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4-4-2



perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,461
Sūþseaxna
ennuyant

Norwich (Hughton) were not really a passing side:

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/25...amStatistics/England-Premier-League-2013-2014

Checking shapes played:

4-4-1-1
http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/720780/Live/England-Premier-League-2013-2014-Norwich-Stoke

4-4-2
http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/72...League-2013-2014-Norwich-West-Bromwich-Albion

4-4-2
http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/720814/Live/England-Premier-League-2013-2014-Swansea-Norwich


It would be a novelty. I can't remember the last time we played 4-4-2. I think it tends to be more rigid and defensive than 4-3-3. And I have only just got used to 4-2-3-1 which might suit the Albion right now. I favour 4-3-3 which can quickly change to 4-4-2 if the going gets tough. 4-4-2 fans would like to have two wingers (not me), but often tends to have no wingers at all. If it is two wingers I would call it 4-2-4. Capello played a 4-4-2 with a deep-lying winger who was expected to work defensively.

4-3-3 & 4-2-3-1 & 4-2-1-2-1 to me requires a central midfielder that is a cut above the rest and right now the Albion midfield there is not one player that is sufficiently good at keeping the ball and passing to fill this role.

For an ordinary team in the lower reaches of the PL, 4-4-2 makes sense. For any team down the bottom of the League, two banks of four have been difficult to break down at the Amex.

What is really boring is if two sides both play 4-4-2 and they cancel each other out.
 
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Machiavelli

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2013
17,773
Fiveways
I don't think it is.

Looking here, it says it's 4-2-3-1:
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-hughton/profil/trainer/2654

Same here:
http://norwichcity.myfootballwriter...arch-of-vital-premier-league-survival-points/

Here, he changed to 4-4-2 - a change from the norm:
http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/norwich_city_boss_chris_hughton_s_change_of_formation_and_supersub_pay_dividends_1_1953552


I'm pretty sure he's happy to try either 1 or 2 up front, depending on which players he has available (whole team, not just the strikers) and the opposition.

He said on the long Seagulls Player interview that we've played 4-3-3 under our recent managers, whereas his preferred systems are 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-1-1.
I thought we looked good at 4-2-3-1 the other night, and particularly like Holla and Ince together in defensive midfield.
 


BensGrandad

New member
Jul 13, 2003
72,015
Haywards Heath


What a load of old twaddle this happens any time both sides play the same formation,. the good manager is the one who can counteract it.
 


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