3-2-4-1???

[NewClaret]

Could this work? At least for part of the game and definitely if we need a goal say in the last 15?

Parker doesn’t seem to like advancing full backs so that doesn’t really matter and it could get two tens on the pitch, one to support Foster more?

Traff

CJ Esteve Humphreys

Cullen Browhill

Koleosho Hannibal Flemming Anthony/Sarmiento

Foster

Back line has variants with Roberts/Worrall available. One of the CDMs drops in to the back line if needed. Flemming pushes up as more of a two up front in possession.

[Stonehouse]

So if one drops into the back line we’ll then have a midfield of one,scary tactics

[Row Z]

We would be so weak on both flanks defensively. I would like to see us go to a 3 in possession though, we’ve done this so effectively in the past.

[Devils_Advocate]

I like the idea but with a slight tweak I'd go for this

----------------------------Esteve

----------------------------Foster (can run from deep)

Koleosho Hannibal Brownhill Laurent Cullen Anthony Pires

----------------------------Flemming

[TheFamilyCat]

I like the idea but with a slight tweak I'd go for this

----------------------------Esteve

----------------------------Foster (can run from deep)

Koleosho Hannibal Brownhill Laurent Cullen Anthony Pires

----------------------------Flemming

That line up is crying out for Tarks in the holding midfield role.

[BleedingClaret]

For me we need to be more attacking, without unsettling the defence.
We line up 4 2 3 1 at present I'd like to see a 4 1 3 2
With Some long balls to the front 2 with the 3 getting up to support them and attack the 2nd balls
So we put pressure in behind defences turning them round, utilising our pace too.
likely making their midfield drop deeper thus negating any effective press
Our defence can then play their 'Tappy Tappy' on the half way line or into the opposition half and not on the edge of our own box or on the 35 yard line
The midfield 1 - 3 effectively becomes a more compact 4 (We have an attacking 442 then) and they are receiving ball in an area they dare turn into rather than nervously giving it straight back to the back 4 or Trafford.

No TBH I haven't really given it much thought

[fatboy47]

That line up is crying out for Tarks in the holding midfield role.

Or David Edgar.

[Big Vinny K]

My guess is he would still like full backs so that they can defend those big green open spaces on either side of the pitch.
It’s just a hunch based on 99% of teams at all levels of the game playing with full backs for the last 140 years or so.

SP needs to be confident enough in the rest of the team to allow Pires to play and overlap like he did against Luton and the first half against Blackburn and to get Roberts fit and back in the team and doing what he has done for Burnley, Swansea and Wales for pretty much all his career.

For whatever reason there is something holding back SP from releasing his full backs to play in that way at this moment in time. SP has a very long and good career playing at a very high level. He will appreciate that at the moment we are not creating enough chances but he just needs to be given the time to get things in a state he is happy with in all areas of the pitch. Right now we are probably ahead of expectations points and league position wise given the limitations he obviously feels exist with the players he has had available.

It’s not about releasing shackles or handbrakes at this stage.

[Goliath]

Could this work? At least for part of the game and definitely if we need a goal say in the last 15?

Parker doesn’t seem to like advancing full backs so that doesn’t really matter and it could get two tens on the pitch, one to support Foster more?

Traff

CJ Esteve Humphreys

Cullen Browhill

Koleosho Hannibal Flemming Anthony/Sarmiento

Foster

Back line has variants with Roberts/Worrall available. One of the CDMs drops in to the back line if needed. Flemming pushes up as more of a two up front in possession.

I'm sorry but Egan Riley shouldn't really be anywhere near a team with the budget we have.

However, I do think Koleosho's best position would be at wing back under a Conte style.
I doubt his ego would accept it though at this level though

[NewClaret]

My guess is he would still like full backs so that they can defend those big green open spaces on either side of the pitch.
It’s just a hunch based on 99% of teams at all levels of the game playing with full backs for the last 140 years or so.

SP needs to be confident enough in the rest of the team to allow Pires to play and overlap like he did against Luton and the first half against Blackburn and to get Roberts fit and back in the team and doing what he has done for Burnley, Swansea and Wales for pretty much all his career.

For whatever reason there is something holding back SP from releasing his full backs to play in that way at this moment in time. SP has a very long and good career playing at a very high level. He will appreciate that at the moment we are not creating enough chances but he just needs to be given the time to get things in a state he is happy with in all areas of the pitch. Right now we are probably ahead of expectations points and league position wise given the limitations he obviously feels exist with the players he has had available.

It’s not about releasing shackles or handbrakes at this stage.

I think he probably does want full backs but when they’re only used for defending (as they are pretty much at the moment), it does beg the question if we need 4 at the back for the whole match.

As described, if you play that system technically you retain 4 at the back out of possession because one of your CDMs slots in, and with Roberts/CJ comfortable at RB and Humphreys comfortable at LB, I think it’s an option, certainly if chasing the game.

It has the advantage of creating extra men in midfield/up front to dominate more and play higher up.

I agree we’ve missed Roberts and it’s a positive that Parker realised that and made the early substitution on Saturday.

What I unquestionably think though is we need a Plan B. We will get these games every week. Whether it’s low block, them going man to man, trying to disrupt the game. Whatever. More than ever teams will know they can get a result against us if the set up well, so we need something- formation change, a plan to be more direct, etc to disrupt things when patient build up is not working.

[NewClaret]

I'm sorry but Egan Riley shouldn't really be anywhere near a team with the budget we have.

However, I do think Koleosho's best position would be at wing back under a Conte style.
I doubt his ego would accept it though at this level though

I think CJ’s done very well, certainly plays more progressive passes than Esteve, but as noted there are variations of that if other players are fit. Egan Worrall Esteve for example. But I like Esteve furthest back because he’s fastest.

Wouldn’t shock me to see Koleosho play that role if we got back to the Premier League to be honest.

[Goliath]

I think CJ’s done very well, certainly plays more progressive passes than Esteve, but as noted there are variations of that if other players are fit. Egan Worrall Esteve for example. But I like Esteve furthest back because he’s fastest.

Wouldn’t shock me to see Koleosho play that role if we got back to the Premier League to be honest.

Him and Pires as wingbacks would be brilliant at this level. Their defensive weakness could be covered no problem with their pace and an extra centre half.

Something along those lines would be brilliant at this level with the right approach. Beyer coming into midfield would help us balance out the lack of numbers in there.

..........Beyer..Ekdal..Esteve

Koleosho...Brownhill...Cullen...Pires

.........Fleming.....Tresor.
.................Foster