I often read through threads in this forum as I'm a big Nix and All Whites fan and can't get enough content about either, but hadn't felt compelled to make an account and post myself until now. But I was wondering what everyone thought about the use of a 5 at the back formation in these games. I think unless you have amazing central midfielders and TWO fantastic overlapping fullbacks (we have one), it will always be a cautious and defensive formation, and will hinder midfield control and attacking play. I can understand the use of it in backs to the wall games against superior opposition where there is a lot riding on the result. But today of all games, at home, a friendly, with a big crowd to entertain, against a second string Australian side (whose first team are not world-beaters)? And to add insult to injury, when we fell behind, we only made like for like subs, surely it would have made more sense to sacrifice tuiloma or Payne earlier for another attacker or midfielder.
I recall how good we looked playing 443 at the Des u20 WC, and at times under Hay at the Olympics (we played both formations there and I always thought we looked much better playing 4 at the back). I understand we had some decent forwards and attacking midfielders unavailable this window, but looking forward, how are we gonna fit in all or even most of Singh, garbett, stamenic, bell, Thomas, wood, just (and/or grieve & waine if they fulfill the potential I think they have) in a lineup going forward if we have to have 5 defenders on the pitch, most of whom are fairly average (apart from Libby) now that Reid is done and once smith & boxall are done?
Anyway I could talk for hours about this, interested to hear the thoughts of others.
I recall how good we looked playing 443 at the Des u20 WC, and at times under Hay at the Olympics (we played both formations there and I always thought we looked much better playing 4 at the back). I understand we had some decent forwards and attacking midfielders unavailable this window, but looking forward, how are we gonna fit in all or even most of Singh, garbett, stamenic, bell, Thomas, wood, just (and/or grieve & waine if they fulfill the potential I think they have) in a lineup going forward if we have to have 5 defenders on the pitch, most of whom are fairly average (apart from Libby) now that Reid is done and once smith & boxall are done?
Anyway I could talk for hours about this, interested to hear the thoughts of others.