation to formation depending on injuries, supsension and lack of form is imperative to a good season in both domestic and european competition.

im not sure about neville there.

such a narrow formation is reliant on full backs providing width all game and covering defensively. im not sure many sides have enough pace in their outfield 10 to allow such a 'gung-ho' approach. it'd be entertaining no doubt, but im unsure.

maybe...

*****cars****nevs*****
**arteta**cahill**pienaar*

with the full backs getting forward means cars can cover the ball in behind hibbert/jags, and neville can cover back for valente/baines.

i hope im explaining myself well enough, i wouldnt want to see yobo dragged out of position to cover RB, although i have complete faith in lescotts ability to manage covering the LB slot with consummate ease.

such a setup will involve new tactics, because with pace at the back we can push up further and pressurize. it would also see a lot of 'row Z' football when attacks break down and players are out of position, coupled with 'tactical' fouls.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Thats the way I see it Suits good job. I see nothing but good things from this approach. I now see were Davey has been going with the Backline sorted. Yobo and Lescott have to be in the middle.

 

[TX Bill]

When we played RSL, we had BOTH Carsley and Neville starting in midfield.

My first thought was "too defensive."

And I was right as we lacked really any imagination in the middle of the park.

I would not want to see BOTH Carsley and Neville together in the midfield.

 

[atrottel]

I would not want to see BOTH Carsley and Neville together in the midfield.

If Neville could score, we would have got five last night with both of them in midfield! Seriously, I know what you mean, but sticking him out on the right worked pretty well against Werder.

 

[CanadaToffee]

Agreed - from what I saw yesterday, and when he plays at RB, Neville has more to offer going forward (in wide areas particularly) than is generally assumed.

 

[TX Bill]

If Neville could score, we would have got five last night with both of them in midfield! Seriously, I know what you mean, but sticking him out on the right worked pretty well against Werder.

I guess I should have clarified.

The RSL lineup had a 442 with Osman, Neville, Carsley, and Arteta wide.

My thought would have been to just swap Neville with Arteta giving us a bit more creativity in the middle.

But both together in the CENTER of the park, nah.

But like what you're saying, I can subscribe to that.

 

[Neiler]

Neville should start at right back hes the best delever of a cross at the club bar arteta. Pity about the five yarders.