Split Spanish Double Pivot and our squad

I am so glad that the transfer window is finished and we can get back to football related issues rather than financial and agent related issues. Following the end of the transfer window there have been lots of threads commenting about the weaknesses in our squad and even talk that we might finish lower than last season.

My personal assessment of the squad is that it is maybe the most balanced squad we have had for a long time and we have a core group of players with great ability and plenty of young talented players to come in and show us what they can do and make an impact on our season.

One particular downfall of our sides recently has been the balance and the shape of our midfield. I don't mean ole gibbsy's complaints that we have a midfield of dwarves, although I will try and show that isn't necessarily the case anyway, I mean that we seem to have had a midfield full of central midfield utility players to a midfield in the last 3 games which has had 3 wingers who all like to get forward.

I'd like to talk about the Split Spanish Double Pivot and how it can work with our squad. The Split Spanish Double Pivot is a bastardisation of the Spanish Double Pivot which is used a lot on the continent



Imagine the midfield pairing of Sissoko (ball winner) and Alonso (ball player) both as sitting type midfielders.

Where the Split Spanish Double Pivot (SSDP to save me writing that every time) differs is that in an attacking situation the double pivot becomes stretched and so the ball playing midfielder is able to use his ability in a more attacking role, as below.



In all of the images the ball winning midfielder and ball playing midfielder are connected by a dashed line. You can imagine this as like an invisible bungee cord. In the forward pivot as above the ball winning midfielder is the pivot point and the ball playing midfielder is allowed the freedom to move around the pivot in attacking positions to create plays, always looking for the ball. It is important that the ball winning midfielder is in an anchor position to maintain the structure of the side and allow the ball playing midfielder to roam into space and do as much damage with the ball at his feet as possible.

In the back pivot, when defending, imagine that the bungee has sprung the ball playing midfielder back. Now the ball playing midfielder is the pivot and the ball winning midfielder can move to where the ball is to try and break up the opposition play, while the ball playing midfielder is keeping the shape of the midfield and is always readily available for the ball when won.



For the SSDP to work, you need to have two intelligent midfielders, with a good understanding. The ball winning midfielder has to have good defensive positioning, be a good tackler but still be a good footballer. The ball playing midfielder must have vision, passing ability, ability to find space, but also the discipline to get back into the defensive pivot when the opposition are attacking. The communication has to be excellent and the central midfielders have to work as a unit.

Following the completion of the window our squad now has the perfect pairing for this central midfield. Luka Modric (ball playing midfielder) and Vedran Corluka (ball winning midfielder). Both have all the required attributes as individuals, they have a strong relationship and the right balance to make this midfield work. I will illustrate with a couple of example situations:



In this scenario the pivot is in the attacking formation. We are attacking down the right with Bentley and Hutton, with Modric close. Modric would be trying to find space, to receive the ball, always knowing where his team mates are. He is the playmaker in this situation. He can slide a ball through to the forwards, play to Bentley, hit Hutton on the overlap or even find enough space for a shot. On the left, I imagine Jenas, who would be a threat at the back post for any balls coming in from the left. (I know the left side isn't JJ's natural position, but with his energy he would be good there. I would be more happy for him to cut in, he can help Bale defensively, while Bale would provide the natural width down the left. Would also allow Jenas to tuck in slightly when we need to have more men in the centre).

Notice how Corluka is in an achored role, where he is easily able to cover for Hutton if we lose the ball and the opposition break into the gap left. Also he needs to be available to receive the ball from Modric if we are crowded out and we need to rebuild the attack. Instead of the ball frustratingly being played back to the defenders and a horrible cross field ball (you remember those Dawson passes) coming from the back. Now we have the base in midfield to be able to rebuild without going so far back and can keep the pressure on the opposition better. Modric and Corluka need to always know where each other are.



In this defensive situation, we are in the back pivot, with Corluka moving towards the ball and Modric keeping the shape. It is important that the pivot stays compact and that Modric is close enough to Corluka. When Corluka wins the ball, he will know where Modric is and will be able to instantly ease the pressure. How many times have we in the past won the ball and given it straight back by playing something too complicated? Also if there is a 50/50 ball or an ariel challenge Modric is close enough to mop up the second ball and again ease the pressure and build the next attack.

The beauty of our squad now is that while we have the perfect pairing, it is possible for Zokora to play the Corluka role reasonably effectively and for Huddlestone to play the Modric role reasonably effectively. While I have Jenas on the left and Bentley on the right, if we need more pace and penetration we have Lennon and Dos Santos. Not to mention we have O'Hara as well who can cover various positions all be it not perfectly suited, he will always give 100% to the role he is asked.

We have good attacking full backs in Bale, BAE, Hutton and Gunter. Ledley and Woody at the back with Dawson or Gunter as cover (or even Corluka with Zokora as the ball winning midfielder). A top class keeper and 3 guys who can all score goals.

Not exactly a bad situation to be in at the end of the window in terms of strength and depth of the squad as well as a very well balanced side.

Sorry that is such a long explanation of the SSDP and how it will work for us. A change from the doom and gloom or all the stats anyway.

Interesting stuff IOMLS - I would be happy to see us playing with a Corluka-Modric axis in midfield, with Bentley on the right. I hope JR is thinking the same way. I suppose a lot will depend on whether we can form an effective front 2 partnership from the strikers we have.

Although Benty is an excellent finisher, his general link-up play has not been the best, and I'm not sure how effective he is in a front 2. This may force us into a 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 with overlapping fullbacks. Although this system gives us greater protection, it has tended to leave the front man isolated and at the mercy of long balls.

A double pivot system would need a settled front 2 I think - I hope this happens, but we can't be sure how long it will take a pairing of Pav/Bent/Campbell/GDS to build up a relationship.

The only other question mark is where Jenas, our VC would play in this system. Left midfield would appear to be an answer but I can't recall ever seeing him playing there, and we have a real range of natural left-footers in the squad at present - which makes it a less likely option. I personally wouldn't have him as first choice ahead of Corluka, Modric, Bentley but at the moment, I can't see him being dropped as our second longest-serving player.

kingofspurs said:

Interesting stuff IOMLS - I would be happy to see us playing with a Corluka-Modric axis in midfield, with Bentley on the right. I hope JR is thinking the same way. I suppose a lot will depend on whether we can form an effective front 2 partnership from the strikers we have.

Although Benty is an excellent finisher, his general link-up play has not been the best, and I'm not sure how effective he is in a front 2. This may force us into a 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 with overlapping fullbacks. Although this system gives us greater protection, it has tended to leave the front man isolated and at the mercy of long balls.

A double pivot system would need a settled front 2 I think - I hope this happens, but we can't be sure how long it will take a pairing of Pav/Bent/Campbell/GDS to build up a relationship.

The only other question mark is where Jenas, our VC would play in this system. Left midfield would appear to be an answer but I can't recall ever seeing him playing there, and we have a real range of natural left-footers in the squad at present - which makes it a less likely option. I personally wouldn't have him as first choice ahead of Corluka, Modric, Bentley but at the moment, I can't see him being dropped as our second longest-serving player.

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It wouldn't necessarily need two up front. I can imagine it working with one up front and using JJ in a Lampard type support role getting into the box and supporting the lone striker and scoring goals from midfield. That would mean we could have GDS on the left and Bentley on the right giving the Modric plenty of options still to find when in an attacking role.

I understand your scepticism of Jenas on the left as he hasn't been played there. I just think he would be far more effective out there than peoples suggestions of playing Modric out there. Modric doesn't have JJ's speed and ability to drive from that position. Also I like Jenas out there for the other things he can offer us from the left, like goals cutting in, greater strength and size down the left and a more senior player playing in front of Bale. Again though I can see that it might be unlikely.

Fascinating stuff IOMLS - for me the key is to start with and play 3 (at least) proper mids -

we didn't do that v Boro and Mackems and suffered - we did that v CFC and prospered

for me our best mid/forwards currently is

Dave, JJ, someone else ( - probably JR goes for Zoko though I really like O'Hara/Hudd/Corluka -) Modric - Pav Bent

where you fit those players in is a different matter depending on who you pick and your prferred formation

I want to see lots of crosses in for Pav so Bentley and Bale at LB are necessary for me

What a brilliant post, IOMLS. Cheers for that. Easy to understand but a very effective, interesting strategy. And I think it suits us well.

I was also just thinking that JJ really should be in behind the front one (which I think we have to play unless we're chasing the game). Or at least perm two from Bale, Bentley, Lennon, JJ, and GDS to play behind the top guy.

You have been a busy boy! Excellent stuff!

It's a system that should work very well and that we actually have the players for, though implementing it effectively may mean that a couple of players get their feelings hurt (no prizes for guessing who I'm thinking of). It seemed to me on Sunday that neither Modric nor Jenas was sure who should be getting forward to support Bent, with the result that nobody did for much of the time—something highlighted by Shearer in one of his rare moments of lucid analysis. And, although Zokora, by general agreement, did a good job at DM, early on he was getting drawn out of position too often with no-one to cover. If this (or any system) is going to work as it should midfielders' roles need to be very clearly delineated, and the players have to have the discipline and common sense to stick to the script.

Superb post mate. Hope you don't mind but I copied it to the front page and we'd love to have more similar threads on there in the future. I really think myself and a lot of people who read it will have really been educated.

Well thought out. As someone has said it will depend very much on whether Pav and Bent can form an understanding.

However, there is a reason that so many teams are now playing 4141, or 451 or 433 or whatever variation you choose to call it. It offers a great deal of versatility, and a number of options to easily adapt to various situations within a game. I think this is the way we'll go to be honest, as we do not have a good enough DM. The best instance I've seen of your formation was Spain at the EUROs, with Senna and Xavi playing superbly. They also had Iniesta and Silva out wide who also did a fair amount of defensive work. Unfortunately we dont have a Senna. Modric is a very good player but without a Senna alongside him we will always be vunerable. With the squad we have I think we need to play Zokora or Corluka holding, with Mod and either Hudd or JJ further up. Then Gio and Bentley can cut in and support the ST. To play with 2 in CM you need a player like Senna who will run his socks off, is also very intellent, and doesnt over complicate things. For all Zokoras hard work he is not this player. Corluka could be, but that remains to be seen. Going on the Chelsea game though, we need to stick with that formation for now.

Great piece IOMLS. Instructive and thoughtful. (More of the same please!)

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.

van_Pommel said:

Well thought out. As someone has said it will depend very much on whether Pav and Bent can form an understanding.

However, there is a reason that so many teams are now playing 4141, or 451 or 433 or whatever variation you choose to call it. It offers a great deal of versatility, and a number of options to easily adapt to various situations within a game. I think this is the way we'll go to be honest, as we do not have a good enough DM. The best instance I've seen of your formation was Spain at the EUROs, with Senna and Xavi playing superbly. They also had Iniesta and Silva out wide who also did a fair amount of defensive work. Unfortunately we dont have a Senna. Modric is a very good player but without a Senna alongside him we will always be vunerable. With the squad we have I think we need to play Zokora or Corluka holding, with Mod and either Hudd or JJ further up. Then Gio and Bentley can cut in and support the ST. To play with 2 in CM you need a player like Senna who will run his socks off, is also very intellent, and doesnt over complicate things. For all Zokoras hard work he is not this player. Corluka could be, but that remains to be seen. Going on the Chelsea game though, we need to stick with that formation for now.

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As I suggested in response to kingofspurs, there is no reason why the SSDP wouldn't work in that system as well. We could easily play with a lone striker and JJ as an attacking midfielder (ala Lampard), where he has a more defined role than he does right now and will support the striker and provide a goal threat from midfield. In addition it would be no problem to slot GDS on the left and we would still have the same number of outlets.

The original post was with 2 strikers simply as I felt we had looked a little predictable and easy to defend against with the lone striker.

Brilliant post IOMLS!!!!!!!

InOffMeLeftShin said:

Thanks everyone for the kind comments.



As I suggested in response to kingofspurs, there is no reason why the SSDP wouldn't work in that system as well. We could easily play with a lone striker and JJ as an attacking midfielder (ala Lampard), where he has a more defined role than he does right now and will support the striker and provide a goal threat from midfield. In addition it would be no problem to slot GDS on the left and we would still have the same number of outlets.

The original post was with 2 strikers simply as I felt we had looked a little predictable and easy to defend against with the lone striker.

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I think the issue in that case would be that Modric would find it harder to find space with JJ infront of him. They'd have to sit side by side and make forward runs as and when appropriate. Formations are all about balance, if you have a DM,a CM and a AM all playing dead centre, the opposition will just pass around them. Having a DM, with 2 CMs side by side who will push up into AM positons in possession, we'd be alot more balanced and leave less gaps.

Personally I'd rather have Huddlestone doing JJs role, his range of passing makes us look alot more dangerous, and would also counter the dissadvatages of playing a lone striker, as Huddlestone could pretty much land the ball on a pin head from 50 yards.

Rob said:

Superb post mate. Hope you don't mind but I copied it to the front page and we'd love to have more similar threads on there in the future. I really think myself and a lot of people who read it will have really been educated.

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Great post IOMLS

And Rob, definitely agree - a tactics section, or something, would be great.

There's so much going on in football that we should know more about, considering we're glued to the game 24/7

Good post. It could work very well actually. I wouldn't play Modric and Corluka in the middle with Jenas on the left. I think Jenas is better suited to play alongside Corluka in that system. He has the pace and energy to make up ground and help out Corluka. I would prefer to see Modric play out on the left in this scenario. With Bale getting up in support, it would also allow him to come infield and link up better with the frontmen.

Especially if Bent runs the channels up top and opens some space for Modric to come infield and exploit along with Jenas. Allowing Pavyluchenko to play on the last defender. We could also play Giovani up top alongside either Bent or Pavyluchenko and along with Frazier Campbell, we have effectively 4 strikers. Albeit 2 out and out strikers and the 2 smaller player Giovani and Campbell needing to play alongside either Bent or Pavyluchenko. Its a good system though and i can see it work well.
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Excellent post IOMLS, very much appreciated!

Could this work in a 5 man midfield though? I can see that as something we would be making use of sometimes, as although I'd love to see it happen, I can't see Bent and Pavlyuchenko being fit and together up to for us all season, and I wouldn't want to rely too much on Campbell.

Say we play our 5 man midfield how we did against Chelsea... and how Chelsea play their formation, could we have Zokora as the Ball Winner and then both Jenas and Modric as the Ball Players?

Also, for those of us that dont know, myself included, whats the difference between SDP and SSDP?

van_Pommel said:

However, there is a reason that so many teams are now playing 4141, or 451 or 433 or whatever variation you choose to call it. It offers a great deal of versatility, and a number of options to easily adapt to various situations within a game.

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I'm actually thinking of writing another piece to follow up on this, so maybe we can continue that discussion.

Tom1882 said:

Could this work in a 5 man midfield though? I can see that as something we would be making use of sometimes, as although I'd love to see it happen, I can't see Bent and Pavlyuchenko being fit and together up to for us all season, and I wouldn't want to rely too much on Campbell.

Say we play our 5 man midfield how we did against Chelsea... and how Chelsea play their formation, could we have Zokora as the Ball Winner and then both Jenas and Modric as the Ball Players?

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I believe it could work quite effectively with a five man midfield, although I don't really see Jenas as a ball playing midfielder. I think he might be more effectively used as an out and out attacking midfielder who will support the striker and do more damage with attempts on goal rather than with incisive passing.

Tom1882 said:

Also, for those of us that dont know, myself included, whats the difference between SDP and SSDP?

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SDP is with two central midfielders who sit deeper. I used the example of Sissoko and Alonso earlier. SSDP is where the pivot is much wider during an attacking situation, so the ball player is more of an attacking playmaker.

top stuff iomls, thanks a lot. i can tell you put some effort in that, so much appreciated. very interesting analysis

thats an excellent post, sent it to juande to make him aware of what the fans think!!

Could Zokora not play that role? He can play a simple pass to Modric. He's also got good reading of the game.

InOffMeLeftShin said:

The beauty of our squad now is that while we have the perfect pairing, it is possible for Zokora to play the Corluka role

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Bobishism said:

Could Zokora not play that role? He can play a simple pass to Modric. He's also got good reading of the game.

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:up:

The reason I suggested Corluka is that I think he offers more defensively than Zokora. I'm also hoping the relationship between the two will make Corluka and Modric a more effective partnership, however that may not necessarily prove to be the case.