3-5-2?

[Scott Brehaut]

Yeah it would be wouldn't it.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Glad I made someone laugh. See, I can be funny. (in the head). It's not all doom and gloom you know.

[hector]

I do actually like the 3-5-2 line-up. Cyril used it to great effect in 1987/88 and then Kevin Hodges used the same line-up to similar success a decade later.

But effectively, your full-backs become your wingers. In 1988, it was McNichol and Kelly who as attacking full-backs worked with a back three of Cole, Impey and Lloyd.

In 1998, the best full-back combination we have probably ever had, in Gurney and Gibbs played with a back three of Gittens, Watson and Robinson. (Later all there of these would play for Exeter City)

Each of those teams had strong defence with also defensive midfielders 88 the likes of Sean Haslegrave and 98 Clayton & Leadbitter. However, each team had a touch of mercurial genius, Loram in 88 and Rodney Jack in 98.

If Knill is going for that line-up then there is a good case for it with the three strong centre-halves he has - if Downes is fit. Where it leaves your wingers though is anyone's guess because the five man midfield, often encompasses attacking full-backs rather than out and out wingers. I can't see our wingers offering too much defensively. It worked in the above teams because the full-backs were attack minded but were essentially defenders....so may be it was more of 5-3-2 - depends how you read it.

So it could be

Rice/Poke

Pearce, Downes, O'Connor
Tonge Nicholson/Cruise
Mozika Mansell AN Other

Hawley McCallum

which is lacking a little offensively but would surely be a tighter unit defensively or it could be, perhaps...

Rice/Poke

Pearce, Downes, O'Connor

Mansell
Mozika AN Other
Chapell Bodin/Azeez/Cameron

Hawley McCallum

which attacking wise may or may not offer much more than what we currently get but defensively looks like it is a little on the vulnerable side.

[hector]

I had set the players out in a sort of formation when typing the message and it hasn't come out that way, so line-ups above won't really make much sense.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I had set the players out in a sort of formation when typing the message and it hasn't come out that way,

I wouldn't worry about it Hector, neither do half the people on here at times. :na:

[Alpine Joe]

hector

the five man midfield, often encompasses attacking full-backs rather than out and out wingers.

3-5-2 would certainly be an interesting formation, but as hector says, your two wide midfielders would really need to be more in the mould of defenders that could get forward, rather than attackers who could defend a bit.

Someone like Ian Morris.was excellent at the defensive side of wide midfield work, but not so hot when it came to attacking and would probably have fitted the bill, but of course we've moved on that type of player and recruited more out and out wingers such as Courtney Cameron.

I'm not expecting to see much change from the usual 4 man defence and attack minded wide men. I think Knill is banking on getting some better luck with injuries as well as recruiting loan players who may be better able to make his existing system work before he seriously contemplates any drastic changes in formation.

[AustrianAndyGull]

What formation do Hartlepool play now? You know, the side with far better players than we've got who were lucky not to get a battering at Plainmoor the other month but who are now comfortably mid table having sorted themselves out? I'd prefer Knill to go with that formation please.

[Lloyder5]

I don't think it is about accepting 'shitness'. Fonda explained it on another thread. It is about recognising the situation and that change may take a little time. Andy, I think the way you flip-flop between opinions, sometimes within the same thread, reduces the credibility of what is expressed. NAGull makes reasonable points.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I recognise the situation Lloyder although I don't think some do which is sort of the problem. It's the Ling scenario all over again.

Change for the better may take a little time IF IT COMES. It may not come and then those who love Knill won't do so anymore and will ultimately be as fickle as me and we can do the same all over again with the new manager.

I truly believe in what I say even though often it is expressed erratically and I find it is credible to me. I'm not an academic and don't generally spend my time analysing posts to death just so I can pull someone up on them.

I fail to see how I haven't made reasonable points with regards Knill's chopping and changing. According to NA Gull I need an FA Coaching badge to be able to 'understand' football. I dispute that and would argue that my own bloody eyes are as good.

I don't flip flop. Knill is incompetent, Bodin is still rubbish and we look like a team of strangers. If I have said anything to the contrary then please do inform me so I can rectify this.

[Lloyder5]

That would take an academic, trawling through 8232 posts!

[AustrianAndyGull]

That would take an academic, trawling through 8215 posts!

You're not wrong! Maybe a job for Professor Brian Cox.

[Lloyder5]

Good to finish the evening laughing!

[AustrianAndyGull]

We disagree about lots of things but we're all Torquay fans who care and that's all that matters.

[brucie]

Its annoying that even crap teams like Hartlepool and Accrington are now putting back to back wins together when we can't even manage one. Given that Knill has signed O'Connor for another month and he is free to play in the fa cup you do wonder what is going to happen now. IS Downes fit (or did he go off at half time in the Yeovil friendly because of his injury)

[AustrianAndyGull]

It may be that Knill didn't want to risk him for any longer Brucie. If so it becomes one of the most sensible things Knill has done since he arrived.