Formation

"Is that really how we are going to do it? A simple 4-4-2? You do realize you are wasting so much potential there..." Haruo looked at the tactical board with a deadpan expression.

Beside that board was Wataru Kuon who seemed to have volunteered to be the tactical guide for the team.

"So you are suggesting changing it up? Then what would you do differently?", asked Kuon now.

Looking at the board he saw Isagi as a pressing forward and Bachira as a target man with a supportive role.

In the middle were left winger Gagamaru and himself as the right winger. In the centre was Raichi as a supportive Box to Box midfielder and Kunigami who had a defensive midfielder role to get the ball back.

In the defense was Kuon on the left and Chigiri on the right.

Both as fullbacks that could decide to either support, defend or attack depending on the situation.

It was a sound strategy and could work outpretty well. But most of the players had different strengths that were wasted.

It also relied on Kunigami going back and defend while the fullbacks would go forward into the midfield to create a numerical advantage there.

The central defenders were Igarashi and Imamura. The goalie was Iemon. That just spelled getting one hit in after another. Igarashi and Imamura were not really the tallest from the group nor physicaly gifted.

"It is alright and all but let's change this up? I have observed you guys for a while now and can probably give you the perfect role and position for now until I see more. You can always object if you dont like it."

Haruo went ahead and changed up the board with the black marker. Erasing names and putting them somewhere else.

"Gagamaru, would you please change with Iemon and go into the goal? Your reflexes and agility are top-notch in the team. And don't worry. I am giving you the freedom to move as you like as a sweeper."

Gin only looked at it and nodded. "Sure, but is that alright? I never played in the goal?"

"It's fine. By the looks, most of you did not play any other position than forward. Let me tell from the little experience I have that as long as you don't play different positions you will never find your main position that you are good in."

"Alright, let's continue. Iemon, I would like you to play defender. Your physical traits are obviously better than buzzcut's."

Igarashi flinched lightly but didn't say anything to the obvious fact.

"Igarashi, change up with Kuon. Kuon, you move to central defense, and Imamura you go to the midfield left-wing....."

"I also would like to change up the forwards but Isagi won the forward position so it will stay like that for now. Bachira I want you to move back to the middle and give you the advanced playmaker role right beside Raichi. Your passing is good and your ball dominance will keep the flow in the last third.

"Kunigami you are going for the deep sixer position. All players in the midfield will act as a backup for attacks and keep back as long as no attacks are launched by the playmaker.

"Kunigami, your powerful long shots are a danger that the enemy can't react fast enough to when you get a quick ball from the front in open space. Use that advantage when Bachira and Raichi open it up for you."

Looking at the table again he the formation changed into a 4-1-4-1. The wing player acted more as midfield players than forwards.

Kuon frowned lightly. "I got a question, who would end up as the forward if you had the option to change that?"

Haruo grinned at him. "Obviously me, who else?" That got the others frowning.

"Just joking. Right now, no one of us has the actual qualities as a false 9 or advanced forward. So don't bother about it."

That obvious statement from him seemed to have agitated some of them. "What did you say!? You want to go at it? The only trash here is you guys. How else are we so freaking low in the rankings..." Raichi was already annoyed and pissed since the announcement that their team was dead last in the rankings.

"You don't really use your head, do you? What makes you believe the words Ego-san is giving us are real? From the 300 people that are gathered here, I am supposed to believe that there are 250 even better people than me or you guys? I doubt it. Otherwise, Japan would be called a wonderkid breeding country." Haruo only sighed and had enough from his pestering and pessimistic outlook.

That even got Raichi to shut up and think about it. It was just too obvious to not accept that reasoning after

"If you don't have confidence in your own ability or the ability from your teammates than stop arguing and making hot air. You can leave Blue Lock at any given time."

"Tsk..." Raichi just clicked his tongue.

Kuon who looked at Haruo placing the marker back and walking to his previous seat near his locker seemed to be in thought.

"You can take it from here, Kuon. I think it is alright to say that you are the one who understood my tactic the most. You and Iemon are our backbone. Let's push this team to dominance, shall we?" Haruo grinned at the sly fox and then started putting on his football shoes.

Kuon's squinting eyes were still kept the same as before even though Haruo could have sworn this time he saw those lavender eyes open up a little and look at him.

"Alright, Team! This is the first game lineup we made with Sugewara's opinion in mind. Since no one had anything to say about it or complained, we will go with it.", sighed Kuon and said his last words.

Somehow Haruo seemed to have a high standing in this group. Even when he is sometimes pretty arrogant, others did think about his said words and actions. In their heads he had the skill to back up his arrogance.

And he was otherwise an okay guy to get along with.

"After this match, we will know better who is good at what position. Don't sweat it and let's keep going forward. Let's believe in Isagi as our forward."

"Alright~" Bachira just agreed while putting on his Team Z uniform.

"Can we even win with our forward ranked as low as Isagi?" Igarashi was just making small jabs at Isagi who was his personal rival.

"Quit whining, Igarashi. We decided it this way because no one but Sugewara wanted to give up being the forward, right? You could have complained when he changed the formation. But you just didn't because you are now at the left-wing.", said Kunigami.

The others also agreed and gave their opinion on the matter and afterwards the team was finally made up.

Forward: Isagi

Midfield: Imamura, Bachira, Raichi, Sugewara

Midfield (Deep Six): Kunigami

Defense: Igarashi, Kuon, Iemon, Chigiri

Goalie: Gagamaru