Is it Time For A New Formation ???

[fan_of_mulligan]

I have spoken about this on Twitter earlier this evening and I thought that this debate deserved a topic on Gills Debate....

Now Justin Edinburgh has been trying to accommodate two strikers and Bradley Dack into his starting eleven, and this leaves Justin Edinburgh with the two formations we have seen in his tenure as Gillingham Manager, A Diamond Midfielder, or three at the back to play two strikers up-front, both formations require wing backs and it is hardly surprising that Gillingham have missed Ryan Jackson at Right Back Again - why we didn't sign any Right Back Cover I have No Idea - Scunthorpe United and Port Vale have seen Ryan Jackson's name absent from the team-sheet, both matches Gillingham have lost before all important League Cup Ties, The Watford Win was remarkable, can we do the same against Tottenham ??? - Highly unlikely.

But as for the new formation, The 4.2.3.1 Formation has been suggested and Gillingham could well line up like this.....

-------------------------------------Bond----------------------------------------
Jackson------------Ehmer--------------------Oshilaja-----------------Konchesky
---------------------Byrne----------------------Wright------------------------------
Wagstaff--------------------------Dack-----------------------------------Osadebe
----------------------------------McDonald------------------------------------------

Subs: Nelson (GK), Pask, Oldaker, Knott, Hessenthaler, Emmanuel-Thomas, Donnelly

This Formation gives Gillingham the additional protection of a second defensive holding midfielder and we can provide genuine width in wide area's AND Bradley Dack can play in A Central Attacking Midfielder Role on The Pitch, we might sacrifice the additional attacking threat of a second striker for some defensive security of another defensive holding midfielder, but that may well be a good thing when you look at our goals against column - which is the highest in the league with fifteen goals conceded.

But I also have another line up suggestion which is slightly different to the one above and that is this.................

-------------------------------------Bond----------------------------------------
Jackson------------Ehmer--------------------Oshilaja-----------------Konchesky
---------------------Byrne----------------------Wright------------------------------
----------------Wagstaff---------Dack-----------Emmanuel-Thomas------------
----------------------------------McDonald------------------------------------------

Subs: Nelson (GK), Pask, Oldaker, Osadebe, Hessenthaler, Knott, Donnelly

The big difference in this system and the one above is three central attacking midfielders playing behind one striker, Scott Wagstaff, Billy Knott, Lee Martin, Billy Knott, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Emmanuel Osadebe can all play in these positions, and we still have the additional security of an additional defensive midfielder, this formation may well require wing backs with five midfielders in the middle of the pitch, but with the number of midfielders Gillingham have got in The First Team Squad, and the lack of striking options, then either this formation, or the one above are worth taking into consideration.

The Diamond Midfield and Wing Back Systems are still effective, but maybe Gillingham are being sussed out over the predictability of these tactics and Justin Edinburgh needs to find a way of playing that see's Gillingham concede less goals and we may well score less in the process, but we will win more games then we will lose.

What are your thoughts and opinions on these tactics ??? Maybe you have A Tactic Yourself that you like to see Gillingham Play, or maybe it's not the system but the personal that needs changing ??? - This idea came to me while traveling back from the game today, and I wanted to get this posted quickly while I can still remember what I wanted to say.

[Garawa]

That's what I would do. Swop Osadebe and Byrne from time to time. That's how we played on Saturday and seemed solid. We let in 2 late goals but with Wagstaff at right back for 45 minutes which clearly didn't help. How on earth could an attacking midfielder end up there?!