Change of Formation Needed?

[RamFromCornwall]

Ok, with the obviously devastating news that GT will be sidelined probably up until April now, we need to think about how we respond to this, with a huge part of this upcoming season's plans out the window.

Our first option is to use what we have, mainly Eustace. Now I'm not sure if people will agree with me but I do NOT want John Eustace being our holding midfielder this season. He's alright for a cover and the odd game and 10 mins here and there in other games, but for a promotion challenging side the quality needs to be a lot higher. Yes, he played a big part in where we were last season, but he's a year older and at his age in football a year makes a lot of difference. He's not had regular first team football for around 4 months now which will obviously have affected him and I don't think having a 34-year-old CDM being our first choice CDM.

Another option is another player, be it a player like Coutts or Hendrick, although I don't think either are naturally the same sort of

[Ram79]

Jamie Hanson and Eustace can share the holding midfield role between them Hanson should get a chance at least and if he is not up to it then maybe loan according to Nicholson he has been having a good preseason playing that role.

[Beardyram]

I can't see the issue with playing Eustace. He played that role really well until Thorne came in, and the point about not playing for 4 months doesnt carry much weight. ...he missed nearly an entire season before he joined us. I would like a loan in though, just for 6 months and then see how far away Thorne is.

I also dont agree with changing the system to cover the absence of Thorne. Changing formations will nulify players from their natural role, can a box to box player like Hendrick play a sitting role? Possibly but that isn't the type of player he is and not playing him in a position that plays to his strengths is a waste.

I would like to see Hanson given a chance for a couple of games.

[southernram22]

think the loans and transfers will continue now.

[Stimaclegend]

How about Coutts in the holding midfield role?

[Toggles]

From what we have, I'd go Hughes at DCM if Eustace isn't cutting it anymore. (If).

Hanson would at least give us a set piece specialist

Samson at an outside shout. Got the work rate and physique!!

[BelperRam]

I don't think a change of formation would be a good idea, that formation is so dangerous and suits all the players, hughes bryson and hendrick all flourish in the attacking roll, yes we have eustace who can do a job but think the reason we pushed so hard for thorne is his ability to break up play and move the ball quickly and intelligently to start attacks, hopefully maclaren has contacts and can find us somebody on a six month loan. Problem is the formation works for the squad and that defensive mid position is key.

[Rapid]

Jamie Hanson and Eustace can share the holding midfield role between them Hanson should get a chance at least and if he is not up to it then maybe loan according to Nicholson he has been having a good preseason playing that role.

yeah I agree with this.

RFC - I'm not convinced our midfield are suited to either of your formations.ly hendrick, we saw how awful he was when we tried to play him in that defensive midfield role - he's much better going forward than sitting in DMF. same with Bryson - taking goals out of his game is sacrilege. that DFM role is the one position that doesn't require much running, again that's taking the best part of his game away. as for hughes, he can play a deep lying playmaker role but won't offer the defence any protection which is what we need first and foremost.

and what's with the 'trequartista'? you've been playing too much champ manager mate!