4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-5-1

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

It has finally struck home that denoting formations using this numerical system doesn't work any more. Players are so mobile these days that a designation like 4-4-2 is only valid as a start position - and by start position in this instance I mean kick off.

No, it's all *******s and I'll hear no more of it.

[Classic Jorge]

We do need to play two up front and whip plenty of crosses in, we were much better when we did that.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

A pair of proper hard nuts in midfield in front of two stoppers and tough-tackling full backs.

A good, solid 4-2-4 and no pissing about.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Jenko -EE27]

:nod:

[§]

Back 4 and the rest just knock it about like Barcelona.

[redgunamo]

And foreigners too, of course.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

The doleful Pole, the happy-go-lucky Bajan, the proud Serb, the stylish Italian, the aloof Frenchman, the correct German, fine chaps, the lot of 'em.

Can't stomach an Australian, mind. Vulgar fellows as a rule. No culture, see?

[Classic Jorge]

[redgunamo]

[Classic Jorge]

btw, did you see Andrew Graham Dixon's High Art of the Low Countries?

Basically a Rijksmuseum audio tour but very, very interesting.

[redgunamo]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

When you're next in the Netherlands, come 4 pm when you will, of course, be comfortably seated for the appelgeback and the kopje koffie, try ordering a second cup and see the looks you get. Such frivolity!

I didn't see it, no, but I'm off to the Rijksmuseum next weekend, hurrah!

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

How queer.

[Lar d'Arse]

NTNON....

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Others not so nice, I'll grant you.

[Alexism - Atheoist]

[Luis Anaconda]

great decision by our Herb though

[Ashberto]

[redgunamo]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Classic Jorge]

[redgunamo]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

The monocoled Prussian, mensur scars wriggling like eels, is a wondrous thing. And the noble African! (The northern ones, not so much. Bit weedy.)

[Lar d'Arse]

early teams (such as they had any formation) were more of a 2-1-7 with two backs, a link man, and seven forwards.

Always struck me as most odd. How seven attackers didn't manage to get past the two defenders more often I never really understood and the quality of footage ('scuse the pun) is generally non-existent.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

designated square. THEN you'd have a formation worth the name.

[Classic Jorge]

[Red N White Army]

http://www.phrases.org.uk/images/back-to-square-one.gif

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Not some hallucinogenic rocket fuel :-(

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Red N White Army]

[Classic Jorge]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

The world's gone mad, I tell you.

[Classic Jorge]

I bet it's still more informative than Andy Townsend

[Classic Jorge]

lots of thc (giggly, relaxing) not much cannaboids (energy sapping, tranquilising)

[Mc Gooner]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

How will I know which is which?

[Classic Jorge]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[redgunamo]

It doesn't change the content.

[Alexism - Atheoist]

I can see Brendan Rogers jumping all over this.

[Darren's Dodgy Denim]