Systems: 4-4-2 vs 4-3-3… According to Jan

Well, allow me to explain what I meant with “the system is discussion is a load of intellectual masturbation”.

See, using the terminology “4-4-2″ vs “4-3-3″ applies to the way the players are set out to start the game and where their positions are. It also implies a certain set of tasks, although no coach has ever published which tasks specifically are handed out to which players.

(Just a note on the side: we never learned what the discussion between MvB and MvB….eh…sorry…Marco van Basten and Mark van Bommel was about. We also never read what Louis van Gaal writes down in his notes… It’s all kept away from us, the layman football fan…).

It does not imply tough (with emphasis!!) that 4-4-2 as a system is defensive and 4-3-3 is offensive. Man United plays 4-4-2 (actually 4-4-1-1) and does so dominantly and with attacking intentions. As does AC Milan. Some people – in the JC camp specifically – imply that 4-3-3 is aimed at dominant play and attractive football, whereas 4-4-2 is not. We, the Dutch, will even say in discussion with other foreigners “yes yes, but at least we play 4-3-3!!”… So what????

See, in 1974 (Stephen, you can confirm this!!) Holland didn’t play 4-3-3 all the time. JC was the central striker but he made space up front many many times in the games for Johan Neeskens and Willem van Hanegem. He would direct the play from midfield or defense even, and Johnny Rep would also cross over from right into center and score his goals.

In 1988, the Big Rinus Michels, the General, the Man Who Invented Total Football switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. Why? Because he couldn’t find a left-winger. Johnny van ‘t Schip had to play on the left wing (Vanenburg played on the right) and it didn’t work out. So after match 1 (loss against Russia) he changed the system and Holland won! With good football too, one might add.

In the mid-90s Louis van Gaal and Ajax conquered the world with their 4-3-3 system. Or was it?? If Ajax was in possession, they played 3-3-4. Danny Blind would move up to midfield and Jari Litmanen would move up next to Petterson or Kluivert. If Ajax lost the ball, Jari would move back, Danny would move back and Finidi and Marc Overmars would drop a line too, to become wide midfielders.

To me, the whole discussion about “4-3-3 equals attractive football” and “4-4-2 does not” is a load of crap!

To me, it’s about what do you want to do on the pitch and how do you instruct your players. And, more importantly, do you have the players available to fill those roles??

So, how bout this for a conundrum?

Marco wants to play 4-3-3. Because then the wingers can take on their opponents and set up opportunities for the striker and the upcoming midfielder.
Well, we saw Holland play on the WC2006. Robben and Persie on the wings. How many crosses did Ruud get?? Did Robben go deep for a cross or did he dribble to the center of the pitch to go for gold himself?

That’s exactly what I mean. And Ruud was sort of punished for his bad performance, but be honest: he didn’t get a lot to play with.

And Foppe plays 4-4-2 (naughty Foppe!!) but Jenner, Drenthe, Beerens and De Ridder do play like real wingers. I saw more crosses from the flanks in the finals against Serbia then I did during the whole of Oranje’s WC tournament in 2006!!!

Foppe, AC Milan, Man United and many many other teams prove it again and again: with 4-4-2 you can play modern, attractive and dominant football. And since in my view there is always two types of situations on the pitch – either you have the ball or the opponent has the ball – using just 1 system doesn’t cut it anymore. Modern, flexible teams play at least 2 systems in the game. A system when in possession and a system when not.

If we would have the right players to play 4-3-3 (3-3-4 when in possession) I’d say: GO FOR IT! It’s great to see. Ajax’ play in the mid 90s bedazzles me still… And looking at that team, one can say:

we have Kluivert (Van Nistelrooy)
we have Overmars and Finidi (Robben, Slory, Babel, Kuyt, vd Vaart even)
we have Jari (van Persie)

but we miss a Danny Blind…

And without that particular “man-more-on-midfield” you are very vulnerable playing 4-3-3.

You know what I think about all this?

I think JC – and I love the man, truly – but I think JC wants to be remembered after his death as the man who gave us 4-3-3 and who set us apart from the rest of the world. And Marco is just a disciple who is told to execute JC’s will. I think JC is scared – yes, scared!! – that others will go down in history as eventually more successful than him. Foppe, Louis, Co…

For crying out loud, most of Holland’s cups (Feyenoord, PSV, Foppe, Rinus Michels) were won with 4-4-2!!!!

Did JC play 4-3-3 at Barcelona? Nooooo….Romario and Hristo up front. And Michael Laudrup freely roaming the pitch.

I say, JC is full of sjite on this subject (sorry fans) and Marco is too inexperienced as a coach to do what Foppe did (”if it doesn’t work, fix it…).

Now see, Rami, what you did? I am rambling now…