Saints Marching
Fansided

Was Claude Puel right to ditch the diamond formation?

By Conor Dunford

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Claude Puel manager of Southampton looks on during the EFL Cup Final match between Manchester United and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Claude Puel manager of Southampton looks on during the EFL Cup Final match between Manchester United and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 03: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates with Luke Shaw (R) as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 3, 2014 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – MAY 03: Rickie Lambert of Southampton celebrates with Luke Shaw (R) as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Southampton at Liberty Stadium on May 3, 2014 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

The pro’s and con’s of 4-2-3-1

Pochettino and Koeman deployed this fashionable formation with great success. Using a screen of two holding players to create defensive solidity, mostly occupied by the now departed Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama. Allowing the front four players free to roam and play fluid football, creating chances at their will.

Previous regimes were blessed with the players capable of performing in this system. Claude Puel has inherited a yet again depleted squad. Wanyama, Pelle and Sadio Mane having all left for new clubs.

The 4-2-3-1 is most suited to having a centre-forward who has immense physicality, Pelle suited the position due to his height, strength and heading ability. Chelsea for example, deploy Diego Costa in this position. He uses his tenacity, pace and clever use of underhand tactics to get the better of defenders.

More from Saints Marching

Southampton have previously relished using Graziano Pelle and club legend Rickie Lambert. Holding up the play and bringing the likes of Adam Lallana and Dusan Tadic into play. Claude Puel currently does not have that luxury.

Charlie Austin does not possess the same quality of hold up play as the aforementioned strikers. Gabbiadini does not play that kind of game, he is a striker who plays on the shoulder and likes to run behind the defence. Another striker in the Pelle mould is needed to effectively use this system. The club have previously been linked with Seb Haller of FC Utrecht and Anthony Modeste of FC Koln.

Use of a lone centre-forward allows for three creative attacking players behind, something Southampton currently have in abundance. Tadic, Redmond and Ward-Prowse have recently been the first choices in these positions. Boufal has shown flashes of his ability but will be hoping to improve next season. Josh Sims has also shown signs of breaking into the first team, but may need to go on loan before doing so regularly.

Going forward…

The season is nearly over. Only home games against Manchester United and Stoke City remain. So Puel is almost certain to continue with his current system. But will he revisit the diamond formation next season? Much will depend on the personnel the club recruits over the summer period.

Perhaps an entire pre-season camp and transfer window will give him Puel the opportunity to bring in some of his own players to fit the system he prefers. That is, if Puel is still in charge next season.