What Systems?

[9emfire]

when I see Valencia play, Villa seems to like to come deep and start off some forward play. Sometimes I see his movements atypical of King Kenny...not really a striker but rather a central forward.

 

I think the modern game no longer typifies a striker/left midfielder/right etc. Big burly english style striker who stations 24/7 at 6 yarder is like a relic now. It is all about movements, fluidity and interchangibility. It does has its benefits where an opponent defender will find it difficult to shackle the forwards/strikers cos of these movements and strikers coming out wide almost to the flanks sometimes draw out their central defenders too and thus leaving space for other attacking players to benefit. That is what makes Torres and Gerrard positional sense ticks cos the opponents find it difficult to shackle one for the other.

 

Now Kuyt's movements are good for the right cos he does cover a lot of spaces there. It is also a forward space to exploit which unfortunately for Kuyt, his finishing and tenacity infront of goal is appalling. Not many forwards/strikers are suited to the right side. Messi would be the most ideal but we can only dream on. However, two forwards who I believe can and will thrive with that space would be Villa and Keane. They both have the movements and has shown to be quite capable of hitting it home. They showed capable of working hard too and tracking back.

 

What can we actually do with our forwards is the fluid movements and interchangibility between them and that alone will create spaces and opportunities.

 

That is what I believe Rafa has in mind too when he tried to play Crouch, Voronin and Kuyt at the right side/wings. It was not actually to typify a right/left midfielder's role but rather to emulate the right/left forward ala 4-3-3 system. But that is not to say we are rigidly 4-3-3 but the beauty of 4-2-3-1 is it is very flexible and if the players are mobile, it evolves to 4-5-1 when defending, 4-4-2 during general play, 4-3-3 when counterattacking and 4-2-3-1 for pressing on. Thus it is no longer a phenomenon if Ronaldo who on paper is playing a right midfielder scores a lot of goals cos in actual fact he is playing more of a right forward and sometimes switches flanks to put off the defenders. Gerrard thrives in this role too cos he is basically a complete footballer who can play anywhere in the park and has the strength and power to push past defenders.

 

In other words, only dynamic players will succeed/thrive in the system. That is ideally the measure of our future targets/transfers.

 

Even left/right backs are required to have a good forward play so they too can double-up and overlap ala a right winger.

 

Pennant was successful in Birmingham cos he is only played as a right winger and he ran up/down that flank the whole day and cross. What sets wright-phillips apart from him is the latter can also cut inside and do some damages. Unfortunately, we require more of pennant than simply a right wing play and for that he is limited. Benny has the intelligence but his lack of pace also meant that his movements can be thwarted easily by the opponents.

Edited March 19, 2008 by 9emfire