Pre-season Formation

It's that time of year again where the blog gets updated frequently, new signings are made, and the Walker brothers squabble about formation.

Last season we had a bit of a play around with formation which seemed to work ok, except in that game where we were up 3-0 after about 10 minutes before blowing it (did we draw or lose it? Eds note: I just checked the tables and in the cup tournament we won 2 lost 1 so I guess we lost it 4-3). The formation worked ok for a bit until they worked out how to play us and we didn't adapt. We wont be making that same mistake this year and if things aren't working we'll look to change things around.

For this weekend I'd like to play a mix of 4-3-3/4-5-1/4-2-3-1. Basically the back 4 is pretty standard. For this game we'll start with (and in brackets the names of others who could/will fill those roles if everyone is available:

GK - Jamie (Paul)
LB - Corey
RB - Spencer (Dan/Joe)
CB - Jason (Mike/Tangihaere/Paddy)
CB - Dan

Their roles are pretty much what they have always been. Assuming they play 4-2-2, two of the defenders pick up their two attackers which leaves 2 people free to pick up their wide midfielders coming through, or just to help out in numbers.

The midfield/attack are:

DM - Aaron
CM/DM - Rauru
CM/AM - Gus (Lloyd/Paddy)
L/RM - Graham (Panda/Rauru/Gus/Paddy/Nick)
L/RM - Rob
CF - Tristin (Rauru/Gus)

I'd like the R/LM to play quite high up the pitch in almost an attacking role so that there is support for Tristin who is going to be a lone striker. I think we're not prolific enough goal scorers to have Tristin up front by himself (we had one of the lowest 'goals for' in our grade last year but had the best goal difference which says a lot for our defense - we had 5 less goals scored against us than the next best team!). This means that in this game on the weekend we need Rob and Graham to play more attacking than defending. Gus also has a bit of a free role to attack through the middle. Of course they cant play as attackers, but as soon as we get the ball the R/LM need to get wide and push up. If the ball is on their side they need to be hitting the corners, if it's on the other side they drop into the middle a bit more near Tristin who will stay central and as deep as possible.

This gives us 1 sub for the weekend (Nick - only cause I thought you were out initially Nick!) who will probably out wide as a L/RM but can fit into the middle if needed.

This could be seen as a 4-2-3-1 formation. 4 defenders, 2 holding mids, 3 attacking mids and 1 striker. We'll adapt as we need to though.

This is a bit of a mixed up team as two of our regular CM are out (which means I'll fit in there this week to start with), as well as two CB (although not as much of a disruption as Dan and Jason will probably play there quite a bit this season).

No idea if this is going to work, or even if it makes much sense, but we'll give it a crack!