Split Spanish Double Pivot and our squad

[InOffMeLeftShin]

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.

[Copied this from the forums HERE as it deserved to be on the front page as well - Rob]

 

[kingofspurs]

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.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

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.

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.

 

[DC_Boy]

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

 

[Bill_Oddie]

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.

 

[SpurSince57]

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.

 

[llamafarmer]

Simple stuff really, it's a simple game. Good post IOMLS, nice work.

I can see Modric and Corluka sat in the Spurs Lodge canteen, connected under the table by a length of bungee cord. :lol:

 

[klinsmann66]

JUANDE out IOMLS in.........

Really enjoyed your post mate..........it cuts right through the doom and gloom merchants, BTW Have you ever coached at any level?? There are plenty of youth teams that could benefit from people like yourself that truly understand the game,(unlike my kids coaches).:clap::clap::clap::clap:

 

[Midostouch]

Thank god the transfer window is over and we can a) get on with our lives and b) have some interesting and informative posts like this. How likely is it that Ramos will adopt this strategy do you think? And which other clubs use it? I know very little about tactics but even I understood this and saw the potential. My only concern is that Corluka will be required elsewhere and Zokora, who I like a lot, does tend to get drawn out of position. We have so many midfielders that I worry about whether two players will be given sufficient games together to get this system embedded.

 

[mil1lion]

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.

 

[Woody10]

Love the post, quality explanation! But even though we have 3 strikers, against let’s say the top 6 of last year; I would play a slightly more defensive yet solid line up still using ssdp but with JJ and Zokora holding GDS, Luka and Bentley behind Pav. A 4-2-3-1 if you will.

I feel a lot of time last year we lost games in the midfield, I think last year we were 2nd top scorers behind Manure and yet conceded a shite load at the back. Winning the midfield is the key for me.

 

[chileanspursfan]

IOMLS, good on you mate! Marcelo Bielsa, the former Argentinian and current Chilean national manager, must be within your influences...

Have you ever seen this formation but with actually a sweeper, 2 CB and 2WB or 2 wingers?? I remember Colo Colo in Chile winning almost everything in South America 2 years ago: having no decent full backs and only one good striker, but a squad full of more than competent CB's, DM's and AM's. The manager, Borghi, decided to field something like this:

GK

SW
CB CB

DM DM

RW AM AM LW

S

The 2 DM playing the suggested Double Pivot role, one a Makelele kind of player (Melendes), the other more like a Xabi Alonso (Arturo Sanhueza). They cooperated with each other on a relay scheme, but always making sure to distribute to one of the 2 playmakers (Matias Fernandez, Jorge Valdivia). Two wingers, one in the Bentley mold (Fierro), the other very similar to Gio Dos Santes on the left (Alexis Sanchez). A goal poacher up front (Suazo).

I feel we could play something similar when lacking full backs, but agree that with Hutton and Bale available it would be more reasonable to adjust to your suggested formation.

I would really like to see Modric and Jenas playing both AM and allowing Corluka/Zokora and Hudd play the double pivot together, just behind them. I feel that would get the most out of all of those players as they need to rely on someone else within the same midfield to operate comfortably. All of them. IMO, we lack the right personnel to perform consistently over the season with a 442 formation.

 

[mawspurs]

Great post IOMLS. I reckon we have the players to use this system, in fact I am not sure Ramos hasn't already tried something like it without us realising, especially as, like you said, it can work with 1 up top.

This season is going to be exciting in seeing how all the new players will fit into the system that Ramos chooses to play if nothing else.

 

[pierreb]

I enjoyed that post. I think we've bought Pavluchenko to play some variant of a 4-5-1 and this could work. Best post in ages. Thanks IOMLS.
PS I seem to remember Perryman used to feed Hoddle, but my memory is terrible.

 

[Bonjour]

Great post.

Made a very pleasant change from all the "We didn't sign Arshavin for £25mil so Levy must go and I'm not supporting Spurs anymore..." posts that we've seen in the last 48 hours.

 

[topspur]

Excellent post IOMLS... nice to have it explained so clearly. It'd be great to see an actual game analysed this way/against such plans if you had the time to do so!

:clap::clap::clap:

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Thanks everyone.

I've actually got couple more things in mind to write about following a similar theme, so maybe I will get to those in the next week or so before the football returns.

 

[garethbizzle]

Great post IMOL and something that has come to my attention before.

In my honset opinion, and not that it counts for much, I think that Ramos will play the 4-1-3-2 at home and away at sub standard prem teams, and then 4-2-3-1 against the big guns (ie Chelsea).

Funny enough we did actualy play this formation towards the end of last season, and I even remember watching MOTD and they showed the formation against Reading as follows:

(Prob not 100% precise)

Cerny

Gilberto Woodgate Dawson Hutton

Zakora

Malbranque Jenas Huddlestone

Bent Keane

and v PSV (Uefa cup 2nd Leg)

Robinson

Chimbonda King Woodgate Lee

Zakora

Malbranque Jenas Huddlestone

Berbatov Keane

I think that this re-itterates the significance in your post and I assume that Ramos was playing this season towards the end of the season so he knew what strategy to bring to the premiership this season.

I think us as Spurs fans are too spoilt and too interested in transfers rather than winning games the right way. For all of Man City's millions, that lot from over the road, as much as it pains me to say it, have adopted a style and strategy and have stuck to it.
They are "arguably" the best footballing side in the Premiership, finish in the top 4 every year and have done all this on an Everton budget.

I believethat we have now bought (bar DM and another CF) the nucleus of our team. We have sold 13 players and brought in 11, please do not dscount the surgery our team has taken. We now have a unit/team/squad whatever you want to call it, but know we have to give it time to gel and fuse, because once it does we'll have something to be proud of.

Juande Ramos or Juan de la Cruz Ramos, however you prefer to adress him, is our manager and in him we trust. However I hold no concerns that we have anything but the right manager.
It's his ability to adapt to a new league and evironment that I like. He was so succesfull in spain with his rigid 4-4-2 formation (ie 2 out and out wingers and 2 CM) and he's obviously now adapted it for the prem.

I think the team will really start taking shape after our next set of fixtures. Plenty of fixtures in a short period of time (every 3 days) will give the players of exposure to the Prem and English football.
Lets build the unity and team spirit and for once have a settled squad. I'm not talking about a squad of 30 average players, but 22 (2 in each position) very good ones.

Gomes (Cesar), Hutton (Gunter), King (Dawson), Woodgate (Corluka), Bale (Gilberto), Corluka (Zakora), Bentley (lennon), Modric (Jenas), Giovanni (Jenas), Jenas (Campbell), Pavluychenko (Bent).

 

[Rob]

Thanks everyone.

I've actually got couple more things in mind to write about following a similar theme, so maybe I will get to those in the next week or so before the football returns.

That would be great. Now the site redesign is all done and the window is closed we really want to focus on getting some quality articles from our members and this is a perfect example of stuff we'd love to showcase. Once our server upgrade is done (end of the month), we expect to be putting a lot more (good) stuff on newsnow as well. :up:

 

[JimmyG2]

You lost me at the pivotal bungee jump,but I'm sure your right.Im old and not very bright but if you are saying that we have a young talented squad of good footballers under an attack minded and tactically astute manager I'm with you.
I hope our players are more intelligent than me or they will spend their time scratching their heads and looking for the end of the bungee rope.
I have posted before that Zokora and Huddleston can play defensive midfield in partnership with either one or the other covering when the other makes a forward run.I think that this the essence of the pivotal whatsit.Whether Corluka fits into this position I dont know.Modric and Jenas are better suited to offensive midfield in my view although Modric has played defensively for Croatia.
Ramos likes his players to be flexible and most of our midfielders can play in multiple positions .This will give us the ability to interchange at will and for substitutes to be easily integrated.
So that what all those charts are when players come on and I thought they were just getting the card school organised for the coach trip home.
What happens when a opponent runs at the attacking midfielder with the ball? Does he say 'pax' and call over his defensive brother and vica versa when the defensive midfielder finds himself in a goalscoring situation. I'm being silly I know but all those people who said that this simplified the game have got to be joking.
At least weve got beyond Berbatov at last and whether he will stay and for how long.
Dont mind me,nice to read something constructive and positive.This team will achieve good things and under Ramos will entertain and delight but will not achieve the highest honours this season.