2020/21 Season: Could We See A Change In Playing Style?

[stirred]

Word is that we’d tried 3 at the back in pre-season, and looking at the squad as it currently stands, the best sides I can pick on paper seem to involve 3 at the back, with fairly central attacking players, running of channels with 2 strikers and overlaps by wing-backs – we don’t really have out and out wingers.

Maybe I’m being hopeful here, I want change because the current formation hasn’t really worked since February and I still doubt we have the midfield / wide players to make it work with just Grabs up top.

I feel we need those 3 need in the middle of the park, but want the second striker too else feel we’ll continue to see Grabban isolated up front and lack the out ball. I’ve gone for two attacking midfielders out of the 3 similarly to knit the play with those strikers but may have to temper that against better sides.

                SAMBA

      FIGS    WORR    BLCKT

CASH        CLBCK              RIBS

        CARVS          FREEM

          GRABS      TAYLS

(It may seem controversial to have Carvs ahead of Lolley but I’m assuming he’s injured to start with). We have depth and quality / alleged quality / high potential replacements for those front 4 positions, e.g. Lolley & Johnson for Carvalho & Freeman, with Guerrero & Mighten, maybe De Costa to come in up top. And there’s Ameobi too.

There will be times to play 2 more defensive mids in more of a 3-4-1-2, we have Silva and Sow, Fred and Yates in reserve. Maybe the new Cypriot in for Ribs / Blackett.

I can’t bring myself to take Cash away. My biggest concern on that side, other than getting players to adapt, is the wide players when I finally accept Cash has gone, and maybe Figs bringing the ball out.

I'd pay a tenner on ifollow to see that given a go.

                SAMBA

      M-SOH  WORR   BLCKT

CASH        CLBCK              RIBS

        CARVS          FREEM

          GRABS      TAYLS

Improved distribution with a new right centre-back?

And now the lack of RWB addressed. Assuming this Christie guy is good:

                 SAMBA

      M-SOH  WORR   BLCKT

CHRIST        CLBCK              RIBS

        LOLLY          FREEM

          GRABS      TAYLS

Crosses on the right shouldn't be a problem :)  This side is looking promising, and some quality on the bench.