Why Pim’s formation is a winner
Roar Pro
By Roar writer, 18 Aug 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
Australia's coach Pim Verbeek reacts from the sideline during the friendly match between The Netherlands and Australia at the Philips stadium in Eindhoven, southern Netherlands, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. AP Photo/Ermindo Armino
Since signing on as Socceroos manager, Pim Verbeek has had his fair share of critics over his choice in formation.
Verbeek has come under constant scrutiny over his defensive mind set, consistently playing with four defenders, two central midfielders, three attacking midfielders and one striker in a 4-2-3-1.
Despite all the criticism, Verbeek has admirably stuck to his guns and has sent yet another message to his doubters with a 3-0 win over Ireland last Wednesday.
In addition to the impressive win, he guided the Socceroos through the World Cup qualifying process undefeated and in the process the side did not concede a goal until the final match – an achievement that can’t be underestimated.
Before Verbeek’s reign the Socceroos had qualified for just one World Cup since 1974 and only a penalty shootout saw them qualify for the 2006 tournament.
And if the World Cup campaign isn’t enough, since he took over as national coach in December of 2007, the Socceroos have climbed to an all-time high world ranking of number 16.
So why are people doubting him?
Many experts believe that he should be favouring a more attacking approach, but here are some reasons why Pim Verbeek is spot on.
Tim Cahill, Marco Bresciano and Harry Kewell are without question Australia’s three most potent attacking players.
During the Guus Hiddink and Graham Arnold era’s these three players never performed as a cohesive attacking unit and frequently one or more of them was on the bench or playing out of position.
The 4-2-3-1 formation allows all three players to play in their best positions with Kewell on the left, Bresciano on the right and Cahill in the centre.
The standard of attacking moves in the past few fixtures has been of a level that we have not seen for a very long while from the Socceroos.
Substitutes Brett Holman, Nick Carle and Dario Vidosic are all suited to the positions, as well.
Then there are the two central midfield positions. These two positions are almost tailor-made for experienced squad members Jason Culina, Vinnie Grella and Carl Valeri and even more players are proving they can seamlessly step in to the role.
In the friendly match against Ireland, Luke Wilkshire and Mile Jedinak slotted in to the positions seamlessly and controlled the ball in the middle of the park. Youngster James Holland has also been proving his worth in the position with club side AZ Alkmaar.
The back four is very much business as usual in terms of an Australian formation and even without captain Lucas Neill against Ireland, a youthful defence looked very solid.
The only question mark lingers over the fact that we are left with one striker. On ability Scott McDonald is the best we have but at just 5ft. 8, he has been battling as an aerial target given the height of some of his opponents.
But even McDonald was exceptional on Wednesday night creating Tim Cahill’s first goal with a superbly weighted pass. Of course, if McDonald can’t find the net Joshua Kennedy is the other obvious option.
Bring all these factors together and what Verbeek has created is a well balanced side. He doesn’t have to play his best players in makeshift positions and he doesn’t have to worry about having his stars on the bench.
The 4-2-3-1 formation gets the best out of Australia’s top players and Verbeek should be commended not criticized for the work he has done with the side in little over eighteen months.
Bring on the World Cup!
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Midfielder said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Good article mate … will add more latter … work calls
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:20am | Report comment
It was the same story in 2006, with the 5 mids unchanged, the senior centre-back unchanged, the keeper unchanged and probably the right-back unchanged.
That’s another good reason to stick with it – these guys know each other as well as any NT we’re going to meet in the next 12 months.
albe said | August 18th 2009 @ 9:35am | Report comment
we’re now starting to find that we can play 4-2-3-1 with a more attacking stance. Plenty doubted this but it was never the formation that was the problem.
It does work well for a more controlled side too for qualifying, with the two holding mids. But as the circumstances now allow, we can attack with it as well.
DiCanio said | August 18th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
Question.
How does Emerton fit into this formation (assuming he can get fit)
If its at right back where does this leave wilkshere. Wilks is one player I would not leave out of the starting 11
dasilva said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
I would put Emerton on the right wing. His combinations with Wilkshire were the highlights of the early round. I will drop Bresciano. As much as I think he is a talented player. He has been fairly inconsistent with the socceroos and he will be a great bench player to have.
Ghost said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Another question – not totally important but just curious. In all the talk about the ‘up and coming’ defenders such as Spira, North, Williams, Kisnorbo etc where has Milligan gone in the mix? I’m not the biggest fan but on the other hand I do think he is part of our ‘depth’ picture at the back and on a good day is a handy player.
Mat Bartnik said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Good question DiCanio, but dasilva I can’t say I completely agree with your comment.
Marco Bresciano really must start. Sure Emerton could slot in to that role on the right as well but the current combination is perfect and I would not mess with it.
The upside to Emerton is his versatility and we could see him line-up in any number of positions including right back, central midfield and centre back.
But he also needs to get himself fit which is proving to be a battle at the moment.. it may end up that all he can manage is a super sub role off the bench. The World Cup is along way away though.
In terms of Wilkshire I couldn’t agree with you more DiCanio.. He has been in sensational form and given his experience he should be regarded as a definite starter.
Towser said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
One wonders if Emerton had have been playing against Italy in thge last World Cup,would the ball have ever got anywhere near the penalty area in that infamous last moment?
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
No disrespect to Bresh and whoever was supporting him (no one) – I think we both know the answer to that!!
At a minimum, Emo would have had the engine to still be pumping those legs the way Grosso was able to at the 90th min (Bresh, well, let us just say that he doesn’t have a defensive bone in his body!!)
But these are the sort of tiny, sometimes barely perceptible factors that can swing a game one way or the other when the stakes are at their highest.
Mat Bartnik said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
In regard to your question Ghost.
The reason Mark Milligan didn’t feature in the last squad was nothing more than the fact he plays his football in China for Shanghai Shenhua.
Verbeek didn’t pick any Asian/Australian based players for the Ireland match as it was a big interference with their club football for a match that wasn’t anything more than a friendly.
In terms of the up and comers – Spiranovic, Madaschi and Williams, they are being tested at the moment by Pim. So far only Williams has really impressed.
North you would expect will be on the plane to South Africa but hasn’t done enough to secure a starting spot as yet – needs a lot more game time at Incheon United (Korea) and Kisnorbo had been absent from the squad since the Asian Cup until Wednesday night and looked pretty good. He has recently transferred to Leeds so it will be interesting to see how his season goes – he should play a big part.
Then we have Mark Milligan and I have to say he has been a massive disappointment. Since being a bolter in to the 2006 WC squad he has only played 7 times for the national team and has failed to lock down a starting spot. I can’t help but feel he left the A-league too early and has suffered from a lack of game time in Asia.
But we are looking very strong down back there.
Left Side – Chipperfield, Carney and even young Jamieson
Right Side – Wilkshire, Emerton
Centre – Neill, North, Milligan, Kisnorbo, Spiranovic, Williams, Madaschi, Beauchamp and even more in the A-league.
dasilva said | August 18th 2009 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
Regarding North and Milligan.
Isn’t the other way around
The reason why North was picked despite playing in Asia is because he isn’t getting any game time for his club while Mark Milligan was omitted from the friendly because he was a regular starter for the Chinese side. In fact he is becoming a star for the club and really impressed Pim Verbeek. Pim Verbeek was quoted by saying that Mark looks like a completely different player then what he saw in the A-league. That’s why Milligan was selected in front of North for the Bahrain game (he was only omitted for the japan game because he got a yellow card for the bahrain match)
According to wiki, Mark milligan has played 16 times for his club while North only played 8 times
I have more confidence in Mark Milligan making the World Cup Squad then Jade North
DiCanio said | August 18th 2009 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Can Wilkshire or Emo play well in Left Back
If they can I would prefer either over carny or chippers
Wilks can do is job in DM as well, but at the cost of either grella, culina or valeri is it even worth it?
Da Silva I think there is some merit to what you say re Wilks and Emo combining. I think Bresciano does have a penchant for going missing in some games, but Kewell is similar in that respect. These are two of our best who aren’t going to kill themselves if its not needed. Bresc would definitely step things up in the world cup. Don’t know if you remember his performance against Japan when Cahill bagged two but he was dominant with the ball
Either way its a tough decision.
Ghost said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
I agree with you DiCanio re Bresch. If I was the gaffer he would be on the plane but on the bench as super-sub and/or cover for Cahill and Kewell if either gets injured.
I like Emmo further forward, so I think our RB combination is Wilks with young Williams as the understudy if he keeps up his tasty early form.
On the left I’ve really liked Carney / Kewell combo a few times this year especially Vs Japan at the MCG.