Tactical Change

[Bert]

Linkage

As England consider a change of system for Wednesday's game in Croatia, it is perhaps pertinent to ask - should Leicester City do the same?

There was considerable speculation before the dismal 0-0 draw against Macedonia on Saturday that Steve McClaren was set to switch from the rigid 4-4-2 England have preferred for the last few years to a more flexible and fluid 3-5-2 formation.

It did not happen at Old Trafford, but it well might in Zagreb as England look to get back on track in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Those who favour a 3-5-2 system - and you can count me among them - will argue that it not only provides defensive solidarity but, if used properly, also offers more attacking options.

The use of wing-backs gives the side natural width, while having three players in central midfield should allow at least one, if not two of them, to break forward and link up with the two strikers.

Martin O'Neill employed the system with great success during his time at City. He did so because he had the players to make it work with the likes of Matt Elliott, Steve Walsh, Spencer Prior and Gerry Taggart at the heart of the defence plus a central midfield of Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet and Robbie Savage.

And he converted Steve Guppy from winger to wing-back.

The argument against the system is that the opposition can utilise the space either side of the three central defenders if they lack mobility or if the wing-backs are not up to the job.

That is why most managers and players are more comfortable with 4-4-2, because it gives the protection of two banks of four right across the pitch.

It has certainly worked for City this season from a defensive point of view.

They have conceded only nine goals in 10 Championship games and have become difficult to beat.

The downside is the goals have dried up with only six scored -- half of them in one match against Ipswich.

That is why the Foxes are stuck in the bottom six rather than in the top half of the table. You have to score goals to win games - and City have failed to find the net in six of the 10 matches.

Manager Robert Kelly says his young side now need to take the "next step'' if they are to start climbing the table, and a lot of work will be done on the training ground during this two-week break to try to find that cutting edge.

With no money to spend - unless Milan Mandaric appears in the next few weeks - Kelly will have to work with what he has and hope he can come up with a solution to the goal drought.

He will be reluctant to tinker or experiment too much, but may well feel a tweak here or there might be enough to turn things round.

But, if it does not, I would like to see him try out a 3-5-2 formation - and I believe he has the players to do it.

There are some good central defenders on the books and the likes of Alan Maybury, Darren Kenton, Richard Stearman, Danny Tiatto, Levi Porter and possibly Alan Sheehan all look capable of playing in the wing-back roles.

And that would leave plenty of competition and options for the three central midfield places and the two up front.

[Wils]

Why not.

Werth a try,as alot of people have said before 3-5-2 would probably suit us better.

[escape2victory]

Yep should be done. Not good enough to match teams with a 4-4-2. With an extra man in the middle it should help them to boss a game and give them the freedom to link up with the strikers and give them some much needed support and service

[Thracian]

So excite me. Who's the middle three going to be?.

[Fez of Mahrez]

So excite me. Who's the middle three going to be?.

Wesolowski (defensive), Hume (attacking) and King (being tall).

[davieG]

Wesolowski (defensive), Hume (attacking) and King (being tall).

?????? (beating all)

[escape2victory]

So excite me. Who's the middle three going to be?.

Well with what we have probably Johnson holding and Wesolowski and Williams either side. I generally think its a good idea to play people whose bollocks have dropped

[newms]

after the players Kelly signed in the summer I thought it pointed to a change to a 3-5-2 formation. he didnt do it and cant see why he'd change now. The only way we'll change formation is with a new man at the helm.

[Thracian]

Well with what we have probably Johnson holding and Wesolowski and Williams either side. I generally think its a good idea to play people whose bollocks have dropped

And I'd be happy if I never saw another player over 30 in a Leicester shirt unless he was categorically better than anyone else we have.