What's in a football formation? Hours of discussion have been devoted on how to square the circle, or as Jonathan Wilson put it how to Invert the Pyramid, across the world. We all have our preferred formations and countries have very different philosophies on football. But England is firmly entrenched in a 4-4-2 formation.
But when Peter Taylor came in, he tinkered hugely with the personnel and at times with the formation. Yes, he played 4-4-2, but his firm belief came from 4-3-3 and 4-5-1. It might have worked with him at other clubs before, but it never worked at City. Even to the end he stuck with his 4-3-3 and it was only at half-time in that captivating finale against Stockport County that he reverted to a formation that footballers up and down this country know, love and understand (okay, it was really a 3-4-3 after Stockport were reduced to nine men that we got the real joy) and he played a final get out of jail card.
So today, what will Peter Jackson play today at Gillingham? And should City be looking full-time for a manager who will play 4-4-2? Maybe Taylor was hamstrung by injuries, but the experience he had from the players at his dispensation and the reaction of the crowd suggests 4-4-2 is the way forward. Perhaps, it shouldn't really matter as long as the club gets results, but it seems City fans and players are more comfortable with a 4-4-2.
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