What formation would you play next season?

[Forever Norwich 0]

Lets say we kept basically the same squad with 1 or 2 new faces would you try & risk the diamond or keep basic 4-4-2 or maybe a 4-5-1 ?

[Harry 0]

If we want to play Hoolahan to his best potential we have to stick with the diamond.

[I am a Banana 0]

stay with the diamond its worked this year and without hoolahan we would have to go 4-4-2

[Lambert is King 0]

[quote user="NCFC-47"]Lets say we kept basically the same squad with 1 or 2 new faces would you try & risk the diamond or keep basic 4-4-2 or maybe a 4-5-1 ?
[/quote]

Why is the diamond a risk? 442 is an outdated system in football only played by average teams who have nothing but 11 players prepared to run and run for 90 minutes and confined to English football. If we are going to play a 442 I would be amazed if Hoolahan is here at the start of the season

[ZLF 334]

The one thats suits the squad of players we have come the start of the season 

[Gingerpele 0]

It depends on if we sign Messi and Rooney really doesn''t it [:P]

[Syteanric 1]

[quote user="Gingerpele"]It depends on if we sign Messi and Rooney really doesn''t it [:P]
[/quote]

i cant see either of them getting in the team ahead of Holt... perhaps we can use reserve games to see what their best position is over the next season.

[Canary_on_the Trent 0]

Whatever system suits the players we have in the squad best, our most influential player is Wes Hoolahan and to get the best from him he needs to have a role where he has freedom and more opportunity to influence a game, that role is in the diamond so unless we sign a few wide players capable of consistently winning games for us then the diamond is here to stay. I''d also like to point out the diamond with Hoolahan suits players like Smith, Russell & Lappin, 3 players who work themselves into the ground and then ahead of them a player in Hoolahan who because of the work of the 3 behind can go out and play with the freedom he requires.

[CDMullins 498]

If were are going to persist with the diamond, we will need 2 more midfielders to play with Korey and behind Wes

[Lambert is King 0]

[quote user="CDMullins"]If were are going to persist with the diamond, we will need 2 more midfielders to play with Korey and behind Wes[/quote]

Why is Russell leaving?

[Lambo 0]

Did Russell ever play his current midfield holding role in the Championship??

If not then he needs to be in the side next season, IMO he''s been just as vital as any of the other players currently grabbing headlines for us.

[Shaun Tilly Lace 0]

The oak tree

[ron obvious 1,709]

[quote user="Lambo"]Did Russell ever play his current midfield holding role in the Championship??

If not then he needs to be in the side next season, IMO he''s been just as vital as any of the other players currently grabbing headlines for us.[/quote]Good point. Russell hasn''t looked nearly as good in a 4-4-2 this year as he has at the base of the diamond, & last year he (nearly) always played in a 4-4-2.  The diamond also suits Lappin & Corey is pretty versatile anywhere in MF.That''s one of the main differences between lower league & Prem. players; as well as sheer ability, they are more adaptable in different formations. With the players we''ve got, the diamond seems to suit them most, so it has to be our preferred formation (at the moment).

[Beauseant 0]

[quote user="ron obvious"][quote user="Lambo"]Did Russell ever play his current midfield holding role in the Championship?? If not then he needs to be in the side next season, IMO he''s been just as vital as any of the other players currently grabbing headlines for us.[/quote]

Good point. Russell hasn''t looked nearly as good in a 4-4-2 this year as he has at the base of the diamond, & last year he (nearly) always played in a 4-4-2.  The diamond also suits Lappin & Corey is pretty versatile anywhere in MF.

That''s one of the main differences between lower league & Prem. players; as well as sheer ability, they are more adaptable in different formations. With the players we''ve got, the diamond seems to suit them most, so it has to be our preferred formation (at the moment).


[/quote]

 

I think the reason for that is that Rusty is really good at winning tackles and breaking up play, but lacks vision and has a limited passing range. In an   ideal world he screens the back four, gets the ball and gives it to someone who can either pick a pass (Wes or Hughes) or someone who can carry it forward at pace (Korey). Over the last few games we''ve seen him spraying at about with decidedly mixed results.

As to the original question I agree that''s it''s a pretty academic point until we know what next year''s squad looks like. At this point last year would any of us have predicted the diamond as the vehicle for getting out of this league?

[The Butler 0]

I would go 5-5-2 and hope the ref doesn''t notice!

It''s a cunning plan and we might just get away with it.

[G 0]

I think if our players are good enough for the championship the diamond will be more so effective with the teams being more footballing teams. I think Rusty played upfront quite alot the last few seasons, i can''t remember him playing CDM the last few seasons either. Stick with it, so long as we have enough depth to change to 442 if it doesn''t work