Not a Footium Blog

A new season dawns! After our previous seasons work, staying up in Division 7 in Season 5. This game marked the first game of Season 6, and chance to continue our formation search!

The Line Ups

Our Line Up

This was a bit of an interesting one for me. We purchased Nick Elliott in the transfer window (thanks twitter for deciding we get a CF!), a 50 rated CF with 64 potential. The rest of our squad had been training so we were going into Season 6 with a bit of a stronger squad overall.

Average Squad Rating: 44.9

Opponent’s Line Up

They went for 4-3-3A, so a super attacking line up!

Average Squad Rating: 43.6

So we had a slight advantage (+1.3), but two relatively evenly matched teams.

Real Life Context

The 4-1-4-1 formation is a 4-5-1 variation, where one of the midfielders drops in front of the CB’s and offers even greater protection. This player is vital to how the formation works, pinging balls forward through the lines and breaking up play.

It has been used occasionally by Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, with Rodri sitting in front of the defence, as well as by Sean Dyche during his time at Everton.

Strengths:

• Defensive Solidity. By filling the gap in front of the defence and having a CDM, it helps clear up that area and help the defence.
• Midfield Dominance. The two CM’s and the CDM allow this formation to dominate the midfield battle, particularly against teams with less players through the middle.

Weaknesses:

• Striker Isolation. With only one striker, and a RM and LM instead of wide forwards, the solo striker can get isolated in this formation.
• Requirement for specialist players. If you don’t have an effective CDM or ST, this formation may fall apart.

The Match

We went for a balanced mentality in this match, conscious to see how the game went.

The game remained tight, but we got the breakthrough in the 55th minute through Rodney Griffin, our new young CM with 50 potential.

We tried desperately to hold on, but conceded an equaliser in the 85th minute.

Overall, I think a draw was a good result to start the season!

Check out the stats below.

I wonder whether we got away with one here? They clearly had far more attacking threat! Although clearly our players got stuck in making fouls and defending well.

See you all on the pitch!