Read another interesting article that related to England, Euro 2000, the French, Portuguese and Italy, and how the game has evolved.

Much of the article was about team formation and and tactics. Anyway here's a bit about what was said.

Playing in a 4-4-2 system:

There are two ways that this system can be used. If you are going to play an attacking game, the width must come from your fullbacks, not your wingers. Your wingers must be able to play both infield and on the wing. If you try and play an attacking game with fullbacks who aren't capable of getting forward, and rely on the wingers to create the width, then your midfield will be over run and defence put under undue preasure. Also the current game requires that one of your strikers play in a deep lying position so as to help out the midfield, and be able to attack the opposition defence through chanells. If your strikers play two out, then they are easily marked by the opposition who can close down supply, and deny possesion and position.

Look at how the French and Portuguese played at Euro 2000.

If you play 4-4-2 from a defensive position then you, sit back attack on the counter and rely on the width coming from your wings. However you also need a centre half who is capable of moving up a nd slotting into midfield on these counter attacks. See Italy.

Hmmm what immplications does this have for NUFC?

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2000