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Lincoln City’s Midfield Three

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The Imps have lined up in the popular 4-3-3 formation so far. This system can, in theory, provide a dominant midfield capable of outnumbering the opposition both defensively and offensively. Furthermore, the solidity of a central trio can provide greater attacking freedom for the wide players, who can be less concerned about their initial position if possession is lost. However, the wingers are still usually expected to track back and join the defensive shape, especially in a team prone to employ a low block such as Lincoln City thus far.

The standard method for ensuring an effective midfield trio is to assign roles, ensuring each player understands his role and responsibilities and is the most suitable player to perform them. While it’s not exactly total football, it is the established norm. Barcelona’s phenomenal side of the late 2000s/early 2010s, perhaps the greatest proponents of this formation in recent times, demonstrate this division of roles, and arguably the standard three roles.

Sergio Busquets was charged with starting moves and bringing the ball out of defence when in possession and shielding the defence on the rare occasion Barça lost the ball. The more forward-thinking duo of Xavi and Iniesta were both charged with creating opportunities but with the former focusing on keeping the ball moving with short incisive passing while the latter struck a balance between participating in the midfield interplay and driving the side forward with direct running and more risky, line-breaking passes. I’m wary of understating the ability of that trio, all brilliant players capable of transcending the rigid roles I’ve just assigned them. Nevertheless, the point stands. Broadly speaking, even the great Barcelona’s 4-3-3 employed a noticeable division of labour – not just three midfielders.

The Imps have also adopted this policy at the start of this season, albeit slightly hampered by Liam Bridcutt’s injury concerns. However, now the club captain is fit again the preferred model seems clear. Bridcutt is predominantly charged with the holding role. In possession this means collecting the ball deep and starting attacks while offering an outlet for recycling possession, requiring a good passing range and vision as well as ball retention skills. Michael Appleton’s insistence on this approach is clear, accepting that it will lead to errors as seen with Blackpool’s opening goal. Out of possession, the holding midfielder is tasked with protecting the defence as well as maintaining the team’s shape.

Contrastingly, James Jones has operated as a more dynamic threat, tasked with providing more of a goal threat and holding a licence to make runs even beyond the lone striker. He could be classed as a box-to-box midfielder, still carrying the usual responsibilities typical of a central midfielder once City are back in their shape. While it’s far from a free role, there is a greater expectation to directly drive the team forwards and create chances. Sitting somewhere in the middle is the final component of the trio, currently Conor McGrandles. The technical name for Conor’s role is probably a Carrilero, or shuttler. The energetic Scot is required to link the roles of Bridcutt and Jones, winning and carrying the ball throughout the midfield areas. Without this role, situations, where the gap between Bridcutt and Jones is too large, could become common, particularly if games become frenetic. This often involves what many fans consider the “unseen” or “dirty” work required to make a team tick.

So, do the stats reflect this? So far, yes. While the sample size is obviously still small here’s a graph on this midfield trios League One performance thus far:

The defensive work of Bridcutt is evident on the left-hand side of the chart, outstripping his team-mates in tackling and intercepting. His role in possession is also clear with the experienced Chelsea graduate making far more passes. Jones, on the other hand, dominates the right-hand side with the attacking categories. McGrandles fits neatly in between, only excelling in terms of blocking, perhaps due to his tendency to be the fastest to press of the three, with Bridcutt focusing on maintaining the side’s shape and Jones rushing to get back into position.

It will be interesting to see if Michael Appleton maintains this current, functional system. The current trio seem well-suited to their respective roles and have all performed well so far. If they maintain their form, they will be hard to drop. However, one possible disruptive factor could be Jorge Grant. Grant has proved himself versatile. When he arrived, he was most familiar to City fans as an attacking midfielder, a number 10. However, he played in a midfield three with considerable defensive responsibility while Bridcutt was side-lined and is currently deployed as a winger, albeit one prone to drifting inside to create, rather than beat a man for pace like Scully or Anderson. While the team is performing as well as it is now, it’s hard to argue for changes. Nevertheless, many feel that this is not Grant’s best role, due to a combination of the feeling that it is not his most effective position and perhaps a more traditional winger such as the aforementioned duo (both in fine form) would provide a more consistent threat.

Grant in a midfield three, however, could interrupt the current, successful system. The most likely role would seemingly be that of the dynamic creator currently filled by James Jones, with the other two roles not best suited to Grant’s skillset as a gifted playmaker. However, Grant doesn’t really fit with that mould either. Jones provides energy and power that we don’t really associate with Jorge. Furthermore, Jones is currently ranked as our best-rated of our typical midfield trio by stats site Whoscored. Currently, it seems unlikely that Appleton would wish to disrupt this midfield trio without good reason, but it will be interesting to see how the current dynamic develops in the coming weeks.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how City’s midfield operates, let me know your thoughts on the forum!

Writer: Tom Williams

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Lincoln City's Midfield Three:https://lincoln.vitalfootball.co.uk/lincoln-citys-midfield-three/You can discuss this…

Zveřejnil(a) Vital Lincoln City dne Pátek 9. října 2020

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