FOOTBALL FORMATIONS

About this formation

Starting XI. Goals we concede are from attacks and penetration exploited through the middle. We rarely get beat from wide areas where the ball is crossed into the box. David, Mark, Sam and myself are the best tacklers on the team and the best defenders in terms of reading attacks. If we play disciplined as a unit and keep shape, we should dominate the midfield every game. I trust Darren and Matt at outside back. Mark and I are basically dual stoppers sitting in front of Sam. When space allows and we are attacking, Mark will have the green light to go forward and I will stay back as my primary role is to protect the back line and be an outlet to retain possession when need be and to get it to the playmakers. I'd want it to be communicated that we have man marking principles and not zonal. Would also love our team to drop back all the way back to 5 yards in front of the half way line. Let the other team's back line have possession in their half and make their worst players make decisions on the ball. We will start to see a lot of long balls which we will then be challenged to win those headers. If we press too high and get stretched, it makes the game easy for them and we get broken down really easily. Chris is basically a lone striker but would be asked to start our defense by applying light pressure to any outside backs who may have the ball. I'd want David and Crespo to interchange and float to the open space and almost be focused primarily on offense. There is no reason why David, Crespo and Chris shouldn't be able to make magic happen together. They also have speedy outlets wide in Zach and Andy to provide a great offensive threat. Basically we have 3 folks primarily focused on offense but to provide light pressure to lead us on the defensive side of the ball. Andy and Zach are there to protect the outside backs on defense and to provide width to our attack on offense. They are both fit enough and skilled enough to do so. I'm there to win headers, tackle hard, intercept passes and win balls to put at the feet of our playmakers. Mark is there to do the same but also to supplement the attack into our attacking half. box to box midfielder.

Now onto the subs: Ron would be there to sub at either outside back position or in my position. Haley can sub for Andy or any of the Chris/Creso/David role. Travis can sub for anyone but primarily the same as Haley. Gabel subs for any of the outside backs. Duff can sub for the outside backs or can play as a lone striker and see how he can do holding the ball up. Scotty can sub for either outside mid or Chris/Cresp/David. i don't want him on defense. gives away too many fouls in bad areas along with PKs. Cory can play either outside mid or outside back. Joe can sub for the David/Chris/Crespo spot. Ryan can sub for me, mark or either of the outside backs.

Ideally, Garrett and Sam should never come off. Then behind them, I'd want Mark, David and Chris on the field at least 85% of the time. Since Dave is always late, let Haley or Joe start in his place. I'm versatile and can play anywhere but obviously i'm more effective in defense. Me at stopper i'd have a greater influence on the game and would be more effective than just being an outside back. Yes, i'm cocky and you guys already know I am but my skills would be better utilized at stopper and would benefit the team more so. I don't have enough influence on the game at LB/RB and it is frustrating watching us getting beat in midfield.