A New Hope or A False Dawn?

[.h.]

I dont know. He's had plenty of opportunity to play it and seems keen on 4-2-3-1.

I'd rather see a more traditional 4-4-2 or something. Perisic with his hard work on the right wing, Ljajic on the left wing, Jovetic playing just behind Icardi.

 

[Javier'sSon]

Didn't we try that vs Lazio and it turned out awful? It does make sense but def not with Medel/Melo as the two DMs.

 

[.h.]

Yes, we have experimented with the 4-3-3 a little bit. It's about the choice of players, though, rather than the formation. With a good anchor (Thus not needing two defensive DMs anymore) we can focus a bit more on possession and playmaking.

 

[Shaun]

According to whoscored we've played:
4312 four times,
433, 422 and 4231 three times each.
352 and 4321 twice each

So there is seemingly no preferred formation yet. However, we've played with three central midfielders on 12 occasions (including once with Brozo as an AM). I think this suggests that Mancini generally prefers to have an extra midfielder

 

[Javier'sSon]

Well then we're no where close into figuring that out. I'm down to sticking with an attacking (mid and forward) core of players even if it means losing a few games and gradually improving.

 

[.h.]

Hrm. I thought it was accepted that we've been playing 4-2-3-1 a lot more.

- - - Updated - - -

According to whoscored we've played:
4312 four times,
433, 422 and 4231 three times each.
352 and 4321 twice each

So there is seemingly no preferred formation yet

Also this seems kind of misleading. It's got 4-2-2 for the times we've played with 9? (But we havent played with 9 3 times IIRC) - what about the times we've played with 10?

It should really be starting formations only

 

[thatdude]

We are playing some 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 hybrid. Jovetic is not an AM and the wingers drop deep to cover so it is essentially a 4-4-2 when defending, however when we attack the wingers push higher up the pitch and only leave Medel - Melo in the midfield, which leaves it looking like a 4-2-3-1.

 

[JJM]

And we can't create shit with Medel and Melo as the two DM's...they are both the demolition crew and not a "builder"...At least play a Medel-K-Dog as K-Dog can actually pass and move forward with the ball.Having no one in mf who can't dictate the play is suicide.
That 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 hybrid won't work otherwise.
I hope Mancio learned his lesson or else he is dumber than I thought...

 

[BasedGodPunk]

Everything pointed out already is spot on. It's hard to see Juve not overtaking us so that leaves the likes of Roma, Fiorentina, and Napoli. Whether Thohir likes it or not, he's going to have to spend money this window. If he doesn't I don't think this team will be able to keep up with the others. Spending now actually saves money in the long run. We'd get CL money and not have to worry about FFP.