As suggested by @Johnnyrotten splitting this off from the transfer chat as a place for formation nerds like me to discuss tactics.

@wanderer1984 I agree 343 is a really weird formation. Off the top of my head I can only think of 2 teams playing it successfully in the last 20ish years - Brazil 2002 and Chelsea under Conte.

Brazil 2002 had Cafu and Roberto Carlos as the wing backs.... And a front 3 that was ridiculous, so don't really work as a comparison to any other team.

However Chelsea under Conte is interesting. The 3 at the back helped to not expose David Luiz when he'd invariably wander. And the wing backs were completely different, Alonso was previously a full back, and Moses previously a winger. And Chelsea would play Azpilicueta at RCB to cover Moses.

So @Rival Son I'm not sure we need 2 primarily attacking wing backs to make it work. Schon as more attacking and Cogley more defensive could be fine.

The bit we are missing is in midfield though. Both those teams had pure enforcers in the centre. Chelsea had Matic and Kanye, and Brazil had Gilberto Silva and Kleberson (more a hard worker but not a ball player definitely). This is where we seem way off it with Thomason and Sheehan. I like both but they're not enforcers.

1 hour ago, nantwichwhite said:

Formations apart there were familiar faults which were similar to last year. Keeper not dominating six yard area and missed chances. I suppose what concerned me most that after half an hour, through sheer aggressive play our midfield was push back and lost the battle. Agree with the consideration of a midfield three, but hopefully our new midfield signings will make us more competitive in this area. It doesn't bode  well for Sheehan and Morley though who quite clearly do not relish the battle and will not release the ball quickly enough.

If we get bids I can see Sheehan and Morley being away this window, especially now we’ve got Erhahon but I don’t expect we will get bids sadly.

Don't see Morley going anywhere. 

Just now, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Don't see Morley going anywhere. 

Nor do I want him to. He’s as tough as either of the new boys, has good distribution and is the only player who can deliver a decent set piece.

Don’t understand why some want him out. Then again, unlike others, I don’t rate Cogley. It’s all about opinions, which is why we’re all here!

I don't think he's particularly physical, though I also think he's improved in that regard.

30 minutes ago, Rival Son said:

Nor do I want him to. He’s as tough as either of the new boys, has good distribution and is the only player who can deliver a decent set piece.

Don’t understand why some want him out. Then again, unlike others, I don’t rate Cogley. It’s all about opinions, which is why we’re all here!

Sheehan is tidy yes thats the word.....He can get kicked 20 times and he will get up each time...Gets hold of the ball does not panic then plays a ball short to anybody near.

Tough in what way?? He is never going into crunching tackles and wont wind up the opposition

Not what we need in a two and i like Sheehan.....Every player should be able to deliver a set piece

12 months from now we may have one Evatt player in the squad.....As Dylan said Times are a changing

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

I don't think he's particularly physical, though I also think he's improved in that regard.

Agree, they both can play but there is no devilment in their play, they just seem to melt away when teams like Stockport start their disruptive tactics, I'm not talking about crunching tackles just the propensity to get more involved, the occasional push and shove, foot left in, general shithousery. I think that is why Morley was taken off and he didn't like it one bit.

1 minute ago, nantwichwhite said:

Agree, they both can play but there is no devilment in their play, they just seem to melt away when teams like Stockport start their disruptive tactics, I'm not talking about crunching tackles just the propensity to get more involved, the occasional push and shove, foot left in, general shithousery. I think that is why Morley was taken off and he didn't like it one bit.

Yes, I agree, they both lack a bit of devilment, and that's why I've always said that generally, it doesn't work with them together.

With the other two new boys, and one of these, then that looks stronger.

Of course, that means no second striker if using two wingers.

Choices, choices eh!

We didn't lose the midfield battle against Stockport. In fact id argue first half we was the dominant midfield. Second half was even Stevens.  4231 is gonna be the bread and butter now. We need to see how this looks when Erhahon gets involved but Morley was fine against Stockport. 

People are forgetting how good he was last year for Wycombe and then us. Sheehan is a different type of midfielder but it's good to have different options. 

With no 10, striker will be isolated and that brings about a new set of issues. SS im sure will chop and change but the 4231 worked fine for me, we just didn't put the ball in the net. 

Edited August 4, 2025Aug 4 by Arrested development

10 hours ago, Arrested development said:

We didn't lose the midfield battle against Stockport. In fact id argue first half we was the dominant midfield. Second half was even Stevens.  4231 is gonna be the bread and butter now. We need to see how this looks when Erhahon gets involved but Morley was fine against Stockport. 

People are forgetting how good he was last year for Wycombe and then us. Sheehan is a different type of midfielder but it's good to have different options. 

With no 10, striker will be isolated and that brings about a new set of issues. SS im sure will chop and change but the 4231 worked fine for me, we just didn't put the ball in the net. 

It was just shit finishing Sunday and being cheated out of a pen. Thought the midfield was fine first half but Stockport bossed it second half.