3-5-2?

Completely agree with you here in that De Laet should make a good wing back on last years performances and agree that the new guy has probably been bought with this in mind too.

Not sure if it would work week in week out but it's certainly a good plan B and good to see us working on different ideas to try out these plan B's and C's.

What else I thought was interesting about the game is that Danns played a full 90mins and there's lots of pictures of him getting stuck in on the LCFC website. Probably reading well too much into that but perhaps their attempting to present him in a fresh light, and he's next seasons mid field 'signing' in 'if you can't beat them, join them' kind of way.

I said last season that I thought De Laet was better going forward than defending.

He sometimes has a Rabbit in the Headlights moment when he's got someone going at him and he's trying to stop them, so using him as a wing back could work out well, depending on who is covering in one of the back three positions.

Presuming we've seen the last of Michael Keane, I think a back five of De Laet, SSL, Morgan, Whitbread/Konchesky and Bakayogo could work out quite nicely.

Think I'd rather have Konch as the left hand side of the CB's than Whitbread as he's a solid defender and would provide good cover for Bakayogo going forward.

Konchesky could make a good go left side if a back three. He's lost too much pace to make an effective modern left back for me.

Konchesky doesn't fit well into a 4-3-3 for me. However, the prospect of King, James and Knockaert as a 3-man midfield is quite dynamic and exciting.

*3-5-2.

I've been fixated with this formation, almost to the same extent as Foxello's NP loathing, but in a good way.
Think we have the players for it, although looks like Schlupp will figure as a striker rather than a wing back, and NP has noted the resilience it gave both Watford and Brighton. Bruce also used it for Hull in important fixtures. We can use Konchesky at CB and it will take pressure off Moore if he plays. Would make us less susceptible to be hit on the break by teams that look to park the bus even when at home.

Hope it's the plan A and 442/443 are the plan B.

"Hope it's the plan A and 442/443 are the plan B."

443 would be a great formation – but I think we need to save it for a day when we have really slow-on-the-uptake opponents and referee.

3-5-2 Martin O Neil formation solid. Use of average players to creat a solid defense under his regime.

Rely's on wing backs being able to get forward Shclupp and Knocky will love it.

' "Hope it's the plan A and 442/443 are the plan B."

443 would be a great formation – but I think we need to save it for a day when we have really slow-on-the-uptake opponents and referee. '

Or are you suggesting playing without a goalie - a seriously attacking formation?

443, shhhh don't point it out, they may never notice....