It surprised me the other day when slade was quoted as saying the attack would be built around Mason. I've never seen him as a player to lead the line and don't see how you build an attack around a 10. I suppose playing him as a false 9 interchanging with Pilks would work though contradicts the big no 9 approach slade seems to favour. Doyle up front with Pilks, Sammy and Mason behind in a 4231 gives us Dicky whats is name and Whitts in front of the back 4. Noon to cover the wide positions and Ralls to cover the 2 sitting mids would be a reasonable set up. Whitts, Ralls and others don't mind having a pop from long range, we need the space to allow them to do it though.
However, I fear it will be more square pegs and round holes in a 442.
False 9 or false hope? Come on Slade, surprise us all.