Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Josh Horlock · Kieran Bass · Matt Grainger · Jake Moore · Alex Bimson · Logan Palmby · Charlie Robinson · Ross Alexander · Jake Jenner · Jamie Grey-Esson · Archie Cullum

Prioritizing defensive stability and quick transitions, this team operates in a 5-2-3 formation. The lineup is built to sit in a mid-block and absorb pressure before hitting teams with verticality on the break. This setup allows the side to remain compact and difficult to break down, relying on the width provided by wing backs to stretch the opposition during the attacking phase.

Josh Horlock guards the goal as the last line of defense. The defensive unit utilizes a back five that can shift effectively to cover wide areas. Logan Palmby sits central to command the line, supported by Matt Grainger and Jake Moore who act as the central pillars. To provide width and defensive cover, Alex Bimson acts as a right wing back while Kieran Bass operates on the left. These wide defenders are tasked with tracking runners and providing an outlet to play out from the back.

The midfield operates with a double pivot consisting of Charlie Robinson and Ross Alexander. These two players must work tirelessly to shield the defense and win the second ball in the center of the pitch. Robinson and Alexander act as the link between the back five and the front three, with one player often tasked to drop deeper to help build play while the other carries the ball forward. They must press in a mid-block to deny the turn of opposition playmakers and prevent easy passes through the middle.

In the attacking phase, the team utilizes three attackers across the front. Jamie Grey-Esson leads the line as a lone striker, tasked to hold up the ball and link up play with the wide players. Jake Jenner and Archie Cullum operate as wingers on either side, ready to cut inside or stretch the defense by pushing high. This attacking unit is designed to exploit space behind the opposition defense, using quick combinations and direct runs to create scoring opportunities.

This formation offers several tactical advantages, particularly the ability to maintain compactness when defending. By using a back five, the team can easily shift into a narrow block to protect the center of the pitch. Additionally, the team creates wide overloads when Alex Bimson and Kieran Bass push high to support the wingers. The speed of transition from a defensive block to an attacking front three allows the side to catch opponents out of position.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a very solid platform for teams that want to control space and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against possession based teams where the ability to absorb pressure and exploit wide areas is vital.