Premiership to clamp down on 4-5-1

The Premiership may clamp down on the spread of the 4-5-1 formation by giving teams that win away four points. Charlton would have got only an extra four points under such a system last season, while seven visitors would have got an extra point having taken advantage of defensive weaknesses at The Valley.

Several club chairmen and chief executives believe that the tendency for teams to opt for safety-first foorball, deploying only one forward in a cautious attempt to avoid defeat, was producing too much dull play, leaving fans frustrated.

The 4-5-1 formation has been one target of Valley moaners this season. But as one chairman told The Observer 'This trend towards 4-5-1 is understandable - the financial consequences of not surviving in the Premiership are serious - but it cannot be good for the Premier League in the long run.'

It is arguable that the Premiership is addressing the symptom rather than the cause, the underlying problem being the financial gap between the top clubs and the rest. It is this which produces an uncompetitive league. While attendances in the unpredictable Championship have gone up, Premiership attendances and average viewing figures have fallen.