We look at whether Steve Davis’ change in formation can have a beneficial effect on the Alex this season
Last season, Steve Davis experimented with various different formations, including three and four at the back formations. For the start of the current pre-season he has used a 4-4-2 formation, which I think he should stick with.
Davis says the formation switch has helped with defensive learning, saying, “it is very simple when it comes to defending”. When a side concedes 83 goals in a league season, it is clear that something will need to change and 4-4-2 will hopefully bring the desired results.
However, in the start of pre-season the Alex have still been leaking goals. 3 conceded against lower league opposition in Buxton and Kidsgrove and a further 2 against Wolves yesterday indicates that similar problems are still there. If the Alex continue to leak silly goals going into the 2016/17 campaign, promotion would be very difficult.
Many fans have been calling for changes to the defence, and I think another centre-back would be very useful. An experienced campaigner who has done it at League Two level (or even higher) would be ideal to help the centre-backs already at the club, none of whom are above the age of 25. That said, with money tight and improvement more important in other areas, it is unlikely that David will bring another centre-back in.
The switch to a 4-4-2 may also help in an attacking sense. Ryan Lowe and Chris Dagnall are two very good strikers and they are too good to be sitting on the bench, and one of them would have to be if only one central striker was played. Lowe and Dagnall are also good mates off the pitch and they can link up well in a two.
As for the centre of midfield, the 4-4-2 could enable James Jones to push forward and get into the positions to score the goals he needs to this season. If his central-midfield partner can sit in and give a shield to the back four, Jones will have the license to get forward a lot more often.
In the higher levels of the game 4-4-2 is dying, with Leicester being one of the few sides in recent years to utilize the formation to good effect. If the 4-4-2 works for Crewe anything like it did for Leicester, then Alex fans should be in for a very successful season.