| Team shape 2026/27? 12:47 - May 13 with 2160 views | dmm |
I've been indulging in some idle contemplation, wondering whether Stephan should stick with 442 next season.
I don't think Stephan is wedded to 442. Last season's formation was determined by the squad as next season's squad will also. But, of course, we'll have had the summer's incoming and outgoing.
Things that may affect what formation we'll play include: needing Kone and Burrell to start together, having 5 mini wide attackers and the conspicuously weak 2 man centre midfield.
So, could we not play 433 with a front line of Kone central, Burrell on one side and Kolli/another on the other side?
As for who we have for the mid 3, we'll be recruiting at least two new CMs and it's possible Chair and Vale could play there. I think 433 could be done.
Anyway, enough rumination. I should get on and do something useful. |  | | |  |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 12:53 - May 13 with 2107 views | dannyblue |
I agree.
Without the ball:
451 low block when appropriate.
2233 high press when appropriate. |  | | |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 13:19 - May 13 with 2003 views | Northernr |
We'll do what we've done the last two seasons. Start with some grand aspiration to be a progressive, possession-based team that builds from the back in some version of 4-2-3-1/4-3-3. Maybe it'll work this time - third's the charm - but if they get their ars handed to them again in August then we will once again pivot to a more pragmatic, direct, out-of-possession game with a low block and a lot of channel balls. Probably helped along by a couple of panicky additions around August 30. |  | | |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 13:48 - May 13 with 1909 views | Logman |
I wouldn't waste time ruminating on alternative formations.
You say 'I don't think Stephan is wedded to 442'. I would have thought the fact that we played it all season despite it resulting in us disintegrating on numerous occasions would suggest that it is here to stay. Honestly, after ploughing on with the 442 despite being over-run in midfield and at the back numerous times I think the only way that is going to change is with a brown envelope containing a P45. [Post edited 13 May 13:51]
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| Team shape 2026/27? on 14:52 - May 13 with 1822 views | Jevlar |
Id start with two keepers |  | | |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 16:02 - May 13 with 1690 views | kensalriser |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 14:52 - May 13 by Jevlar |
Id start with two keepers |
Imagine the calamities and own goals that would result! |  |
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| Team shape 2026/27? on 16:19 - May 13 with 1644 views | QuitePossiblyRaving |
I thought it was a bit of a shame we didn't experiment with 4-2-3-1 at the end of the season, given how little we had to play for.
I think it could bring the best our of our players - we have quite a lot of players who could play well across that 3: Chair; Vale; Madsen; Burrell; Dembele; Smyth; Saito; Poku.
I think it might also bring the best out of Varane, who I don't think suits a 4-4-2, and Kone, who could do a great job making space for the three behind.
I also think 4-2-3-1 can be a little more pragmatic than a 4-3-3. | | | |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 16:36 - May 13 with 1591 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
We should go with the infinitygon shape or sometimes known as an apeiragon. A theoretical polygon with infinite sides.
Take that Stoke, Preston and Wall. Shove your 4-3-3 and 3-5-1-1 up your bottoms as nothing beats an infinite shape. | |
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| Team shape 2026/27? on 16:40 - May 13 with 1580 views | ed_83 |
I feel like the only time in recent years that our formation has been fully aligned with the players at our disposal was when Warburton switched to a 3421, with Barbet knocking his diags about and Chair and Willock causing havoc behind the striker.
Switching to 3 at the back would allow us to get Kone and Burrell on the pitch together, or a striker and various combinations of midget 10s, without immediately leaving us wide open in midfield. Mbengue, Dunne and Edwards at CB gives you a nice mix of pace, aggression and passing. We need to bring in two new fullbacks anyway, so we could prioritise more attacking players within that. Hell, even Esquerdinha might come good in a role with fewer defensive responsibilities.
Might be losing my mind, but it feels like some variation of 352 could potentially solve a lot of issues?
(That said, I completely agree with Clive that the most likely outcome here is that we try something clever and progressive, get absolutely hammered in the first few games trying to be Barcelona, then go very direct / defensive to stem the bleeding. For all the "game model" chat it's very apparent that we seem incapable, under multiple different managers, of doing the attacking and defending bits of the game at the same time.) [Post edited 13 May 16:47]
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| Team shape 2026/27? on 14:26 - May 14 with 1145 views | BexleyHoop |
Any team shape / formation will depend on who's hamstrings are still intact / repaired sufficiently before the season kicks off |  | | |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 15:42 - May 14 with 1044 views | bosh67 |
| Team shape 2026/27? on 14:26 - May 14 by BexleyHoop |
Any team shape / formation will depend on who's hamstrings are still intact / repaired sufficiently before the season kicks off |
QPR - If Temu did hamstrings! |  |
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| Team shape 2026/27? on 08:01 - May 15 with 806 views | Hastings_Hoops |
Totally irrelevant, but my opinion is 3-5-2. Tightens up defence, clogs midfield and allows us to play two strikers. Chair can play in midfield with Madsen and a holding midfield type player.
Only problem is, we have been shopping for a lot of wingers and tens recently hence we have a team with a split personality in terms of ideal shape/set-up. |  | | |
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