What team/formation will we use now?

[carlos the third]

Now that it seems that Stephen Ireland will be coming in from Manchester City with Milner going in the opposite direction, what does everyone think that our team will be. Most City fans think that Ireland's best position is behind a striker, so if we were to do that with the formation used during the West Ham game then Ash would have to be moved back out wide meaning one of Downing or Albrighton would be dropped. Alternatively, I think we could play only Petrov as a holding Midfielder with Ireland and Young both central ahead of him. What does everyone else think?

[Toronto Villa]

a variety of formations based on circumsance, and because we have the players to do so.

[Olneythelonely]

a variety of formations based on circumsance, and because we have the players to do so.

Right, close the forum, every answer ever has been answered now.

[Chipsticks]

4-4-1-1 Should be the priority, pretty much exactly the same as against the Ham but with Ireland in Milners place, and our obvious first choice defence.

If we can't score either get Gabby/Fonz on and go 4-4-2, OR go 4-3-3 with:     


Young-----Carew-------Agbonlascore

    Downing-----Petrov----Ireland

[ian c.]

4-3-3 with:     


Young-----Carew-------Agbonlascore

    Downing-----Petrov----Ireland

Looks a bit lightweight defensively that.

[Chipsticks]

4-3-3 with:     


Young-----Carew-------Agbonlascore

    Downing-----Petrov----Ireland

Looks a bit lightweight defensively that.

Okay. Could have:

Young-----Carew-------Agbonlascore

    Ireland-----Reo-Coker----Petrov

[darren woolley]

I would play the 4-4-1-1 system we could switch to 4-3-3 when required.

[not3bad]

Yeah, I think putting Reo Coker in (Delph when he returns) next to Petrov is good.  Young, Downing and Albrighton can be rotated based on fitness and form.

[Mazrim]

You'd have to pry Albrighton out of the current starting XI with a shitty crowbar.

[not3bad]

What is nice though, is that we'll have players on the bench which could genuinely change a game.  Plan B has arrived!

[TheSandman]

a variety of formations based on circumsance, and because we have the players to do so.

I agree.

There is a complexity however, in accommodating Ireland, Downing, A. Young, Albrighton, Gabby and Carew in the same team. For me despite our magnificent performance on Saturday I doubt if that 4-4-1-1 formation could cope as well against better teams than Wet Spam especially as we are losing Milner's workrate in favour of the less hard working albeit more talented Ireland. We probably may need another presence in midfield either alongside Stan or a player who can replace Stan but blend his passing with greater energy levels and even better tackling (very difficult to find).

[teamvillage]

Funny feeling Downing will move into Milner's old role in the centre.

[Toronto Villa]

I thought Downing was excellent on Saturday. But I watched the game again last night, and while Albrighton is clearly the star of the show, Ashley Young was really outstanding. Just everywhere, chasing back, in attack. Great intelligence like his pass to Albrighton for Milner's goal. He looked like he really wants it this season. In fact they all did.

[Chris Smith]

I don't think it's obvious how we will accomodate Ireland. Perhaps a 4-2-3-1 but I'm not sure who the other one is with Petrov in the 2. Reo Coker for all his energy lacks discipline.

[Monty]

Ireland is surprisingly industrious, maybe not in the Milner leagues for effort but certainly up there.