Quote Originally Posted by galwayhoop View Post
terrible formation. 3 centre backs went out with the flood.

especially in this part of the world. our players aren't able to play in anything other than a back 4. it's all they ever played from day one.

invariably with 3 at the back you end up compensating by pulling back the wingers (or wing-backs as they more accurately are) and/or one or both of your midfield players sit in. it usually ends up as a back 5 or 6 so the same numbers end up with defensive duties as with the 4-4-2 we currently play (and are comfortable with) - and at least in our current formation we use players more suited to defending than in that christmas tree you drew!!!!

as john giles says it is players than win matches not formations (or tactics) - he's right of course but i think formations can help you lose games.
It's not a massive leap from what we are playing now, if you look at our right and left mid in any game under Trap they play as full backs when we don't have the ball and we do end up with a 5/6 defenders at those times. The formation works with one commanding centre back calling the shots and playing the sweeper role(Dunne). It also accomodates for our best 11 playing in their natural positions, albeit with slightly more emphassis on one role of that position. Our best form of attack is on the ground through the middle, at the moment this only happens with our wingers cutting inside... wingers who are told to defend first and so this is a rare occurrance. This formation satisfies the defensive approach Trap likes (2 defensive CM and Wide men) but also gives us great potential for agressive counter attacking through the centre.