Gary Rowett provides interesting insight on Millwall’s switch to a 5-3-2 formation
Gary Rowett has explained why Millwall have shifted to a 5-3-2 formation for their last two Championship matches.
The Lions used the shape in last Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Huddersfield Town. And they also did the same this evening in a stalemate with Watford.
Rowett feels they need more defensive stability because of a lack of goals in his side.
“At the weekend [against Bristol City in the FA Cup] we played essentially 4-4-2 and got opened up all over the pitch. The goals we have conceded have been where we have been too open and have struggled to live with the athleticism of some teams.
“We played 4-2-3-1 and had the same done to us. We’ve played 5-2-3 and I just felt the front three in some of those games were too high up the pitch and not working back hard enough and keeping the gaps closed.
“We’re a team that need to be compact. I felt 5-3-2 gives us that start position and that compact shape behind the ball. It allows us to do what we’re good at.
“We played a team tonight who play 4-4-2 and at times they drop four, four and a two behind the ball – very deep. A lot of good teams do that. The challenge then is they use the ball really well on the transition.
“It’s something we need to improve and work on.
“We’ve played lots of formations and struggled to score goals. At the moment that is our team. It means what we have to do is play a formation where we don’t concede lots of goals and still have a chance in the attacking sense.”
PHOTO: KEITH GILLARD
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