Brighton's 4-4-2 (9 replies)

In no way do I have any authority when it comes to tactics, but this is just something I've pondered over the weekend and how Brighton's style a play made me think how effectively they operate in a very fluid 4-4-2

With a focus on the 4 midfielders, and May and Stansfield together up top, Brighton's formation offers food for thought in what we could potentially try and emulate going forward. It's also evident that there are already a few similarities regarding the type of players who start for both us and Brighton

Starting in the middle, 2 central in Ayari and Hinshelwood who are solid and like to dictate the play simialar to Paik and Iwata. Mitoma on the left and where we also like to play a more direct winger. On the right they have Kadioglu, who although is almost a wing back come winger come number 10, has that close control and eye for a pass as Willumson does. Both are also very effective drifting into the number 10 role.

Their 2 up top combining of either Welbeck, Rutter and Pedro works really well with them playing 2 'false' 9s - something I think we can adopt. I am a believer that we can play May and Stansfield together. Both are great in the box but their strengths elsewhere can be utilised to support them playing together; May dropping a little deeper, and Stanno being strong out wide being the obvious examples. Brighton are great at stretching defenders this way, creating space and linking up when it's created

Probably a load of waffle and I probably am tactically inept, but if Davies is looking for an apprentice, I make a half decent cuppa tea