Formation we should be playing

[Fez of Mahrez]

I think it's clear to see that Levein favours a 4-4-2 and fair enough, at times when we've played 3-5-2 this season we've looked utterly dreadful. 4-4-2 gives a solid shape, it suits Maybury and Gillespie at least, if not the left side where we have absolutely no-one (Tiatto unimpressive, Stewart headless chicken, err... Wilcox?!).

It cries out for a 4-4-2 with either Tiatto or Stewart at left-back and Hughes on the left side of midfield, meaning we can push into more of a 3-5-2 when we go forward, i.e. Maybury, being primarily a defensive player even for a full-back, moving across to provide man-marking coverage, the left-back going forward to support the attack and Hughes moving inside to become more influential.

Having said that, it's clear that none of this will have the blindest bit of difference on the team if Levein insists on playing Nalis or de Vries at all.

I'm having money trouble at the moment so I can't get to many games but from what I've read on here and on other messageboards, as well as listening to what the more informed commentators on RL have to say, this seems like a positive solution.

Any opinions?

[dynamite foxes]

I like 4-4-2 and I think he will bring in a left sided player as I rate Stewart and in a passing team I think he will do well. Never really been a fan of 3-5-2 leaves the centre backs exposed and with the pace of our centre backs (barring McCarthy and Stearman) it would not work.

[jase67]

I dont believe we have a holding midfield player to allow both Williams and Hughes to play through the middle and I dont think we have three solid enough centre backs for the formation. However Maybury and Tiatto could play as wing backs.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I like 4-4-2 and I think he will bring in a left sided player as I rate Stewart and in a passing team I think he will do well. Never really been a fan of 3-5-2 leaves the centre backs exposed and with the pace of our centre backs (barring McCarthy and Stearman) it would not work.

88371[/snapback]

On the contrary I think the main reason O'Neill used 3-5-2 was due to the lack of pace at the back. One more heaving great central defender back there and they all cover for each other. Elliott used to play as a sweeper more often that not. The key to that team though was that we had three all-action central midfielders, which we haven't got at the moment. If they all had Gudjonsson's energy, Williams' creativity and Hughes' class like Izzet, Lennon and Savage all had then we'd be in the Premiership, no problem.

It's difficult. At the moment I'm just basking in the thought that we've got about four or five really really good young players who are on decent contracts and will only improve judging by recent performances. This lot are the future of the club and if successive managers can hold onto them and surround them with more experienced colleagues, we can get back where we were with the bunch of cloggers O'Neill put together.

UTC

[Scow]

I like 4-4-2 and I think he will bring in a left sided player as I rate Stewart and in a passing team I think he will do well. Never really been a fan of 3-5-2 leaves the centre backs exposed and with the pace of our centre backs (barring McCarthy and Stearman) it would not work.

88371[/snapback]

On the contrary I think the main reason O'Neill used 3-5-2 was due to the lack of pace at the back. One more heaving great central defender back there and they all cover for each other. Elliott used to play as a sweeper more often that not. The key to that team though was that we had three all-action central midfielders, which we haven't got at the moment. If they all had Gudjonsson's energy, Williams' creativity and Hughes' class like Izzet, Lennon and Savage all had then we'd be in the Premiership, no problem.

It's difficult. At the moment I'm just basking in the thought that we've got about four or five really really good young players who are on decent contracts and will only improve judging by recent performances. This lot are the future of the club and if successive managers can hold onto them and surround them with more experienced colleagues, we can get back where we were with the bunch of cloggers O'Neill put together.

UTC

88377[/snapback]

Spot on.

The 3 centrebacks ensure that they have less ground to cover, with the 3 man midfield ensuring added cover. However, it can lead you to being exposed down the flanks. If you're playing 3-5-2 and the opposition is playing 4-4-2, their respective full backs and wingers can force back the wingbacks and limit their attacking options.

The wingbacks are crucial to the system because their expected to cover most of the ground. I think Maybury and Stewart are ideal wingbacks, however the latter needs to work on his delivery and composure on the ball.