Why Pim’s formation is a winner
Roar Guru By Roar writer, 18 Aug 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
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- Brett Holman, Carl Valeri, football, Graham Arnold, Guus Hiddink, Harry Kewell, James Holland, Jason Culina, Joshua Kennedy, Mile Jedinak, Nick Carle, Pim Verbeek, Scott McDonald, Socceroos, Tim Cahill, Vinnie Grella, World Cup qualifying
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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!
Recommend this story.
August 18th 2009 @ 2:14pm
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
DiCanio
Luke can fill in at LB – but that’s a bit different to saying he can play it (especially at WC level).
What I mean is, if we need some re-casting mid game, yeh, Luke can hold down LB for 15 to 30 minutes.
But would you bank on him holding down LB for a whole WC campaign? No, absolutley not.
The evidence we have is his attempt to play the first two games of the Asian Cup at LB – where he played it to the level you expect of an emergency LB.
Someone mentioned earlier about the Emo/Wilkshire partnership down the right – and that’s true enough.
Let us just say that it’s one of those selection decisions that a manager would rather have than not.
We’re more than adequately covered down the right.
It’s down the left where we’re looking a little lean, or where the contenders are on the wrong side of 30.
By the way – it should be remembered that Bresh is as good on the left as he is on the right.
August 18th 2009 @ 2:37pm
DiCanio said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
Ghost – Thanks for agreeing but I didnt say I would use him as a sub
Pip I agree re: Bresciano. The ability to switch him and kewell is a great little audible Pim can use.
Ok SO wilks is locked in on the right. What about Emerton at Left back. Can he do it to a standard higher then Carney and Chippers?
I just want to get the best 11 on the field. Emmo is in that 11 for my money.
August 18th 2009 @ 2:59pm
Lmacca said | August 18th 2009 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Though the article makes the point that this formation gets all our best players on the park, the reality is we’re still faced with 4 not going into 3. I’m with those above who think that Emerton is best at an advanced role. He was one of our best players in the Qualifiers – especially in the away legs in the Middle East. I remember him carving up Qatar quite easily, with his spped and strength. As long as he doesn’t shoot from distance, I think he’s first choice at RAM (Right Attacking Midfield).
So then it’s Cahill for sure as the CAM, and then Kewell at LAM. Which means Bresciano misses out, though I would love to see him out there at all times. The only way to do that would be to either play Emmo at RB and put Bresh in, or play Kewell up front and stick Bresh on the left. Neither one is as satisfactory as my first option.
Anyone care to refresh my memory of Guus’s formation and first choice team. I get the feeling Bresciano wasn’t in that selection either for much of the World Cup.
August 18th 2009 @ 3:04pm
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
DiCanio/Lmacca
It’s a nice dilemma for Pim to have (who to stick on the right).
As we go through the WC campaign, hopefully to a 4th game – we will all be very thankful that Pim had these excellent options available (i.e. we won’t see the same 11 blokes playing all 3 or 4 games).
August 18th 2009 @ 4:39pm
onside said | August 18th 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
Pim the pragmatist.The socceroos picked the formation ,not Pim.
Pim has to go with what he has got.McDonald looks ordinary for
the Socceroos because he does not receive quick ball in the box.
At Celtic he receives quick ball. The Socceroos lack those one or
two players who are very fast by international standards. Our
lads struggle to get behind the back four from where passes to
McDonald could be lethal. Likewise Cahill is more dangerous from
crosses in a similar position. Kennedy is also dangerous when
he receives the ball when facing the goal , opposed to receiving
high crosses in from forty metres out.It’s easy to defend against
at the elite level. None of this can happen without those players
with exceptional pace. Pim has cut his formation cloth accordingly.
August 18th 2009 @ 5:50pm
sheek said | August 18th 2009 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
Gee, as someone whose football knowledge is still moderate, reading you guys is awesome!
When I discuss football with my football-savvy workmates, it’s The Roar footy experts who help make me adequate!
BTW, totally agree with what Pim is doing. Very astute guy, much smarter than people give him credit for. Which I think is good. Hopefully, some of the major football nations will take us for granted next year. We can make that work in our favour.
August 18th 2009 @ 6:04pm
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
Sheek
don’t be fooled by these blokes!!!
Always remember: drive for show, put for dough.
August 18th 2009 @ 5:53pm
sheek said | August 18th 2009 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
Onside,
I presume this is one of Pim’s strengths – he has picked a formation & style that suits the players at his disposable, as Mat alludes in his post. It may be simple common sense, but then, how uncommon is common sense generally?????
August 18th 2009 @ 6:57pm
dasilva said | August 18th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
The only way I can see Wilkshire, Kewell, Cahill, Bresciano and Emerton in the same team.
Is to put Emerton on the right wing, Bresciano on the left (he plays in that position for Palermo), Cahill behind the striker and have Kewell as the sole striker and drop Kennedy and Mcdonald.
Not the worst option Pim can make.
In any case, Emerton to me is undroppable if fit. I think people forget that Emerton in the first stage of the group was consistently our best player in all of the matches.
Pim has shown that he has benched Bresciano for Emerton before. Bresciano has a tendency to go missing. He also went missing in the last World Cup as well (although he did have injury issues) while Emerton was consistently one of our best player in that tournament. IMO Emerton should always be picked in front of Bresciano.
August 18th 2009 @ 7:56pm
Pippinu said | August 18th 2009 @ 7:56pm | Report comment
das
good call – depending on the opposition, it’s something Pim might consider – but you’re right that Emo is not droppable (has anyone suggested that he is?)
It’s not that hard to imagine Harry as a sort of Tottiesque trequartista/forward.
August 18th 2009 @ 8:01pm
dasilva said | August 18th 2009 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
I probably should have posted that as a reply to Mat Bartnik who suggested that Emerton should be a super sub and say that Bresciano must start.
In any case, I think my line up with Kewell as a sole striker was used against Uzbekistan away so there is a precedent for that line up.
August 19th 2009 @ 12:24am
Mat Bartnik said | August 19th 2009 @ 12:24am | Report comment
I’m not implying that Emerton should be a super sub at best, I believe a fully fit Emerton is a must starter but I said he may be a super sub if he continues to battle injury concerns.
His best position is attacking right and if he can prove to be a better performer than Bresciano upon return from injury then it will be hard for him to miss out on that spot.
But at the moment Bresciano has been solid and with Australia enjoying a period of great success I think it is his spot to lose.
I don’t mind the Harry Kewell up front idea at all though! Could definitely see it working with Bresciano switching to left and Emo on the right.
As you go on to post below dasilva, there are some important matches coming up where our questions will be answered!
August 18th 2009 @ 9:51pm
Ando said | August 18th 2009 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
DaSilva – You are right, Harry was striker against Uzbekistan. However I watched the game and didn’t think he was too flash in the position, although alot of that could be attributed to the fact that the Roos as a whole did not play well.
Does anyone know how many matches we have left before the WC?
August 18th 2009 @ 10:26pm
dasilva said | August 18th 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Yeah he was average against Uzbekistan
However he also played as a sole striker against Iraq at home and he was easily the best player of the Australian team which saved our bacon that day. He surprisingly played the target man role to perfection winning a lot of headers, holding the ball and playing off team mates and scored from his head.
We shouldn’t expect him to deliver regularly for that position but he is still a decentish option and he perform better in that position then the likes of Scott Mcdonald or even Kennedy (despite the goals) has for Australia (although Scotty played really well against Ireland, let’s hope that continues).
We also have six matches schedule before the world cup
September 5 – South Korea – Away
October 10 – Netherlands – Home
October 14 – Oman – Home
November 18 – Oman – Away
January 6 – Kuwait – Away
March 3 – Indonesia – Home
Expect a fair amount of friendly matches after the indonesia game. I think there are rumors of a friendly with Italy coming up next year.
August 18th 2009 @ 11:43pm
jimbo said | August 18th 2009 @ 11:43pm | Report comment
You mightn’t like Pimbo [myself included],
you mightn’t like his style of play,
but fark – you just can’t argue with the results.
Best record of any WC manager we’ve ever had.
Who says he won’t get further at SA 2010 than Guus did in Germany 06?