Football

England’s tactical dilemma: the alternatives

If the recent friendly against Ireland is anything to go by, then England are again in an absolute tactical rut. The classic 4-4-2 is no longer a viable option for England, it is simply far too predictable. Fair enough the game was only a friendly, but these friendlies should be used to try out new tactics, not to try and revive a system which for all intents and purposes is dead on the international stage. Against teams which can organise themselves defensively and pack the midfield, 4-4-2 is hopeless. Here are a few possible alternatives which Roy Hodgson could at least try out.

 

4-1-2-1-2

A variation of the flat 4-4-2, the ‘diamond’ as it is affectionately called allows the midfield players to stick to a more defined role which suits them. This has been used recently with Tom Cleverly sitting behind the strikers and allowing Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or possibly Michael Carrick to sit back and operate in a holding role. The holding midfield player can provide cover to the center backs as well as play passes from deep. Furthermore, the main advantage of having a central holding player is their vision of the game, it simply allows them to see more. Carrick, Gerrard and Lampard have all taken on this role incredibly well this season, being able to open up the game with variable short passes or well placed long passes to forward running players. Having an attacking midfielder adds options in the last third and can provide the incisive runs or through balls which can cut up opponents defences. Also, with two strikers, the front line does not get isolated and could be a combination of Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Andy Carroll or Daniel Sturridge.

 

4-3-3

Again a rather conventional formation, but another one which provides more options than the flat 4-4-2; the bonus of playing the 4-3-3 is its flexibility. When England are attacking, the two forward wide players who could possibly be Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaaron Lennon or Ashley Young, can get up the pitch and deliver crosses or cut inside and create chances. Conversely, when England are under pressure and need to defend, the 4-3-3 can revert to a ‘safety-first’ style 4-5-1 with the wide players acting in a more defensive role and the three central midfield players closing down space in the middle of the park. The midfield three could consist of Gerrard, Lampard and Carrick again but with regards to younger players, Jack Rodwell and Jack Wilshere could be brought in. With Carrick having a few more years left in him than Gerrard or Lampard, he could operate a deeper role like he has for Manchester United which means Rodwell and Wilshere can be more positive in their play.

 

3-5-2

Playing three at the back is like blasphemy for England. Despite the fact it is becoming much more popular on the continent; English teams have been reluctant to sacrifice a defender for extra presence in midfield. Playing three central defenders who could be either Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones or Steven Caulker in the future, works well in marking strikers out of the game. Kyle Walker or Glen Johnson could play down the right hand side and Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines or possibly Ryan Bertrand could play on the left hand side. As long as the wide players who are employed can help to get back and defend this formation could suit England, allowing them again to have three central midfielders and two strikers. It means midfield domination as well as the prevention of isolating the strikers.

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