Tactical Switch?

With Donaldson’s injury came a lot of thought provoking ideas in terms of how the team should set up. With no recognised striker, the formation has to be adapted, but how?

As we all may recall, Spain in one of the major European tournaments elected to play without a striker. It worked well for them but no matter how big a fan of Davis and Gleeson you are, they’re not Xavi and Iniesta. Therefore, I ruled out this option.

In terms of 433, I don’t like that either. With a 433, it often leaves gaps behind the front three which puts more pressure on the full backs. As I have documented in a previous article, our full backs are not having a great patch of form and therefore allowing the opposition to penetrate the sides would lead to devastating results.

Also, if we did opt for a 433, it would mean that Gray would play probably as the central player, if I was choosing the team anyway. That leaves two other attackers. With Cotterill as well as Clayton injured, that leaves Brown, Brock and Maghoma. Brown is obviously unproven and lacking game time. I personally may start him if this system was too be played but we couldn’t count on him every week. Maghoma is more powerful than pacey and therefore again, I wouldn’t choose him. That leaves Brock and he has yet to make any sort of positive impression on me, although I am willing to see.

So to sum up, if you haven’t already guessed, 433 is out. I wouldn’t play a 451 either because this leaves the 1 isolated and considering we have nobody really who is familiar in holding the ball up in order to bring players in, then this formation can easily be discounted. Many fans wanted this as we only really have one striking option but for me it just puts more pressure on the defence as we cannot retain the ball higher up the pitch.

I personally would go for a 4213 formation. Yes, it does look like I’ve just plucked numbers out of thin air, but I can assure you, I have not. This formation has a very strong defensive shape with the typical back four being allowed to gel together. The two up front could patrol and help the out of form full backs. Again, this is also needed. And then we have 4 attacking players. Gray being the central striker with Toral just behind. Leaving Brown and Maghoma to play in the wide roles. It doesn’t work perfectly and I know that it is a football manager CD rom style approach. But maybe we need to mix things up and keep the opposition guessing. We need results and we cannot keep doing things as we are waiting for Cotts and Clayton.