Away from home against strong opposition I think it's fine. For all his faults, under AVB we were pretty solid away from home against the stronger teams under that set up, but at home v Norwich those tactics aren't apt IMO. You have to adapt according to opposition, you can't play one way against all teams.
I'd prefer us to play the same basic set-up all the time but with different personnel to suit particuar opponents. I can see the point of starting with a conservative selection so that we are more solid while learning the system.
