Counter formation logic

[Moel]

So I spend alot of time thinking about counter formations and what seems like it should work against various formations. When I apply what seems logical to me in games I often do not have good results.

So just to take a single example. 4-4-2 narrow diamond is said to be good against 4-4-2 normal. Why?

the differences in the formations are one has an attacking mid and a defensive mid. The other has neither of those, but instead has two wide mids.

Logically to me the defensive mid of the diamond is marking nothing other than maybe cutting out some passes of the opponents 2 cms. the attacking mid yes is good as it's being marked by nothing specific.

But on the other side the diamond has no wide mids helping with defensive duties so the standard wide mids, have a free run at the diamonds full backs and are backed up in attack by it's full backs.

The diamond has no attack on the flanks whereas the standard does.

[CyberDagger]

You kow, you make a pretty good point. Following that logic, a classic 4-4-2 set to attack through the flanks is actually a counter to the narrow diamond. It has every attacking player accounted for and exploits the narrow diamond's greatest weakness, its lack of wing presence.

To me it seems that the way to beat a 4-4-2 is to overpower and dominate its midfield, and out of the sugested formations I'd say the butterfly does it best and the narrow diamond does it worst.

I'd also like to see the logic behind listing the narrow diamond as a counter to the 4-4-2.

[Master Tactician]

good thread. I'll come up tomorrow with some thoughts.

[reddeviljohn]

Great thread and one I am very interested in, I have found that the narrow diamond no longer works against 4-4-2, try 4-5-1V I have had success with this or 3-5-2

[Michael Unonk]

well, its a good thread guyz...
so what do u think about the counter for Narrow Wide...??

[Der Panzer]

well, its a good thread guyz...
so what do u think about the counter for Narrow Wide...??

What Narrow Wide?

[reddeviljohn]

3-5-2

[Michael Unonk]

Wide Narrow is like this

DL-DC-DC-DR
DMC
ML--------MR
AMC
ST-ST

I have tried using 3-5-2 as stated but it seem doesnt work well, I lost 2-0 and have to comeback later

[Der Panzer]

Wide Narrow is like this

DL-DC-DC-DR
DMC
ML--------MR
AMC
ST-ST

I have tried using 3-5-2 as stated but it seem doesnt work well, I lost 2-0 and have to comeback later

I call it Wide Diamond. It doesnt make sense for me when you called it Wide narrow, lol. But, It aint impotant though.

I never have some trouble with Wide Diamond as I always win so far by using Narrow Diamond whether the opponent's stronger or weaker.

[reddeviljohn]

These counter formations are not 100% to work but they are known to work as players have had success with them, their are other factors like quality and team orders factored in as well but my advice would be use them as a guide if you are not sure yourself but don't blame anybody that suggests them to you as they are only trying to help.