I can see SB going with his 3 - 5 - 2 which can quickly be changed into 3 - 4 - 3 as well. I suspect that SB will use a number of formations over the season and we have the squad to play all of them. I actually prefer 3 - 5 - 2 like Bruce but also Roberto Martinez used 3 - 4 - 3 @ Wigan to great effect until injuries robbed him. I can see Chester Davies and Figueroa BEING the first choice back 3 next season. But cannot wait for the Faye - Carroll battle. 2 big heavyweights in old style battles. Love it.
I'm worried that this will happen as well. Can't see us being successful at something even Man City can't do effectively but I can imagine us trying it for too long and being too far behind by the time we change. Really hoping for a 4-2-3-1.
3 at the back is quite alien to a lot of players, not many teams use it and most positions, specially at the back, are very different to play to the standard back 4 formations. Guess it takes players time to learn their roles which is something top teams don't have patience for when they need results to stay at the top and not go down to sloppy mistakes. We have an advantage that all our players at the minute have played it for the best part of a year, Figueroa included at Wigan. But I agree we will probably play 4 at the back far more often and hope the management take back 4 formations into account with our recruitment/departures fir when/if we need to switch.
So if we play 3-5-2 every game, and in every game we get picked apart by teams exploiting the space behind the wing backs and end up relegated, it won't be because of the formation, but because we couldn't score 4 goals every game to win 4-3?
That won't happen. If it was a real danger we wouldn't be doing it. If there are gaps, SB will ask the players to cover them, just like any other team/manager would. If they fail to do that then that'll be the reason we concede goals. Not because of the number 3.
If we are talking contracts I am more concerned about Aluko going into the final year of his with no talk of an extension.
That depends on the back 3. I said at Easter that if we went up we would have to change the formation or buy some seriously talented centre backs because Prem side would SERIOUSLY exploit the space behind the wing backs. Well, we've changed the personnel, but I doubt they will still be good enough. I still like 4231, but you need a top class lone striker and they're like chickens teeth!! So, yes, I think you're right.
Would like to see Faye as the DMC,but only if we play a flat back four. Brady is an interesting thought. He is not a left back (IMO), but did well in the NPC at LWB. He was very good playing up front in the final game. Think he might be best playing off the striker. This would mean a 4231 formation GK Figueroa Chester DC (Davies? or other new signing) Elmo if he signs - Faye Quinn - Boyd Aluko Brady (with Koren swapping intermittently with either of the three) - New Striker Would take a huge effort for the two DMCs with one of the AMCs dropping out for Meyler in away games. Offers an option for those games that we have a chance of winning
Elmo as a right back ahead of Rosenior........WOW!!! Quinn as defensive midfielder??? Faye as a midfielder??? In all honesty we don't have the personnel to play 4231 yet, and I'm not sure we will have by the time the window closes, mainly in the 2 defensive midfield positions, but also in a QUALITY lone striker.
Don't like the look of the midfield with 4 out of 5 being left footed including all of the forward 3. Would make us very easy to shut out by forcing us down one side of the pitch. I like to have balance.
