Yep, I certainly think we're looking at 4-3-3 Grabban and Wilson seem like quick strikers used to playing wide, Pilks has been a striker earlier in his career so suits that, and Redmond has looked better picking up the ball further up the pitch. RvW would perhaps suit this style better than Hooper, as he's faster and works the channels better, hopefully giving fluid interchanges up front. I expect the midfield bank of 3 to be fairly defensively minded, creating a platform for the attacking trio. Keeping Fer would be a real bonus as I don't think we're going to sign a creative player for those positions, but he has the ability to create centrally. If Wilson signs, we'd them pretty much have two players per position in that attacking trio, if only Becchio departs.
That's one of the main area's needs strengthening for me, we need to get a player in with some vision and brains an upgraded version of David Fox.
I'd really like to see 4-3-3. I think with Tettey holding and Fer and Howson playing infront they can be really strong. They showed it can work in the Prem against Stoke but injuries ruined that. If we can keep those guys fit (And not sell any of course) then I think we can be very strong in this league. Especially with Pace and quality upfront in Grabban, Possibly Wilson, RvW, Hooper (If they stay). We've even got a bastard in the shape of Lafferty which was an edge we missed after Holt left. I quite like the mention of Bennett being converted to RB/RWB (Not sure if it was on this thread or somewhere else) Martin can play at CB and Whittaker would probably prefer that role aswell. Personally 4-3-3 is a formation I really like. If you have good pace up front and quality in at least 1 of your midfield 3 to pick them out then you can really hurt teams. We might struggle if teams park the bus against us though, but I think that'll all ways be the case if your the relegated team. Though hopefully the Championship will at least bring some more excitement!
That would obviously throw a spanner in the works but if we get in a good replacement, unlikely we can get someone of his quality, but someone who can be creative then I think we'd be fine. Howson can do the box to box work and I think Tettey can be a really strong DM at this level.
4-3-3 is overrated in my opinion. People think ooooohh 3 strikers but if your playing against a 5 man midfield it's hard to get the ball once you loose it. West brom play a 4-3-3 quite often. I like a 4-5-1 with pace in the wing back position for overlapping play. Gives you loads of flexibility and can turn into a 4-3-3 at times when on the front foot.
I also like the combination of Tettey, Howson and Fer in midfield and I think they would be even more effective in a 4-3-3. Johnson can also play the holding role, and Hoolahan the creative role (if he stays). If any midfielder goes, then we will need another to replace him, preferably an ACM (which I also think we need anyway). We need another CB and a RB if Bennett isn't moving back (I was the one who suggested that). Then it's a case of replacing any more who leave.
You're right Kemp, in that a 4-3-3 becomes a 4-5-1 once you lose the ball, just as a 4-5-1 becomes a 4-3-3 when you have it and are moving forward (which you call it is a matter of emphasis when you have the right players). If your wide players are also strikers, however, then the opposition has real problems.
I think even if Leroy stays we need another option in there, if not 2. We can't rely on Wes, especially after the "issues" from last season and Johnson is a good DM but he needs someone a long side him in the midfield, I think the lone holding role wouldn't suit him. Though it might be a different story at this level.
Interesting independent view of Wilson's abilities: http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/29/is-co...sh-player-outside-the-premier-league-4776174/ The link has been removed, but can be found on the Pink'un board's thread about Wilson
Goal compilation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY4qKz2meO0 If the link has been removed, it can be found on the Pink'un board's thread about Wilson
Totally agree with this we need more creative midfielders, Fer, Howson and Tettey are all box to box players they'll probably fare better against Championship opposition but still devoid of ideas at times, Johnson defensive but struggles to pass it to a yellow shirt he will pull out the odd game where his a beast, Wes is past his sell by date and doesn't want to be here, with Fox gone and Wes most likely on his way out we need to get in at least two more central midfielders who make things happen.
Liverpool play 4-3-3... With a you score one, we'll score 2 mentality. Maybe that's the route Adams is taking. Also, 4-3-3 was the formation he used to win the yoof cup. Murphy's either side of Morris.
I think we played our best football at the beginning of last season when we had these three fully fit. Once Tettey got injured, we had no direct replacement, so Fer was playing a deeper role and became less effective, which IMO contributed to Fer apparently losing interest and being a shadow of the player he was in the early games.
One advantage of a 4-3-3 is that you have 3 strikers to get the ball to instead of just one, but a lot depends on the relationship they develop with each other and their suppliers. Pace isn't just about counter-attacking, it also means getting to loose balls first, beating defenders and the GK. On the Wilson YouTube goal compilation there's a great example of the opposing GK fumbling the ball slightly and suddenly Wilson appears at a flying pace to take it off him and put it into the net. We suffered from opposing pace last year and had very little ourselves except Redmond and Olsson. This year looks like being very different indeed.
You could be right Supers, as he'd be guaranteed playing time there. How safe are they from the 'second season syndrome' and then there's city's potential for promotion to the PL. Hard one to call.
if the finances are similar i reckon he'll go to the south coast because he'd be their man man after grabban's exit, but we do have the potential to blow most championship clubs out of the water with our financial package and no matter how much a player wants to play regularly, a big wage increase can make the difference. if i wasn't a norwich fan i'd hope he goes to bournemouth as it would show he wants game time ahead of money but i am a norwich fan so...!
