Tiresias

The only problem with all the theorycrafting about formations is while I approve of shifting to a 3 man central midfield are we training our players for this football, can they adapt game to game? I am skeptical of Pardew's ability to get players playing exactly to a tactical plan, and players need to know to be making small passing triangles and making themselves available. Worst thing would be is if team panic and start hoofing it up, which is better with 2 forwards up than 1, I wonder if that was the real reasoning behind 2 strikers against QPR, Pardew correctly supposed we'd be overrun in midfield so was just hoping for a lucky goal from a punt upfield.

I'm not sure about Marveaux in the centre yet, can he hold up the ball and spray passes past the backline well? I haven't seen him enough for that at present so maybe wrong, that lineup reminds me of England's present set up, fair amount of attacking threat in the midfield but noone who can keep the ball up in between an opponents midfield and defence, (at least while Wilshere is out).

If shola is to start games it needs to be ones where we think we can boss the midfield without an additional man and their defensive line is a little small and flimsy. On the latter yes I suppose Shola on a good day may be good but Villa's midfield is too good

We obviously can't allow Villa all the chances on goal we allowed QPR, Bent is a good poacher, and has good supply, we need to push further up, I'd probably go for -----------------------Krul-------------------------- Simp Colo Taylor Santon Tiote Obertan Cabaye Marveaux Guti Best Think 4-3-3 sacrifices some width, hopefully a 4-1-4-1 will allow us to protect flanks while still not having the same midfield problems as against QPR, of course at expense of attacking threat, but shola didn't convince, can change it up later, and marveau and cabaye should be pretty good in support of Best who is at least on form.

Worrisome game. Hopefully just an off day, but these sort of performances I worry will convince Pardew not to mess with the defence and effectively have Tiote and Cabaye stuck in almost holding midfielder positions, lest we start conceeding. If we could keep the ball further up the pitch alleviating the pressure will stop us riding our luck. Tiote should be holding, Cabaye needs to be playing off the forwards much further up. I think it's reasonable for Sammy to still be a sub (wouldn't want to ruin his confidence if we give him a start and he doesn't do well) but I'd like him to come on earlier, to get some pace in earlier.