First Team

[ExclDawg]

I think the new guys are being brought in as an "alternative" formation for when we need to breakdown a side, rather than counter-attack one. 

So I'm thinking the 4-3-3 will stay pretty much as is, with:
Lowton.  Vlaar.  Okore.  Bennett.
Sylla.  Westwood.  Delph.
Weimann.  Benteke.  Gabby

Tonev could replace Gabby or Weimann if they're having one of those out-of-form spells.  Helenius could plug in for Benteke when needed.  Bacuna and Gardner could plug in anywhere in the middle if needed. KEA too if he can find some form.  And Herd, Baker and Clark would provide cover in the back.

When we need to break a team down, we could play a more MON-esque type 4-4-2 with:
Lowton.  Vlaar.  Okore.  Bennett.
Tonev.  Bacuna.  Westwood.  Gabby.
Helenius.  Benteke.

With the usual bench options.

[Matt Collins]

The thought that to break down a team we need to play more like a MON side is amusing!

I know what you mean though, Weimann and gabby are both capable of having their form dip. In fact it's almost a racing certainty. That's why I don't think we'll sell CNZ. Not least because lambert was effusive about his performances after Xmas.

Getting the midfield balance right would be great. I like the 433 and its what is play from the off, but it can leave us lacking penetration in the middle. CNZ can add that, but it leaves Westwood and Delph looking exposed and we struggle to get a grip on the game.

Lacuna might be the sort of box to box goal scoring midfielder we need, as might Gardner, though both are young and unproven. Tonev could presumably play a more advanced role too. But I still think its a position that could be strengthened. Someone like Milner, but gettable.

[Tuscans]

                                       Guzan

Lowton           Vlaar                          Okore             Luna

                      Delph                         Westwood

                                       Tonev


Weimann                                                                  Agbonlahor
                                     Benteke




Sub: GK? Bennett, Baker, Clarke Sylla, Bacuna Helenius

I think N'Zogbia, Bannan, Hutton, Holman, Bent and Ireland will all be gone by September.

[Toronto Villa]

I think N'Zog will still be here. He seemed to buy into his role well under Lambert. The others are surplus to requirements and represents the best part of 400k a week savings in wages when you the in Given and those already gone.

[bobdylan]

I hope we can shift Given, Stevens and Delfouneso also.  I'd say there was a chance he may wish to keep one of Albrighton and N'Zogbia, certainly not both, if we could shift both that ought to free up room for maybe one more signing.

[villa kicks]

A continue of standard 4-2-3-1 which can be  4-4-2, with Big Ben target man who can drop back and allow gabby,tonev, bacuna or helenuis to move forward. Luna and Lowton will be the full backs who this season will  be used attacking wise. Also the wide players will be tracking back so that  we remains compact. Westwood and Delph maybe Barry Gardner Herd Kea Sylla can be holding the middle whilst Helenuis Nzogbia Weimann Bacuna Agbonlahor will play wide and also just off Big ben.

                                        Guzan

Lowton           Vlaar                          Okore             Luna

                      Delph                         Westwood

                                       Bacuna


Weimann                                                                  Agbonlahor
                                     Benteke

[Gerrin]

                                        Guzan

Lowton           Vlaar                          Okore             Luna


                       Sylla                         Westwood

                                       Bacuna

          Tonev                                                   Weimann
                                     
                                      Benteke

[eamonn]

What about "Gardz"?

[oldhill_avfc]

                                        Guzan

Lowton           Vlaar                          Okore             Luna


                       Sylla                         Westwood

                                       Bacuna

          Tonev                                                   Weimann
                                     
                                      Benteke

A combination of Bacuna and Tonev's goal scoring record make that formation unlikely to succeed.

[warleyboy]

                                                   Guzman

                               Lowton      Vlaar.   Okore.        Luna

                               Tonev.       Delph   Westwood  Gabby
   
                                          Benteke.     Helenius



Can see lots of crosses coming in this season, big tall squad with speed....
Just hope PL keeps them knocking that ball around, don't really want to see the MON mentality but new team players seem to ave height ?
                                             

[ClaretAndBlueSheep]

                Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlarr Luna
                 Sylla
        Delph Westwood
Gabby                    Tonev
             Benteke

Though Weimann was relatively poor towards the end of the season and will need to earn his place back.

[dekko]

One interesting thing about a lot of these new signings is their versatility - Tonev can play on either wing, and behind the striker.  Bacuna is a box-to-box midfielder but has played up front as well as out wide, defensive midfielder and right back.  Neilsen was saying the other day how Helenius could be a good second striker/attacking midfielder, and with his pace I imagine we'll see him being used out wide in the front 3 as well.

Also when Lambert was at Norwich he was constantly switching formations (sometimes a couple of times per match), and frequently rotating players in and out of the squad.  So now that this is more recognisably his team, I think we're going to be seeing a lot more rotation, and a lot more formations and tactical shifts.

[Louzie0]

Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. 

[dekko]

Looking forward to seeing Guzan in the hole behind Benteke. 

When the fancy-pants passing wont work, just send ALL the big lads up front!

[paul_e]

                Guzan
Lowton Okore Vlarr Luna
                 Sylla
        Delph Westwood
Gabby                    Tonev
             Benteke

Though Weimann was relatively poor towards the end of the season and will need to earn his place back.

You've got Sylla in the wrong place.  He was the furthest forward of the 3 every time he played last season, I don't see why that will change.  The key to what we're trying to do defensively is for the wide forwards and 1 of the midfielders to close down the defenders when  they get on the ball and force them to rush passes.  Sylla looked very good because he worked his butt off doing exactly that.  It's also why we struggled with various other players in that role, they just didn't pressure the opposition effectively enough.

I do worry that there aren't enough goals in that midfield though and I think we might see Bacuna play a fair bit (unless we sign another attacking midfielder before the start of the season) as I think he'll be the one who can add some goals in there.