Moot point because we don't have a striker who is fit. Being honest I think I'd go how Bruce is now. However whether we play 3 or 4 at the back, I don't see Joelinton playing if people were fit. We've bought a guy who has played wide of a front three his entire career. We have two guys better than him in that role in Saint Maximin and Almiron. How you set up in 3 at the back is important, and I'd like to see Almiron and Saint Maximin given much looser roles which doesn't involve them doubling up wide so much. Try to at least get around Joelinton. We're too easy to mark as it stands. The legs and mobility of Rose/Lazarro should allow that so you still have width.
Simply stated I think Gayle is our best striking option looking at the squad - he is just always injured though. Same with Carroll and this is why Bruce has had to continue putting Joelinton there regardless if it suits him, he wants it or form. I also think our scouting team have convinced everyone who matters this guy can do this role. This is despite him looking massively uncomfortable with his back to goal, him not making or understanding striker type runs, him not showing any kind of striking instinct in the box. Its like we've looked at him and thought "He's a big lad, he'll make a good number 9" instead of actually analysing what in his game he did well. I think the stick Joelinton is taking is largely unfair and is actually down to a dysfunctional club. I'm not saying the fans are wrong to question whether he has 40m ability. I just think judging him based on how we are using him is massively unfair.
The team all round just doesn't function though because we don't have a ball winning midfielder. I said in the summer the single most important signing was a ball winner to get the best from Longstaff. Sean has struggled but regardless he won't pull up trees without a functioning midfield. People bang on and on about the striker and we do need one. However until we get a destructive midfield to do the ball players work, you're pissing in the wind anyway. I mean you can play Hayden but he isn't good enough with the ball, end of story. Shelvey, Longstaff, Bentaleb all just sit deep. Its why if we did sign a ball winner, I think Matty might actually be the best option. He is a better footballer than Sean, and naturally links play better.
There is a complete lack of understanding of how to build a football team. This goes back to your scouting network and the knitting of the whole system together. Given we only buy to make profit and survive, this won't change until the owner leaves.
