Quote Originally Posted by gohannie View Post
Yes they do attack better with red arrows! but I dont deny your idea of play, it depends really but with 4-3N-3, this is the first time i heard that guy play down both flank and whole pitch with 3 Mcs.... maybe you should spend sometimes to read all the guides in this forum. I dont pretend to be rude, just simply tell you what I think!
It's a big debate in the forum if STs attack better with red arrows. Some people suggest that they don't and I agree with them. I feel it's the same thing. The only difference is that they tire themselves more.

You attack down both flanks with your red arrowed fullbacks who target their crosses to your STs (L/R). It could be more obvious with AML/AMR but it still works with 2 STs instead of wingers. The crucial fact that allow you attack the flanks are your fullbacks; not your midfielders. in a flat 4-3-3 you have no AMC and your central MC is probably a more defensive player, like a ball winner. I get your point since it's a more narrow formation but you can still attack effectively down both flanks. In some cases actually you might have to.

As for what you said about whole pitch. Barca is currently playing with a short of 4-2-4. And of course they press whole pitch with a very very high defensive line. The same can be applied to 4-3-3. You have 3 STs lying at their defense, 3 MCs at midfield and 2 fullbacks with red arrows. If you press all over the pitch in a proper way you won't allow opponent to exchange easy passes at defense or midfield and they'll have to play long balls and to risk ball possession. Also, Defenders in Top11 tend to have bad passing (in favour of Defensive/Physical skills) therefore, they are more vulnerable to pressure. More chances to earn possession. If you play own half, you stick more to your position and leave less space in front of your own half but you automatically defend with 7 instead of 10. That way you can be exploited more easily at the flanks (since you have only 2 fullbacks to protect them).

There are some cases where this is a really bad idea eg when defending against a packed defense/ midfield who play with counters but as a general direction I can't see why you can't press whole pitch with 4-3-3. It's a fast, attacking formation and when you loose the ball you have to make sure that you'll earn it as fast as possible.
Top11 is far from reality therefore many things can work. It's also a matter of taste. I wouldn't choose 4-3-3 to stay own half but to play possession based, attacking football.