30 Jun 2020 13:32:16
Let's talk pure football.

What do you think will be the next innovations in football?

We've gone from 235 to 442 to 352 to 4231 and plenty of different formations. We've seen false nines, midfield diamonds, inverted wingers, fullbacks coming into midfield, a big man upfront, overlapping centre backs and loads of new ideas over the years.

What next? More knowledgeable students of the game will probably tell me I'm wrong about this but many things come full circle so my prediction is for football to revert to being more attacking with more players up front. It seems to me that Liverpool already play with almost five players up front and while the two widest players are nominally called full backs, they are more like wingers most of the time with Sane and Salah acting as inside forwards. It seems to be working for them so perhaps more teams will follow their model?

{Ed002's Note - Folks are very often misled about formations as they constantly need to adapt during a match. I recall a discussion once where it was decided that the only time formations could be considered fixed was at kick off. I know this guy at Clairefontaine who for maybe 25 years has been studying if and how different formations are applied. He advocates and teaches that certain sides (he cites Barcelona, Chelsea, Ajax and Kashima Antlers) that have achieved varying levels of success have actually now reverted to something between no formation at all and the Metodo approach and that strict formations should be a thing of the past. He wants to see intelligent players that can adapt as the game changes and this is what is being taught to the French kids who are seen as the future of the game in France. The reality is that whilst defending, even these sides will adopt a 3, 4 or 5 at the back with one or two in front. However, going forward these clubs look to 6 or 7 players being entirely flexible in the positions and space they fill - the premise being if they are intelligent players they will naturally work as a unit and make themselves available to constantly open up new options.}

1.) 30 Jun 2020
30 Jun 2020 13:59:11
I can see a point in the future were heading and sliding challenges will be outlawed.
Not in the immediate future but perhaps at underage level.
The game is becoming somewhat sterile for me.
I also think that Var will become more influential whether we like it or not.

2.) 30 Jun 2020
30 Jun 2020 14:30:55
In possession out possession, if x has it or y has it . Area of the pitch the ball is, constantly changing.

3.) 30 Jun 2020
30 Jun 2020 16:05:13
If the 5 substitutes rule becomes the norm from next season on, i think it will have a major impact on the tactical approach to games. We may see teams looking at adopting distinct tactics at different points in the game as they will now have enough substitutes to make a significant difference in the way they play. We may start seeing extreme formations as result of this. while a defensive 5-4-1 is not uncommon for teams setting up a low block, we seldom see teams play with a 2-4-4 or 2-4-1-3 style formation for large periods of the game as they can't bring on enough personnel to play in the formation effectively or can't revert back if things go awry. Now teams can start sway between extremely attacking and defensive formations fairly quickly, and mroe importantly, with the right personnel. Almost a NFL -type approach with sets of players with special qualities (special teams -esque) coming on to do a particular job.
Half time and first half substitutions may become more common as will substituting substitutes and the concept of a starting 11 will become diluted. I also expect the play to become more intense (pressing, chasing etc. ) and games to end with greater energy.
On a side note, i expect (and hope) they also sort this VAR thing out.
A bonus would be having a minimum of 3 home grown players in any match day squad.

4.) 01 Jul 2020
01 Jul 2020 12:50:26
Some really interesting, thought provoking replies; thanks very much.

What you all talk about are massive changes to the game yet are all very plausible, if not likely.

In 10 years time we could be watching a very different game.

What Ed002 talks about is exciting, especially if players become interchangeable and rotate in their positions. It was quite interesting to watch what happened in the game against Norwich when Maguire went upfront and Williams moved to centre half.

Ken, I agree about tackling but if we can make it safer without removing it all together then that has to be a good thing.

The intrusion of VAR could become a monster with the game becoming more stop/ start while phases of play are meticulously analysed. I was against VAR from the start and I've seen nothing to change my mind.

Ryans LF, I fear what you are describing but see how it could develop if we keep the 5 sub rule. It will be interesting to see how it used for the rest of this season.