Formation(s) during the Cuba Game

[irust]

Hey everybody just starting a thread to talk abput the formations we ran during the course of the Cuba game and how effective each one was.
Bob started out with his traditional conservative line-up:
---------------------Ching--------------------
Beasley-----------Donovan-------Dempsey
------------Kljestan-----Bradley------------
Pearce--Bocanegra----Onyewu----Cherundolo
-------------------Howard---------------------

- I really dislike this-up (mainly cus Chings in it) because its just too conservative, while Beasley did score some goals, Demspey was atrocious and Ching was content with his usual back-pass routine. Keep in mine, we're playing against Cuba here.

As the game progressed and Torres and Altidore came on, Bob shifted the line-up a bit. It looked something like this:
------------Altidore---------Dempsey--------------
----------------------Donovan------------Kljestan
-----------Torres------------Bradley----------------
Beasley----Bocanegra----Onyewu-------Cherundolo
-----------------------Howard--------------------------
I really like this formation, but I feel that Dempsey or Klejstan were essentially playing the same position, and Beasley just makes me uncomfortable at left back. That said Torres looked very good and we played in a very attack-minded style. I just wish Junior could have accomplished more.

When Adu came on the formation reverted to this:
-----------------------Altidore------------------------
--------------Donovan------------Adu-----------------
--------Torres---------Bradley--------Dempsey-------
Beasley----Bocanegra----Onyewu-------Cherundolo
-----------------------Howard--------------------------

I love this formation, I really do, but Dempssey was played out of position, so was Adu, and again I cant stand Beasley as left back.
I feel that if were going to essentially run a 3-5-2 with Beasley acting as left winger/back this is what our formation should look like
____________Altidore___________
_______Adu_____________Dempsey
_______________Donovan___________
_______Torres________________
Beasley_______Bradley___________
______Boca_____Gooch______Dolo
With this formation our left side is dominant in attacking power. Beasley can play left back or get forward as a winger (he has the pace). Torres can drop in for him when he makes run. Torres and Adu can both attack, with Torres acting as a LCM and Adu as a withheld LCAM. Donovan is pushed slightly to right to help Dempsey, while still retaining his role as a withheld striker. Dempsey can function as a right winger or midfielder (if necesarry) as Dolo functions as a natural wing-back. Because of this, our right side with be just as strong as our left side. Bradley or Edu offers stability in the middle and defensive aid to our 3 primary backs (remember that Beasley can also function as one). Klejstan could be substituted in for Donovan or Torres, shift to the right and spread our play on the right side if needed.
So thats my formation and the ones we saw in the game. What do you guys think? Hsould we run these more? Is Torres going to be a regular on the team (I think so). Do you have a formation thats better? Post away.

Btw- did anyone see the Torres > Castillo poster during the game. Love it!!!

[sidefootsitter]

The "everyone in the middle" stuff in the second half was a disaster.

Bob played it in the first half vs. Barbados after Mastroeni had to come out and it was bad even then.

I've no idea why Bobaloo jams Beasley, Dempsey, Torres, Kljestan and Donovan behind Ching/Altidore and within 25 yards of each other.

No sane manager would do that.

Ever.

[Karl K]

Irust, nicely done. Some comments.

Hey everybody just starting a thread to talk abput the formations we ran during the course of the Cuba game and how effective each one was.
Bob started out with his traditional conservative line-up:
---------------------Ching--------------------
Beasley-----------Donovan-------Dempsey
------------Kljestan-----Bradley------------
Pearce--Bocanegra----Onyewu----Cherundolo
-------------------Howard---------------------


I would disagree that this is a "conservative" formation -- it is in fact the current favored formation by many top clubs -- Madrid, Chelsea, among others. The reason it has become so popular to the point of being de rigeur is that it can quickly morph from a defensive to offensive and back again. It is designed to control the center of the pitch. It does require a very dynamic target player to be REALLY successful in the attack. (think Didier Drogba as the prototype) though it can work if you have good speed in midfield and a hole player who can control possession and score.


As the game progressed and Torres and Altidore came on, Bob shifted the line-up a bit. It looked something like this:
------------Altidore---------Dempsey--------------
----------------------Donovan------------Kljestan
-----------Torres------------Bradley----------------
Beasley----Bocanegra----Onyewu-------Cherundolo
-----------------------Howard--------------------------
I really like this formation, but I feel that Dempsey or Klejstan were essentially playing the same position, and Beasley just makes me uncomfortable at left back. That said Torres looked very good and we played in a very attack-minded style. I just wish Junior could have accomplished more.

This was the lopsided formation that Bielsa ran with Argentina in the '02 cycle, with Zanetti in the Beasley role. I saw this in person at Solder Field when Argentina played Mexico, and Zanetti looked absolutely fabulous in the role, running the entire left touchline. You need a special player to play that role, a complete player with high levels of speed and fitness who can attack, defend, and, perhaps most of all, switch the ball with precision when the opposition either drifts to you to rebalance itself or decides to attack down your side.

Beasley is the only player in our pool who could even remotely play this position.


When Adu came on the formation reverted to this:
-----------------------Altidore------------------------
--------------Donovan------------Adu-----------------
--------Torres---------Bradley--------Dempsey-------
Beasley----Bocanegra----Onyewu-------Cherundolo
-----------------------Howard--------------------------

I love this formation, I really do, but Dempssey was played out of position, so was Adu, and again I cant stand Beasley as left back.


The classic "Christmas Tree" formation. Interestingly, this is considered to be a more defensive formation, a lead-protecting formation, designed to cover all passing lanes and seams. It can be impotent on the attack though if your central midfielder (Bradley) is not capable of orchestrating an attack.


I feel that if were going to essentially run a 3-5-2 with Beasley acting as left winger/back this is what our formation should look like
____________Altidore___________
_______Adu_____________Dempsey
_______________Donovan___________
_______Torres________________
Beasley_______Bradley___________
______Boca_____Gooch______Dolo

With this formation our left side is dominant in attacking power. Beasley can play left back or get forward as a winger (he has the pace). Torres can drop in for him when he makes run. Torres and Adu can both attack, with Torres acting as a LCM and Adu as a withheld LCAM. Donovan is pushed slightly to right to help Dempsey, while still retaining his role as a withheld striker. Dempsey can function as a right winger or midfielder (if necesarry) as Dolo functions as a natural wing-back.


Alas, I don't think we will ever seen anything like this from us and rightly so. In this instance, Bradley is your only defensive midfielder, who will almost always have to drift to the right as it cedes too much space on the right side where Dempsey is, frankly, weak defensively.

Against better teams as our young players hopefully improve, Altidore especially, you will see us almost always play the 4-2-3-1. It is really the right formation for us over the long run.

[Marko72]

I would disagree that this is a "conservative" formation -- it is in fact the current favored formation by many top clubs -- Madrid, Chelsea, among others. The reason it has become so popular to the point of being de rigeur is that it can quickly morph from a defensive to offensive and back again. It is designed to control the center of the pitch. It does require a very dynamic target player to be REALLY successful in the attack. (think Didier Drogba as the prototype) though it can work if you have good speed in midfield and a hole player who can control possession and score.


Agreed. This is the formation that many of us, myself included, have envisioned us playing eventually this cycle, and eventually is apparently now (the past 2 matches), since it seems to suit our pool's strengths. The key to continued success with this formation will eventually be Altidore as the Drogba you'd mentioned, another reason why I back this formation. Ching's a placeholder, works hard and gets himself into good positions, but I think we all know he lacks the dynamism, particularly the burst of speed to make this as dangerous as it theoretically could be with Altidore.

One thing about Altidore that I rather like is what looks to me like a new-found willingness to roam and find his space to link up with his AMs. The ability for Altidore to show for the ball from the midfield, and any of the other three guys (which will most likely be Donovan, Dempsey, and Beasley and/or Adu over the foreseeable future) to find a seam anywhere across the back line could really prove to be a handful for a lot of defenses. And it maintains the central solidity that Bob feels comfortable with and it would seem our middling central defense (in terms of speed) seems to need.

We've recently used it twice, both in home qualifiers. Granted, they're home qualifiers against two Caribbean nations, but it's seemed to work out very nicely for us thus far. Again, the key will eventually be Altidore being fit to be that sole strong, quick, dynamic guy up front that can link up with his midfield and be a strong threat to score or hold it up for any of the three attack-minded guys right behind him. Donovan and Adu both look good for the creative role, Donovan and Beasley have got a speed burst, and Dempsey has a history of getting himself into the right place at the right time to finish. If they're combining well with each other, and they have been, this can be a nice, flexible, solid formation to attack out of, featuring our strength (several good "tweener" types), and playing down our weaknesses (few good pure forwards or pure wingers).

I don't see us using the Xmas tree on a consistent basis (Bradley's just not an attack orchestrator as you'd alluded), but it's a nice little situational wrinkle that could be trotted out as the game situation and situational substitutions warrant. In the grand majority of situations where you'd want to play with this, you'd want Pearce, not Beasley at the left fullback spot.

As for the Argentine unbalanced 4-3-1-2-ish thing, Beasley at LB is not something I favor in most situations, but he's the only guy that I can think of that can handle flying up the field and running the play on his touchline. But what you really do not want in the long run is Beasley getting run at, his flank attacked, and having to fend off long balls to a foward as you'd find if he's playing a fullback position against a typical team in a typical 0-0 or 1-1 ball game. His defensive work rate and tenacity is a strength of his game, but he's a winger, not a pure defender. Another situational wrinkle.

You know, I'm still not overly fond of Bob but I do find it kinda interesting that in this match (albeit a home match against a 10 man Cuban side) Bob did two things that he's almost universally panned for never doing: playing the young attack-minded guys and showing some tactical flexibility with his formations.

[superdave]

I don't think irust's representation is accurate. To me, it was more a 4-1-3-1-1. Landon had a free role; he popped up everywhere in the attack. And I didn't see Kljestan and Bradley as being paired. I thought Kljestan's role was much more attacking.

[Marko72]

Sometimes I miss having a TV and a DVR. (But only as far as soccer goes.) ;)

[deuteronomy]

This is a fascinating thread to me and I have enjoyed the posts to date.
I actually believe Bob's standard formation is a 4-2-3-1 and as Karl mentioned it can be utilized both as an attacking and defensive posture.
Ordinarily, within the framework of formations different players, Donovan for example are given freedom to find the seams or space (a role imo he excels in as he did last night), Sacha may have been the deep midfielder of the two encouraged to support from behind. Against a more threatening opponent Mastro or Edu may be instructed to stay at home more. That is a luxury of having a stable of players against the likes of Cuba in DC.
My belief is that this formation also plays to the strengths of our team and players and the numbers of quality midfielders we have as opposed to quality strikers.
During our first qualifiers at Guatemala City and Havana, many BS posters were concerned that we were not playing attractive enough soccer or linking up often enough. It is tough to play qualifying matches and win on the road, ask Mexico about their result last night. We have done well to wn our first four matches, I look forward to watching the continued drama. More, much more will be revealed.

[cpwilson80]

One thing about Altidore that I rather like is what looks to me like a new-found willingness to roam and find his space to link up with his AMs.

You mean he played like Kenny Cooper? ;)

Excellent post. The last 20 minutes looked like the clusterf*ck formation, and I can't see that used against any serious competition. It's the closest I've seen to a video game formation: let's get as many attack-minded players on the field at once.

I actually think 3-5-2 is too defensive for what we saw at the end...it seemed like a 2-3-3-2. When we'd win possession, only Onyewu and Bocanegra would stay back. Beasley and Cherundolo pushed up very high, and Bradley would stay at home as a deep defensive mid. Dempsey and Adu held while Donovan and Altidore were up top, and Torres floated out to the left behind the strikers.

Despite this unprecedented makeup, I did like the flirting with Beasley at left back. Right now, he's still our best left mid. However, he has the work-rate and enough defensive aptitude to hold down the left flank against an inferior team.

Two more thoughts about the 4-2-3-1, and I can't reconcile them:

1) I don't like Donovan in the middle of the field in this set-up, and it's because he receives the ball far too often with his back to goal. If he's the support-striker or the attacking mid on the right, I feel like he can attack with options in front of him (there's no person better on our team.)

2) Though they are still mistakes, I like the type of mistakes Kljestan makes. He's looking for the type of passes that switch a point of attack or spring a guy free (like Beasley's first goal.) He'll get too cute with the ball at times or try to hit a pass with a 25% chance of success. However, in the 4-2-3-1, there are enough guys back to recover, and his influence makes the formation an attacking one.

P.S. Karl, good call on Zanetti. Argentina did the same thing in 2006 with Sorin running the entire left flank.

[Karl K]

Two more thoughts about the 4-2-3-1, and I can't reconcile them:

1) I don't like Donovan in the middle of the field in this set-up, and it's because he receives the ball far too often with his back to goal. If he's the support-striker or the attacking mid on the right, I feel like he can attack with options in front of him (there's no person better on our team.)

A very knowledgable soccer guy I know once told me that "Donovan creates tactical problems...for the USA."

Of course, LD needs to be on the field for 90 minutes, as he is arguably our best soccer player.

Yet where to put him?

Out wide he can drift in and out of games (in part because he is easier to defend when is closer to touch). In the hole position, he winds up coming to the ball with back to goal, a sub optimal situation for him. As a more traditional #10 field general, he simply can't "control" the flow of the game the way, say, a Gerrard or a Riquelme can.

He really should be a striker playing off a target man, and where his speed can be put to use specifically on the central counterattack, but that requires we have an O'Brien or a Reyna orchestrating in midfield. Sascha may be that player eventually but not now.

So, LD, as good as he is, is the proverbial square peg who needs to be put in one round hole or another.

[irust]

I don't think irust's representation is accurate. To me, it was more a 4-1-3-1-1. Landon had a free role; he popped up everywhere in the attack. And I didn't see Kljestan and Bradley as being paired. I thought Kljestan's role was much more attacking.
No offense, but I got these formations from Ives Galarcep's analysis of the game, so if he got them wrong then I probaly did too, but given hes the most respected and trustworthy soccer reporter in our fine nation (and an ESPN columnist) I doubt he got them wrong. But seriously, I/he could be wrong so don't take my tone the wrong way.

[ussoccerFan12358]

Obviously it had something to do with the fact we were playing 10-men Cuba at RFK, but whenever I watch our team and struggle to figure out what our formation is, as in who is playing where we do well. There was so much switching going on, all the players knew how and where to pass the ball and where they could make runs to afterwards. This was the case late against Argentina in another spectacular performance by our boys.

Keep the kids, they try to play beautiful soccer*.


*I understand BB's method up to this point of bringing them along slowly, just an endorsement of our youth on my part.

[sidefootsitter]

Ives Galarcep's ... the most respected and trustworthy soccer reporter in our fine nation ... hahahahahahaha ... (second breath) ... hahahahahahaha.

[passtheblizz]

Hard to take much from this game. I am pretty sure my open team could have beaten this Cuba squad soundly after they went to 10 men.

[irust]

hahahahahahaha ... (second breath) ... hahahahahahaha.
This is coming from the person who said Landon Donovan has a terrible
shot...
and I'm sorry but he is the best reporter on soccer in the USA. The only person better might be Goff. But I guess we could assume you know more than he does or that you could laugh at him because he does such a bad job. But you're just a poster on a forum and you are no different than any of the other complainers and detractors on BigSoccer. So please post informative discussions or ideas instead of wasting EVERYONES' time.

[sidefootsitter]

This is coming from the person who said Landon Donovan has a terrible shot... Compared to a Lucas Podolski or Daniele De Rossi, Donovan has a squirt gun.

and I'm sorry but he is the best reporter on soccer in the USA. You're entitled to think that and I am entitled to laugh at your face for your thinking that.

PS. As to the X-mas Tree, it works if you push both of your fullbacks forward, so they actually play like flankers/wingbacks throughout the match. That's why Italy does it well - Grosso on the left and Zambrotta/Oddo on the right can play from endline to endline.

Beasley did get forward frequently from his nominal spot - though not as often when he played a pure left side mid - but Cherundolo stayed behind usually, so the US had no width and, with Donovan playing behind Ching/Altidire, it had little vertical threat (with Ching, it had none) also.

Once again with Bob, he had a bastardized formation on the field that played nothing like it's supposed to.

[Bob Morocco]

Compared to a Lucas Podolski or Daniele De Rossi, Donovan has a squirt gun.

You're entitled to think that and I am entitled to laugh at your face for your thinking that.

PS. As to the X-mas Tree, it works if you push both of your fullbacks forward, so they actually play like flankers/wingbacks throughout the match. That's why Italy does it well - Grosso on the left and Zambrotta/Oddo on the right can play from endline to endline.

Beasley did get forward frequently from his nominal spot - though not as often when he played a pure left side mid - but Cherundolo stayed behind usually, so the US had no width and, with Donovan playing behind Ching/Altidire, it had little vertical threat (with Ching, it had none) also.

Once again with Bob, he had a bastardized formation on the field that played nothing like it's supposed to.


Donovan has a limited range but he has good placement from 25 and in on both feet, he's weak at using the outside of his feet to shoot and hitting with his left foot first time on the run.


--------------------Ching-------------------
------------------Donovan------------------
-Beasley---------------------Dempsey-----
-----------------------Kljestan--------------
--------------Bradley-----------------------
--Pearce-----------------------------Dolo--
---------------Boca---Gooch---------------
------------------Howard-------------------

Begining of the second half:

-------------------Ching-------------------
-----------------------Dempsey-----------
-------------Donovan----------------------
---------Beasley-----------Kljestan-------
-------------------Bradley------------------
--Pearce-----------------------------Dolo--
---------------Boca---Gooch---------------
------------------Howard-------------------

sub 1,2
------------------Altidore------------------
-----------------------Dempsey-----------
-------------Donovan----------------------
----------Torres-----------Kljestan--------
-------------------Bradley------------------
--Beasley----------------------------Dolo--
---------------Boca---Gooch---------------
------------------Howard-------------------

sub 3
------------------Altidore------------------
-------------Donovan--Adu----------------
---------------------------------------------
----------Torres-----------Kljsetan--------
-------------------Bradley------------------
--Beasley----------------------------Dolo--
---------------Boca---Gooch---------------
------------------Howard-------------------

[juveeer]

I actually like the 4-2-3-1. This is the "classic" Dutch formation, with Ching playing the RvN position, and LD the old Bergkamp spot. It works BETTER for the Dutch cause they train this way from youth level and they always have a CF who can combine back to goal abilities and goal poaching in the box, 2 REAL wingers and a creative player in the center of the park who can shoot, pass and fill on crosses.

Ching does a much better job as the back to goal player than most on here will admit. yeah, he could be a bit more dynamic as a goal scorer, but he does a lot of the dirty work and puts himself in good spots. We don't really have another player quite like him since BMcB retired.

Donovan is starting to prove he CAN be a Bergkamp, if he wants to be. Certainly in this game he did all the things DB had to do, save hitting that 60 yard cross field ball right onto the foot of the left winger which every Dutch player is taught from the cradle. But otherwise his vision and touch were deft and his running off the ball was superb for much of the night. Brilliant ball to Beasley for the goal and a nice back post run for his goal as well.

Beasley, when healthy, IS a "winger" in the best Dutch tradition. And we have several "windsheild wiper" type middies to fill in behind LD. Sascha if he can play at that standard against better comp has a shot to fill that second creative role, while still supplying some dfensive cover in the midfield. Not totally sold On MB, but he does add some bite AND some attacking prowess to a "holding" role. Edu could do the same job, perhaps a bit better.

The back 4 is what it is. Dollo and pierce(9and frankie when he is in) can fill the attacking role from the back, but all of our CBs still lack pace and can be exposed by a better quality opponenet. This and RW are the 2 biggest weaknesses for this formation.

let's face it. Dempsey IS not a winger or even a wide middie. Although he did a bit better there this time than usual (he actualy tracked back a bit which was SHOCKING) he is not a guy who will blast down the wing and get a cross in. he is better nipping inside. He may be the guy who gives way as he doesn't really fit unless we are playing 4-4-2 where he can playing second striker off Ching or Jozy.

In short, the Dutch formation SEEMS to fit the overall personel of the starting team the best, with the exception of RW.

When you bring in the youngstas, though, some things change. I personally like Freddy in the middle of the park, but he is not a defender (he can't be Sascha) so he either has to slide into Donovan's role with LD going wide, or you have to switch to 4-4-2. Jozy, like Rooney, is better running at defenses than playing Ching's role of back to goal, but if you pair him up with Ching or even Dempsey, where they can switch off, that can work.

Xmas tree is ok also cause our defenders will bomb forward. Dolo, Frankie, Wynne are all fast and like attacking. What I worry about though, esp. on the right, is cover when they do. You can't count on Dempsey. Beasley will cover so that is why you see Pierce with a bit more freedom.

I really liked what I saw of Torres, but haven't seen enough to see where all he can fit.

RW (or RM if you prefer) appears to be out biggest problem. Sliding LD out there can solve it, but then he is less involved and less effective. if Freddy or Torres can fill that center spot, that may end up being our best lineup in the near future, but all I can say is I am happy to see that Bob Bradley, and I am not a big fan of his, is showing some creativity.

What works here in CONCACAF is not good enough when we hit the WC.

[sidefootsitter]

Donovan has a limited range but he has good placement from 25 and in on both feet, he's weak at using the outside of his feet to shoot and hitting with his left foot first time on the run... His placement is OK if you give him room to wind up.

He, as a rule, can't/won't make own outside shot.

He has next to nothing when there's no space (a wrister compared to a slap-shot, if you will, in hockey) because he needs to swing his whole body into it.

He only has a "power" instep shot, that goes straight or mildly spins from right to left.

Speculatively, I'd say his hardest shot is in the high-50's/very low-60's MPH.

Michael Ballack slammed his free-kick goal against Austria at 75 MPH, which is roughly the high end standard for the power shooters.

Alex reached that velocity with PSV and, seeing from that Chelsea clip, hasn't lost much after his transfer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hm016w2F2s

Donovan has never shown anything resembling this.

Ever.

PS. Agree on the formations more or less but the in-game situations made them very asymmetrical.

[KALM]

sub 3
------------------Altidore------------------
-------------Donovan--Adu----------------
---------------------------------------------
----------Torres-----------Kljsetan--------
-------------------Bradley------------------
--Beasley----------------------------Dolo--
---------------Boca---Gooch---------------
------------------Howard-------------------
Minor correction: Adu replaced Kljestan not Dempsey.

[deuteronomy]

I actually like the 4-2-3-1. This is the "classic" Dutch formation, with Ching playing the RvN position, and LD the old Bergkamp spot. It works BETTER for the Dutch cause they train this way from youth level and they always have a CF who can combine back to goal abilities and goal poaching in the box, 2 REAL wingers and a creative player in the center of the park who can shoot, pass and fill on crosses.

Ching does a much better job as the back to goal player than most on here will admit. yeah, he could be a bit more dynamic as a goal scorer, but he does a lot of the dirty work and puts himself in good spots. We don't really have another player quite like him since BMcB retired.

I am happy to see that Bob Bradley, and I am not a big fan of his, is showing some creativity.

What works here in CONCACAF is not good enough when we hit the WC.
Probably one of the more insightful posts I have read here on BS. Nice analysis of how the formation(s) plugs into the skillset/abilities of the players. Repped!

I enjoyed your observations about Ching. Having a striker who can play and get the work done at the single position up top allows the luxury of an extra midfielder. It also affords Donovan the freedom to roam a bit and if the runs from the midfield are made properly they can be challenging for the defense. Ching is better than McB with balls played to his feet, McB's greatness was in the air. Both lack the big burst.

The typical BS poster is ignorant to the fact of how difficult it is for a single striker to get himself in a position to receive balls played on the ground particularly and maintain possession. There is a huge amount of work (and thinking) that preceeds each link up at the top. Every effort is made defensively to deny service. Consider, if you will, that 4-6 players are trying to deny the link up into a limited space. Shutting off service to a single striker is critical. Those who harp on a first touch that sometimes betrays him (be sure to take this out of context to quote ;)) overlook equally and perhaps more significant points as touched on earlier.

1. His intelligence, and work rate allow him to get in position for us to receive and hold possession of the ball at the top of our attacking third.
2. Having someone capable of playing this this difficult postion allows us to have an extra midfielder.
3. It also creates space or a role for Donovan (our best attacker) who can run onto Ching's possession facing the goal. Ching links up with Donovan very well. I would enjoy hearing Donovan talk about what Ching means to the USMNT sometime.

Ching's job to continue to get in positions to receive and hold service is going to get more difficult as we get into the hex and beyond. He has proven himself to have the heart of a warrior despite not possessing an elite skillset (and we have not had any field players with an elite skillset, yet). It will be unusual for us to score any easy goals in '10. There are not going to be any tired Cubans who have been playing with 10 men for 60 minutes for fresh legs to beat for the 6th goal. The two or three caresses on the ball that a midfielder needs to take because he hasn't had to learn to intuitively know where his teammates are are costly to a team that is not going to get chances.

The last line in bold is true also. There are probably 10-15 teams who clearly have better personnel than us which probably is a very tough gap to overcome using tactics, teamwork and athletic ability. The 4-2-3-1 offers us a chance even against a better team, particularly if we enjoy a moment of brillance or a set piece goal. One opportunity is a possibility, a run highly unlikely. Enjoy the qualifying, life is a journey not a destination.