Seems we are set up 3-5-2 vs St. Mirren today. Personally I have always liked this formation providing you have the quality in the full backs which in Wiggins and Solly we have in abundance. You also need at least one very mobile centre back which we have recently struggled with. Is Wood that player ?
0
Comments
However, with Hughes ability to track and cover, we have an ideal player to plug that space.
A Plan B (or Plan C), in fact.
And maybe Chris Powell is trying it out to see if he has the right combination of players to give him another string to his bow?
But still, it could work for us. You should choose a formation that best fits your team - not the other way around.
I think if you get the right balance and do have the right type of players to work to the formation's strengths, the weaknesses of the formation are normally over ruled and it can be a very effective formation. Also allows a good passing game too.
If Wood signs, he can also cover the left side/left back area if Wiggins and Solly was to push forward and Hughes can cover the right hand side, almost going into a 4 at the back if we were to face a counter attack. This is where I agree with Oggy, it could work quite well.
Having seen Harriott play numerous times, he can play either side and behind the main striker, so I'm sure Powell would be able to find a way of fitting him in if we were to use this formation.
But we've only used it for one 45 minutes so best not get ahead of ourselves I suppose.
Don't get me wrong I'm very much open to new formations/strategys as I feel 4-4-2 can become very flat at times. I've always like the 4-2-3-1 witg two holding midfielders with the other 3 pushing forward getting crosses in and getting into the box.
I don't think powell will use the 3-5-2. He'll have the 'second season syndrome' in the back of his head and want us to get as many points on the board as quickly as possible.
The first line of the defence starts with the strikers as they always have to be on their toes closing down the opposition in their half of the pitch. If they fail then the five in midfield will use their numbers and intensity to win the ball back, if under pressure the RWB and the LWB back drop back to form 5 defenders at the back.
Out of the 3 at the back the LCB and RCB can be your standard meat and drink defenders but the Middle CB needs to be composed on the ball and be able to read the game well to intercept any loose balls. It effectively can work as an extra defender at the back as even if the LCB and RCB get beaten the Middle CB should be able to recover.
Going forward it is a very attacking formation as it's usually played with 2 box-to-box midfielders with an anchoring midfielder to dictate play and then with the Wing Backs pushing forward as well.
With regards to Charlton Solly and Wiggins would be great for RWB and LWB, I'd expect Dervite to play the Middle CB role, the only question would be do we have a good enough holding midfielder to support Jackson and Pritchard the 2 midfielders I think would thrive from playing this formation. Also this doesn't leave any room at all for Green and Harriott as they would have to track back and defend.