- Jan 14, 2004
- 15,105
- 9,122
- Staff
- #1
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]
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]