I've Cracked It - Detachable Wing-backs

[Bangtidy]

Two seasons ago when Johnson was still in charge we played a few games with an off-beat formation: 3 centre-halves and detatchable wing-backs. Orr and McCallister were given permission to bomb forward and attempt to do some damage, whilst the defensive midfielders aided the centre-backs in dealing with the counter.

As I remember this tactic didn't work well for Gary and we were crushed quite often. But since then our team has changed. The appointment of Woolford as a 'make-shift leftback' in the friendly against Charlton made me think that this could be a good position for him, provided we bolster the back-line.

Bristol City XI​

James

Carey . Fontaine . Nyatanga

Ribeiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woolford

Elliott . . . . . Cisse

Adomah . Maynard . Stead​

This can be viewed as a 5-2-3 if we're being super-defensive. But Ribeiro and Woolford are being used as attacking full-backs, which plays to their strengths. Thus it is more of a 3-4-3 or even 3-5-2 with Stead dropping deep to help supply the attack. Defensively We have a 3 man-wall with Elliot and Cisse infront protecting, a tough task for any opposition to punch through.

This formation allows a lot of fluidity, with players swapping all over-the place. We can include Bolasie up front to use formidable speed on the counter, have the full-backs constantly over-lapping and getting forward, and allow the midfield to ebb and flow with attacking or defensive mindsets as per the course of the game.

Bristol City Away XI​

James

Carey . Fontaine . Nyatanga

Ribeiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woolford

Elliott . . . . . Cisse

Adomah . . . . . . . . . . . . Bolasie

Maynard​

This formation could be used more when away from home, soaking up pressure and then hammering back on the break, quickly flipping from a 5/4/1 to 3/4/3.

 

[EnderMB]

I remember posting a few days ago about running a 3-4-3 formation, and in my mind it was very similar to the first formation you posted.

Personally, I think it's a fantastic idea, although I would probably swap Adomah with Elliot to run out to the wings alongside Ribeiro and to put Pitman or Clarkson up front. I really do think that the 5-3-2/3-4-3 formation has promise though, and hopefully we get to test it out in our friendlies.

 

[Bangtidy]

Where is Kilkenny?

Substitute him in directly for Elliot or Cisse, letting one defend whilst he distributes the ball. Otherwise an alternative option is to put Adomah in Ribeiro's place and bolster the midfield with both Elliot and Kilkenny:

James

Carey . Fontaine . Nyatanga

Adomah . . . . . . Cisse . . . . . . . . .Woolford

Elliott . Kilkenny

Maynard . Stead​

 

[tiger-emyrs-wolf]

i wouldnt play woolford i'd prefer bolaise to the formation and ribs can also play cb dont forget so he has that we can use

 

[Fordy62]

There's no way that any Starting XI, home or away, this season should start without Jon Stead if fit. He's first on the team sheet as far as I'm concerned. A cut above the rest.

 

[JamboBCFC]

In theory, very good formation. Woolford not got enough tackling ability to ever be played as a wing back tho, same for Adomah. Would have to be Ribeiro and either Macca or a new LB that can cross. Would have to be two holding midfielders to work as well, otherwise we will ship goals for fun.

something like : -

James
Wilson Fonts Nyatanga
Ribeiro Macca
Skuse Cisse
Adomah Stead Bolasie

So many risks to it tho, would have to be two holding CMs to make up for the lessened defence. Also can only play with one CF as the wing backs would be ineffective without proper wingers infront of them.