Depends how you look at it. Either you think defense wins championships or you don't. Although this 4-5-1 formation with only one visible attacking threat in the lone striker may come off as reserved, don't judge a book by it's cover.

This formation when defending stays as is, but when on the attack this formation quickly transforms into a dangerous 4-3-3 with flanks flying and midfield lines pushing forward.

Discipline behind the ball, clinical with it, this is the 4-5-1 as we know it.

What's the Hardest Working Position in this Formation?

The easy answer is that every position has it's difficulties and struggles which is true. But, we can not deny the strikers and the outside midfielders constant work. The striker is responsible for initiating the defensive pressure as well as dotting the "i" on any play forward. A lot to ask for from one person.

Now the outside mids have relentless work up and down up and down all game long. They have to work like dogs on the defensive end then make countless runs forward without being rewarded majority of the time. Story of my life. This must be played by a selfless player who is a deadly two way player with a tank that can go for days.

Defenders Positioning

The Defensive line can play:

-Flat 4 across the back in line with one another

-Flat 3 across the back with a sweeper in behind that line

Defenders Responsibilities

As a unit the back four should:

-Stay together as a discipline unit organizing the teams shape in front of them

-Cover for one another as the situation dictates

Center Backs:

-Keep the gaps between formation lines compact

-Ball winners and break up tackles

-Neat and tidy in the back not trying to over complicate your life

Outside Backs:

-Outside midfielders cover at all times

-Outlet release for central midfielders

-Patrol flank standing up 1v1 versus outside midfielder of opposing side

Midfielders Positioning

The Midfield line can play:

-Flat 5 across the middle (not so common)

-1 Defensive and 4 flat in front of them (fairly common)

-4 Flat and 1 Offensive (same as above but inverted)

-2 Defensive or holding and 3 flat in front of them

-Pyramid 3 then 2 in front

Midfielders Responsibilities

As a unit the middle four should:

-Win the middle of the park

-Stay discipline in it's defensive responsibilities

-Look to break in high numbers off the counter attack

Center Midfielders:

-Listen to instructions from the defensive center midfielder in terms of defensive positioning

-Ideally one play maker and one workhorse

-Look to link to wide parts of the field going forward

Outside Midfielders:

-Stay discipline defensively in the wide areas of the pitch

-Fly the flank in all counter attacking opportunities with the ability to recover and maintain defensive obligations

-Take players on in the final third of the field

Strikers Positioning

The Forward line can play:

-Not many options here, play as the lone posting striker

Strikers Responsibilities

-High work rate for defensive pressure on the back line of the opponents, funneling them in wider areas and forward not backward.

-Posting target, keep the ball playing the ball back to the midfielders to keep the teams rhythm

-May only get a few looks per game in the 4-5-1 but must make them count. Clinical finishing

If you like what you heard the 4-5-1 may appeal to your style of play or coaching style. It is difficult to get players (especially offensive minded ones) to buy into this system. When players first hear 4-5-1 they automatically think defense defense defense.

On the surface it seems extremely defensive but after playing in it for a while you'll realize the offense freedoms it actually has. You may only get one or two quality scoring chances a game because of the nature of the set up, so you need to take your opportunities as they come. If you fail to capitalize on your looks, you're going to be hard pressed to get good results, hope you like 0-0 draws.

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