The best form of defence is DEFENCE

Once in a while I get asked what I think is the best formation. The problem with the answer to the question is trying to gauge the level of understanding of the individual asking the question. The answer differs to a coach from that of a fan. I will balance the two.

The issue of formations will lie on the philosophy of the coach and the fan’s understanding of the game. Given that the world is not ideal, coaches work around the material available to them. At the end of the day, what this provides us with, is a pattern that is usually seen when the team takes a defensive position, that is, having lost possession of the ball. This is the only moment you can determine the formation at play.

Personally, I love to have a Brazilian Ronaldo type of central attacker, or at least a van Nisterlrooy or a Romario so as to bang in everything that gets into the penalty box and can work independent of immediate support. Conventionally, I should build my team from the back, but we break the rules for now. His contribution in defense will be vital in pressuring the defenders and goalkeeper only in particular situations.

Behind him, I would seek a deadly attacking midfielder of the Messi, Cantona or Maradona quality. His role will be to supply and feed the finisher. This guy must be exempt from all defensive duties. This will save his energy for what he is best at, to do simple things without error. Usually, players not caring to defend are found in very good offensive spots when possession is regained.

It will be vital to have wingers like Ashley Young or Shaun Wright Phillips and Allan Johnson. This gives you the width, precise crossing, finishing if needed and the general arrogance that I like. Above all, these type of players are capable of at least 50 -60 % defensive duties when they have to track down and even falling back behind the centre line to close either channel. They give you pace in the vigorous penetration going into the final third with excellent dribbling speed and their threat to score or pass well.

At this point, there is need of strong and physical ball winners in the mould of Patrick Vierra of old, Emmanuel Petit, Dunga, Marseilly Desai or Michael Essien. Key to their characteristics is the anticipation and then their interception skills. The combative nature of the modern game will require them to be a duet that is not in tandem, but square. This closes traffic in the centre channel of the field and suffocates opposing offences. Usually, they shepherd the other team across the field. They may not have good aerial skills, but it helps if they do.

At the wing back position, I prefer the old fashion fullback that strangles his opponent the entire game, without letting any cross into the box. Ashley Cole, Gaily Clichy or Patrice Evra would find it hard to be in my team. Wingback positioning becomes vital not to overload the central defence and goalkeeper. They should be able to be compact, coming to the central defensive position to constrict the spaces between themselves and the centre back when the attack is coming slowly and surely. They should anticipate well as their interceptions will be as vital so as not to dive into tackles in desperation. In case they find themselves in attack, the solid central defenders must find themselves drifted to that position until the attack is over.

The central defending position is an interesting for me as the package must come complete to fluidity. I prefer to have a stable character that takes no prisoners at all, grounded there and being protected by a smart partner who works around him. This will remind you of Terry Butcher, Tony Adams, Lucas Radebe, Gerard Pique and Lothar Matheus when he switched positions. Carles Puyol, Lucio, Lillian Thuram and Onouha have the versatility to be around these stoppers and sweep in front, at the sides and back with equal ease. They give the midfield the necessary impetus when going forward and you do not suffer heart attacks when they are off position drifting with play, as you have things covered.

Now that we are finally at the beginning, I have hard choices to make in terms of examples. As a matter of principle, I want a crazy goalkeeper. More for me, is the organising ability than shot stopping and coming out for the cross. A vocal character and confidence giver comes on the mould of Bruce Grobelaar and Peter Schmichael. There would be a lot of Chilavert and even Higuita to complete a line up. Here I am looking at someone who will throughout a defender into the stands for letting a cross come in, or is beaten by a silly ball or even just for poor judgement. This man must be an animal feared by both his team-mates and rivals alike.

My formation will be thus a 1-2-4-2-1-1. This is a goalkeeper, 2 central defenders, 2 central defenders in line with wingbacks, the 2 midfielders and a nimble footed cunning attacker behind the goal poacher. The reason that there is no multitude of those labelled as strikers is simple. The attackers need space to flourish, hence there is no need to take up good space by our own personnel and worse, our men will attract further men into vital areas. Maybe we can say it is a 1-6-3-1, but then, this gives the impression of a defensive arrangement, of which it isn’t.  You will realise that the wing channels are open to attract wing defenders out of our attacking positions for the midfielders and strikers to exploit.

My stubborn football character will let me keep my stance and hope the opposition conforms. In cases where it is not so, because of a lot of rehearsals, the match will be up for the taking as the training will have rendered such movements lethal. Do not be fooled, the best form of attack is ATTACK and the best form of defence is just that, DEFENCE. Attack well and defend well. Period.