Trond Henriksen considers returning to the trusted 4-3-3 in his three last league games as head coach, but defends sticking to the 4-4-2 formation during the last six months.
Photo: Thomas Karlsen
"There were good reasons for switching systems last autumn. We were preforming below par in 4-3-3 and 4-5-1, and we did lose a number of matches. So we changed to the 4-4-2 diamond in order to better accommodate some of our players, and I think we succeeded well in that regard. We had some great results in European competitions and finished the league season with a brace of wins," Henriksen states to RBK-TV.
Marek Sapara and Steffen Iversen in particular flourished in their new central midfield and centre forward roles, after languishing as side midfielder and right wing, respectively.
"We built on this after some discussion with Erik Hamr�n, he is more of a 4-4-2 man. Still, I'd like to point out that he hasn't been coaching the team by phone; he has given us free reins. We play like we see fit. Erik has stated that we should play the style of football that best fits the team, and that's what we've been trying to do. It is my feeling that we have been clear and precise in the training field, and that the players have been very attentive," Henriksen says.
The last couple of days has seen some player frustration seeping through to the media. Strangely enough, the players who earlier praised the 4-4-2 system are now the ones raising their voices against it.
"We did well all the way up to the start of the league campaign, we were riding the crest of the wave and won a lot of matches. Now it's the other way around. We find ourselves not scoring the first goal of the match, and it starts affecting our mentality," Henriksen thinks.
Erik Hamr�n probably wishes to cultivate the 4-4-2 system, but the May matches againse Stab�k, Lillestr�m and Molde will probably see a return to 4-4-3.
"I have a very clear picture of how we are going to play in the next three matches," a secretive Henriksen says.
"People are very hung up on numbers, but there is a difference between playing with two forwards and one forward supported by two wingmen. This is especially true if you want to play with width. In the old Rosenborg pattern we have always employed two wingers to threaten the space behind the opponents' back line. In the 4-4-2 system - regardless of whether we use the midfield diamond or not - width is created mainly in the second phase of the attack with a side midfielder or wing back. This alters the patterns of movement.
"Some things do however remain the same - some movement patterns, maintaining opposite movements and threatening the spaces behind oncoming opponents. They are all based on the same principles, but some times they can be more difficult to achieve in 4-4-2," the Rosenborg coach says.
