At the time of writing, Mickey Mellon’s Oldham Athletic sit 5th in the Vanarama National League, with their sights set on a return to the EFL after three years away.
In this piece, I will analyse Mellon’s effective decision in moving from 4–4–2 to 3–5–2 in a bid to create more chances as well as assess their shape and setup without the ball, allowing for immediate turnovers and fast transitions.
In Possession | 3–5–2
Goal Kicks
Oldham tend to line-up in a 3–5–2 formation which is flexible to mould into a 3–4–1–2 or 3–4–2–1 depending on player profile. From goal kicks, Oldham opt to play long towards the flanks aiming to win the ball high up the pitch and attack from there. To support this, goalkeeper Matthew Hudson has the 3rd most long-passes in the league this season.
This route-one approach suits the individuals in the Oldham squad, with 6 ft 2 inch Mike Fondop the primary target, who has won the most aerial duels in the league this campaign.
On the occasion that Oldham do play out from the back, the ball will move inside from the back three. Either to Fondop or Norwood dropping deep or occupying the half-space channels with the aim of holding up the ball and bringing others into play, or, to central players such as Rossiter and Pett before moving the ball wide. The wing-backs remain high and wide because of this, creating maximal space in central areas.
In the example below, Oldham are building the attack from the defence with holding midfielder Jordan Rossiter picking up the ball from Charlie Raglan. Left of the back three, Emmanual Monthe (circled) steps into midfield to occupy a central position. This is a key move for being an option to pick the ball up in a higher position and play forward quicker. But also forces Gateshead’s Will McGowan #24 to come across and mark Monthe, thus, freeing up space for Oldham midfielders Pett #4 and Lundstram #8 to receive the ball from Rossiter.
When playing out from defence, Oldham are keen to keep five players back for the defensive cover, and have five players forward involved in the attack. The image below shows this, with the back three on the same line, both Monthe and Ogle (LCB & RCB) have licence to step in with the ball if the space allows, but ultimately, they are positioned to move the ball forward into the half spaces occupied by more advanced players. Rossiter and Pett are the two midfielders who hold to complete the five-back, allowing the wing-backs to be high and wide, attacking midfielder Lundstram to roam in pockets higher up the pitch, and one of the strikers to drop in to pick up the ball, while the other remains high and central, awaiting crosses.
Creating the Attack
Mellon places a clear emphasis on targeting wide areas and maximising crossing opportunities. During periods of prolonged possession, Oldham’s two widest central defenders, Monthe and Ogle, will often step in with the ball in order to push wing-backs Kitching/Leake and Caprice higher up the pitch. Caprice and Kitching rank 6th and 7th respectively for most crosses from individual players in the National League this season.
When on the ball, the wing-backs look to combine with either the highest central midfielder, often Josh Lundstram, or a striker who has dropped deep to pick up the ball, usually Billy Waters or James Norwood — this allows Fondop to be furthest forward and central, awaiting the cross.
The example below links back to Oldham’s principle of playing out from the back. Monthe has licence to step in with the ball in a bid to get Oldham further up the pitch. The two wing-backs are high and wide, stretching the opposition to create space in central areas. Billy Waters (circled) looks for the run in-behind via the half space, which is created by Leake being wide and forcing the full-back across to mark him.
Two midfielders will stay back when Oldham are attacking, with Mellon preferring a 5-back and 5-forward balance. Rossiter and Pett act as a protective layer allowing the wing-backs to occupy attacking positions. Josh Lundstram has licence to free roam into half spaces and pockets to support in wide areas and create crossing opportunities.
Athletic want to progress attacks quickly, preventing the opposition in organising their defensive structure, especially around the box. Because of this, Oldham look to win the ball high up the pitch by pressing in numbers and striking fast, before their opponents can reset.
Goals Scored
On average, Mellon’s side have an xG of 1.52, whilst restricting their opponents to 0.86. Top scorer Mike Fondop is enjoying his best season in front of goal as an Oldham player with 12 goals to his name. The 31-year-old has the highest xG of any player in the division and the most shots per 90 minutes, as well as the most headed shots.
A good example of Oldham’s attacking tendancies is seen in the image below vs Braintree. The Latics have worked the ball wide for LWB Mark Kitching to cross. Already, Oldham have four players awaiting the delivery in the penalty area, all occupying different zones within. This also supports the notion of attacking with five and leaving five back for the transition.
35% of Oldham’s goals this season have been headers, many coming from set-pieces such as well-worked corner routines and the havoc-causing long throws of Reagan Ogle.
Out of Possession | 3-4-2-1/4-2-3-1
Press
Oldham will often look to press in their 3–5–2 formation. Their aim is to suffocate the opposition and regain the ball high up the pitch. This requires an aggressive and intense press in numbers. Upon winning the ball, Oldham look to strike fast, catching the opposition off guard and preventing them from organising.
The example below sees Oldham step high onto York’s play-out. With defensive midfielder Tom Pett pushing up onto York’s DM, in-line with attacking midfielder Josh Lundstram.
Strikers Reid and Norwood lead the central press from the front with wing-backs Kitching and Caprice starting narrow so that they can close central spaces, but also be set to press wide if the ball is moved there.
Behind the image above, captain Rossiter marks York’s out-ball in the gap between Oldham’s defence and midfield. Monthe steps in alongside Rossiter, further reinforcing Athletics' goal of winning the ball high up the pitch. The last line of defence is made up of Ogle and Raglan who are deep and alert to the long ball in-behind.
Alternatively, in the match with Gateshead pictured below, Oldham pressed the play-out with a 4–2–3–1 formation. Fondop being a lone pressing forward, with Waters and Leake stepping onto Gateshead’s wide central defenders. Oldham’s midfielders pick up man-for-man with Gateshead’s three central midfielders. Monthe shifts across to left-back to mark Gateshead's RWB Josh Williams, while Caprice marks LWB Luke Hannant. The two central defenders mark the two Heed strikers. A brave approach ultimately to prevent Gateshead playing out from the back with short passes, and instead, forcing them long.
Defending the Opposition Attacking Half
Particularly against sides that play a single striker, Oldham will allow for one of the three central defenders to step in and press/mark an advanced opposition player. In this case v York City presented below, Monthe steps up to engage attacking midfielder Tyrese Sinclair.
Aside from one of the back three stepping in where necessary, Oldham will look to keep their 3–5–2/5–3–2 shape when without the ball in the opposition attacking half, as the image below v Braintree Town shows. The back three play an important role in providing aerial solidity in guarding the penalty area, as well as closing gaps in the half spaces for opposition runs in behind. The wide centre-backs will also support the wing-backs defending against wide overloads.
Conclusion
Mickey Mellon has instilled robust and durable principles both with and without the ball which have been critical to Oldham’s current league position. Oldham play to the strengths of their individual players, optimising the height and physicality of the group by demonstrating a direct style of play — targeting crosses and set-pieces to scoring goals.
There is an impressive simplicity about Oldham Athletics' approach to football matches. They are not afraid to make contests ugly with their aggression and intensity, but also show ruthlessness and quality in transitioning the ball and creating chances.
With their multi-dimensional 3-back system achieving results, EFL football will be back at Boundary Park in no time.
Written by Jack Blythe
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