Interpretations of Bristol Rovers wing-less formation last week at Portsmouth vary, as do opinions of how successful it was, but it’s a system Joey Barton continues to try and refine and will certainly use again this season.
Barton raised several eyebrows among the 1,843 Gasheads who had made the trip down to Fratton Park, plus the several thousand more back in Bristol, by selecting nine central outfield players against Pompey in what appeared to be a narrow 3-3-3-1.
Luca Hoole was the only specialist “wide player” in the team, but he played the game on the right-hand side of a back three, having been moved into the centre of defence this season.
