What do you guys think about the midfield combination in 442? Play a diamond and risk using all 3 of Bertos/Gao/Daniel or the more traditional 2 wingers, 2 central midfielders (say Ferrante + Lia)?
Well, a 442 could be leave you less defensive cover than a 352 especially if you have 2 attacking full backs which could result in only 2 defenders back and possibly a DM for cover. Even with 1 full back up the line up switches from a 442 to a 352 anyway with fast teams being able to exploit holes in the defense and then you are potentially substituting a Gao/Bertos/Daniel for a fullback comparing to a run of the mill 442.
edit:spelling
Lochhead's a good player but in 3-5-2 he was hopeless. If we were to play only 3 at the back I suspect he would miss out, as he wouldn't be needed on the left of midfield, and this seems a waste of him.
I'm interested: how many world class teams don't play 4 at the back?
I still think a 451/433 or 4231 is better than a 352, that was just for arguments sake; and I wouldn't mind the Nix playing a 352 or a 361 if we didnt have the personal to suite the other formations.
352 was mainly successful during the late 80's and 90's, not so much now days with pace an important ingredient for top players.