How about a 4-3-3? Not saying we should go for it, but it's a possibility.
Crofts/Fox-Howson-Johnson
Bennett/Morison/Holt-Pilkington
As others have said, it's all about having quality options, which this certainly adds.
Admittedly I haven't seen much of him, but could he play on the right side of the diamond, as a similar player to Surman on the left? Crofts isn't being picked that much this year and I'm not convinced about Pilkington playing in this position, which he has done on several occasions. For me, he doesn't have the defensive nature of somebody like Crofts but because of the role he is being asked to play, he doesn't create as much going forwards and doesn't go into wide areas, as he did so effectively at the start of the season. I still think he has been great this year, don't get me wrong, but just wonder if Lambert thinks Howson would be a better choice for this position? Which would also free up Pilkington to play on the wing / just behind the forwards where he was so good earlier in the season.
It would also give us the option of playing a flat 4 in midfield, but with an attacking midfielder to compliment Johnson or Fox. And if Lambert was to return to playing 4-5-1 it would also give us another option in the centre.
As a small side note, how do people think Johnson and Fox play together? For me they have both had brilliant seasons, but when they are together in the middle they seem to take a little bit away from each others game. As we all know, Fox is very good at a short passing game, keeping forward momentum flowing and finding some great attacking balls. When Johnson plays, he just takes a couple more touches on the ball, and although his passing and forward movement is good, it just seems that Fox isn't quite as effective as the play gets slowed down a little. And on the other hand, when Johnson is playing by himself in the middle (at the base of diamond) he clears up everything, but when Fox is there too, the opposition just seem to get through to the defence more often. It's not that he becomes lazy or complacent, but he doesn't put in as many tackles as he is staying to his side and doesn't want to get caught out of position. When he is by himself, nothing else matters then getting the ball back, which more times then not he does!
I just wonder if Howson has been brought in as Lambert feels he would better compliment either of these two when we play with two central midfielders?
Isn't brilliant that we are having discussions about the best way to fit 18/19 players into the starting 11 rather then moaning about players who aren't good enough???

