It seemed that Rafa tried an experiment yesterday when he played a 3-5-2 formation with three at the back, two wing-backs and Aleksandar Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy up front.
Mitro didn’t last too long unfortunately, going off injured with a knee injury after Daryl Murphy had put Newcastle ahead after only 5 minutes, with his very first goal for the club.
Yoan Gouffran came on and played up front and looked good during the game.
Rafa Benitez – trying out different systems
As seems usual these days Newcastle were on top for the first 20 minutes but we couldn’t add to our goal and Birmingham came back into the game – equalized just before half time – and it ended up in a rare draw – 1-1.
Maybe Rafa is thinking of having two strikers up front and a couple of fast wing backs in Lazaar and Yedlin could potentially open up opposing defenses.
It does seem we have the type of players to play in a 3-5-2 system with the attacks coming down the wings.
It could be the system Rafa is thinking of emplying in the future when we are without Jonjo Shelvey.
But when Shelvey returns after the game at Brentford on Saturday, it may be that Newcastle revert back to the usual 4-2-3-1 formation with just one striker up front.
But it will now be interesting to see which system Rafa will use at Griffin Park next Saturday.
It could be that he keeps to the 3-5-2 formation and with Mitro not available for that game we could even see Daryl Murphy and Dight Gayle up front together for Newcastle.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Belfast
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:33 PM
Comment #1Nope he changed formation due to the personnel he had available and will revert back to the usual 4-2-3-1 next game.
Tsunki
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Comment #2Posted before I know from nufc.com –
“….and as for our custodian, Matz Sels, we will never progress in any competition that gives this absolute liability the chance to cause consternation with his penchant for punching and flapping.”
I think Rafa keeps wheeling him out with a sense of incredulity at his lack of ability. I think 3rd spot is guaranteed with Elliot coming back in.
Belfast
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Comment #3I’d like to see 4-4-2 against Brentford meself.
Belfast
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Comment #4I’d like to see 4-4-2 against Brentford meself.
Tsunki
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:35 PM
Comment #5Experiment only using a cup tie. All scuppered thanks to mitros injury, agree with Belfast, probably unlikely we will see it again. Unless we get through the next round…
Belfast
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:37 PM
Comment #6You’ll probably recoup yer money on him in the summer though. He’ll go back to Belgium.
Tsunki
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:38 PM
Comment #7There’s probably a bit of Benitez shoving it up the social media experts with a “see what happens when we try this” approach. 🙂
toon kk
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:42 PM
Comment #84-4-2 imo works best in the championship. Although under our current form I’m not sure what will, just hope we pick up once Shelvey returns.
Belfast
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:43 PM
Comment #9Sell Sels as someone said yesterday. 🙂
SPRINGY
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #10It sounded like a 4-4-2 to me or even 4-4-1-1……maybe wrong like,but never came across as a 3-5-2 tbh.
LGFUAD21
Jan 8, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #11I don’t think we saw much rotation as we were on a winning street. Let’s not forget (to the whingers) that Rafa almost set a record for most wins in a row.
I suspect yesterday’s formation change was partly Rafa experimenting for a plan b in light of recent form.
I do think that we can argue all day about formations. But you pick the formation that suits the players you have not the other way.
Sav
Jan 8, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Comment #123 at the back with Mbemba would be an interesting prospect. Too good to languish on the bench and our fullbacks are not world-beaters so hope to see this when he returns from the ACN.