It was interesting before the Doncaster friendly that he was thinking of playing 2 different formations (said so in an interview) in the ONLY 2 friendlies we had. That was scuppered when the Norwich game was called off, but the 1st half v Doncaster was a 4 at the back first half, with probably our starting 11 and then second half we played 3 at the back with loads of kids, so that was presumably to give others a runout.
Norwich may have given us a better clue, but that is now history.
As others have said, 4 at the back is his preferred set up from other teams - but not convinced the defence is the problem. Midfield is the problem and breaking down teams that sit in, is the problem - we were pretty hopeless at it again on Saturday v Luton no matter what formation we played which was different 1st half and 2nd half. Our midfield looks laboured - no one except Berge is prepared to run at people on a 1 on 1. RND did well down the left and Baldock/Bogle have done ok, but balls into the box are abysmal.
Will be interested to see where Hourihane will play and perhaps this is the start of something radical - perhaps Hourihane and Berge in the centre together in midfield with Egan and Davies behind them as 2 CB's.
I think what is clear, is that SJ is still searching for a formula that works so I expect more messing around with players and formations until he hits (hopefully) on a working formation giving us the opportunity to hit the play off spots. Don't scoff - there is still plenty of time, but we must start picking up the pace/style of the Championship pretty soon for this to become a reality.
When we lost 4-5 to Fulham - those few games around that time (21st November 2017) kicked off Fulhams run up the table - lets hope we can do the same! Yes, for ever the optimist.................but who's going to play up top and put the ball in the net!!!!! - perhaps that's a question for another day.
UTB
