If, as seems likely, we continue to play Ash in the support striker role I think we're going to find it difficult to properly accommodate Ireland. I don't think you can play him, Downing and Albrighton at the same time but if we leave out one of the other two then we lose a bit of shape. Perhaps that's why O'Neill wasn't keen on having him in exchange as he'd seemingly already decided on changing the way Young played in pre-season.
Albrighton will need a rest at some stage as we don't want to burn him out.
The most logical thing remains to me is to sit NRC and Petrov infront of the back 4, then move Young back out to the left, Ireland in the hole and one of Downing/Albrighton on the right. Obviously Albrighton gives us natural width there but Downing played a lot there last season so nothing new.
