TRENDING:

THE WAY AHEAD FOR CELTIC
KEEPING THE FAITH
The Umpteenth Avoidable Failure
The Celtic Underground
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
    • Season 2020-2021
    • Season 2019-2020
    • Season 2018-2019
    • Season 2017-2018
    • Season 2016-2017
    • Season 2015-2016
    • Season 2014-2015
    • Season 2013-2014
    • Season 2012-2013
    • Season 2011-2012
    • Season 2010-2011
    • Season 2009-2010
  • Multimedia
    • Podcasts
    • Images
    • Video
  • Twitter
  • News Now
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Articles

Select Page

Time For A Return Of The Sweeper

Posted by The Celtic Underground | May 8, 2010 | Season 2009-2010 | 0 |

Time For A Return Of The Sweeper

Unfortunately football tactics are rarely discussed or reviewed in any great detail in the British media, however The Guardian recently had and excellent piece written by Jonathan Wilson.  He wrote in his excellent ‘The Question’ series about the possibility of the return of the sweeper to football. In the teams mentioned above, the sweeper (although we played more with three dedicated centre backs) prospered as the ’spare man’ in a three-man central defence up against a two-man attack, so now we have two-man central defences up against one-man attacks, should one centre-back not become a sweeper?

In the current set up of various varieties of 4-4-2, against a lone striker one of the centre-backs in theory has a license to attack.  This has been the case at Arsenal this season, where William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen often charge forward. It was also demonstrated in the first leg of the Bayern v Man Utd tie where centre-back Martin Demichelis stepped forward into the midfield and Alex Ferguson’s introduction of Berbatov was thought by some to be primarily to prevent the Argentine doing so.

But the reality is that it is suicidal to leave your defence equipped with just one centre-back particularly if the opposing striker is faster than him and able to move wide before outpacing his marker to the ball. Considering how popular one-striker formations are today, it is still extremely rare to see a centre-back constantly looking to power forward to bolster the midfield – it is simply too risky.

And so it is likely that the equivalent of a sweeper in future years will be a defensive midfielder dropping into the backline – with the centre-backs moving wide – rather than a centre-back pushing forward into the midfield. The advantages? It widens the active playing area at both ends of the pitch, making it easier to keep possession, and tougher for the opposition to cover the space. It also creates a difficult situation for the opposition in terms of picking up players.

There are two interesting modern examples of this in action – and tellingly, they involve the best club side in the world, and (possibly) the best international side in the world.

Barca have played a system for the past two seasons where the deepest midfield player (either Yaya Toure or Sergio Busquets) drops into the centre of defence, with the centre-backs, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, spreading into extremely wide positions whilst Barcelona are in possession, almost on the touchlines. This allows Dani Alves and Eric Abidal/Maxwell, the full-backs, to bomb forward without fear of leaving the defence completely exposed.

Similarly, Brazil’s shape sees Gilberto dropping into the defence  (either in the centre of the two centre-backs, or to the right), allowing Maicon and Michel Bastos forward.

As we have seen throughout the last 4 years and especially this term with Fox, Naylor Braafied and Hinkle, the problem with attacking full-backs at the moment is that they are never completely free to attack, With a more reliable three-man defence, they can get to the opposition byline without leaving a huge hole at the back.

I have always liked a back three as it allows a team to keep a solid middle without compromising width.  The main advantages can be summarized as:

a) It allows the full-backs freedom to join the attack knowing the defence is covered

b) It makes keeping possession in defence easier

c) It stretches the play high up the pitch

d) If the opposition are playing creative players in wide areas, the centre-backs will be in a position to pick them up immediately.

e) It results in a system with three central forwards, an obvious goal threat

f) The opposition will be confused about who to pick up in wide areas

So, in theory, this system should work extremely well against a two-man attack, although it might face similar problems as the traditional three-man defence against one-man/three-man attacks. But the difference comes because the traditional three-man defence is a completely different system to the traditional four-man defence, which necessitates a different way of defending, and most likely a different selection of players. These shifts, as shown here by Brazil and Barcelona, are more flexible, and happen within games, rather than them lining up specifically like this. The system doesn’t have to shift against one- or three-man attacks, and therefore is free to adapt into a three-man defence when required, and stay as a four-man defence when that is more appropriate.

So what qualities would this modern sweeper, or modern centre-half, need? They would have to be a good reader of the game, an excellent passer (especially over long distances), a decent tackler and competent in the air, so they were not targeted when up against a tall striker. In other words, exactly the same as the old-style sweeper, and it is no coincidence that many of the more prominent examples of sweepers – Sammer, Lothar Matthuas, Ruud Gullit – were central midfielders earlier in their career.

Of course, you also need certain types of players in other positions on the pitch. Your centre-backs must be good on the ball, your full-backs must have both pace and stamina, and your wide players must be comfortable drifting into the centre.  For me the problem under Mogga was that he wanted our centre backs to play this way and wanted our full-backs bombing on like this.  Unfortunately he didn’t give that extra player as protections and consequently our defence at times looked all at sea.

Do we have players currently at the club capable of playing this way.  I don’t know.  Perhaps Wilson demonstrated promise and many of us believe Crosas is the best passer and ball retention player in the squad.  One thing is for sure, if Brazil use this system on their way to winning the World Cup, expect it to feature more and more across European football in the next few years.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print

Share:

Rate:

PreviousCeltic Underground Podcast 89 – The Real Leadership Debate
NextCeltic Underground Podcast 90 – Hearts, Henry McLeish & More Lennon

About The Author

The Celtic Underground

The Celtic Underground

Follow us on Twitter @CelticRumours.

Related Posts

Joe Ledley is a Celt

Joe Ledley is a Celt

07/07/2010

Celtic half year finances

Celtic half year finances

15/02/2010

Can We Fix It?

Can We Fix It?

19/04/2010

New Away Top Picture Leaked?

New Away Top Picture Leaked?

14/07/2010

Login

Register | Lost your password?

RSS NEWS NOW

  • Didier Agathe opens up on turmoil of Durham role as he aims to forge top-flight management career despite sacking 25/01/2021
    Didier Agathe, the former Celtic winger, is determined to forge a top-flight career in management but is still smarting from a sobering introduction to coaching.
  • Murdo MacLeod on his old Celtic team mate Johannes "Shuggie" Edvaldsson - and the night "Ten Men Won the League" 25/01/2021
    THE affection that Johannes Edvaldsson, the former Celtic and Motherwell player who has passed away at the age of 70 following a short illness, had for Scotland was summed up by his younger brother Atli back in 2003.
  • Frank Lampard backed into second favourite for Celtic job after Chelsea sacking 25/01/2021
    Frank Lampard has instantly been installed as second favourite to replace Neil Lennon at Celtic.
  • Celtic's Dubai trip has been 'judged unfairly' due to current form, insists John Barnes 25/01/2021
    John Barnes feels Celtic’s Dubai trip was “judged unfairly” due to the Hoops’ current form.
  • Celtic pay tribute to former player Johannes Edvaldsson after his sad passing 25/01/2021
    Celtic have paid tribute to former player Johannes Edvaldsson following his sad passing yesterday.
  • Celtic should not trust Nick Hammond to rebuild their squad, says Kris Commons 25/01/2021
    Kris Commons says Celtic's head of football operations Nick Hammond should not be trusted to rebuild the Hoops' squad.
  • Spanish football expert reveals Celtic interest in Rafa Benitez but squashes ‘offer letter’ rumours 25/01/2021
    Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has confirmed there was Celtic interest in Rafa Benitez - but the manager wants to take time off after leaving Dalian in China.
  • If Celtic want to replace Neil Lennon as manager they must act now - and show respect to a Parkhead great 24/01/2021
    BEING appointed Celtic manager at the end of the 2015/16 season proved no impediment to Brendan Rodgers enjoying a hugely successful debut campaign at Parkhead.

Recent Posts

  • JOHANNES EDVALDSSON: AN APPRECIATION
  • Tell Me When It’s Over
  • What’s Going On?
  • 2020 – A Year in Review
  • The Malteser Edition!
  • THE IBROX DISASTER 50 YEARS ON

Articles

  • Season 2020-2021
  • Season 2019-2020
  • Season 2018-2019
  • Season 2017-2018
  • Season 2016-2017
  • Season 2015-2016
  • Season 2013-2014
  • Season 2012-2013
  • Season 2011-2012
  • Season 2010-2011
  • Season 2009-2010
  • Twitter
  • News Now

Multimedia

  • Podcasts
  • Images
  • Video

TWITTER

Tweets by HarryBradyCU

Follow Us

  • Facebook

  • Youtube

  • Vimeo

  • Twitter

About Us

In the summer of 2006 a few of us decided to set up the Celticunderground website. At the time we were somewhat disillusioned at the cosy relationship between some fansites and the board which was developing and felt that we wanted to be part of something that wasn’t being influenced by the PLC. We were angry middleaged men and we weren’t going to take it anymore. Under the heading “About Us” we attempted to articulate something akin to a vision statement for the site. Looking back on what was written it’s clear that in some aspects we were spot on and in others we were hopelessly naive. The site has evolved into something that none of us could have predicted and we’d like to think that we’ll keep changing in the coming years. It might not be to everyone’s tastes but it will always be about genuine fans saying what they think because they love the club.

Contact Us





Recent Posts

  • JOHANNES EDVALDSSON: AN APPRECIATION
    JOHANNES EDVALDSSON: AN APPRECIATION
    Jan 25, 2021 | Season 2020-2021
  • Tell Me When It’s Over
    Tell Me When It’s Over
    Jan 23, 2021 | Articles, Season 2020-2021
  • What’s Going On?
    What’s Going On?
    Jan 12, 2021 | Multimedia, Podcasts, Season 2020-2021
  • 2020 – A Year in Review
    2020 – A Year in Review
    Jan 12, 2021 | Multimedia, Podcasts, Season 2020-2021
  • The Malteser Edition!
    The Malteser Edition!
    Jan 2, 2021 | Multimedia, Podcasts, Season 2020-2021

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
  • Multimedia
  • Twitter
  • News Now
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

© The Celtic Underground | Website Design by Redwing Creative

Login

Forgotten Password?

Lost your password?
| Back to Login
This site uses cookies: Find out more.