2025/26 Squad thread

[kill_the_drum]

I honestly think their will be a move to incorporate a new formation/way of playing. I'm hoping for something a little bit 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 as I think it really plays to the strength of Jones. Given that he was prolific with assists a season or two ago, just seems a bit strange to put him back further with the injuries he's sustained and asking him to run more.

I think we?ve got the players for 4-2-3-1.
It can be effective but it?s boring to watch.
You?ve nearly always got half your team behind the ball and waiting for the opposition to over commit.
Cooper used it at Forest as did Southgate with England.

[nw6pie]

I think we?ve got the players for 4-2-3-1.
It can be effective but it?s boring to watch.
You?ve nearly always got half your team behind the ball and waiting for the opposition to over commit.
Cooper used it at Forest as did Southgate with England.

Some interesting Premier League formation stats here for 2024-25:

https://www.premierleague.com/news/4323030

Basically, 4-2-3-1 was most popular, followed by 3-4-2-1 and 4-3-3.

Another interesting stat is that teams were getting the ball forward quicker:

“This season’s passing stats also show that head coaches want to get the ball forward a little quicker and more directly than they have in the past.

“There was a 5.1 per cent reduction in the number of passes in 2024/25, which equates to 48 fewer passes per 90 minutes compared to the season before.

“It is the lowest figure we have seen in eight seasons, pointing towards a shift away from wearing opponents down with long spells of patient distribution.

“The importance of counter-attacking is also a factor. “

[Bohinen]

Some interesting Premier League formation stats here for 2024-25:

https://www.premierleague.com/news/4323030

Basically, 4-2-3-1 was most popular, followed by 3-4-2-1 and 4-3-3.

Man United suffered badly playing 3-4-2-1, but play that with Cunha, Mbeumo, and Gyokeres and it's a different story.

Same with Notts, with an attacking coach and the right players, it can work well. Dennis is a massive upgrade on Morias but where does everyone else fit in?

[matt_magpie]

Going to a 4 makes more sense to me using Gordon and Tarsoula at full back. I?d probably go Macari, Platt, Bedeau and Macdonald as the back 4, them 2 cover full back, Ness as cover at CB and get another one and then you have some options to bring in some pace and creativity into the rest of the squad.