Someone posted here the other day, with a suggestion that a change during the Man Utd game, that would have seen something very close to a 3-5-2 formation, and this has got me thinking. If we have a fully fit squad, have we got the players to play this way? I can think of so many variations for the midfield (of which one or two may work) but it is not easy to find a really good balance, The best I can come up with is... Ruddy Rusty/Bassong/Bennett Snodgrass, Tettey, Howson, Fer, Pilkington (or should Wes feature in here?) Hooper & RVW This of course misses out the two left backs, although Olssen could take the place of Pilks. That then leaves out Redmond, who I guess could be back up for one of the other midfield roles, as EB would be my 2nd choice behind Snodgrass on the right. Discuss....
If you wanted to play with genuine wing backs (probably Whittaker and Olsson), you could try playing Snodgrass in a more central role perhaps. Maybe just behind a main striker or as the most advanced CM. Probably me just trying to put a square peg in a round hole though.
I like it, but I think we'd need at least one player more capable of playing as a wing-back, rather than two out-and-out wingers. E Bennett, Whittaker or Olsson would be included for me. I like the fact we get three central midfielders and two strikers though.
This is the problem, you have omitted Pilkington, perhaps one of our best players. I was a little tentative about Whittaker as a wing back as I am not sure how well he would cope tracking back. Having said that, Snoddy may well track back more but would he be as effective in defensive duties? Like I said, not easy to strike a good balance.
Fair points. I have to say, in a 3-5-2 I would rather have more 'defensive' wide-men, so I'm afraid I would pick Whitts and Olsson over Snoddy and Pilks. Controversial I know. Also, judging by how Russell Martin was playing against Man Utd, he could even be deployed as a wing back. However, that would ruin arguably the most suitable trio for the CB jobs (Seb, Russell, and Benno).
I guess if the remit to those two wide players was to deliver a ball in to the box, and not much else in terms of going forward, it could possibly work, with the more central midfielders making up the numbers in the box as potential targets.
I genuinely think we have the type of players that could pull it off. Would have been nice to have practiced it in pre-season training and friendlies though eh? EDIT: or rather, that I assume we didn't practice it then.
Wigan's 3 man back-line last season wasn't very convincing, but I do think there are possibilities here, especially if City are chasing the game late on and take a gamble. My line-up would be: Ruddy Rusty/Bassong/R.Bennett E.Bennett, Tettey, Howson, Fer, Olsson Hooper & RVW
Don't think we keep possession anywhere near well enough to play like this formation. Wigan played a possession game allowing them to play in this way, but they did get relegated and were poor defensively.
Snoddy is, in my opinion, too slow to play wing back. Pace would seem to be a major requisite for this position. At least in the Premier league. His defensive capabilities are fairly good, but his lack of pace would mean him getting caught out defensively. Benno is faster and a better defender, though his attacking ability is not as good. A composite of the two would be ideal.
My tendency towards the more attacking fell about my formation comes from being a forward player in my time, and just love seeing great, swift attacking play (or just good attacking play). So to a point I have sacrificed the defensive side of the game to a degree
