Will Germany’s 4-2-3-1 system be the blueprint for the new season?

Germany have been one of the success stories of the World Cup so far. They have demolished the likes of Australia, England and Argentina and scored 13 goals in 5 games, conceding just 2 in that time. Their success has been based on a steady, organised backline combined with a deadly attack and that has propelled them from big outsiders to win the tournament to odds on favourites going into tonight’s Semi-Final with Euro 2008 winners Spain.  

A lot of Germany’s good play goes through their midfield three of Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil. Khedira has been the anchor man in the midfield alongside the box to box style of Schweinsteiger, who has been arguably the player of the tournament. Ozil is the playmaker in this system and his movement and vision brings the wide players of Podolski and Muller into the game. Those two have been given a licence to roam while Klose will finish anything he is given in the box.  

The system the Germans play is a more rigid version of the 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation Boro used last season. Westley played Bostwick in the defensive midfield role last year and then rotated Bridges, Byrom, Long and Murphy in the 2 positions ahead of him. Boro would then play 3 in attack which were also rotated regularly. However, with the loss of Andy Drury and Mitchell Cole plus the signings of 3 midfield players Robbie Sinclair, Peter Winn and John Mousinho, it got me thinking whether Westley will adopt a different system going into the new season?  

The signing of Mousinho tells me that Westley may want to shape up more defensively this season. Mousinho’s signing certainly gives us that option and is a good move for Boro. He’s an experienced league player and was a key component for Peter Taylor’s promotion winning Wycombe side a couple of seasons ago. He hasn’t joined us to play a bit part role. He will be in and around the first team along with Michael Bostwick, who also signed a new contract. They are two players that if fit, will be in GW’s side.  

As they are both defensive minded players, Bostwick and Mousinho could play in those two positions in midfield behind a playmaker. It’s a position that would have been ideal for a Boyd, Miller or Drury and is one where I think Joel Byrom could make his own. He didn’t really shine in his first year at Stevenage, but improved as the season went on and would be a big asset in a free role behind the lone striker.

This formation would certainly suit the players we currently have at the club. The defence was very settled last season and that has been strengthened in the summer. Midfield is also looking healthy and while we may not have a “prolific” goalscorer in the style of a Klose, we have a number of strikers that all have different qualities. I would say Boylan is the most “natural” goalscorer in our squad at the moment. Beardsley’s work rate is a big asset, while Tim Sills’ intelligence on the pitch brings players into the game.

One of the reasons why Boro were successful last season is that they had a flexible squad that could cover for all situations. They had enough attacking talent to beat teams at home, but were also well organised away from Broadhall Way, where they could get a goal and then defend their lead. Westley would start with a 4-4-2 for example and then adapt it depending on how the game went. The flexibility of the squad was key and that will remain the case going into League 2.