'Praise Tosh' - Abbandonato's at it again!

[cymruunedig]

Just been reading Abbandonato's article on World Cup teams using the 4-2-3-1 formation, which was used and devised by our very own John Toshack! Apparently Tosh had the tactical foresight and vision to use this dynamic formation with Real Madrid long before anyone else, and has been the adopted formation for many of the best World Cup teams this summer. In short, praise Tosh, a man before his time!!

Bananaman came very close to criticising Toshack a few weeks back, however it seems his blinding obedience and loyalty to El Big Head has returned and the man could turn water into wine!

Don't get me wrong, it's a good formation with the right players, as Germany showed last Sunday! Tosh tried it in 2005, with Hartson up front supported by Giggs, Bellamy and Davies, with the two Carls as holding midfielders. It didn't work then, but he does suggest that we should try this formation again in the next campaign.

We could have Vokes, Ched or Church up front, supported by Bellamy, Ramsey (when fit) and Edwards or Simon Davies. Toshack of course won't do anything to get Giggs back, but Bananaman's call for Koumas to return is hilarious!

Thankfully Trendy put him in his place, the Western Fail's pro-Tosh propaganda continues! Most of us fans know better....

[walrus]

Unfortunately i would have to say that Tosh is ahead of his time and the problem he has is that most of his squad play in a league where tactics are restricted to Chaaaaarge! Tosh correctly noted that International football is about keeping possesion and counterattack with technically gifted and pacy players working in a highly organised team. This has been borne out in the world cup where few teams have taken the game to the opposition. England found out again that their players are tactically moribund, a bit like the boxer brawler who punches himself to a standstill after six rounds. Heck Joe Cole admitted as much himself.
I know many welsh fans hanker for the Glory day of Mark Hughes when we defeated Italy with up and at em football but the same people forget the 54 goals conceded away.

What Tosh needs is a squad of players who are able to a) keep the ball b) keep injury free c) turn up for training and internationals d) be able to analyse the trends in world football and rid themselves of the direct approach employed by so many Prem and championship teams.

Alright, Tosh is a big head, there's no secret there. He is arrogant but he knows what he wants but must be very frustrated that he is hardly ever able to field a proper team. Flynny gets all the accolades art u21 but he is part of Tosh's team and over all strategy.

I guess the frustration of many fans is that we are not used to the continental possesion style and we find it a bit tedious having been used to the all action British leagues which are enormously popular on TV around the world. However International football is not played in a direct manner any more. Welsh fans must adapt and educate themselves. Ditch the Rock and Roll and get into a bit of Be Bop Jazz.
Please feel free to tell me i'm wrong.

[walrus]

54 goals should read 4 goals.

[flynnfan]

walrus - I agree with the comments you left on the media Wales site. Abbondonato seems to think that 4-2-3-1 is a magic formaula that will instantly transform our results. It's not. The system you play surely depends on the players you have available. Getting the best out of our best players is what Toshack has to do. At the moment, with Rambo out, that's Bale and Bellamy who have both been playing wide on the left to devastating effect in the premiership. Surely a 4-3-2-1 with Bale and Bellamy as the 2 (possibly alternating between wide left and wide right?) would suit us better?