On the first day of national team training camp, Aldrich held one-on-one discussions with each player. Meanwhile, the coaching staff used the training sessions to observe and analyze the players up close, gathering valuable data to better understand their characteristics.
These insights will help Aldrich shape a more precise tactical approach. The 4-3-2-1 formation is merely a framework; the real question lies in how the team executes it on the pitch.
Take Beckham, for instance. Placing him in the right defensive midfield position didn't mean he couldn't operate along the right flank during offensive plays.
Formations are static; initial positioning is more about defining defensive roles and spatial awareness. It ingrains into the players' minds, helping them act instinctively in matches—returning to their defensive zones during transitions and staying aware of their surroundings during attacks. This awareness enables them to make split-second decisions under pressure.
After an intense first day filled with foundational training, the team moved on to lineup coordination and tactical drills on the second day.
The advantage of managing a national team is that all the players are at a high level of ability, with no significant weaknesses, and language barriers are non-existent.
Initially, Aldrich allowed the players to run the tactics themselves while he observed. The results were poor—largely because the players didn't yet grasp the essence of the strategy.
Gathering the players together, Aldrich gave them some guidance. With their professionalism, all they needed was a nudge to understand. The rest would come down to fine-tuning through practical drills.
"You might think the 4-4-2 is more balanced and offensively potent than the 4-3-2-1. And visually, it does seem that way. In a 4-4-2, at least five players can actively join the attack, while the 4-3-2-1 seems to put only three players in the offensive zone. Let's look at the tactics board."
Aldrich drew the 4-4-2 flat midfield formation on the board.
"In the 4-4-2, the combination of central and wide players creates multiple attacking points, providing plenty of options. But what's the drawback? In this setup, players are easily marked. Once the forward players are marked, those coming from deeper positions often overlap, disrupting spatial balance and increasing defensive pressure on the backline."
The seasoned international players, accustomed to the 4-4-2 system, nodded in agreement. There wasn't much to elaborate on—they were far more intrigued about how the 4-3-2-1 could work offensively.
Seeing their curiosity, Aldrich moved to the next diagram.
"Now, let's examine the 4-3-2-1."
He sketched out the 4-3-2-1 formation, illustrating five attacking arrows: two advanced midfielders, a lone striker, the left-back, and the right defensive midfielder.
"We can attack like this," Aldrich explained. "We still have five players contributing to the offense, fully utilizing the width of the pitch. Through triangular passing, we can gradually break through the opponent's defensive lines."
The players exchanged glances. On paper, the 4-3-2-1 did have five attackers like the 4-4-2, but the distribution and positioning created more variability and unpredictability, maximizing the use of the field's width. By maintaining speed and continuous pressure, this formation became significantly harder to defend against.
Aldrich then erased the attacking arrows from the left-back and right defensive midfielder, replacing them with arrows for the right-back and left defensive midfielder.
"We can also attack like this, maintaining five attacking players."
As he redrew the arrows, several players let out audible gasps.
The idea clicked: the 4-3-2-1 offered a dynamic system where attacking patterns could be varied without overcrowding zones. Unlike the rigid routines of the 4-4-2, it allowed for more creativity and adaptability, especially given the individual strengths of England's players.
McManaman asked, puzzled, "Doesn't this mean we actually have seven players capable of joining the attack?"
Aldrich nodded. "Exactly—seven players. Three upfront, two from midfield, and two from the backline. However, only two backline players should join the attack at any given time to maintain defensive balance. On each flank, only one player should push forward. If the defensive midfielder moves up, the fullback stays back, joining only when the situation demands support."
This tactical approach was built on a foundation of defensive stability.
For example, if Beckham advanced in an attacking move, Lampard and right-back Neville wouldn't push up excessively. Similarly, if Lampard made an offensive run, Ashley Cole would remain cautious, ensuring the defensive coverage on the left flank.
While the 4-4-2 was balanced, Aldrich's adaptation of the 4-3-2-1 achieved a similar balance in transition. Its offensive positioning allowed for flexibility without the positional clashes that often arose in traditional systems, such as fullbacks crowding out wide midfielders.
Aldrich patiently explained, "The key here is the transition dynamics in midfield and defense. Of the three central midfielders, the one in the middle focuses on defense, while the other two are responsible for initiating plays during transitions.
"For instance, if Lampard gains possession in the left midfield zone but faces immediate pressure, his role isn't to force an advance but to distribute the ball to someone in space. That could be Ashley Cole surging forward on the left or Beckham on the right as a secondary outlet. Once Lampard initiates the attack, he stays back to guard against counterattacks.
"In the offensive phase, Scholes becomes the central pivot in the final third, linking up play and redistributing the ball to dangerous areas. By the time the attack reaches the front line, Scholes, McManaman, Owen, and any advancing players from deeper positions should form two or three staggered attacking waves."
The national players began to engage in discussions. A varied and adaptable tactical system, they agreed, was the cornerstone of a competitive team. However, English players, known for their limited creativity, often made their lack of ingenuity painfully evident on the pitch.
What did this limitation look like during matches?
It wasn't just the opposition—spectators, too, could predict England's next move. Their passing sequences, player movements, and positioning offered little in the way of surprises. Opponents found it all too easy to stifle England's attacks.
Aldrich couldn't alter the players' inherent abilities, so he focused on tactical design to provide the necessary unpredictability.
Paul Scholes raised his hand, asking, "Coach, what you're talking about seems to work best on counterattacks, right?"
Aldrich smiled. Scholes might be reserved, but his football mind was sharp.
"Exactly," Aldrich replied. "During counterattacks, this offensive strategy is most effective. As I mentioned yesterday, positional play isn't our strength when space is limited. In those cases, we'll keep it simple. This simplicity is part of the strategy.
"More importantly, we're pulling a forward off the pitch, giving us an additional midfielder. This overload in the middle means we can apply significant pressure during transitions, quickly win the ball back, and launch counterattacks right there. That's one of the key principles I want you to internalize."
Scholes mulled this over, nodding thoughtfully. Aldrich couldn't help but chuckle, wondering how much the red-haired maestro had actually grasped.
Once the tactical philosophy was thoroughly explained, the next phase involved testing and refining it through drills.
The first team squared off against the reserves, the tempo intentionally slowed for instructional purposes. Aldrich supervised from the sidelines, constantly adjusting players' positioning and reinforcing defensive principles. Gareth Southgate played a crucial role, commanding the backline and providing on-the-spot guidance for his teammates.
As the drills progressed, the players began to see the novelty of Aldrich's tactics, especially during offensive transitions.
David Beckham felt it most acutely.
On the opposite flank, Frank Lampard had no trouble adapting. He was already accustomed to the dynamic tactical patterns Aldrich employed at Millwall. The evolving offensive focal points came as no surprise to him, allowing him to coordinate seamlessly with Ashley Cole. Their mutual understanding—whether attacking or covering defensively—was evident in every movement.
Beckham, on the other hand, was electrified by the freedom afforded to him in transition.
The key to the offensive scheme wasn't rigid patterns but the adaptability of the buildup.
When Beckham was pressed, he could release the ball to Gary Neville on the overlap, find Lampard, or send a long ball to players exploiting open spaces upfield.
While not a speedster, Beckham's precision in long passes made him invaluable, particularly during counterattacks.
The moment they settled into their attacking rhythm, the pressure surged like a tidal wave past the halfway line. Scholes was pulling the strings in midfield with pinpoint accuracy, while the late runs from deep delivered the kind of power that ripped defenses apart. But when it came to landing that final blow, the chemistry wasn't quite there yet.
This would require time and effort to forge the necessary understanding and trust.
The substitute team found it increasingly difficult to hold their ground. They couldn't handle the overlapping runs from their opponents. Theoretically, there were four possible players who could make those surges, but predicting which two would break forward was almost impossible. Particularly during the build-up play, the ball would always be delivered to the player exploiting the largest gap ahead. The movement was fluid and dangerous—players surged forward within seconds, leaving the defense utterly helpless.
Yet, Aldrich's system had its weaknesses.
Aldrich's tactical formation had its shortcomings. The most glaring weakness emerged when opponents opted for a conservative approach—sitting deep, compressing space in their defensive half, and focusing on counter-attacks. In these situations, England's late surging runs, though effective in catching defenses off guard, failed to penetrate the compact defensive line. At that point, the team had no choice but to rely on the three staples of attacking football: dribbling through tight spaces, set pieces, and long-range shots.
Dribbling wasn't England's forte, but set pieces and distance strikes offered a glimmer of hope. Beckham's pinpoint free kicks, whether direct or assisting teammates, combined with Lampard's and Scholes' knack for long-range shots, gave England the tools to break stubborn defenses.
The next day's training session was even livelier. With the players energized by the tactical overhaul, they approached the drills with the enthusiasm of kids discovering a new toy.
As training was wrapping up, Aldrich noticed Gary Neville wandering to the edge of the training field, near the trees that lined its perimeter. After a quick glance around, Neville casually unzipped and began to relieve himself.
The trees were planted for wind protection, shielding the field during practice.
"How considerate of Gary," Aldrich thought with a smirk. "Watering the trees at the Lion Training Base."
An idea sparked in Aldrich's mind. He called over Paul Scholes, his expression unusually serious.
"Paul, how accurate is your kick?"
At 5'8", the red-haired midfielder tilted his head slightly to look up at Aldrich, who was just over four inches taller. He didn't respond immediately, simply waiting.
"Why don't you show me?" Aldrich gestured toward the oblivious Neville, who stood a fair distance away, whistling as he went about his business.
Scholes took two quick steps for momentum and struck a ball on the pitch with perfect precision.
It was a textbook lob.
Aldrich's eyes tracked the ball intently as it arched through the air.
Thud!
The ball struck Neville square on the back.
Without missing a beat, Scholes turned away, feigning a casual conversation with Aldrich.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the field, Neville spun around, hastily pulling up his trousers.
"PAUL! I KNOW IT WAS YOU!" he roared, his face red with both anger and embarrassment.