It might not have worked at times but we were a bottom half team in that league no matter what formation was played, end analysis is we went down because too many players went missing in matches like the Burnley games
Playing 3-5-2 at home against Burnley, in a game we absolutely needed to win, was utterly ridiculous and was entirely a management ****-up.
It suited our players perfectly in the first PL season. We had no wingers or attacking midfielders but a great front two and a strong defence and midfield. Plus Elmo of course. Then we lost Long and only had one good striker which immediately makes 352 difficult. Shoving any old winger up front didn't work. We had loads of wingers and playmakers on the bench, out on loan or out of position. A 4231 would have suited the squad a lot more last year.
It didn't work at all. I'm sorry if I sound obsessed, but its a formation that teams have worked out how to undo, and it's a formation that we are synonymous with. That's not a good combination. How many times did we resort to lumping crosses into the box, only for the defenders to clear it away? Another 46 games of that and I'm out. We need a formation that allows us to play with out and out wingers, like 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
I'd play 4-2-3-1 with Ince right side, Aluko left and then Snodgrass in the middle where he's played for Scotland. If any of them get injured you could move Diame further forward and shuffle it around. Can't imagine us playing a back 4 regularly though seeing as we just tossed away one of the best and most consistent RBs in the division. I hope Bruce has a plan but I can't see him playing anything other than the diabolical hoof ball of last year.
There I'd say you have 5 of the top 15 or so attacking players in the league that all suit the formation perfectly. Add into that having Elmo at RB and Robertson at LB and it wouldn't matter how many you conceded, you'd go to outscore the opposition rather than pray that they didn't like we did last year.
I'd like him to start with diame in the middle of the 3 with snodgrass to the left and ince on the right. 2 new centre midfielders behind them
3-4-3...with 2 holding midfielders Bruce is never going to give up 3 at the back! First game line up Chester Dawson Maguire Elmo Snods Huddle Robo Ince New Striker Brady
I'd agree but I can see Sone doing a job up front instead of Brady We're best not to speculate as we don't know who will be left after the window has closed.
I'd like to see the Brady/Robo partnership on the left again...the crosses would be raining in non stop in the Championship
Unlikely Snodgrass will be fit.. he had some positive news didn't he?, was away so missed the details..
I often wonder if anyone on this forum has ever actually seen Snodgrass play? Why not use Aluko and Ince as holding midfielders, wing backs or what other crazy suggestions people have come up with about where to play Snodgers.
You've have to remember that when Snodgrass does return, he's not to going to be the instant hit some people think, it was a carrier threatening injury, remember when Brady came back from long term injury SB saying physically he was fit ,he just had to get his head right, can see that being the case with Snodgrass won't expect him to be back to his best for a while.
They can be a bit of a mare. Only yesterday I picked up a few things from the corner shop and the handle snapped. Tins of Diamond White and cat food spilled into the road. It was very embarrassing.
