Obviously, the formation would allow for some flex, but I think we'd be too narrow like that. It could have the effect of both nulifying the attacking threat and exposing the full backs at the same time. I'd prefer to see 5 accross the middle, with one of the central three sitting deep, and one linking behind the striker. That way we should gain defensive stability, retain width, and have an attacking threat both centrally and through the middle.
you could do either, depending on personnel. if we get one holding player then we could play more narrow with fox alongside the holding player for extra security or do as you say and play with just the one deep midfielder. we've done that with fox before but as i say, he just doesn't offer the kind of defensive protection we require. we've also got options going forward where we could play three more central midfielders (surman/howson/hoolahan) or with width (bennett/snodgrass/pilks)
I agree with you about Fox playing alone in that deep role. With the squad as it is at the moment, defensive midfield has a bit of 'square peg' about it. But I'm not sure about having two sitting deep. If there's just one 'holding', there's a more natural relationship between the deep midfielder and the center backs.
I totally forgot abotu Howson - not a bad player to forget about! I totally agree about Johnson but I was just thinking about the players we currently have. Hopefully, there will be new personnel in the DM position. I really like Bennett and I think he was the only player who did alright when he came on. He ran at the opposition and put them on the backfoot which I cant remember anyone else doing all game. He would be a potential suitor to a wing back or attacking full back role as you have pointed out.
so much so that we don't even both playing one most of the time! the only time we do is when we use the diamond formation, but that formation is too open in the top flight - we can't outscore everyone!! i think johnson is the fall guy here - he battles hard and gets about the pitch but i think we've got to a stage now where that isn't enough. we need players who are specialists in their position rather than players 'capable of doing a job'
I totally agree with you. At the Fulham game I oculdnt fault his workrate and his willingness to get stuck in but how many freekicks did he give away bundleing the opposition over? Someone in that position needs to be winning the ball back and gaining us possession not just fowling the oppoisiton. I know he runs hard for the shirt but I often wonder if that means he's out of position at times. Someone who is positioned better may not need to be flying around all over the place.
