Wing-back

WCC is proud to present an exciting graphic story Wing-back. It’s 2001, and wing-back Ashley Le Sansom has been Everpool Rovers’ star player for several seasons. But football is a changing game, so what does the future hold for Le Sansom under new manager Glenn Keegan…?

Emergence

The principle of emergence suggests that interactions between individual components aggregate to build larger complex systems. Higher-order macro complexity is therefore predicated upon interactivity at localised micro-levels. However, the additional properties of the emergent holistic level mean that it is irreducible to the isolated components of which it is comprised. For example, a person has emergent properties, such as consciousness and the capacity for decision-making, which cannot be reduced to any insensate component part, such as a molecular cell. 
 
Spectators watching a football game will note how the balance of power within the game shifts over 90 minutes. This occurs due to the emergence which arises as a result of the intersection between the organism and its environmental niche: in this instance, the team and the context of the game. For example, if a side is winning by a single goal for the majority of a match, it is often the case that the balance of power will skew in favour of the trailing side as the game nears its conclusion. This is often a source of frustration to the fans of the side protecting the lead, as it seems as if a defensive plan is being deliberately followed. But as the cliché goes: attack is the best form of defence, and retaining the ball in the opposition’s half would surely be a more appropriate way of securing the win.
 
Each player would independently recognize that a defensive approach, which allows the opposition to attack, is not ideal in these circumstances. However, the players do not have the option to exercise this judgement independently. As the game approaches the end, an element of anxiety will permeate the side holding on to the lead. The cognitive and behavioural linkages between the players will communicate this latent anxiety: this will constrict their freedom of expression and, as a consequence, a defensive mindset will prevail. It might also be expected that a strong individual player might decide to take the initiative and enforce a more attacking approach. However, emergence shows that this approach would be counterproductive. Even if a player wishes to push forwards it will not be possible to subvert the emergent principles which have come to the fore at a collective level. The downward causation from the higher-order team orientation will preclude a player taking up a role outside this revised system. A player taking up positions outside the parameters of the defensive approach that has taken hold would merely weaken this approach further.
 
The system arises from interactions between players, but its emergent properties mean that it cannot be reconstructed by an isolated incidence of micro-activity. In addition, a top-down instruction will be unable to unravel the complex bottom-up aggregations which underpin emergence. The crowd will implore the team to push up and wonder why they are camped so deep in their own half. But a clever coach will not endeavour to counter the defensive mindset which sets in on such occasions and will, instead, try to ensure that the embedded approach is sufficiently organized to protect the lead. England holding on to a 1-0 lead against Argentina at World Cup 2002 provides an example of coach Sven Goran-Eriksson harnessing an emergent defensive approach to good effect.

USA

USA: Best XI?

The USA put in a fine showing at last year’s Confederations Cup, knocking out Spain 2-0 in the semi-final, and leading Brazil 2-0 at half-time in the final (Brazil eventually won 3-2). Coach Bob Bradley fielded a conventional 4-4-2 during the tournament, and there was sufficient solidity within this framework to prevent them from being overrun by teams such as Italy and Spain.

In their group game against Italy, the USA more than measured up to their European opposition in the first-half. Whilst there appeared to be a slight vulnerability from set-pieces, the defence was solid with Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu forming a redoubtable partnership in the centre. However, it was central midfielder Michael Bradley who perhaps caught the eye the most. Bradley was strong in the tackle, his passing was good and he also managed to push forward in support of attacks.

The USA contrived two impressive counterattacks in the first-half against Italy and deft tackles by Bradley initiated these. On both occasions Landon Donovan was able to break and set up clear chances, but neither forward Jozy Altidore nor Bradley himself were able to finish from close range. Ricky Clark provides further grit in central midfield, although at World Cup 2010 the US need to be mindful of discipline: Clark was sent off against Italy for a high challenge on Gattuso, whilst Bradley was sent off against Spain in the semi-final. Altidore provides the physical presence in attack for the US and he won a penalty against Italy when he was felled whilst turning Chiellini in the box. The spot kick was converted by Donovan to give them a 1-0 half-time lead.

Eventually the US, down to 10-men following Clark’s sending off, were worn down by Italy. However, they indicated in the first period that they were a high-functioning unit. This was confirmed by their later performances in which they beat Egypt 3-0, knocked out Spain and rattled Brazil. In these later games, speedy young forward Charlie Davies came into the team and performed well. Unfortunately Davies was badly injured in a car accident last year and is unlikely to make the World Cup. If Bob Bradley is seeking another partner for Altidore, then Conor Casey could be selected. (Casey scored two goals against Honduras which helped to seal the USA’s World Cup qualification). This approach pushes Donovan out to wide midfield and this format worked well in the latter stages of the Confederations Cup, but it could be the case that Donovan is best deployed in a central position. There had been a suspicion that Donovan went missing on big occasions, but his performances at last year’s tournament should have dispelled such misgivings. He’s also looked good for Everton during his current loan period.

Elsewhere in the side, the full-back slots may be taken by Carlos Bocanegra, currently with Rennes, and West Ham’s Jonathan Spector. The US also have a highly regarded keeper in Everton’s Tim Howard, who won the Golden Glove at the Confederations Cup. Clint Dempsey should take the left-midfield berth: he also performed well at the Confederations Cup and has been a useful goalscoring midfielder with Fulham for the past few seasons. Benny Fielhaber, who plays for AGF in Denmark, may be selected at right-midfield if Bradley plays Donovan in a central attacking role.

Left-back in the changing room

The current formational hegemony in football converges on 4-2-3-1. This is can be considered either a 4-5-1 with a staggered midfield, or a mutation of 4-4-2 with a withdrawn forward and two deep central midfielders. As this is the current orthodoxy, teams tend to measure up to each other quite closely in terms of configuration – especially in central areas. In central positions, two central defenders mark one centre forward and therefore have the capacity to pick up a break from midfield. In central midfield it is usually three matched against three. In numerical terms this is obviously evenly balanced, but spatially it is also balanced considering the tendency to skew towards defensive security: two defensive midfielders marshall one attacking midfielder. It is perhaps on the flanks, under the current orthodoxy, where the symmetry can be broken, which indicates that modern games may be won by the team which gains control of wide areas. Whilst the space in central areas is squarely contested, the lack of formational symmetry on the flanks means that the battle for territory is more open.

Under 4-2-3-1, two full-backs play on respective flanks with a wide midfielder in front of them. Whilst it is two versus two on the flanks, space is not clearly allocated: the wide midfielders have a combination of attacking and defensive duties, so don’t consistently push forward to occupy the defensive space of the opposing full-back. This creates additional opportunities for wide players to break free of structural constraints, and means that full-backs can often be an unmarked ‘remainder’ when joining an attack.

Obviously there is not a clear demarcation between central and wide areas and activity in one area will have an impact on the broader game. It will be very difficult for wide players to seize control of their flank if the team is being overrun in other areas of the pitch. There is however a broader framework for negotiation on the flanks (in comparison with central areas) within which the wide players can try to impose themselves upon their touchline-hugging rivals.

So it is possible under present footballing orthodoxy that full-back is the most important position. Whilst the full-backs’ primary duty is defence, the space they are often afforded means they can also be a team’s most potent attacker. Whilst the centrally located players are shuffling around playing midfield chess, wide players have the space to formulate attacking manoeuvres that can break the shackles of the cagiest quarter-final fixture.

Best of the Prem?

WCC has put together what it considers to be the strongest Premier League line-up, from nations who will feature at World Cup 2010. We’d have liked to have been imaginative and selected players from outside the ‘big four’ clubs but it wasn’t possible!
 
We’re quite happy with the midfield and attack, but Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin is a notable absentee as a result of Russia’s play-off defeat against Slovenia. Wayne Rooney only has a place on the bench, with Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres forming what ought to be a formidable pairing in attack. A midfield diamond should bring out the best in Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Cesc Fabregas, who all operate in front of Javier Mascherano.
 
The defence is perhaps open to some tweaking. Serbia’s Nemanja Vidic had his limitations exposed by Fernando Torres when Liverpool beat Man Utd 4-1 last season. However, he secures a place in this side ahead of Ricardo Carvalho and William Gallas. Patrice Evra pips Ashley Cole to the left-back slot, whilst Jose Bosingwa is selected ahead of Bacary Sagna.
 
The Czech Republic haven’t made the finals, so goalkeeper Petr Cech is out of the running. Pepe Reina takes the keeper’s jersey, with USA and Everton stopper Tim Howard on the bench.