FGR Keeper Distribution Example vs Notts County 1/9/18
In game-week 6 of the 2018/19 League 2 season Forest Green face underperforming Notts County.
Forest Green are set up in a 352 which transitions to a 532 low block out of possession. Notts County are in a 433 which has lacked defensive structure.
Here is the setup of Forest Green as their goalkeeper has possession. Their wide centre halves drop wide and deep and are accessible by the keeper, Fitzsimons. The central centre half, Paul Digby, pushes forward into a sort of defensive-midfield/pivot role. Ending up in a 2143 against County’s 4231.
County’s back four consists of a compact right side, but the left back has been drawn wide to Shepard, FGR’s wing back. Forest then use their front two, Winchester and Reid, to pin the centre backs and right back, as seen. County’s deep midfielders are man-marking their opposite men and therefore also pinned.
County’s 4231 results in four lines and vertical spread and the ability to press high. FGR have dominance in midfield in a 4v2 across the midfield with the two defenders pinned. Leaving Mills and Brown free and unmarked in wide space. County’s wingers can try to press and block passing lanes but have large spaces between them so it is easy to break their line.
Fitzsimons is under pressure and goes wide to Shepard. Brown in unmarked in the overloaded midfield and occupies himself in the wide space left by Dennis as he presses high. Brown is able to drift wide and create a 2v1, as highlighted above.
County get sucked towards the ball, FGR are then able to switch play well to Mills on the left flank who is then in a lot of space as Winchester and Reid also move towards the ball and bring their pinned defenders with them.
This is a quick look at an example of a FGR free kick set up and used in their 3–1 away win over Notts County.
