Putting Holger's system in context

Ever since Brett Emerton was suspended in the group stages of the Asian Cup, and Matt McKay justified Holger's faith in the diminutive midfielder by delivering influental match-winning performances, Osieck has favoured deploying Australia in an asymmetric 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid. This system operates with a double pivot in midfield, a winger/wide player on one flank and a midfielder drifting central on the opposite. Width on the 'narrow' flank is provided by an overlapping fullback, while the withdrawn forward/second striker/attacking midfielder drops deep to defend or pulls wide in attack.

With the current proliferation of 4-3-3 variants in club and international football, even Verbeek utilised a conservative 4-2-3-1, there aren't any elite European clubs who use anything like an orthodox 4-4-2 as their default formation. Manchester United come close, but Rooney's movement during the game means he often spends more time closer to the central midfielders or overloading the flanks than waiting for service near the 18-yard box.

Australia vs Malaysia: Preview/Prediticon

The Socceroos will play Malaysia on Oct 7, currently ranked 146 by FIFA, in a friendly in advance of a qualifying match against Oman on Oct 11. A 19-man squad has been called up by Holger.

Given Australia's mixed performance in our last two fixtures; 2-1 Thailand and 3-1 Saudi Arabia - it will be interesting to see how experimental Osieck will be with his line-up. As PM have previously covered, against Thailand, Holger was trying to cram McKay, Holman, Cahill and Wilkshire/Emerton into the same team; when this failed due to a lack of width and mobility, Osieck sent out his preferred 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid with more robust players in defence and midfield against Saudi to ensure points on the table and to preserve our winning momentum.

Tragic car crash

Just learned from the Guardian that Theyab Awana, the UAE No 10 who caused Aziz Behich and Australia so much trouble during the Olyroos qualifying match, has just died after a car crash while travelling from club training. This is a tragic end, not just for a young and exciting talent, but for a promising young man.

Awana's enduring claim to fame include his back-heel penalty against Lebanon, which became an internet sensation.

Our condolences and sympathies to his family, friends and team mates.

Australia's Squad Analysis: Central Midfield

Central Midfield:

Holger has demonstrated a preference for a double pivot in midfield. ‘Double pivot’ refers to a pair of midfielders that operate in tandem. Stereotypically, one fulfils the tackler role, by providing an extra layer of defensive security and disrupting opposition attacks, while the other fulfils the passer role, keeping possession in midfield, ensuring he is free to provide a safe outlet and distributing the ball. Together, the double pivot acts as a bulwark in front the back-four and a platform for the attacking four. The five players below are central midfielders at club level, but for the national team, Holger prefers to station McKay at left midfield to drift inside. This may indicate Holger holds reservations about McKay’s ability to operate in midfield without the security of the double pivot behind him, or simply that Holger prefers the ‘safety first’ approach common to international football short on preparation time.  



Olyroos 0-0 UAE: HT Match Impressions

NOTE: This is not a full match report, and is based solely on the 1st half of the Olyroos goal-less qualifier against the United Arab Emirates. It is unlikely a full match report will follow.

The first half was a fairly even affair, between similiar teams. As stated in the preview, this match was unlikely to be a tactical affair. With the UAE set out in an identical formation, the two sides cancelled each other out, and the half became a series of battles between individual players.

Jason Hoffman

Australia vs UAE: Preview/Prediction

Pass and Move will attempt to provide a Match Analysis for the Olyroos qualifier against the United Arab Emirates to be played in Adelaide, time and circumstances permitting. Apologies in advance.

Overseas clubs have proven recalcitrant in releasing players for the match; Auerlio Vidmar has been forced to select a squad composed entirely of A-League players. I've never been a keen observer of the Olyroos, so PM's estimate of the starting XI is likely to be erroneous. Again, apologies.

The Olyroos have a mixed record in 2011; a 3-1 loss to Japan, 6-0 thrashing of Singapore and a 3-0 win over Yemen. Assuming UAE have similiar quality players to Yemen, a win is likely.

Short Break

Pass and Move will be taking a short break - it's unlikely new material will be published in the next week or so.

PM will return with the rest of our Socceroos Squad Depth Analysis and A-League 2011-2012 Season Previews.

You can find new match analysis of various European leagues in our Recommended Reading on the sidebar.

Thanks

Blog Rule

A truly fascinating - and horrifying - financial expose about the Toffees by the Swiss Ramble, a financial/football blog. I'm terrible with numbers, but this makes me want to weep.

http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/09/everton-no-blue-skies.html

LATER ADDITION:
Excellent and emotionally stirring fan video of Everton. If you're a fan, you will appreciate it.

http://youtu.be/kbGoQHszuKA

True dawn of the false nine? A Brisbane Roar Preview

Brisbane Roar will undoubtedly be given very short odds to continue their rampant unbeaten streak and repeat their Double triumph. But with the rest of the A-League equipping themselves to combat Brisbane’s dominance and possession football, how will Ange Postecoglou keep the Men in Oranje one step ahead of the chasing pack?

Brisbane has publicly proclaimed their aspiration to become ‘Barcelona on a budget’, by implementing a mobile short-passing game to unlock rigid defences. Last season, Postecoglou was fortunate to be able to call upon the services of two hard-working and predatory central strikers; Reinaldo and then Solorzano. However, their departures present Ange with an intriguing tactical conundrum; the opportunity to implement a false nine.

Australia's Squad Analysis: Goal Keeper and Defence

This is an examination of Australia’s squad depth, which has developed considerably under Osieck. Although Australia remain reliant on an experienced core, a number of players have staked successful claims to berths in the squad and team. This analysis is based on a back-four.

Goal Keeper:

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) is still the undisputed no. 1 custodian. A superb shot stopper, Mark’s greatest quality is the confidence he instils in the backline, with the knowledge that they have a reliable keeper behind them. One of Mark's deficiencies is his relative weakness with the ball at his feet. Like most keepers of his generation, the distribution out of the back is left to the defenders in front of him.

Mark Schwarzer

Blog Rule

Preview of Everton vs Aston Villa, by the Executioners Bong

http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/everton-v-aston-villa-tactical-preview/

Here at Pass and Move, we are desperately trying to convince ourselves we have the next Tevez in Denis and the next Silva in Drenthe.

Article on player vs fan loyalty in football. I've been toying on writing something similiar, but Mr Bate has beaten me to the punch.

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/don%e2%80%99t-talk-to-me-about-loyalty-the-fan-is-a-hypocrite/

Survey - It's Your Turn

Pass and Move have now posted a number and variety of articles examining the Socceroos, and would like to hear what our readers have to say. One of the remits we at Pass and Move have set for ourselves was to stimulate debate and prompt discussion. Do you believe PM's analysis has been faulty or overly complicated? Or do you believe PM have overlooked crucial points and ignored central issues? Don't hesitate to comment and say so. We will welcome and endeavour to respect divergences of opinion and respond positively to criticism.

Saudi Arabia 1-3 Australia: Final Say

Saudi Arabia 1-3 Australia

This is a summary of the Match Report and the relevant Commentary on the Commentary, and will look to compare the difference in Australia’s two systems against Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

Why did the shape against Thailand fail?

1.  Unbalanced – Holman and McKay, at LM and LB respectively drifted centrally and ignored the left flank.

2. Lack of mobility – Kennedy and Cahill were very static, staying high and waiting for service instead of dropping deep or pulling wide.

This resulted in a reliance on the right flank, and a static front line which necessitated crosses from deep.

Commentary on the Commentary

As expected, another round of 'redemption' themed articles, praising the difference between Australia's performances against Thailand and Saudi Arabia, without identifying exactly what the difference was. Lynch and Cockerill come close, talking about Holman being preferred to Cahill, and Kennedy's improvement, without stating what he improved on. PM readers will know Kennedy actually ran around against Saudi, abandoning his attempts to play "the grass is made of lava" by staying on the chalk of the 18-yard line during the match against Thailand. Holger also abandoned his experimentation, restoring the balance to Australia's play; (Holman from LM to second striker, McKay from LB to LM and Zullo to LB)

Cockerill's article can be found here:
http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/09/holger-osieck-deserves-some-praise-for-australias-resurgence/
And Lynch's here:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/holman-safe-bet-as-osieck-keeps-cahill-up-sleeve-20110907-1jxug.html

How would an opposing team dismantle Australia?

As Pass and Move have documented previously, Holger’s preferred system for Australia has been an asymmetric  4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid, with McKay drifting centrally and acting as a central midfielder, with the right midfielder linking up with the two forwards. Width on the left is provided by the left full-back.  A double pivot in midfield provides a platform for attack and a bulwark in front of the defence. The withdrawn forward drops deep.

Jonathan Wilson has examined England’s asymmetric formation, and his conclusion is that being asymmetric, in and of itself, can be a strength by presenting opponents with unusual challenges. Wilson alleges that the custom of referring to players by their position discounts the attributes and abilities they possess – tactics should be more than “drilling 10 round holes into a team sheet and hammering pegs into them whatever their shape”. The most important consideration is to produce a fluent system, which Holger has managed to concoct, as a result of accident and design.

In general, an asymmetric formation can be distinguished from a symmetric formation, in that the method of attacking and defending and the division of these responsibilities differs from the left flank to the right flank.

Commentary on the Commentary

Davidde Corran has provided a succint summary of the selection issue surrounding Cahill and Holman, whose best position for the national team is as the second striker in Holger's 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid, but offer slightly different interpretations of the role.
He also illuminates the possibility of playing Cahill in a midfield pair, but rightfully discounts that option as a restriction of Cahill's goal threat which is a large justification for his inclusion in the team.

It can be found here http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/08/holger-osieck-and-the-cahill-conundrum/

Commentary on the Commentary

I'm sorry but...it's time for another Commentary on the Commentary!

Craig Foster and Les Murrary posted a Shootout on TWG, analysing Australia 3-1 Saudi Arabia, which can be found here.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/513154/Shootout

Saudi Arabia 1 - 3 Australia: Match Report

This was a much improved and professional performance by the Socceroos. Holger recognised and rectified his selection errors from the match against Thailand, and sent out more robust players. While this line-up did not quite achieve the attacking fluency that was on display against Wales, this was still an encouraging performance. Australia attacked with movement, and defended with numbers, never really coming under sustained pressure by the Saudis.

Australia's system:
Holger reinstated his favoured 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid, shuffling a few players around positions and exchanging a few for the bench.