It will be 5-3-2 and no different in terms of tactics but just different personnel. Defence picks itself. Mid will be Matty Hayden and I reckon miggy. With Wilson and Joe up top.
Thing about 5-3-2 is it works in any shape against any team. It's also easy to switch to 4-4-2 or even 4-3-3, just sub out a CB. These are easy things for players to follow. What doesn't work: - Jeff Hendrick. - Matt Ritchie in a full back or wing back role. - Almiron on the right. - Joelinton on the left. - Wilson on his own. - Any midfield combination in a pair, no two are good or creative enough - Emil Krafth. - Lewis as a full back (there was a reason L'pool were interested, and not because he's a defensive stalwart) - Dummett at full back. - "False 10's" - "False 9's" Blessed in goal, CB's who completely understand each other in a trio, particularly when Clark is left and Schar is right. Multiple options at wing back, Manq, Murphy, Lewis, Yedlin. A potentially decent partnership in Wilson/Joelinton. Good bench options with Carroll, or ASM. Good options for a midfield three, whether that's with a dedicated DM (Hayden) or more of a deep lying playmaker (Shelvey) but alongside TWO others. It's an identity, at least. Wing backs higher for crap team, swap Almiron for Hayden against better teams, for example. Dunno, it's always picked itself for me. We've done it just 3 times, but with too many players out of position. If we hadn't picked the likes of Hendrick, Ritchie, etc., we'd have got more than 4 points from those 3 (one was the Fulham draw).
It’s going to be very interesting how he sets up. If he goes defensive and loses he gets slaughtered. If he goes defensive and gets something from the game he is justified. If he bows to pressure and goes to attack minded we might get thumped. He will then say “see”! However if he goes attack minded and we get a result he will have egg on his face and big regrets. It’s interesting that’s for sure.
