A tactical Preview of Premier League 2012-13

A tactical Preview of Premier League 2012-13

Towards the dramatic end of the last season, one could pick two defining moments that shaped the Premier League table. Firstly, Roberto Martinez’s bold switch to 3-4-3 that yielded six wins in twelve games including an impressive performance at home against Newcastle and away at Emirates Stadium for bottom of the table club Wigan Athletic. During the game at Emirates, the favoured 3-4-3 system seemed a highly adaptable formation that can become 5-4-1 easily in the defensive phase of play; which makes one wonder why Martinez wouldn’t adapt such a system during the initial phase of the season. Secondly, Roberto Mancini’s positional switch of Yaya Toure from deep lying midfielder to number 10 role, in the away game at St James Park. He would go on to score a brace and push Manchester City to the brink of the premier league title.

Come this season, we have already seen interesting shifts in the managerial appointments made over the summer from clubs, which increases the number of tactical battles that will be seen in the Premier League matches. Michael Laudrup’s appointment at Swansea, and Andre-Vilas Boas’ at Tottenham feel like matches made in heaven, considering that the club’s philosophy and style of play synchronizes with that of their managers. Last season’s impressive performers Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert would feel that they have made switches for clubs with bigger ambitions, whilst being successful in adapting the system which won them accolades at their previous clubs remains to be seen. The recent shopping spree that Chelsea indulged in indicates they still want to switch from a defensive style (which actually won them Champions league) to a more flamboyant style of play, which was slowly phased out during the later stages of Luiz Scolari’s, Carlos Ancelloti’s and Villas Boas’ reign. And amidst all the continental styles, there would be the direct styles of Tony Pulis, Big Sam, David Moyes and Martin O’Neil.

The Reigning Champions: Manchester City

Roberto Mancini had his full squad at disposal for training this week, after their emphatic title win with virtually the last kick of the Premier League. The preparations are for the curtain riser – Community Shield for Barclays Premier League season 2012-13 against Chelsea, at Villa Park, on Sunday afternoon. City fans will be hoping for another trophy laden season, after the Mancini delivered FA Cup and Premiership trophies during his reign till now.

The manager’s stance on his squad is slightly controversial, but not unreasonable. He spoke about trying to further strengthen his squad: “It’s important because it’s not easy to win a Championship in England. It’s more difficult than in Italy. But after that it’s more difficult to stay at the top for a long time. For this reason we need to improve by buying players, and through our work. We can’t just think that we won the last Championship, and arrived at the top so now we deserve to stay there.”

And about his side’s ambition in Champions League: “I don’t think we can start to win Champions league yet. If we also go well in the Champions League, there could also be a chance that we can arrive in the quarter, semi-final or final. We will try to win it, but it is important, for this, that we have a good squad. I don’t think we can play for the Champions League with this squad.” It is a classic Mancini strategy in which he reduces the expectations of his squad, thus easing the pressure. It is understandably frustrating for the manager that his club has been unusually quiet in this summer transfer market, with only a relentless pursuit of Arsenal spearhead Robin Van Persie. With two strikers of “unchangeable” mentality, Tevez and Balotelli already in their squad, one would think the addition of Van Persie is likely to create more ego problems. Further, rumours of Scott Sinclair and De Rossi being linked to Eithad stadium would certainly provide more viable options to the missing pieces in Mancini’s jigsaw

Last season they played a 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-1-2, trying to optimise the use of their powerhouse in the form of Yaya Toure, along with trying to find the right balance of the team. With the 4-2-2-2, in the form of Samir Nasri and David Silva, they have two technically gifted players, but both drift inside by cutting in from the wings hence at times, they would end up eating space in the central zone (even if they played as inverted wingers: Nasri on the left , Silva on the right).

Hence limited use of winger Adam Jonson is baffling. This option provides a more direct approach with which they can stretch the game, a similar trait of their recent target Scott Sinclair. Even if the width was provided in form of two marauding full-backs Clichy and Richards, the formation lacked deep penetrating runs from mid-field, something that Toure is very good at in his preferred Number10 role. The 3-man midfield of De Jong, Barry and Toure requires a quick mover/ deep lying passer of the ball, the missing piece of puzzle could be solved by acquisition of De Rossi: the player who Mancini has been chasing since January. The alternate acquisition David Pizzaro didn’t work due to injury and fitness issues.

In spite of no further additions to the squad, Mancini could still surprise everybody with a radical shift in formation. In a pre-season friendly, he tried out a 3-5-2 against Arsenal, and came out on top. They can obviously replicate the winning formula of previous season but Mancini’s statement “In pre-season it’s important that we try different situations. When you are top team it’s crucial to change the shape and try different ways of playing” indicates a likely shift in the tactics.

In the form of Hart, Kompany, Toure and Lescott, he has got a ball playing defensive unit which is essential for the formation to work. With Kolo Toure being linked to Turkish sides, Daniele De Rossi could be a perfect replacement. Cesare Prandelli has used him in both a 3-man defensive system against Spain in the group match, and as second fiddle to Andrea Pirlo in the midfield in the later stages of the Euro Championships. Although Rossi is on the wrong side of 30, his ability to read the game is impeccable, and long passing is of the highest quality.

Aguero-Tevez is likely to be the preferred partnership upfront, offering greater fluidity owing to better understanding between the Argentines; Kolarov-Richards are capable of adapting to playing wing-back roles. With most of the teams playing 4-4-2, application of 3-5-2 would provide domination in center of midfield whilst having an extra defender at the back. But the back three can be stretched-out, and can create a 2 vs 1 situation in a wing-based play (which is the main feature in most of the 4-4-2s in the premier league). Hence, movement of covering players becomes an essential aspect. If Mancini were to apply this formation, it would create a fascinating tactical battle in league matches.

Till last year, Manchester City seemed to have the strongest squad in premier league, but now Chelsea, Arsenal and United (or “The Big 6”) are fast catching up. As Mancini said earlier, he is going to find it even more difficult to retain the championship, certainly now that people are expecting him to deliver.

( More to follow )