The basic midfield rules of playing a 4-4-2

we need Mc Phail back in the team soon as the playmaker , I think Koumas is better playing wide and cutting in a bit like Mc Cormack did yest ?

I've posted several times before, there seems to be an assupmtion that Koumas will play centrally, even though I don't think he played there once when he was here before. In truth, I'm not sure he's played centrally for if not most, then large parts of his career anyway and given Jones didn't think Ramsey was a central player, he's not likely to think Koumas is. That said, I don't believe one of Burke, Whitts or Koumas are likely to be happy in a squad rotation role, meaning quite simply 3 into 2 does't go. One option is playing one of Whitss or Koumas centrally, but I don't believe Jones sees either of them as central players except in extenuating circumstances, even though many of our other options are wholly inferior. While it would clearly be a gamble playing one of these players centrally as both could be regarded luxury players at times, no less so than playing McPhail given his work without the ball, or indeed bearing in mind what many others such as Rae bring to the game at all.

I think Koumas will replace Whitts as he's not stated that he wants out.

I agree coz if Forest have the cash and will give £1.5 mil upfront then its a done deal , Koumas is ideal coz he plays wide left and cuts in . We need to remember that when Naylor signs we will have another attacking / overlapping left back just like Naughts yesterday ............. Blake was superb at full back too plus we got Matthews is he stays . Dunno about Quinn tho ?

I think Koumas will replace Whitts as he's not stated that he wants out.

Agree, unless Whitts signs a new deal very soon, it would be madness not to sell him, just as a similar scenario last season was. Much as I can appreciate the Ledley scenario was a difficult decision given the timing, nowhere near as much as Riddle suggested as other options were available to strengthen anyway, namely the loan system. Besides, those supposedly running the club are handsomely renumerated to make difficult decisions, last year was yet another aberration, surely the same mistake won't be made again?

OP: 4-4-2 and 4-4-2 Diamond are two different things. Default 4-4-2 central midfielders role are: one is ball winning midfielder, other is playmaker. 4-4-2 Diamond emphasizes their assigments

OP: 4-4-2 and 4-4-2 Diamond are two different things. Default 4-4-2 central midfielders role are: one is ball winning midfielder, other is playmaker. 4-4-2 Diamond emphasizes their assigments

I'm sorry but even playing a diamond its the same basic rules. The only difference is that the attacking player is moved more up the pitch than in a basic 4-4-2

Basically yeah, it is. only difference is that there aren't CMs anymore, only AMC and DMC

I can't believe some people are saying that Jones done a masterstroke yesterday by bringing Ross on and putting Whitts into the middle. Well lets look at this more closely.

Now I played to a good level and I was always under the impression that if you are playing a 4-4-2 you would have one attacking central midfielder and one defensive central midfielder. Yesterday Jones started with Rae and Drinkwater in the middle, who I feel are two defensive central midfielders and the result being that nothing was created between the two.

Then he made the change which replaced one of the defensive midfielders and put an attacking midfielder in to partner Drinkwater in the middle with many more chances being created as a result.

So, I feel that Jones didn't play a misterstroke at all. He just corrected a mistake he made in team his selection.

DJ's starting line up could be discribed as a 'mistake' or 'plan A' with the switching of Whittingham to the middle finally proving he has a plan B.

i'm not sure I entirely agree that the basic rules of playing 4-4-2. Many successful teams in recent years have deployed 2 deep lying defensive midfielders which gives the wide players licence to move forward.

With the abilty of our full backs plus looks like Whitts is going then why not try 5 - 3 - 2 with Blake tucked in as sweeper ? If that dont work out then its easily switched with Burke coming off the bench for 1 of the 4 - 4 - 2 formations

You've been playing too much Championship manager or something

Each player has its position. Has nothing to do with games. What's the difference between AMC and attacking midfielder?

With the abilty of our full backs plus looks like Whitts is going then why not try 5 - 3 - 2 with Blake tucked in as sweeper ? If that dont work out then its easily switched with Burke coming off the bench for 1 of the 4 - 4 - 2 formations

Huh? are you saying that we should employ defensive formation?

5 - 3 - 2 is an attacking formation with basically the 2 full backs pushing forward as wingers , but saying that then do we have 3 centre halves who can pass the ball tidy ?

I can't believe some people are saying that Jones done a masterstroke yesterday by bringing Ross on and putting Whitts into the middle. Well lets look at this more closely.

Now I played to a good level and I was always under the impression that if you are playing a 4-4-2 you would have one attacking central midfielder and one defensive central midfielder. Yesterday Jones started with Rae and Drinkwater in the middle, who I feel are two defensive central midfielders and the result being that nothing was created between the two.

Then he made the change which replaced one of the defensive midfielders and put an attacking midfielder in to partner Drinkwater in the middle with many more chances being created as a result.

So, I feel that Jones didn't play a misterstroke at all. He just corrected a mistake he made in team his selection.

Think you are right there Chief. That was how it was .

England pick Gerrard and Lampard in centre midfield 2 attacking players who are aguable the 2 best British players in that position but IMO only 1 of them can start in the team , so why apart from injuries would Jones ever play Drinkwater and Rae togethor coz both are clearly NOT attack minded ? Mc Phail will come back plus another holding player to be brought in which would then relegate both to the bench !

I wasn't sure what formation we were playing once DJ had made the change if I'm honest. It seemed to be a bit of a free for all as Sheff Utd offered nothing.

Whitts dropped deep, almost like an american football quarter back, and started pinging the passes about.

Drinkwater seemed to carry on his midfield role.

Burke carried on on the right.

Ross, Chops and Bothroyd seemed to float around in the space in front of the Sheff Utd back four, Chops especially. I remember twice in the second half our fullbacks got to the bye line and either pulled the ball back or fired the ball into the near post (Blake I think?). I'd have bet my house on Chopra lurking in the 6 yard box for a tap in but he was either on the edge of the box or a few yards outside it having dropped so deep to try and get involved, he's at his best when he plays high up the pitch making runs in behind the centre backs, everything yesterday was played in front of the opposition. The one time Chops got in behind them he created Bothroyds goal.

It was a very disjointed performance yesterday, we didn't seem to know the best way to pick Sheff Utd apart. Lets hope it's just early season rust

442 is outdated these days anyway.
Pretty much every top side plays a 451.