After much deliberation and discussion, Swans fans have given their thumbs up to a one up top formation following votes in our recent poll.
After the home friendly defeat to Villarreal where Garry Monk tried a different formation there were long discussions over the format of the team and how we should line up for the season opener at Old Trafford.
In that game, Monk reverted to the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation which paid huge dividends as we recorded our first ever league win at Old Trafford. It is a formation that we have become accustomed to over recent years and many of our squad have come into the club with us playing that way and wouldn't know a different formation.
The formation allows the full backs to join the attacks when needed but it also gives extra protection to the defence when needed with the likes of Ki (as we saw at Old Trafford) sitting deep in front of them to shore up any more opposition attacks.
And with two quick wingers in Dyer and Routledge on Saturday (and the likes of Emnes and Montero in reserve) we have the ability to create space using these players without leaving ourselves completely exposed at the back.
Of course a formation with just one up front needs the right strikers involved. We saw when Jason Scotland was at the club that he was the right man for this job and the goals he scored completely backed that up and last season with Wilf in position he also showed that it was a formation that worked perfectly with him in the side. This season we have both Wilf and Bafe waiting to play that position and Bafe showed in his brief spell on Saturday that he can too play in that position which gives us endless options this season.
The 4-2-3-1 formation grabbed the highest number of votes in the poll closely followed by the 4-5-1 formation with the 3-5-2 widely mooted as an ideal getting just 11% of the votes cast in this particular poll
And given the result at Old Trafford on Saturday nobody is likely to disagree with these results right now.
Give our current playing staff - what would be your preferred playing formation?
To embed this in a blog, comment, forum post etc, use [poll_688]
What to read next:
Brave Swans in memorable game at Carrow Road It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and
wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional.
TEAM NEWS : Norwich City v Swansea City The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging.
Swansea City : Jack Army travel over 1,000 miles for two games in succession Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same.
Swansea reject Cullen contract and trigger one year option Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years.
Gwyn’s Eye View : Norwich City v Swansea City ‘The officials’ Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go.
Sam Parker hasn’t turned down a new deal, he is willing to negotiate He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years.
Swansea City : The vision is clearer, so Jamal Lowe ? There were some worrying moments for the Swans yesterday, on three occasions mistakes from playing out from the back nearly saw the home side score. And is there now a case for Jamal Lowe to be offered a contract at Swansea ?
Leighton James : His own football revolution With the passing of Leighton James yesterday we have a Saturday night treat for football fans, Swans fans and Wales followers the world over. Who can recall the magic boots imposing themselves on clubs throughout Wales and England ?