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At the meet the manager, I asked about playing a different formation, LJ spouted some nonsense that in essence we were playing a 5-5-5 because of how adaptable the players were. I remember at the time thinking it was a cop-out of an answer.

 

Although it seems a no-brainer to me, it doesn't mean I'm demanding LJ play this formation or anything like that BUT would genuinely just love to know if he has considered OR why he has dismissed the idea of a 3-5-2.

 

A Brucie bonus as well from an OWTB point of view, it would solve all the major issues/concerns that the message board has raised thus far:

 

*Our strongest players are our central defenders so get as many on the pitch at the same time as we can

*It gives us natural width without using strikers out there

*It enables us to play two strikers up front

 

Rachubka

Kusunga. Lockwood. Wilson

B.Wilson/Brown. Mills

Dieng/Kelly. Jones/Mellor

DP/Winch/Dayton

JCH. DP/Gros

 

Anybody agree or disagree?

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Disagree with your comment about LJ spouting nonsense, he was just hinting that we are probably playing a very fluid formation so it is nonsense to say we are 352 or 442 etc because it will change depending on the opposition and game.

 

Personally I dont think the formation is the biggest worry, it is the style of play and personnel which will make or break the season.

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LJ said that when he came he would like the team to play 3 different formations. I would like to think going 3 at the back is one of them.

 

However we mustn't try and pick how we are going to play now our strongest 11 may look very different now to what it will likely be on the 1st of September. Their will be more coming and goings between now and then.

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LJ said that when he came he would like the team to play 3 different formations. I would like to think going 3 at the back is one of them.

 

However we mustn't try and pick how we are going to play now our strongest 11 may look very different now to what it will likely be on the 1st of September. Their will be more coming and goings between now and then.

More comings and goings between now and the 1st Sept?

 

I should hope there will be; we're very short in some vital areas.

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Devils advocate mode... As the 4-5-1 seems to be the formation of choice for a lot of teams these days, would 3 CBs leave us a bit overstaffed at the back if they've only got 1 striker to mark?

Exactly what I was going to say. It's a nice shape if you have someone like Tarky who can push into midfield if there's only one to watch at the back.
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Devils advocate mode... As the 4-5-1 seems to be the formation of choice for a lot of teams these days, would 3 CBs leave us a bit overstaffed at the back if they've only got 1 striker to mark?

If there's only 1 striker to mark then we can push even higher up the pitch and play the game in their half. You can James Wilson as last man as I can't see many strikers being able to outpace him in a chase for the ball

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IMO, 3-5-2 just seems to be one of those formations that is only successful on Football Manager.

 

I agree that on paper, a side like this: -

 

Rachubka

Kusunga - Wilson - Llera

Brown - Jones - Dieng - Kelly - Mills

JCH - Philliskirk

looks decent enough, however there's a reason the formation is rarely used. Players just dont seem to like it. If you look at any team, you could make an argument for them employing a 3-5-2, but they choose not to, and it's not because they dont have the personnel to do so, merely 4-4-2 or any adaptation of 4-3-3 is much preferred.

 

Even if we bring Llera in, there's nothing wrong with having 4 solid CB's in the squad. Lockwood-Wilson-Kusunga-Llera would enable to us to field a decent backline pretty much every game (short of an absolute injury crisis).

 

I'd be happier if we could sign a right winger so we can put Dayton on the left wing and pair Philliskirk with JCH. Couple of strong or pacy options off the bench in Turner & Gros will always help.

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If there's only 1 striker to mark then we can push even higher up the pitch and play the game in their half. You can James Wilson as last man as I can't see many strikers being able to outpace him in a chase for the ball

 

So you'd just end up playing centre backs in central midfield. We have enough midfielders for that as gets pointed out a lot!

 

It seems right as a fit for the players we currently have, I'm just not sure it works in reality.

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I agree it's not commonly used but I don't think many teams, especially in our league would have ever found themselves with such a strong book of centre halves, both full backs who love to get forward and a lack of wingers in the squad.

 

In the main, teams in this league seem to have only their main 2 centre halves plus adequate cover, 1 if not both full backs being out and out full backs and they all seem to have a decent winger

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We, as fans, all have our preffered formations and tactics. So too does LJ. And right now, the general thoughts on here appears to be that the 2 differ?

 

LJ appears to be going with the 4-5-1 formation. It can be tarted up as 4-1-3-1-1 ifthat floats your boat, but its not; its a 4-5-1.

 

The arguement right now seems to be we have the players that suit that formation, and only that one. Its the one that was played in the majority of the 10 game season finishing run; and its the only one to be played in pre-season so far.

 

Me? I favour anything that promotes a high pressing / high tempo game plan; with supporting runners joining the attacks, whilst keeping 4 at the back (im not a fan of 3 CBs, 2 wing backs)

I liked Pochettino's Southampton tactics and formation - which didnt really move from the 4-2-3-1 set-up.

I also liked the way both Chile and Algeria set up at the World Cup, again, they flitted between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 depeding on the state of the game.

 

IMO, we have the players here to set up & start the season in a 4-2-3-1; with hopefully some better quality players signed up before the window shuts to drop into the side when they (hopefully) arrive.

 

 

Chubs

 

B Wilson Llera (Kusunga). J Wilson. Mills

 

Kelly. Dieng

 

Winchester. Philliskirk. Jones

 

JCH

 

Room to drop Jones back in place of Dieng if / when we sign an attacking midfielder / winger....and room for JCH to drop out if /when a proven striker is signed.

 

The likes of Lockwood, Brown, Mellor, Morgan-Smith, Gros, Turner, Bove et all provide the rest of the matchday squad and give options from the bench or for as / when injuries strike. Plus them space in the squad for any new arrivals who may arrive.

 

That's what i'd play. That's what i'd look to bring in; with a high pressing game; and a high backline. Take the games to the opposition, especially at home, and start to stamp our mark right from the kickoff with a positive attacking mindset.

Away from home, the 4-2-3-1 easily becomes LJ's favoured straight 4-5-1 formation by dropping back the advanced "3". We can then still play a high pressing game; but look to take some of last seasons 10-game run mentallity into that, and away from home; play a more counter-attacking game.

 

 

I would hope pre-season would be used to trial various systems of play. It hasnt so far, in games anyway.

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