Is there just a lot of back three chat because England played it at the World Cup? We currently only have three centre backs, one of whom is over the hill. Has Puel played a back three before? Has he shown or said that he wants to play something other than his insipid 4231?
Why am I asking? Do I give a shit? Should I give a shit? Can he play right back? Is Tommy Wright still at Aberdeen? Do I plug it into the sofa?
I don’t think he’ll swap now as he hasn’t even experimented with it so far in preseason.
The reasons why I thought we would go to - back 3 a few weeks ago and hence move to a 3-4-1-2 were the following:
1) The signing of Evans and still constantly being linked to decent centre backs.
2) The signing of Pereira who is very attacking for a defender.
3) The lack of signing of a left back, considering the two we currently have there are hopeless. Whereas Chilwell could potentially be half decent as a LWB where he doesn’t have to defend as much.
4) The performance levels of Harry Maguire in the back three at the WC.
5) The selling of Mahrez meaning that we don’t have to base a formation around our best player any more. He would not suit a 3-4-1-2 formation.
6) The lack of replacement for Mahrez meaning that we have Albrighton, Gray, Diabate and possibly Kapustka fighting for winger positions as a 4-4-2. We currently have a major lack of quality on our wings staying with a 4-4-2.
7) The signing of Maddison as a number 10 starter, meaning that we would have Vardy, Iheanacho, Okazaki, Ulloa, Slimani and Musa fighting for one position up top if we continued with 4-4-1-1. I presumed we would move to a 3-4-1-2 to be able to play with two of them, seeing as no ****er wants to sign any of them.
All the signs pointed to it a few weeks ago, but not any more. If we are going to continue with a 4-4-1-1, we desperately need a new Left Back and a new Winger, and clear out about a dozen strikers.
