Formation

With the pending signing of olufinjana, that means we have 5 recognised central mid players: koumas, mcphail, rae (!), dronkwater and now olufinjana.

Will jones switch formations, and if not how will he keep them all happy or who should be the starting pair?

Keep the signings coming!

Thanks to carl for the updates too!

Paul

what the hell will Jones do now with all those options ?

what the hell will Jones do now with all those options ?

Surely Rae's days are numbered now?

With the pending signing of olufinjana, that means we have 5 recognised central mid players: koumas, mcphail, rae (!), dronkwater and now olufinjana.

Will jones switch formations, and if not how will he keep them all happy or who should be the starting pair?

Keep the signings coming!

Thanks to carl for the updates too!

Paul

Paul,

A difficult one.

Are we seeing DJ totally revamp the central midfield?

I cant see him changing from 4-4-2 - especially with Ross on his way out

Koumas and Seyi...? Drinkwater and McPhail in reserve.

What's your central pairing?

WE ARE STARTING TO LOOK VERY STRONG

4-2-3-1

____________________Marshall

Blake_____Hudson (unfortunatley)_Gerrard______McNaughton

________Olofinjana_____________________Drinkwater

Koumas______________Bothroyd______________Whittingham


___________________Chopra

4-2-3-1

____________________Marshall

Blake_____Hudson (Greatest CB ever)_Gerrard______McNaughton

________Olofinjana_____________________Drinkwater

Koumas______________Bothroyd______________Whittingham


___________________Chopra

Agree regards that team!

4-2-3-1

____________________Marshall

Blake_____Hudson (unfortunatley)_Gerrard______McNaughton

________Olofinjana_____________________Drinkwater

Koumas______________Bothroyd______________Whittingham


___________________Chopra

I'd go with that but just swap Bothroyd and Chopra around.

Who'd have ever thought we would be able to leave a player like Burke on the bench

4-2-3-1

____________________Marshall

Blake_____Hudson (unfortunatley)_Gerrard______McNaughton

________Olofinjana_____________________Drinkwater

Koumas______________Bothroyd______________Whittingham


___________________Chopra

I'd go with that but just swap Bothroyd and Chopra around.

Who'd have ever thought we would be able to leave a player like Burke on the bench

I put Bothroyd there because 90% of the time that's where he ends up! He is a playmaker in his own right and Chopra is very affective when playing on the shoulder of the last defender al la last Sunday to set up the equalizer.

Bothroyd to hold the ball up and be the target man allowing Chops a free role , altho Id have Mc Phail ( when fit ) instead of Drinkwater just as the play maker in midfield coz Olly is defo the holding player now plus Burke to start until Koumas is match fit

After so many years of following the club in the way that many of us have I think we may all be in danger of retaining the mindset that says that we have a first XI plus some bodies to throw in when needed.
In fact what we may be witnessing here is the dawn of an era when we actually have a first team squad that will allow us to alter personnel and formation to suit any individual game WITHOUT weakening the strength of the side

and at long last a business man in the Board Room ?

With the pending signing of olofinjana, that means we have 5 recognised central mid players: koumas, mcphail, rae (!), drinkwater and now olufinjana.

Will jones switch formations, and if not how will he keep them all happy or who should be the starting pair?

You forgot Wildigg and Taiwo!

Can't see DJ playing many 4-3-3's to be honest, not unless we're losing anyway!

I think his preferred midfield and attacking formation now will be:-

Burke Koumas Olofinjana Whitts

Bothroyd Chopra!

With McPhail, Drinkwater, McCormack (if he doesn't leave us), possibly Keogh and Stead to come on off the bench, I'm getting more confident about my £50 bet on us to win the league now to be honest!

i loved how every single pundit were writing us off, now look at our team which can only get stronger!
blooooooooooooooooodirds

The thing is, we've got players in there who are prone to injury - McPhail getting on a bit now, Koumas only just coming back, Rae not realistically up to the challange - will be interesting to see what happens.

DJ has ALWAYS favoured this 4-4-2, and anything else has always seemed to wobble. not sure how he'll play it.

Paul

4-2-3-1

____________________Marshall

Blake_____Hudson (unfortunatley)_Gerrard______McNaughton

________Olofinjana_____________________Drinkwater

Koumas______________Bothroyd______________Whittingham


___________________Chopra

I have long been an advocate of a 4-2-3-1 system for our team and posted a similar line up to you on the messageboards.

With the recent movements in and out of the club over the last few days (and the ones I expect to happen by the end of this month) , I think the following will be our strongest line-up.

Marshall

Matthews - Blake - Gerrard - McNaughton

Olofinjana - Drinkwater

Chopra - Koumas - Whittingham

Bothroyd

Subs Heaton , Naylor ,Hudson , McPhail ,Taiwo ,Stead ,Burke


That back four to give us maximum pace (which I think we are currently lacking) and width with the fullbacks pushing forward.

Two defensive midfielders to protect the back four from attacks up the middle and give the next 3 licence to get forward at every opportunity.

Three playing just behind Bothroyd any of whom can push up as an extra forward in support or play through the opposition defence.

I have assumed that McCormack will have gone (with possibly Gypes and Rae as well to free up wages) but that Whittingham can be pursuaded to stay and Quinn retained to provide cover for both right back and centre back.

Like your team Keith !

The key to our season lies with getting that blend right in front of the back four.
Either Oli or Drinkwater cos Jones wont play both. I have a feeling Drinkwater
will thrive in this division once he gets the pace of the Championship. But that
player in front of the Central Defenders will allow our full-backs the freedom to
bomb forward, dragging the opposition out to leave holes in the midfield and
f**k me does old koumas like a bit of space near the edge of the box

I have long been an advocate of a 4-2-3-1 system for our team and posted a similar line up to you on the messageboards.

With the recent movements in and out of the club over the last few days (and the ones I expect to happen by the end of this month) , I think the following will be our strongest line-up.

Marshall

Matthews - Blake - Gerrard - McNaughton

Olofinjana - Drinkwater

Chopra - Koumas - Whittingham

Bothroyd

Subs Heaton , Naylor ,Hudson , McPhail ,Taiwo ,Stead ,Burke


That back four to give us maximum pace (which I think we are currently lacking) and width with the fullbacks pushing forward.

Two defensive midfielders to protect the back four from attacks up the middle and give the next 3 licence to get forward at every opportunity.

Three playing just behind Bothroyd any of whom can push up as an extra forward in support or play through the opposition defence.

I have assumed that McCormack will have gone (with possibly Gypes and Rae as well to free up wages) but that Whittingham can be pursuaded to stay and Quinn retained to provide cover for both right back and centre back.

For once we agree on something and the 4-2-3-1 system is a definate possiblity.

I also like your team selection.

I have long been an advocate of a 4-2-3-1 system for our team and posted a similar line up to you on the messageboards.

With the recent movements in and out of the club over the last few days (and the ones I expect to happen by the end of this month) , I think the following will be our strongest line-up.

Marshall

Matthews - Blake - Gerrard - McNaughton

Olofinjana - Drinkwater

Chopra - Koumas - Whittingham

Bothroyd

Subs Heaton , Naylor ,Hudson , McPhail ,Taiwo ,Stead ,Burke


That back four to give us maximum pace (which I think we are currently lacking) and width with the fullbacks pushing forward.

Two defensive midfielders to protect the back four from attacks up the middle and give the next 3 licence to get forward at every opportunity.

Three playing just behind Bothroyd any of whom can push up as an extra forward in support or play through the opposition defence.

I have assumed that McCormack will have gone (with possibly Gypes and Rae as well to free up wages) but that Whittingham can be pursuaded to stay and Quinn retained to provide cover for both right back and centre back.

For once we agree on something and the 4-2-3-1 system is a definate possiblity.

I also like your team selection.

Im a big fan of the 4-1-3-2 formation:


Marshall/Heaton


Hudson Gerrard

Blake McNaughton
Drinkwater



Koumas Olijanyahooo Whittingham


Chopra Bothroyd

With Drinkwater in front of the Central Defenders it gives us an insurance policy, leaving the
full-backs to bomb forward. Oli SHOULD be quite an imposing figure in midfield and the full-backs
will create space in midfield for both Koumas and Whitts. I think the whole team will be able to
get closer to our strikers and give us more options, and again, judging by the pace of Drinkwater
last Sunday I think we will have a very sharp player able to cover the holes left behind. Burke is
obviously a casualty of this formation, but with our full-backs pushing all the time and Danny slipping
in behind I think we will cause teams no end of trouble. Plus Burke will always be there pressing either
Koumas or Whitts if they're not doing the business

I have long been an advocate of a 4-2-3-1 system for our team and posted a similar line up to you on the messageboards.

With the recent movements in and out of the club over the last few days (and the ones I expect to happen by the end of this month) , I think the following will be our strongest line-up.

Marshall

Matthews - Blake - Gerrard - McNaughton

Olofinjana - Drinkwater

Chopra - Koumas - Whittingham

Bothroyd

Subs Heaton , Naylor ,Hudson , McPhail ,Taiwo ,Stead ,Burke


That back four to give us maximum pace (which I think we are currently lacking) and width with the fullbacks pushing forward.

Two defensive midfielders to protect the back four from attacks up the middle and give the next 3 licence to get forward at every opportunity.

Three playing just behind Bothroyd any of whom can push up as an extra forward in support or play through the opposition defence.

I have assumed that McCormack will have gone (with possibly Gypes and Rae as well to free up wages) but that Whittingham can be pursuaded to stay and Quinn retained to provide cover for both right back and centre back.

For once we agree on something and the 4-2-3-1 system is a definate possiblity.

I also like your team selection.

Im a big fan of the 4-1-3-2 formation:


Marshall/Heaton


Hudson Gerrard

Blake McNaughton
Drinkwater



Koumas Olijanyahooo Whittingham


Chopra Bothroyd

With Drinkwater in front of the Central Defenders it gives us an insurance policy, leaving the
full-backs to bomb forward. Oli SHOULD be quite an imposing figure in midfield and the full-backs
will create space in midfield for both Koumas and Whitts. I think the whole team will be able to
get closer to our strikers and give us more options, and again, judging by the pace of Drinkwater
last Sunday I think we will have a very sharp player able to cover the holes left behind. Burke is
obviously a casualty of this formation, but with our full-backs pushing all the time and Danny slipping
in behind I think we will cause teams no end of trouble. Plus Burke will always be there pressing either
Koumas or Whitts if they're not doing the business

ah bollocks i cant edit to show what i mean lol

I'm astounded that Burke seems to be the one droppping out in lots of poples view. If anything, and on the evidence of Sunday, with Olofinjana coming in and the performance of Whittingham in a more central role, I would be dropping Drinkwater and Rae, moving Whitts inside and keeping Burke wide right. Neither of the players dropping out did anything wrong, but I expect us to set up in a more attack minded sense.


----------------Marshall--------------------

Blake McNaughton Gerrard Matthews

--------------Olofinjana-------------------

Burke ---Whittingham -------Koumas(or even Koumas in the middle with Whitts still wide)

---------------Chopra Jay-------------------