Could we be comfortable with the 4-4-2?

[Archie]

I'm trying to overcome the bitterness for the indecent performance ad Anfield, probably the game worst "prepared" by an Aston Villa manager that I have ever seen.
Thank you, monsieur Hoola-Kop.

If the manager continues not to motivate the players, and if the players continue in their lack of will power, the season is settled.     

But I wonder if a change in the formation could help us to improve our play.
I think that the answer could be to pass from the current 4-2-3-1 (or 4-5-1) to the classic 4-4-2,  that allows the 60% of the players to the 60% of the park.
With this formation we could kill two birds with one stone: to get rid of the pair Dunne & Collins in defence and to acquire more consistency upfront.
The starting XI could be:

Friedel
Lichay - Clark - Cuellar - Warnock (yes, dramatic lack of alternatives in this role)
Albrighton - Bannan - Downing - A. Young
Heskey   - Agbonlahor 
 

[*shellac*]

Albrighton - Bannan - Downing - A. Young

The central midfield is too lightweight, it will be ripped to shreds by most teams.

We need a destroyer in there somewhere, someone who could break up opposition play and spray hollywood passes to the wingers.

[Dante Lavelli]

What he said.  Plus we are probably strongest (in numbers at least) in the attacking midfield position so there is logic in having a formation that gets as many of these players on the pitch.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Too lightweight

Lets face it were missing NRC

[Archie]

Yes, the midfield is lightweigh, but even Hogg and Bannan are lightweighs in the 4-2-3-1.
We must sign a strong  CM or wait for the return of NRC.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Albrighton - Bannan - Downing - A. Young

Terrible, that's 3 wingers, effectively 4, as up till recently, Bannan was one.

[*shellac*]

Albrighton - Bannan - Downing - A. Young

Terrible, that's 3 wingers, effectively 4, as up till recently, Bannan was one.

Yeah I know.

See post number two, reply number one for this thread. 

[darren woolley]

I myself can't wait untill NRC comes back to give us that bite in midfield we have certainly missed him in there since he has been out.

[Wayne Crutchley]

The problem will be solved in the New Year when Ashley Young departs. Downing down the left, Albrighton on the right and NRC and Bannon in the middle.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Albrighton - Bannan - Downing - A. Young

Terrible, that's 3 wingers, effectively 4, as up till recently, Bannan was one.

Yeah I know.

See post number two, reply number one for this thread. 

Opps, sorry Shellac.
It was Archie who posted that suicidal midfield formation.

[Archie]

The problem will be solved in the New Year when Ashley Young departs. Downing down the left, Albrighton on the right and NRC and Bannon in the middle.

Yes, and as far as Downing is concerned, I have thought to him as CM not as the best possible option, but as a solution until NRC is fit, Downing played CM many times last season.

[Concrete John]

The problem will be solved in the New Year when Ashley Young departs. Downing down the left, Albrighton on the right and NRC and Bannon in the middle.

Although nobody would want to see Ash go, that midfield does seem to have a good balance to it.

[frank]

I think that the answer could be to pass from the current 4-2-3-1 (or 4-5-1) to the classic 4-4-2,  that allows the 60% of the players to the 60% of the park.

Although we were pretty dire against Liverpool, I thought we had our best moments early in the second half when Gabby was paired with Delfouneso. (Unfortunately, Liverpool then scored on the break, and that was that). Although Delfouneso had one of his better games that night, I'm still not convinced that he'll develop into an effective striker at the top level, so should we play Gabby and Heskey up front against West Brom?

[PaulTheVillan]

Albrighton NRC Bannan Downing

[Phil from the upper holte]

The problem will be solved in the New Year when Ashley Young departs. Downing down the left, Albrighton on the right and NRC and Bannon in the middle.

Although nobody would want to see Ash go, that midfield does seem to have a good balance to it.

We  missed him on Monday despite everyone suddenly thinking he's wank