Pardew's New Formation Can Take Newcastle Forward

The less said about Saturday's second half, the better. Lost in the shuffle of Newcastle's defensive meltdown was a stunningly good first half--so good, in fact, that one of my co-bloggers called it "among the best 45 minutes played under Pardew." And that excellent performance, like the dominant show against QPR the week before, came via a new 4-3-3 formation. Keeping this new look will get the best out of Pardew's top players, including the three stars currently playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.

As currently constructed, the 4-3-3 sees Leon Best and Hatem Ben Arfa flanking Shola Ameobi in the front line, with both wide players playing covering roles in defense. Jonas Gutierrez roams freely from a central midfield position in front of Yohan Cabaye and Danny Guthrie. The tactical switch has lit a fire under Gutierrez in particular, who hasn't always gotten the most of his skills when he's shunted out to the left wing. In his new position, he's linked up well with Ben Arfa to take the game to the opposition.

When Cheick Tiote returns from the ACN, he'll fit beautifully in the midfield in place of Guthrie. We shouldn't overlook Guthrie's contributions--including a beautiful goal against Fulham--but he does tend to fade late in games, disrupting the defensive pressure that's been crucial to Newcastle's success this year. (When that pressure goes away, it's also been a big contributor to defensive lapses. A passive midfield allows opposing forwards to exploit the high line Pardew prefers.) 

But the more controversial aspect of fitting returning players into the 4-3-3 is moving top scorer Demba Ba out to the left, where Best has played the last two weeks. There's a school of thought that insists Ba should lead the forward line. Obviously, he's been outstanding in that role when asked this season. But it's not his natural position. In fact, Ba played on the left quite a bit last year at West Ham, and certainly acquitted himself well. At Hoffenheim, he also featured on the left side of a front three, as part of a high-scoring surprise team that led the Bundesliga table at the winter break in 2008-09.

That would free up Newcastle's newly minted number nine, Papiss Demba Cisse, to play in his own favored position. While none of us have seen much of Cisse, Raphael Honigstein, the Guardian's German correspondent, gave a glowing review on Monday's "Football Weekly" podcast. Honigstein called Cisse a "natural number nine suited for the Premier League" who "loves to play on the shoulder of the last defender." A forward line of Ba, Cisse, and Ben Arfa would have to rank among the league's best. It should be a treat to see the three link up in the next few weeks.

One caveat to playing the 4-3-3: it can test the mettle of Newcastle's fullbacks, and Davide Santon seemed to strain under the pressure last week. He's shown the skills and speed to roam all over the left side of the field, but he's still maturing, and he's gotten caught out of position at times. These fears are diminished, though, as long as the midfield continues to press on defense and control the play with quick passing while on the attack.

While there may be some growing pains, Pardew has the players to dominate matches using his new formation, even without bringing in any more players in January. So while we shouldn't completely ignore the collapse on Saturday, it also shouldn't be the basis for discarding a promising approach. 

Comments

[amble_ball]

An interesting and well thought out piece. Good work

[Munster Mag]

Interesting thoughts matt. I was too miserable on saturday night to watch the game on MOTD, and chose to watch the mighty Munster aswell ( rugby) . I have been a Pardew supporter from day one when he conducted himself with such integrity at the press conference but feel he is wedded to 4-2-2 . There is no way the formation you describe will give us the defensive solidity he loves. So far I think Santon looks a better player going forward ( a real athlete, great engine too) and doesnt look great being taken on by a full back / one on one .

[Jaeger]

the only problem i have with this is how much our front 3 would track back and defend. we know ben arfa tends not to do that much. i've seen ba come back once in a while. just think at times playing a strong midfield, it could get us in trouble.

[Dave From Newcastle]

Btw, as I predicted a few days ago, it looks like our Senagalese duo will be back sooner than expected. Can they just forfeit the Libya match and come home now? Those poor Libyans have suffered enough.

Agreed on the 4-3-3, but with the success Ba was having in the 4-4-2, I am wondering if Pardew will scrap the new formation with his early return back to England.

[PeterS]

I do like the formation, it brings Jonas to life, we need that link between midfield and attack in the absence of Ba. It does seem to have unsettled the back four, the higher position of the two two fullbacks has left Williamson and Coloccini exposed to runs down the flanks (Fulham & QPR). Time will tell how well we can use this formation when our strongest team is back

[Bob]

I was the one who called Senegal a lock to qualify. Shows what I know about African soccer. Glad the boys will be back soon, but should we be worried they couldn't get one goal between them against Zambia and Equatorial Guinea?

[Dave From Newcastle]

Bob, lets just tell ourselves that it had to be because of a poor pitch in Eq Guinea. Agreed?

[Rob]

A very good analysis. I've been hoping to see us move to a 4-3-3 for some time now, and perhaps Pardew is now ready to do it.

As you say, Matt, we need a bit more from our full backs to really make it work well.