“ Getting the balance right in everything is all of football and all of sport”: Roy Hodgson
By now you already know the jist of things around here so let’s not waste any time. Today’s blog is going to be all about a MIXED and DIRECT style whilst in possession. Unlike the previous 2 where there was more of an emphasis placed on positional versatality and rotations, MIXED and DIRECT is solely focused on transitioning the ball from defence to attack swiftly from anywhere on the pitch. What this means is that a team playing this style will attempt to attack on the flanks and through the centre as long as those attacks are done in a quick manner.
The team that we will be using for today’s Illustration is Crystal Palace and this match is from 2020 where they faced off against Manchester United at Old Trafford:
Image of Crystal Palace setting up in a 4-4-2 formation (arguably one of the best formations for a Mixed and Direct style)Image of Mixed and Direct passing on the left hand side. Tyrick Mitchell (grey circle) plays a pass in behind of the United defence where Jeffrey Schlupp (orange circle) will run unto. Andros Townsend (green circle) will also be key to this direct moveSchlupp collects the ball and will now play a ball across the goal that Townsend will be running untoTownsend finishes with a first time shot. It took 3 passes for the ball to get from Mitchell to Townsend. Perfect illustration of direct passingAnother illustration of Palace playing a direct style whilst mixing it up . This pattern of play is coming from their right hand side. Andros Townsend (Yellow Circle) has the ball and will look to play it into the feet of Wilfred Zaha (pink circle)Zaha receives the ball and will now look to pass it to Schlupp (orange circle)Schlupp then makes a one time lay off towards Townsend’s pathTownsend takes a shot from 30 yards out. Again it only took 3 passes from when he first had the ball to when he is taking a shot at goal.The final set of illustrations as Palace are now looking to attack with pace through the centre. Andros Townsend (who was very involved during this game) plays a through ball towards Jordan Ayew (red circle) with Zaha (purple circle) making a run to open more space for AyewAfter receiving the ball, Ayew now looks to play Zaha inZaha gets a shot in at goal
The Mixed and Direct style has many quirks especially when it comes to swift counter attacks. If you get the personnel correct then I guarantee that you will find a lot of joy using it.
In the next episode we will be looking into my personal favorite pattern of play: Through the Middle and Direct! See you around, Soccermanagerite!
Hello Nuno! Thank you for being so brave to ask for help. We’ll need to check out your current team so the best place to contact me will be via Facebook. Here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/100084360973117/
The Soccermanager Experience 
Hello
Can you give the best formation and instructions you have to win the most games??
I need some help…
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Hello Nuno! Thank you for being so brave to ask for help. We’ll need to check out your current team so the best place to contact me will be via Facebook. Here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/100084360973117/
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