Of all the chants directed at the home side at Molineux this past season, ”Just Like Watching Brazil” was not, as far as I am aware, one of them. Thirteen goals all season at home and only four since switching to a functional ’4-5-1′ around the turn of the year, it was a case of getting the job done and accumulating points.
So it is something of a surprise to discover an ally in the most extraordinary of places… the Samba Kings themselves, Brazil. Respected pundits have been queueing up to describe and analyse their unusual system. Such was the level of debate, The Guardian’s tactics guru Jonathan Wilson wrote a fantastic piece last summer discussing precisely what type of 4-2-3-1 it was Brazil were playing at the Confederations Cup that year. The popular ‘nerd nirvana’ website Zonal Marking, that features some of the most in-depth tactical analysis ever seen, noted that their unusual system was a ”formation [that] cannot be described accurately by mere numbers”. The article was followed up some time later by a fascinating breakdown of the formation, analysing how it shifted from one perceived formation to the next.
Notation aside, most seem to view it something like this:?
Luis Fabiano is the sole spearhead of the attack. Robinho is operating in an advanced position on the left-wing but able to provide a goal threat cutting in on his right foot. There is no like-for-like player on the other flank where Ramires (or perhaps Elano) will be asked to tuck inside to help bolster the options in midfield. This enables the forward-thinking Maicon to power on into the wide open spaces down the right-flank. Centrally, there is disappointment in Brazil at the presence of both Felipe Melo & Gilberto Silva – two holding-midfielders with little creative spark who are entrusted to sit in front of the defence, snuffing out the threat from midfield runners and playing simple no-nonsense passes with an emphasis on ball retention. Gilberto, a former central defender in his youth, sometimes even drops into the back line, effectively forming a back three as the wide defenders almost become wing-backs.
At this point you may need to suspend your disbelief because, for some Wolves fans at least, this newfangled Brazil system will start to ring a few bells. One up front: Kevin Doyle. An advanced right-footed left-winger: Matt Jarvis. A tucked inside right-midfielder bolstering the midfield and allowing the full-back to advance: Kevin Foley & Ronald Zubar. Two out-and-out holding midfielders, one a converted centre-back capable of dropping back into defence: Karl Henry & Michael Mancienne.
To illustrate the point, look at the average position data for the visit of Manchester United to Molineux early this year:
Wolves, playing from left to right on this diagram, have Jarvis playing in almost as advanced a position as the centre-forward Doyle. Despite being described by most onlookers as a 4-5-1 there is certainly no sense in which could argue Kevin Foley on the other flank is playing anything like the same role for the team. The average position data shows him operating in a very similar position to Adlene Guedioura, giving an additional presence in midfield. This is allowing Zubar, the right-back (shown at the bottom of this diagram), to operate in such an advanced position he is actually further forward than Henry, Wolves’ most defensive midfielder in this game with Mancienne left on the bench. In other words, this is much like how Ramires shuttles infield freeing Maicon while Gilberto Silva covers him with a defensive brief.
Now I am not saying David Jones is Kaka (although on the diagram that is Jones playing just off Doyle in a surprisingly advanced midfield role) and if you’re not laughing at me already, you would be if I told you Jody Craddock was Wolves’ very own Lucio. However, when the various World Cup pundits write ad nauseam about just how unique and distinctive Brazil’s assymetrical formation is, you might want to forgive Mick McCarthy a raised eyebrow or two. He is never likely to be a coach hailed for his forward-thinking tactical innovations. Indeed, this very formation was stumbled upon more by accident than through design. And yet even so, while the quality of play we may expect to see from Brazil this summer is a far cry from the fare on offer at Molineux, the key elements of both formations are clear to see. You heard it here first - and probably last – ”it’s just like watching Brazil”!
Adam Bate – Ghostgoal
What a superb article Adam. Cheers for such a fantastic contribution mate.
Of course, Wolves are no Brazil but that’s of little relevance to the central point of this blog.
It’s impossible to deny the effectiveness of our 4-5-1 in the last ten or so games of the season. We stifled Villa and Burnley, frustrated the life out of Everton, Fulham and Stoke and ripped West Ham to pieces. Even Chelsea and Man Utd struggled to cope at times with the shape of the Wolves side, even if they did eventually emerge triumphant.
Zubar’s marauding runs were a real feature of our resurgence, particularly with Foley tucking inside to make the space. Equally, Jarvis came to life in a more advanced role and showed how dangerous a player he can be if his pace and trickery is properly utilised.
None of this would have worked without the forward play of Kevin Doyle though. He’s the crucial component to this shape, which is precisely why he got my vote for Player of the Season just ahead of the superb Jody Craddock.
In some ways I’m baffled that so many supporters want to see us revert to a 4-4-2. Although I’d obviously welcome more attacking play, particularly at home against the weaker sides, this shape served us well and with a few new additions to strengthen weak areas of the side, it could be a winner.
Left-back was one such area (as Clive will testify to), as was the right side of midfield, despite Kevin Foley’s best efforts. He certainly did the best he could in that position, but a better all round midfield player would improve the side no end. Guedioura played tucked in on the right on the last game of the season and showed exactly what we’d been missing.
It will be very interesting to watch Brazil and see how well the shape works with world class players in every position. I hope Mick’s commentating on one of their games, to see if he mentions it.
Is it any coincidence left back is Brazil’s biggest worry – with converted left winger (read Ward) Michele Bastos from Lyon playing outside the position he’s most comfortable in…
Marvelous stuff Adam! You’ve already educated me more than a year at school! Let’s see if Brazil’s fans berate Gilberto for being a crab that passes sideways all the time.
Think you have been reading Knocker on TheWolf.
Great post which reinforces the flexibility of the 4-5-1 Adam. I’ll never forget how mesmerised West Ham were as we looked like scoring every time we got the ball.
Quite a contrast to Dave Jones’ assertion that ‘there’s no such thing as a formation’.
But is it down to Merlin or TC’s clipboard??
I think that was about the only time we looked like scoring with that system. That was just our night. Maybe we should keep it for away games but at home we should drop it
A fine insight Rich. I agerree.
Just what i saw, we picked up some good draws away which is fine but we struggled at home and there’s no getting away from that. In fact when we went back to 4-4-2 for the last game we scored 2 and played a lot better against a half decent Sunderland team
So, to take it all a logical step further, all our players should get the same nationality, e.g. Wolverhamptonian, including the cowardly lion, and we should be in Sarf Afrika right now.
The obvious, although very slight, difference, is that compared to Brazil, most of our players are crap.
Having said that, an excellent blog Adam, but you really need to get out more!!!
Ben, I didn’t relize you went to school for a year!!
FOWB
Spellcheck not werkin’!!
FOWB
haha – wicked stuff Adam, that was interesting.
Will the Brazilian centre halfs lump it upto Fabiano though? The similarities are uncanny tbf well spotted and illustrated. It’ll be interesting to hear Mick’s views as a pundit on the beeb during the WC. Wonder if he’ll just pick out the grafters in every game.
Luckily for us, Zubar combines the best qualities of Maicon and Alves
Thoroughly enjoyable Adam! Thanks! Great to see Dave Jones in the Kaka role.
Who was more disappointing this season, DJ or Kaka? I’d suggest the latter.
Which one of Brazil occupies the “hoof it up and hope” role… bet you can;t answer that one
If MM managed Brazil – he’d find a way of fitting love children Wardino and Keoghdinho into the system!
Cheers for some positive comments guys.. I really wasn’t sure whether these were the sort of dark thoughts I should be keeping to myself in close season!
Rich – yeah good point, Sunderland goals came in a 4-4-2 and also SEB’s equaliser vs Blackburn so I think David Jones’ brilliant team goal was only one we actually scored at home with this system interestingly enough.
t’OM – I missed the M.Bastos / Ward connection!
I’ve read some criticism of Jarvis’ tracking back recently and I think when you look at these diagrams it highlights why I think this criticism is unwarranted. Jarvis in this system is effectively playing as a forward on the wing. This is his role. With the right-sided player tucked in there should be enough cover for Henry/Mancienne to be sweeping round behind him (which to be fair I think Henry does). However, it does also explain why the left-back is more exposed than the right-back in both teams.
Ps. Yep Clive, I seriously need to get out more. Not likely for next month though!
The only word for Jarvis’s tracking back is Ward.
Nuff said.
FOWB
Adam. Not sure how Jarvo gets criticism for not tracking back?! That’s all I ever remember him doing, usually covering for Ward. it would be nice to see van Damme in there behind Jarvis, as it will hopefully allay Jarvo’s fears about having to track back all the time.
Meanwhile, a Wolves themed blog about Drogba has gone live on the Telegraph website from me. Clive will not be amused!
http://my.telegraph.co.uk/football/worldcupivorycoast/254/why-i-pray-for-didier-drogba/#disqus_thread
Ben – agree.. I’m opening myself up to more justified accusations of being a total geek here but it was a brief debate between clive, matt & kwolf on the ‘boredom’ blogpost.
By the way, I love that you got several mentions of Bully into an Ivory Coast World Cup Blog! Brilliant.
RVP did play vs Wolves at the Molineux, I’m sure of it.
I was largely unimpressed by him
Sorry for the correction
Hi Hallam. I wasn’t at the game if truth be told. Holed up at a Center Parcs pub shouting at Wayne Hennessey on a big screen!
Haha fair enough. Think I remember you saying about that at the time.
But in all fairness of one of the big names I was hoping to see this season he was undoubtedly the biggest let down for me, especially being a part time Arsenal fan (blame my father).
He must’ve been the only one. They murdered us that day. Over by half an hour andd bloody freezing
Once upon a time, Ward had a brain fart, and had a good game.
It happens.
Once upon a time, Drogba had a brain fart, and didn’t dive, overact and all that bollocks he’s famous for. It just happened to be at the Mol.
He obviously knows your Dad, and was afraid of the critcism he would get.
It’s called the law of averages.
No one can be consistently good or bad, they must have an off day.
Despite your obvious love affair with the person in question, it does not take away from the fact that he is still an ugly, arrogant, cheating bastard.
And yes, if he was playing for us, he would still be an ugly cheating arrogant bastard, but he would be OUR ugly cheating arrogant ugly bastard, and if he helped us win the title, I would forgive your wet knickered fawnings!!!!
Your Dad is wrong as well.
The Doog and Bully never cheated (!!!) and were not ugly.
FOWB
Once upon a time, I could come on here without having to sift through an endless stack of pointless posts from you and actually enjoy the experience.
Well, get the season started and we can pick on someone else!!!!
Pointless, how dare you!
I shall speak to your dad and get your pocketmoney stopped.
FOWB
The BBC pundits- a Jock, a Geordie, a fella from Togo and one from Surinam. Not an English speaker among them. Hopefully Mick’s Barnsley twang will be comprehendable.
England…what a shower, over paid prima donna.Won’t be getting up again at 4am to watch that bollocks
Ditto here, Dazza. That game has saved me a few hours of beauty sleep in the next few weeks. Christ knows I need it …
Currently watching Milijas in action (vs. Ghana) as I type. He’s been anonymous, nay invisible, in the first half hour. Good to see these players taking their club form to the big tournaments, innit?
I can’t believe Capello.He knew King and Milner were haf crcoked in the first place, and, forgetting everything else, James is our best keeper. Rooney and lampard, our supposed stars, were anonymous, and Terry has the turning circle of P & O smallest ship.Pathetic, and Slovenia will be well up for us… unfortunately, I can only see a draw again at best. We should refuse to pick ant England players from the PL… only from the lower leagues…I’m sure we would see more fight and passion
Milijas’ performance is coming in for some criticism.
Gabriele Marcotti of The Times:
”Milijas is even slower in real life than he is on TV”
Tor Karlsen (scout / pundit):
”Never understood the Milijas signing. classy player but lacks the mobility to play in the EPL. thought Mick Mac would’ve seen that”
”I don’t get Milijas, “classy” but slow and static. brings little apart from the thunderbolt shot. i’d have paired Stanko w/Kacar”
Sounds quite familiar to me, classy but static
I’d say that the Serbian coach is to blame. Milijas and Stankovic were both overrun and/or cut out of the game because of a 3v2 Ghana had in the middle of the park and the willingness of Vidic to hit 70 yard balls up to Zigic.
t’OM – Completely agree, and if Thomas & Ben will forgive a bit of shameless self-promotion, I said something similar to that both before and after the game: http://ghostgoal.co.uk/2010/06/13/concerns-over-serbs-justified/
At least Mick realised Milijas in a 4-4-2 was too much for him at Xmas.. it could have cost Antic at a World Cup. Although, like you suggest, I think maybe both Wolves & Serbia can get something out of him in a 4-5-1.