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

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

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

Your right we did miss him. It's not that people think he's shit (although his form has dropped off) it's more the petulent side to his game and that he insists on taking most of the set pieces when other players could deliver a better ball that gets on my nerves. Its like he's been here the longest so he takes everything.

[Shrek]

we were like two different teams against Aresnal after we switched to 442.

[Archie]

In fact, the two players I was most pleased with yesterday (not necessarily the same as our best performers) were Lichaj and Hogg.

(. . . ) Hogg for his tenacity, ability to make the simple pass when needed, and excellently timed tackles.

He's like NRC without the marauding runs but with a better passing ability.

Yes. I hope that  Hogg can mantain his place in the starting XI, he  could be the holding midfielder in the future formation (assuming that it will be a 4-1-2-3), behind Bannan and Delph.  But if we pass to 4-4-2, as Albrighton and Young or Downing will be sure on the flanks,  one of the three CM will be dropped for the second striker.

[Shrek]

We are massively missing NRC, mind we have been missing him for the last 2 seasons.