Midfield Pairs and Victor Wanyama

[maccakid]

Over the last few years I have always used 3 players in cm, either in an attacking or defensive triangle, with one of each duty Attack, Support and Defend.

This year I'm experimenting with a 4-4-2 or possibly a 4-4-1-1 with a shadow striker, either way there is only 2 traditional cms in the middle. My question is what role and duty should the two be to strike a balance between defence and attack and avoid the midfield being overrun? Currently testing one B2B and one on defend duty as I need to cover an attacking fullback, would a DLP work?

As a side has anybody ever used Wanyama as a B2B? Initially the obvious thing is to place Wanyama as the player with defend duty but then I noticed his PPMs are very favourable to the B2B position such as "gets into opposition area" and I felt his natural role as BWM would leave gaps even with a Defend duty?

Any thoughts on my musings would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[c0nk3r]

You're right about BWM leaving gaps. But take note that B2B is also expected to close down religiously and may leave similar gaps, or more, especially since a B2B is not expected to sit deep but break into the box to support attacking play.

I think a 4-4-2 requires more disciplined midfielders (in terms of defensive positioning and closing down). There will be plenty of gaps to exploit in midfield in a 4-4-2 so your central midfielders really need to be disciplined enough not to leave their stations. You still have the 2nd striker/AMC to support the forward so I don't think it's necessary to play a central midfielder in an attack/support duty. Maybe CM(d) and DLP(d)/(s). Let the wingers and forwards do the attacking

 

[maccakid]

Thanks! Will give this a go and see if my attacking play suffers.

I have one of my "wide" players drifting in, a wide playmaker and then allowing the fullback to overlap. Does this make a difference as in theory he should provide an additonal man in the middle?

 

[mersk]

Have a read through here if you haven't already: Pairs & Combinations FM2015

It's for FM 15 but still highly relevant.