What would be your preferred tactical setup for next season?

[Shadota]

I know there's a game still to be played this season, but considering our fate is already determined, we may as well look to the future.

Putting all manager-related discussion aside (because I'm sure we're all tired of it at this point), how would you like us to play next season? We've used several different formations and styles over the last few years, all of which have their respective pros and cons.

When Wilder replaced Hecky, we largely went to a 3-4-3/5-2-3 set up with BBD and McAtee as wide men. Once we were back in the Championship we primarily played a 4-2-3-1, though on occasion we did play a back 3 (see Leeds away). Under Selles at the start of this season, we tended more towards a 4-3-3, with Peck at the base of midfield, and Hamer/O'Hare in front of him. And upon Wilder's return, we initially varied between a back 3 and back 4, before eventually settling on the same/a similar tactic to what we had last season, in a 4-2-3-1.

I'm currently of the opinion that I don't mind if we play a back 3 or back 4, as long as we play with wingers. If we play a back 3, then having "inverted" wingers can work well as they should have the wing-backs overlapping as an outside threat, whilst the wingers themselves pose the danger infield. In a back 4, I think more traditional wide men (i.e left-footer on the left, right-footer on the right) is more effective as the full-back should offer a deeper option, while the central midfield players should be responsible for providing offensive support in more central areas.

 

[dexter101]

I know there's a game still to be played this season, but considering our fate is already determined, we may as well look to the future.

Putting all manager-related discussion aside (because I'm sure we're all tired of it at this point), how would you like us to play next season? We've used several different formations and styles over the last few years, all of which have their respective pros and cons.

When Wilder replaced Hecky, we largely went to a 3-4-3/5-2-3 set up with BBD and McAtee as wide men. Once we were back in the Championship we primarily played a 4-2-3-1, though on occasion we did play a back 3 (see Leeds away). Under Selles at the start of this season, we tended more towards a 4-3-3, with Peck at the base of midfield, and Hamer/O'Hare in front of him. And upon Wilder's return, we initially varied between a back 3 and back 4, before eventually settling on the same/a similar tactic to what we had last season, in a 4-2-3-1.

I'm currently of the opinion that I don't mind if we play a back 3 or back 4, as long as we play with wingers. If we play a back 3, then having "inverted" wingers can work well as they should have the wing-backs overlapping as an outside threat, whilst the wingers themselves pose the danger infield. In a back 4, I think more traditional wide men (i.e left-footer on the left, right-footer on the right) is more effective as the full-back should offer a deeper option, while the central midfield players should be responsible for providing offensive support in more central areas.

If we have the players to do it, I like wingers.

The past few seasons we seem to have had an inbalance from the left and right of the pitch. Brooks (and JRS last season) stay fairly wide, before coming inside and then seriki overlapping.

On the left, We don't play wide, unless Burrows is overlapping.

Issue I have with this is playing wide wingers makes more space in the centre of the pitch, doing it only one half, limits the effect of this.

If we didn't lose any players or sign any, I think I would go 4-2-3-1

Playing Brooks and Burrows as Wingers. Full backs (Seriki and McCallum) can over lap but burrows and brooks will put more of a defensive shift in than playing Ohare or Hamer there.

 

[KMC-1889]

4-4-2. Proper Mike Bassett stuff.

Cooper
Seriki - Tanganga - McGuinness - McCallum
Brooks - Arblaster - Reidewald - Burrows
Bamford - Oné

Gerrit forward and dock Brooks & Burrows wages if they’re caught in our half with the ball.

 

[CPB]

I suspect we will play with wingers next term under Wilder.

Hamer is very likely to go and he usually plays LM. With Brooks first choice as RM.

Realise it's rumours but we are hearing us linked with more wingers such as Reyes Cleary and Dobbin. I suspect a more natural winger is being lined up to replace Hamer.
With hopefully another to come in too because Chong does not fill me with confidence.

I suspect we will line up mostly in a back 4, but I would not be surprised to see us revert to a back 3 too with some form of limited overlapping happening given we will be playing with wingers.

What will make a bigger difference too will be the quality of the depth in the squad. I still feel this is one of the bigger elements that has let us down after we pulled away from the bottom 3.

 

[blade_ben]

Don’t care what formation just fast and attacking football

 

[MayorOJC]

4-2-3-1 for the flexibility. Having McCallum back should help a lot with the balance in a back 4. Although it would probably be cheaper and easier to build a new squad around a 5-3-2.

 

[ChezVegasBlade]

I would like to see us morph into a team that counterattacks with pace as this would work better should we get promoted than a possession heavy team

 

[Houston_Blade]

4-4-2. Proper Mike Bassett stuff.

Cooper
Seriki - Tanganga - McGuinness - McCallum
Brooks - Arblaster - Reidewald - Burrows
Bamford - Oné

Gerrit forward and dock Brooks & Burrows wages if they’re caught in our half with the ball.

If that’s our starting 11 next season we’ve had it.

 

[ben1987]

Most top teams play some sort of variant of 4231 or 433 so I’ve voted that.

I also think (good) wingers are the best, most enjoyable players to watch if also the most frustrating.

 

[Blademan89]

I went for something else... I want us to play a form of 424 (with wingers) like we was in mid nov/December that got us scoring 3 goals in like 6 consecutive games. Its the best we've been in recent years attacking wise & pressing.

This formation could be so fluid in more ways than 1, such as when defending we could do a high press with this and overload opposition 3rd, or drop inti a 442 or 451. When in transition we could have a striker drop deep to help midfield link play (didsy style) or proper target man to win ball and hold it up with 2nd striker and winger playing off him, we can go central or wide and overloads.

Overall you need pacey players with high fitness levels and overall athleticism in the squad, along with a proper out and out defensive midfielder who can actually play a bit too.

We showed glimpses in that mini period then it all stopped for what ever reason.

 

[Silent Blade]

3-5-2 for me. Sereki and Burrows are better at wing back than at full back