Reinventing the Swiss Verou: 3-3-4

[Guv'nor]

Akin to a Scorsese masterpiece that begins with the ending, one will conclude that this is very much a 'work in progress'. Far from an attempt at eulogising over one's latest exploits with the tactics creator, this is an invention to all the seasoned thinkers amongst this community to lend their thoughts and ideas, to help achieve the objective.

Karl Rappan - The "bolt" courtesy of wikipedia

During the early 1930s, when the use of the "WM" system was spreading, Rappan developed a tactical system under which players switched positions and duties depending on the game's pattern.[4] The system varied largely from the classic 2-3-5 formation and the WM, focusing in defense. The team would fold back into its own half and wait for the opponent's attack, conceding possession of the midfield. The system received the name of verrou or "bolt". It has also been called "Swiss bolt". Reportedly, Rappan looked for a system that was less rigid and less dependent on individual talent than the WM. It relied on collective work, and gave the amateurs of the time a chance to compensate to some extent for their lack of skill.[5] The defensive strategy of the bolt relied on a mixture of zonal and man-marking. It was the first system to play four players in defense, using one of them as a "security bolt" supporting the other three.[4] It is acknowledged that the bolt largely influenced the catenaccio (Italian for bolt) and its use of the libero (sweeper) in defense.

Rappan's system was never fully understood by many people at the time, and the coach himself never discussed it, keeping a certain mystery around it. It received both praise and criticism. The system did demonstrate to be successful at the 1938 World Cup. Switzerland eliminated Nazi Germany in the first round, where the match that ended in a 1-1 draw was replayed, with the Swiss winning the second match 4-2. Two weeks prior to the World Cup, Switzerland had defeated England in a friendly match.

The Swiss Bolt or Verrou or 3-3-4

This system was the forerunner of the European sweeper and provided the team with a number of defenders equal to the opponent’s attackers. It also provided the defenders an extra back orbolt to provide the necessary cover in defence and to protect the open space in front of the goal. It was believed that if a team was weaker that its opponent it had to concentrate on defence, and even a strong team could benefit from an extra back.

Moving forward, the centre-half was still attacking, but in defence, all ten players retreated. The function of the four forwards was to harass their opponents, to slow down their attack whilst the other 6 players rushed back to assume their positions. The attacking centre half became the centre back and the centre back dropped back to an ultra deep position behind everyone else. Here, he could move laterally across the field covering the other three backs.

[Guv'nor]

[Steve Thorpe]

Download link? would like to have a look at this please

[Zico10]

Nice one Guvnor, let us try it, Ooooops, no download link!!

[Guv'nor]

Its far from the finished article, was hoping it could generate discourse here and ideas as to its completion, hence the reason why the tactic hasn't been uploaded. I can upload it on the premise that, its not a plug, play and disappear thread! The tactic is not finished, but I dont doubt that, with combined efforts, the flaws can be addressed.

PS: The basic shape has to remain a flat 3-3-4.

Thanks. Tactic to come soon.

[Cleon]

I will be following this thread closely, I love classic formations. I'll also add to the thread once I get a bit of time over the next few days

[Guv'nor]

Ok. Someone will have to give me a heads up on how to upload a file here.

[TheBetterHalf]

Ok. Someone will have to give me a heads up on how to upload a file here.

You have to upload it to a hosting site ( filefront, zshare etc) and then provide a link

[mag man]

Been experimenting with this myself a bit recently. Didnt have the players to pull it off but will follow with interest.

[Guv'nor]

[Guv'nor]

Perhaps the best achievement thus far with this tactic, in its infancy...

Have topped the pops for a couple weeks with Stoke City, first season. In one memorable week, we beat thumped Birmingham then battered Liverpool, a number of players, playing out of their skin, above and beyond expectation...But never have one managed to have so many players make The Team Of The Week. Its far from a finished article, the project, as stated above, is in its infancy. There are some flaws, vulnerabilities down the flanks, which without careful instructing of player mentality and movement off the ball, can be exploited to devastating effect - cue the 3-1 bashing by Southend! Admittedly we did boss the full 90, had plenty of shots on goal, over half a dozen clear cut chances, but on the counter, were well exposed. The tactic has changed a bit since then. Not too sure exactly what version has been uploaded, but tweaked the role of the, what would be MLC and MRC, so they do more defensively...In keeping with the original intentions of the Verou.

Borrowing from Don Revy's antics, dossiers are compiled on all opposition. Next opponents are scouted, close attention is paid to the form guide and if up against anyone with 3 or so wins on the trott, tend to watch their game before we meet, with emphasis on the fullbacks and wingers, those most likely to exploit the space. This helps alot and have found contradictions between the advice given by the assistant/coaching staff in the pre-match meeting and one's own viewing having attended their match. Always stir it up with the opposition, either with negative comments or mind-games, depends on the personality of their key players and challenge my players by stating in pre-match conferences that 'not expecting much from the next game'. Have a number of players with decent mental attributes and strong enough personalities to try and prove me wrong. Team-talk, is nearly always 'You can win tonight', or 'Pressure is off'. If we're leading at half time, then its either 'pleased or nothing', drawing-'You can win...or Encourage'. Losing -then more often than not its 'disappointed!'. Reverse pyschology. Play down the chances before the game, to avoid over-confidence and by fair or foul, make sure they deliver through soft or harsh words! Hasn't failed us yet!

[Guv'nor]

So, here is Prototype 1 of what is destined to be an infinte series. This isn't a plug and play thread, there is a long way to go with this formation. In spite of the results thus far, theres alot of scope for improvement. Those of you who do put it through its paces, feedback on your observations is a must! Lol! Feel free to toss your tu'pence into the drawing board and all ideas/debates regarding player/team instructions are welcome.

...Prototype is already under way, feel the front 4 is taking shape nicely on the front foot, but such is one's passion for defence, a more 'shut up shop' model is on the factory floor. The constants for each new issue will always be1) The allignment (flat 3-3-4) and 2) use of the Classical style tactics creator, so, if you wish to add to this project, thats the ritual, if you like.

Guv.

http://www.filefront.com/16130499/Swiss%20Verou%20%28Leeds%2C%20Nov%202009%29.tac

[Guv'nor]

Slowed the tempo for the quarter-final vs. Liverpool. Lost, inevitably, but the performance spoke with volume of promise for prototype 2.

[Guv'nor]

On closer viewing of the match in play and study of the half-time player stats and their condition, its clear that the Swiss Verou places immense physical demand on its players. Rappan's Swiss team were lacking the technical quality of the rest of the footballing world and so extra emphasis was placed on fitness. Playing a formation that aimed to nullify the opponents threat balanced the playing field and allowed for their natural fitness to gain prominence. The same is true of this attempt at recreating that very formation. With the distance covered by the players after 45 minutes offering testament to the demands of this formation, the team's tempo had to be reviewed. With a passion for the quick, fast-paced game, it was more a case of balancing this vs. the need to keep the players fresh for the full 90.

The solution: Players are freshest at the start of the match, so the tempo is uppermost normal, if we happen to go a goal up, then this is slowed right down, with more emphasis on possession, getting players into advantageous positions and probing passes. Around the 60 minute mark, player condition is reviewed and substitutions made on that basis. Working a treat at present, just battered MK Dons, unbeaten for umpteen games 4-zip away from home! Dieter Dekelver, 35k from some German or Belgian club, transfer-listed...Brought in...Revelation! 12 in 12, MoMs aplenty and works his socks off for the team. Poor man's Dirk Kuyt!

[Somedevil]

First game with this, newcastle beat man city away from home

looks very promising , keep in mind this is with a very very young rennovated NCU team !

will try this further

thanks a lot man

[Zico10]

Guvnor, have you tried the alternative option of the 2 wide CM's to hold their position and act as pivot in the transitional phase defense-attack, and same time to stop quick counter attack's?

[Guv'nor]

Yes, did try having 2 holding fort in the midfield and moving the ball from defence to attack, but found that the turnover of possession was too high. We seem to hold onto the ball better in the offensive third, with a global approach to foward-running when in possession. Its dtawbacks on the counter are compensated for by the individual mentality, which is less attack-minded.

[Zico10]

Yes' date=' did try having 2 holding fort in the midfield and moving the ball from defence to attack, but found that the turnover of possession was too high. We seem to hold onto the ball better in the offensive third, with a global approach to foward-running when in possession. Its dtawbacks on the counter are compensated for by the individual mentality, which is less attack-minded.[/quote']

If you give them a mentality of 14 or 15 while holding, they will play just inside opposition half, sitting and controlling the game and possession with passes right left and center.

I tested couple of times v Barca with Getafe, and while they were lucky to score 100% of chances (5 goals), 4 of them came from inside the midfield . Repeated it again 3 x, and although lost narrowly 1-0 twice and 2-1, having watched the full match, the danger is coming through the lack of holding midfield. I tweaked both side CM's to hold and the game stats change dramatically. Averaging 70% against Barca at Nou Camp, plus two 0-0 draws.

[Guv'nor]

And so it came to pass that the Swiss Verou did deliver on its promise, though, perhaps leant too heavily on the attacking aspects of play. Was hoping for more defensive resolve at the expense of expansive, attacking football. Ironically got the opposite, almost. The defence held its own in fairness, though the goals vs. averages a goal a game, there was a freakish number of penalties awarded vs. us, not to mention the 6 or so games one had to field a makeshift backline due to injury.

[Guv'nor]

[Guv'nor]

So hows it fairing?

[Guv'nor]

So, how its fairing up? Any alterations made?

First game with this, newcastle beat man city away from home

looks very promising , keep in mind this is with a very very young rennovated NCU team !

will try this further

thanks a lot man

[Guv'nor]

Wasn't sure if this was a 10.3 tactic, so going to start a new with the update.

Guys, anybody make use of the above and if so, what were yur experiences?

Guvnor

[rbnrbn]

Wasn't sure if this was a 10.3 tactic' date=' so going to start a new with the update.

Guys, anybody make use of the above and if so, what were yur experiences?

Guvnor[/quote']

the link doesn'twork....

[Guv'nor]

At long last (first attempt in all fairness), those Damned United boys are back in the big-ish time! Same old Swiss Verou, with some brand new faces. Dont tend to go overboard and burst the wage structure buying all thats available in the close season. A couple promising midfielders with something to prove and some much needed experience through the centre of the pitch. For want of a more defensive slant, John Fleck's relieved of his midfield playmaker role and pushed further forward, to bring his menace to the frontline. Returning to the additions, all were purely tactical.

Aaron Mokoena - Needed a proper captain, with mental fortitude for starters. The no nonsense centrehalf that was missing last season. Playing left-side of centre, means he'll be better defending on the inside, thus forcing his opponent wide. 'Move into channels' check, rarely beaten on the inside. Transfer-listed by Pompey. Brilliant bargain!

Gabriel Tamas - Had an underwhelming loan spell at The Baggies, avr. rating 6.80ish, transfer listed there after. He has decent defensive attributes and can deputise at fullback, which means he wont be alien to the 'move into channels' instruction. And dare one say it, he does! With applomb thus far, avr. rating 7.80-something.

Marko - Young Slavic lad with bags of potential, 500knicker from Dinamo something or other. No array of 20s, but a decent engine, team ethic and 14s at dribbling, passing, creativity. With training they'll fast become 15s. Again, comfortable on the ball and the workrate is key to him being able to move wide when defending.

Tim Sparv - Good enough in the friendlies to force Johnny 'Boy Wonder' Fleck further forward. Good workrate, natural left foot, so theres balance to the midfield. Not the best at running with the ball (so not asked to), but a good eye for a pass and all round technical ability. Offers more defensively than fleck. Box to Box, no problems.

Marco Zalayeta - Free Transfer. Wise head. Experienced. Been there, done it, got the t-shirt. With Fleck further forward, needed someone to get on the end of his crosses. Targetman is a must in this game. Though, the team is set to play balls for Beckford to run onto, the flick ons from big Marco are just as fruitful as the sliderule pass.

Its early doors, but the changes made are shaping up nicely. More balance to the Verou, less gusto going forward, but definetely more of a team approach to attacking all credit to the balance restored throughout the side. The results, again theres a long way to go, but reason to believe!

[SUCK IT]

That tactic you use their Guvnor, is that the same as the prototype you uploaded or a tweaked version

[john1]

Link is dead. Will give this a go with Sunderland when the new link is up for the tactic.

[Guv'nor]

Yes, its the same tactic essentially, just a few alterations to the midfield and frontline.

Tim Sparv/Bradley Johnson replace John Fleck at MLC: Normal mentality, a notch or 2 below attacking. Depending on which of the two plays, little to no running will back, plenty of crosses, move into channels. Throughballs and longshots depend on the personel.

John Fleck's moved upto Forward Left and plays as an inside forward. As a left-footer, all this means is he plays in between the fullback and centrehalf and heads for the byline. Again, lots of crosses, throughballs and bags of creative freedom. His mentality is normal, a couple clicks above the half-way bar. The most defensive menatlity of all the forwards, so he plays deeper and sees more of the ball.

Have switched the team strategy to focus passing down the flanks, so Fleck can revel as a playmaking forward. Zalayeta has a similar mentality to Fleck, so is deep to Beckford, who prospers from his flick-ons. Jonas Kamper, is all pace and not much else, but hugs the line and that throughs the opposition into disarray. With Beckford playing on the shoulder, Fleck coming inside, Marco dropping deep and Jonas as wide as the eye can see, the opposition are all over the place early doors. More often than not, they switch to a 4-5-1 or 5--3-2 and that allows the defensive line to be pushed right up! Gotcha!

Will post a link shortly, but seriously, its not designed to be a plug and play, you have to look at your squad and see how best to work it. If you list your starting 11s, one can have a butchers and come up with some ideas!

[SUCK IT]

Look forward to the link mate, want to try it with Balotelli and see if I can get him working really well in this. Your basically saying this is adapted to each of your players best abilities in a certain position. Thats what I try to do when I create mine too.

-------------- VDS --------------

---Ferdinand - Vidic - Evans ---

---Carrick --- Fletcher ----Anderson

-Rooney --- Berbatov--Dzeko-- Balotelli

[Guv'nor]

Would swap Fletcher and Carrick.

Depending on how you intend to play your backline, you may swap Rio with Nemandja and have the former stepping up, a little running with ball and more thoughtful passing.

Rooney should be played centrally, perhaps in a similar role to Zalayeta, but where Marco is creates openings through his heading ability, Rooney could be the deep-lying talisman.

Dzeko and Dimitar? Cash in on one of them and get an out and out winger to hold the width either left of right flank. Its a crucial role, as it completely messes up the oppositions back four. If they go narrow to stop the inside-forward (i.e John Fleck), then the guy hugging the line on the other flank has acres to hit the byline and get his crosses in. If you've got Dzeko in the centre, decent heading...back of the net!

Thats a mighty fine side you got there, but think yoy may get better purchase from the tactic by starting a new and buying players for its purpose from scratch. Also, at a side where expectations not too high, so you can build with it and watch the system grow!

[SUCK IT]

Thanks Guv'nor for your input, what side would you recommend. Cannot wait for the tactic, so I can get to work

[Guv'nor]

Norwich in league one have a decent squad and a few assets to sale and generate income.

Stoke have a decent back three and enough money to get some pace down either flank. Did have a save game with those from the Potteries, went for a direct style though, loved it! Tried to do a Swiss Verou meets Tony Pulis strategy. Loadsa' 6 footer in the starting 11, and some speed merchants out wide.

Herenveen in Holland are another good team to experiment with. Decent transfer budget and squads not too big.

[SUCK IT]

Stoke, I think ill try. Come on Guv Im on the edge of my seat

[CV9]

I will try,but it seem defend bad??U can change to defend better?

[Shr3kk__Wpg]

This looks very interesting. Is it possible to get a new download link? Or just some info on the settings so I can attempt to make my own version?

[SUCK IT]

Guv'nor should be on later, he may post it then.

[Guv'nor]

Forgotten how to upload a link to the tactic! Lol! Will come back to me in a sec.

[Guv'nor]

Ah ha! Filefront my old friend!

Not intended to be a plug and play, team strategy is defined by the players you have or squad you build with the pupose being to play the Verou.

http://www.filefront.com/16686773/Swiss%20Verou%20%28Leeds%2C%20Aug%202010%29.tac

[Shr3kk__Wpg]

thank you for the download link. I am going to try this tactic out with Ivory Coast in world cup qualifying

[SUCK IT]

Cheers Guv been waiting for this

[Guv'nor]

Have since made some changes, once again, in keeping with the personnel ast ones disposal. Lessened the width and upped the tempo a touch.

[Guv'nor]

And so it came to pass. So Damned those Damned Utd Boys!

Thankyou and Goodnight!

[Guv'nor]

2 seasons at the helm, back to back promotions, world class reputation and 'untouchable' as far as job security is concerned. The Swiss Verou has indeed been reinvented!

Going to take a little respite from the Damned Utd to plan our premiership survival. In the meantime, a Blue Square Premiership tester beckons!