Subject: I.1

lol and he played long ball with 5 mid.

I don't get it. There is no way... NO WAY... 2 defenders could hold 2 forwards at bay, let alone the attacking mids of Bordeaux. That is my one huge beef with soccer... the effectiveness of formations that you simply don't see and for a reason. No offence to those who use these. But let's be real... 2-5-3? Not a chance.

They need to fix this.

I can't recall if there were changes planned for soccer. Not sure. However there are more for hockey coming. I would hope that there would be a penalty for playing with:
a) less than 3 D
b) more than 5 D
c) less than 1 F
d) more than 3 F

Outside of that I can live with weird variations on formations.

I just saw a formation of 1-4-5 but they have been hammered 9-1 which is a beter penalty.
I don't know if they plan any changes for soccer but before NT play next season this will be an issue.

A penalty should also be given to teams with no players on the left or right side of the field, and 0 or 1 player in the center.

Also, another penalty for teams occupying less than 4 or 5 squares on the field...

Ya that is likely how it would eventually be divided up. At least two of the three squares in each column are filled (2 left, 2 middle, 2 right). I'm sure they are aware of it. Likely these formations are exploiting the game engine. I have my theories...

It's easier said than done really
If there r penalties, that means there would be an optimal formation
Let's say it's 442
Everybody would then be playing 442 without without taking a chance on others
Just imo

will always depend whether you have the players to play a 4-4-2 or not. Maybe you have 3 great fwd but only 3 good middles. In that case, 4-3-3 might be better...

Anyway, I'm not sure a system with penalties for outliers would always imply an optimal system. I guess it's possible to do it in a smart way...

Not at all. Many teams don't play 4-4-2 anymore. Quite a few play 4-3-3 but the outside D have large offensive roles. That being said, it wouldn't make an ideal formation, rather penalize ones that wouldn't work in real life. So 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 would not get penalized unless you loaded everyone up on one side of the field.

i just dont think it would be fair
some teams, like barcelona, have somewhat of a fluid formation
having an offensive wingback and CD is very similar to having a wing and a CDM

besides, back in the old old old days, teams run 8-1-1
if it worked before, why not now?

jk

Haha yes. Barca plays a formation that wouldn't be penalized though. They have 3-5D and 1-3F with decent east-west distribution.

That's it, puredangles deserves a crack at the Team Canada Hockey lineup.

The problem is penalizing people for lineups is kinda bunk. Since I may play seven defenders lets just say, but two of them are floaters so their primarily defense, but they are playing the mid too. And until the day where I can set up by position that this midfielder runs on offense and these defenders play higher up to the mid then I think it's just not right.
If I could control my players play style individually or by placement on the pitch, my 5 defenders wouldn't be so bad. Since one of them is supposed to be a floater for mid/defense.

Exactly my point