Formation

Just to keep us going while we wait for our next appointment..

If you were to be appointed manager tomorrow, what formation would you be looking to play with the current players and any realistic additions to the squad?

To me, I feel that we don't have a single wide player that we can comfortably go into next season starting each week, so I think that the likes of 4231, 442 are a little out of our reach given wed have to sign probably 6 wide players when considering the need for cover.

With that in mind I would be looking at the formation wolves finished the season with, the 532. I know we played a form of this this season but the mentality and positioning was completely different from what wolves do. That in mind, the majority of our funds would go towards two full backs who can get up and down the line all game long, create and get into the box like Jonny and Doherty do. (Frustratingly we could have had that this season for minimum expenditure if wed held onto Christie and looked at Douglas)

Next in line would be an attacking midfielder in the cultured mould of moutinho. A centre back and finally a striker plus keeper for cover. Squad would look like-

------------Randolph-----------

---Ayala--fry -- new centre back-

New RB-------------new left back

---------saville--wing---------

------------new AMC------------

---Assombalonga--fletcher------

Cover from friend, shotton, clayton, McNair, tav could play in the AMC position (think that's where hell end up anyway) and another striker.

I dont think wed be the best team in the league but given our resources that's how I'd play it.

Over to you guys.

I think you have been a bit harsh on Howson. Maybe you might not put him in the team but he would at the minimum be good cover. Using your formation and players we already have

Randolph

Shotton Ayala Fry

New RB New LB

Howson Saville

Wing/Tav

Assombalonga Fletcher

Two new full backs and we are not far off a decent team

I wasnt harsh on howson at all.

I forgot him haha

Randolph

New RB Fry Ayala New LB

Clayton

Tav Wing

Fletch Braithwaite Britt

That would be the basis of my team. Marty B is in the centre of the front 3 there but I'd give him more of a free role.

Id have the two full backs bombing forward on attacks with Clayton dropping back into a back 3 when they did.

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Thinking of it, I'd probably push Fry into Clayton's role given hes the better distributor of all the current centre backs, sell Ad, and use Flint or a new defender in Fry's CB place.

Would also give us Flint's added height in the box on set pieces.

So thats

Randy

New RB Flint Ayala New LB

Fry

Wing Tav

Fletch Braithwaite Britt.

Hopefully wouldnt need a new RB as I'd try to convince Djed Spence to stay with a regular starting spot.

As for possible signings - Knudsen at LB seems a good possibility? Reach perhaps? Maybe Tavs brother at RB?

I'd like to see us go 4-3-3 the way City play, so one holding midfielder with two forward thinking midfielders either side, then three forwards / 2 wingers and 1 forward.

We'd need at least 4 new players to be able to do that though really unless we start moving players out of position.

We're well stocked for CB and CM. I'd like to see a midfield 3 with two from Wing / Howson / Saville / Tav given those forward thinking midfield roles, we probably need to replace Mikel as not sure if Clayton is past his best now for the holding role but even if he isn't we'd need another option.

We need two new full backs but getting two quality wide forwards will be the most difficult part, I don't really see Braithwaite playing for us again. Fletcher / Britt for the CF role and I guess Fletcher could cover a wider role but I would prefer more of a specialist.

With Middlesbrough being one of the top sides of the division, I would go with a proactive, possession-based approach with 433 formation as a starting point.

Even though the new theme is cost-cutting, some new players who can play that kind of football must be signed of course. Right back is a top priority. I would go for Reece James, on loan from Chelsea. What a great player. And on the left side, if George Friend is past it. Bidwell, released from QPR, would be a decent stop-gap solution. Some young left back to provide competition would be a nice addition too.

Also, wingers/wide forwards are desperately needed. One last chance for Liverpool flop Lazar Markovic maybe? Sheraldo Becker's name has been mentioned many times also. Someone mentioned Said Benrahma from Brentford, he would be ideal but out of the price range probably.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph is the best in the league. Central defender partnership Daniel Ayala - Dael Fry is solid. Good in the air, comfortable enough on the ball.

Adam Clayton can still do a job. I would give him a fresh start at the holding midfield position. Intelligent player who breaks up attacks and plays short simple passes. Something between Busquets at Barcelona and Leon Britton at Swansea.

In the middle of the park we have the passer and the runner. Lewis Wing is going to be the designated playmaker who runs the show. Besides him is a box to box midfielder who does a bit of everything. Either Jonny Howson or George Saville gets the nod.

Marcus Tavernier with a Messistic role and Lazar Markovic on the wide forward positions, running at defense and making things happen.

If Assombalonga stays, he will spearhead the attack. If not, then a clean slate for Braithwaite. If that don't work out either, Fletcher's going to get his big chance.

Slightly impressed that you managed to compare Clayton to Busquets. The only thing they have in common is that they are both of the male gender. Clayton would be one of the players I'd be looking to cash in on, but I can't see a queue of clubs lining up so there might not be a lot of money in it,

I’d keep the 5-3-2 too, mate. Especially with our lack of wide players like you said.

My lineup would be;

—————— Randolph ———————

New RB — Ayala - Fry - new CB - New LB

————- McNair —- Howson ————

————  Wing (or new AM) —————

——— Assombalonga — Fletcher ——-

1 minute ago, Jimmy said:

I’d keep the 5-3-2 too, mate. Especially with our lack of wide players like you said.

My lineup would be;

—————— Randolph ———————

New RB — Ayala - Fry - new CB - New LB

————- McNair —- Howson ————

————  Wing (or new AM) —————

——— Assombalonga — Fletcher ——-

I'd be tempted to continue with McNair at the back as we need someone who can carry the ball forward and break out of defense. That would also save us money as we won't have to buy another defender with Flint and Wood as backup.

51 minutes ago, Borodane said:

I'd be tempted to continue with McNair at the back as we need someone who can carry the ball forward and break out of defense. That would also save us money as we won't have to buy another defender with Flint and Wood as backup.

Very true mate, that's a good point. He impressed the last few games, whilst playing CB. I actually forgot about Flint as well ?

Purely because I am waiting for the play off final coverage to start I thought I would kill some time by posting my preferred team.

Randolph

New RB, Ayala, Fry, New LB/Friend

Wing, McNair, Saville

New RW, Britt, NEW LW

I would like to see McNair tried in the defensive midfield role. As has been pointed out he looked good in a back 3 and I believe he has the athleticism and positional nous to protect the back 4 but also drive forward when opportunity arises. Either side of him but more advanced I feel Wing and Saville would work as they could both get 8-10 goals each over a season. Saville came in for some stick last season but he still got 4 goals for us whilst playing majority of his games out of his position. Played centrally i think he could do what he did at Millwall and score goals. Howson is unlucky to miss out but i feel them 3 offer a better balance.

Britt can be frustrating and wasteful but he has a record of 1 in 2 in this league and i dont think we are gonna find anyone better than him. I feel with a manager who has confidence in him he could hit the 20 goal mark.

Definitely need 2 full backs and wide players. 

Anyhow all this is hypothetical and a bit of fun.