Starting lineup/formation

With our preseason games due to start next weekend, how will we realistically line up, what formation, and where do we need further cover?

The problem I’m having is that I don’t know where the players we have signed are best played, and in what system. I don’t think Ardley will go with the 4-2-3-1 but with the personnel we are recruiting it could prove to be the hot ticket.

So, feast your eyeballs on this and then add your own ideas!

GK - Slocombe

RB - Brindley
CB - Rawlo
CB - Lacey
LB - McCrory

Defence picks itself really, though I would like to see another option at LB come in.

Midfield is a bit of a dilemma now with so many new faces coming in. With a 4-2-3-1 it could look like this.

.................Reeves.......Doyle...........

Roberts......Sloth/Rodrigues..........Sam/Enzio

.....................Wootton (obvs)

That leaves a lot of options on the bench but obviously we haven’t seen, or even heard of, some of or signings so far!

Until we've seen the new signings in action it's difficult to judge the pecking order, but given the type of player we've signed, you've got to think we will be moving more in the direction of 4-2-3-1 than 4-4-2.

I've got nothing against 4-4-2 in principle if you've got two absolute workhorses like Neal Bishop and Ricky Ravenhill in the middle, but I would fear for us if we paired Doyle with Rodrigues or Sloth, who don't sound like the types who want to be running and tackling all over the park. You could (just about) get enough industry out of any combination of Doyle, Reeves and O'Brien, but you're still relying on two sets of ageing legs, and where would the new creative midfield guys fit in?

It looks to me like we could play with two defensive midfielders from the three mentioned above, and then have Sloth and Rodrigues competing for the number 10 role, with Wootton and Sam competing for the target man role, but with the option of including Sam out wide too if he shows he can do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TSANHO

With our preseason games due to start next weekend, how will we realistically line up, what formation, and where do we need further cover?

The problem I’m having is that I don’t know where the players we have signed are best played, and in what system. I don’t think Ardley will go with the 4-2-3-1 but with the personnel we are recruiting it could prove to be the hot ticket.

So, feast your eyeballs on this and then add your own ideas!

GK - Slocombe

RB - Brindley
CB - Rawlo
CB - Lacey
LB - McCrory

Defence picks itself really, though I would like to see another option at LB come in.

Midfield is a bit of a dilemma now with so many new faces coming in. With a 4-2-3-1 it could look like this.

.................Reeves.......Doyle...........

Roberts......Sloth/Rodrigues..........Sam/Enzio

.....................Wootton (obvs)

That leaves a lot of options on the bench but obviously we haven’t seen, or even heard of, some of or signings so far!

---

“Perhaps you should apply for the Managers job”

When the fixtures are known, there will be even more congestion than last season, so a squad of 22-24 may be required including utilising the loan market. We have 18 at the moment.
Naming an unchanged team this season could be a rarity.

We have never fared well with one striker alone up top. I really hope we don't go down that route.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Notts_Pie

We have never fared well with one striker alone up top. I really hope we don't go down that route.

---

That's because when we normally play one up top, we play hoof ball. With Wootton and this new chap, having Roberts, Enzio and Rodrigues swarming in around could cause mayhem if we play it on the deck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chicken Balti Pie

That's because when we normally play one up top, we play hoof ball. With Wootton and this new chap, having Roberts, Enzio and Rodrigues swarming in around could cause mayhem if we play it on the deck.

---

That was the undoing of Keith Curle in my opinion certainly at home one up front in Lee Hughes who had no service. On the road that method worked and kept us unbeaten for a calendar year.

The 4-2-3-1 when defending in our own half without the ball in my view is essentially 4-5-1 and when possession and in attack in the opposing half 4-2-4. The four attackers involves the two wide men who push forward and then the creative midfielder or number ten in the middle with the target man up top.

It’s exciting because if it works we could be lethal with the likes of Roberts, Wootton, Enzio and the new signings. Plus we would have defensive cover at the back for counter attacks. Also a packed midfield to dominate possession.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BanjoPie

“Perhaps you should apply for the Managers job”

---

Didn't know there was a vacancy?