4-3-3

[Martinmalta]

With the imminent return of Yun and Sandro scheduled for the Stoke game, I will play a 4-3-3 formation. Crystal Palace played like that against us at Loftus Road and were very dangerous. So this could be the best we have atm.

Green
Isla, Ned, Dunne/Caulker, Yun.
Sandro, Henry, Fer.
Vargas, Austin, Adel/Zarate

[Robsondinho]

Unless you are a top top side like Barca, or Madrid 433 never means 433. When we haven't got the ball it would be a 451 and I can't imagine Adel, or Zarate on the wing doing their defensive duty. Adel, or Zarate need to be the No 10 in a 4231 or 442 with them playing of Charlie, they would be wasted on the wing imo.

[Mattyqpr]

4-2-3-1 is the way to go with two defensive midfielders

[Geng]

Unless you are a top top side like Barca, or Madrid 433 never means 433. When we haven't got the ball it would be a 451 and I can't imagine Adel, or Zarate on the wing doing their defensive duty. Adel, or Zarate need to be the No 10 in a 4231 or 442 with them playing of Charlie, they would be wasted on the wing imo.

I'd love us to play a proper 433 but we won't do it under HR. For him it just means a 4411 with the wingers pushing up a bit or maybe a 4141.

Sounds like nit-picking but it's not - passing angles, who presses who etc is all different.

You're completely right than in practice this would end up 451 with wingers miles away from the forward.

I'd like to see Adel behind Austin with Zarate and Vargas cutting in. Two proper defensive mids, no box-to-box running about, in order to get the wingers higher up. A proper 4231 as in our promotion season.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with playing Vargas wide - he just needs to be a proper wide forward or attacking mid rather than wide right in Harrysaurus's 442, where he ends up playing in line with Karl Henry.

[Shepherds Mush]

4-2-3-1 is the way to go with two defensive midfielders

Germany style!

[MYU]

4-2-3-1 is the way to go with two defensive midfielders

This is the only system that could work with the players we currently have, I think we'd be very dangerous.

[Shepherds Mush]

This is the only system that could work with the players we currently have, I think we'd be very dangerous.

I could see that working but if we had another striker (ie Osvaldo), you would have to go 4-2-2-2

[Ablockhoop]

..................green
Isla...... Cualker. Rio. ... Yun
.........sandro. Barton
.................Fer
Vargas ........................hoilett
................austin


Yeh I no people will say 'what' about dunne' . And I agree he has been amazing. But with Rio id like to think we would get the ball down more...

Also you can't drop Henry..... Agree Henry has been good. But although barton has gave the ball away alot at least he tries to get on the ball. Henry shys away from receiving a pass.

I would like to try keep the ball more rather than the hoof ball... This team I think has sufficent quality to protect the defence and also exploit opposition on the counter attack

[stationcafe]

Fer isn't a #10. Adel/Zarate should play there. I'd rather get Fer to sit back with Sandro/Henry.

Both 433 and 4231 can work well for us, the team just need to be well trained and know what their roles are.

[Ablockhoop]

Personally in my eyes Fer is not a holding midfielder. Also the position that Fer is is meant to be a third center mid.

[Ablockhoop]

Amended. I think Rio and caulker can do well for us... But we have to protect our defence more from people running at them.

[Shania]

This is a system which will get the best out of Vargas. It´s Worth a try. I think Harry should do all he can to get this player going again...

[West Acton]

For me Henry's passing has been superb this season. He has hit some pin point long range passes and switched the play up nicely. On current form he does everything that Barton does but better but that's just a personal view

[MYU]

For me Henry's passing has been superb this season. He has hit some pin point long range passes and switched the play up nicely. On current form he does everything that Barton does but better but that's just a personal view

Agreed, think he's grown into a better player. He's also cheaper than Joey so I'd sell him and keep Henry.

[nasser95]

..................green
Isla...... Cualker. Rio. ... Yun
.........sandro. Barton
.................Fer
Vargas ........................hoilett
................austin


Yeh I no people will say 'what' about dunne' . And I agree he has been amazing. But with Rio id like to think we would get the ball down more...

Also you can't drop Henry..... Agree Henry has been good. But although barton has gave the ball away alot at least he tries to get on the ball. Henry shys away from receiving a pass.

I would like to try keep the ball more rather than the hoof ball... This team I think has sufficent quality to protect the defence and also exploit opposition on the counter attack

If this is for the Stoke game, no way would I play rio, awful in the air and will not stand up to their physicality. Definitely prefer Dunne for this one, they don't have Diouf to pace our defenders.